Murray State University President Randy Dunn expressed his appreciation to the family of former Graves County Schools Superintendent Gyndel Garnett at a special scholarship presentation Thursday, Oct. 30, at Graves County High School. Dunn along with several MSU representatives announced the Gyndel E. Garnett Endowed Scholarship for Graves County High School graduates who plan to attend MSU.

Garnett, a Graves County native who died in 2006, left an approximate $360,000 scholarship endowment bequest for Graves County High School students. One of the largest endowments at MSU for a single high school to date, it will provide multiple $2,000 annual scholarships for fulltime students who graduated from Graves County High School. Recipients of the scholarship must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Dunn encouraged the group of juniors and seniors to take advantage of this great opportunity afforded by Garnett. “Mr. Garnett had a vision for you, the future graduates of Graves County High School,” said Dunn. “Out of his generosity and love for education, he wanted to see each of you earn a college education and take some of those financial burdens away.”

The youngest of 13 children, Garnett attended elementary and secondary schools in Graves County and Mayfield. A 1960 Murray State graduate, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business education and master’s degree in secondary education both from MSU. He later received his 30 hours above and Rank I certification at Murray State. At Western Kentucky University and the University of South Carolina, he earned his secondary teacher, secondary principal, director of pupil personnel and superintendent certifications.

Garnett taught school a total of 9 ½ years at Melber, Wingo and Lowes in Graves County and LaCrosse-Virginia and Dixon High School in Webster County. He served as director of pupil personnel for 11 years as well as superintendent of Graves County Schools from July 1, 1977 to June 30, 1984.

For more information on the Gyndel E. Garnett Endowed Scholarship and other endowments, contact the MSU Scholarship Office at 270-809-3225 or at scholarship.office@murraystate.edu.