History of Murray State University in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 2, 2025

Murray State University (MSU) is a public university located in Murray, Kentucky. Besides the main campus in Calloway County, it operates extended campuses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson, offering upper-level and graduate courses. MSU provides educational opportunities within the Southern United States.

1917: Construction of Edgewood Began

In 1917, the construction of the mansion originally known as Edgewood, the current residence of the university president, began.

1918: Construction of Edgewood Completed

In 1918, the construction of the mansion originally known as Edgewood was completed.

September 2, 1922: Murray Chosen as Site for Western Normal School

On September 2, 1922, Murray was selected as the site for the western normal school after Rainey T. Wells convinced the Normal School Commission to choose his city. Morehead was chosen for the eastern normal school on this same day.

November 26, 1922: John Wesley Carr Elected First President

On November 26, 1922, John Wesley Carr was elected the first president of the Murray State Normal School by the State Board of Education.

May 15, 1923: Carr Becomes Murray's First President

On May 15, 1923, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the State Board of Education, confirming John Wesley Carr as Murray's first president.

September 24, 1923: Murray State Normal School Opens

Murray State Normal School officially opened its doors on September 24, 1923, marking the beginning of the institution's academic journey.

October 15, 1923: Ground Broken for Wrather Hall

On October 15, 1923, ground was broken for Wrather Hall, originally known as the Administration Building, which is now Wrather West Kentucky Museum.

1924: Construction of the Administrative Building

In 1924, construction was completed on the first building on Murray State's campus, the Administrative Building, which later became known as Wrather Hall.

1924: Wrather Hall in Use

Wrather Hall has been in use since 1924.

1925: Construction of Wells Hall

In 1925, Wells Hall, the first dormitory, was constructed, providing on-campus housing for students.

1926: Rainey T. Wells Becomes Second President and Name Change

In 1926, Rainey T. Wells became the second president of Murray State, and the Normal School was renamed Murray State Normal School and Teachers College, with the authority to confer baccalaureate degrees.

1928: College Accredited by Southern Association

In 1928, Murray State was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, marking a significant milestone in its academic reputation.

1928: Continuous Accreditation Since 1928

Murray State has been institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, continuously since 1928.

1930: Name Changed to Murray State Teachers College

In 1930, the name was changed to Murray State Teachers College, and it was granted the authority to offer liberal arts and pre-professional courses.

1931: Completion of Ordway Hall

In 1931, Ordway Hall was completed and originally used as a men's dormitory.

1932: End of Rainey T. Wells' Presidency

Rainey T. Wells' presidency ended in 1932. During his tenure, Lovett Auditorium, Carr Health Building, and Pogue Library were completed.

1933: Murray State Joins KIAC

In 1933, Murray State joined the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

1935: Alma Mater Written

In 1935, A.B. Austin, then Dean of Men, wrote the words to the Murray State University alma mater. The tune is "Annie Lisle," and the alma mater has two verses.

June 1936: Board of Regents Purchased Edgewood

In June 1936, the Board of Regents purchased Edgewood, the home built by Dr. and Mrs. Rainey T. Wells, and remodeled and renamed it Oakhurst.

1936: Department of Music Joins National Association of Schools of Music

Since 1936 The Department of Music has been a member of the National Association of Schools of Music

1938: Campus Lights Started

In 1938, the Gamma Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha started Campus Lights as a fundraiser to pay the chapter's chartering fees. It is now the longest-running student-produced and performed musical in the South.

1947: Murray State Leaves KIAC

In 1947, Murray State left the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

1948: Murray State Joins OVC

In 1948, Murray State joined the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).

1948: Name Changed to Murray State College

In 1948, the name was changed to Murray State College, with the expansion of programs to include graduate-level courses.

1958: First All-Campus Sing

In 1958, the first All-Campus Sing event was held. It takes place each April and features residential colleges, fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations competing in a choreographed song and dance competition.

1965: Shoe Tree Tradition Originates

Around 1965, the tradition of the Shoe Tree originated. Couples who meet at Murray State and get married nail their shoes to the tree in front of Pogue Library.

1966: Name Changed to Murray State University

In 1966, the General Assembly authorized the Board of Regents to change the name to Murray State University.

1967: Completion of Sparks Hall

In 1967, Sparks Hall was completed, serving as the main administrative building with offices for student financial aid, admissions, and other services.

1973: Completion of Roy Stewart Stadium

In 1973, Roy Stewart Stadium, home of the Murray State Racers football program, was completed and named for former football coach Roy Stewart.

1975: Wrather Hall Placed on National Register of Historic Places

In 1975, Wrather Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1976: Thoroughbred Racehorse Tradition Begins

In 1976, Murray State University began the tradition of having a thoroughbred racehorse run around the track after every MSU football touchdown. The first racehorse was named Violet Cactus.

1978: National Championship in Rifle

In 1978, the Murray State Racers claimed a national championship in rifle (NRA).

1984: Pat Spurgin Wins Olympic Gold

In 1984, Pat Spurgin, a two-time national titlist from Murray State, won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

1984: Death of Violet Cactus

In 1984, Violet Cactus, the first racehorse to run around the track after every MSU football touchdown, died and was buried at Roy Stewart Stadium.

1985: National Championship in Rifle

In 1985, the Murray State Racers claimed a national championship in rifle (NCAA).

1985: Racer One Tradition Begins

Since 1985, each horse that circles the football field after touchdowns has been known as Racer One. Several horses have filled the role of Racer One since 1985, and the position is currently held by a horse named Vegas.

1987: National Championship in Rifle

In 1987, the Murray State Racers claimed a national championship in rifle (NCAA).

1989: First Tent City

In 1989, Tent City began as an annual tradition. It takes place before every homecoming football game, with more than 50 tents set up on the track at Roy Stewart Stadium.

1996: Residential College Program

In 1996, Murray State became the first public university in the United States to adopt a campus-wide residential college program.

1998: Darin Shock Gains Notoriety

Between 1998 and 2001, Darin Shock gained notoriety for his work as a cartoonist for The Murray State News.

1998: Fatal Dormitory Fire

In 1998, a fatal dormitory fire on campus was attributed to GLOs.

1998: Completion of CFSB Center

In 1998, the 8,602-seat CFSB Center was completed to replace the aging Racer Arena for the men's and women's basketball teams.

1999: First Shoe Tree Removed

In 1999, the first incarnation of the Shoe Tree was removed due to safety reasons.

2000: Darin Shock Honored

In 2000, Darin Shock, cartoonist for The Murray State News, earned the honor of top college cartoonist in the nation from the College Media Advisers.

2001: Darin Shock Gains Notoriety

Between 1998 and 2001, Darin Shock gained notoriety for his work as a cartoonist for The Murray State News.

2004: ACP Pacemaker Award

In 2004, The Murray State News received an ACP Pacemaker award, the highest award given to collegiate newspapers.

2004: Opening of Biology Building

In 2004, the Biology Building opened as part of the new science complex on the west side of 16th Street.

April 16, 2005: Dedication of Bauernfeind Student Recreation and Wellness Center

On April 16, 2005, the new Susan E. Bauernfeind Student Recreation and Wellness Center was dedicated, providing students with various recreational facilities.

2007: Clark Hall Completed

At the beginning of the 2007 fall semester, a replacement building for Clark College, Clark Hall, was completed.

2007: Clock Tower Dedicated

In 2007, the new clock tower was dedicated as the Jesse L. Jones Family Clock Tower.

2007: FieldTurf Replaces AstroTurf in Roy Stewart Stadium

In 2007, the outdated AstroTurf surface in Roy Stewart Stadium was replaced with FieldTurf.

March 2008: Completion of Science Complex

In March 2008, the new state-of-the-art science complex, including a clock tower, was completed.

2008: The Shield Ceases Publication

In 2008, The Shield, the school yearbook, ceased publication with its 2008 edition due to financial concerns.

2008: Ranked by Forbes

Since 2008, Murray State has been ranked by Forbes among America's Top Colleges.

2009: Richmond Hall Opened and Old Clark Hall Torn Down

In the fall of 2009, Richmond Hall opened for James H. Richmond Residential College, and the old Clark Hall building was torn down.

2010: NCAA Tournament Win

In 2010, Murray State, as a 13-seed, won their second-ever NCAA tournament game on a buzzer-beater against 4th-seeded Vanderbilt.

2011: Renovation Began on Elizabeth Hall

Following the completion of the spring 2011 semester, the university began renovation on Elizabeth Hall, which houses the Elizabeth Residential College.

August 18, 2012: Renovated Elizabeth Hall Reopened

On August 18, 2012, the renovated Elizabeth Hall reopened after a $7.2 million renovation project that upgraded the building to meet ADA standards and achieve LEED silver status.

2012: On-Campus Student Population

As of fall 2012, Murray State had 2,831 students living on campus.

2012: OVC Championship

In 2012, Coach Steve Prohm led the Racer men's basketball team to the OVC championship.

2012: Ban on Greek Life

In 2012, Greek life was banned on campus due to incidents involving Alpha Gamma Rho and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity houses.

October 2013: Award at National College Media Convention

In October 2013, The Murray State News won third place best-in-show for four-year weekly broadcast at the National College Media Convention in New Orleans.

2013: Ordway Hall Razing

In 2013, Ordway Hall was razed due to costly renovation needs, but its front facade was retained as a monument.

2014: Baseball Changes Nickname to Racers

In 2014, the baseball team was the last athletic team at Murray State to change their nickname to the "Racers."

2015: National Historic Chemical Landmark

In 2015, MSU was recognized as a National Historic Chemical Landmark (NHCL) for William Kelly's Iron and Steel Making Process by the American Chemical Society.

2015: Second Shoe Tree Removed

In 2015, the second incarnation of the Shoe Tree was removed due to safety reasons.

2016: Greek Life Statistics

As of the spring 2016 semester, 1,438 students were officially reported to be involved with Greek life, representing 19% of the undergraduate student population.

2016: KIAC Renamed RSC

In 2016, the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) was renamed the River States Conference (RSC).

2017: Physics and Engineering Building Completed

In the summer of 2017, a physics and engineering building was completed as part of the westward expansion of the main academic campus of Murray State.

September 2018: Shoe Tree Featured in Music Video

In September 2018, the Shoe Tree was featured in Danish pop band Lukas Graham's music video for their song "Love Someone."

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2018: Ban on Greek Life and Social Events

In 2018, a ban on Greek life and social events followed the death of 19-year-old Zach Wardrip.

2018: Publication of New Madrid Suspended

In 2018, publication of the university's national literary magazine, New Madrid, was suspended due to a lack of funding.

2019: Greek Life Statistics

As of Fall 2019, 16% of undergraduate students make up Murray State Greek Life. The average chapter size for the Panhellenic Council is 93; Interfraternity Council is 50; and National Pan-Hellenic Council is 5. The average Greek GPA is 3.20.

2019: Ranked in U.S. News & World Report

In 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked Murray State 11th among public regional universities in the South and 24th overall among regional universities in the South.