Michael McKinney, 1969 MSU agriculture alumnus of Tampa, Fla., has recently established the Michael McKinney “Hoosier Pride” Scholarship for Agriculture Studies at MSU to assist students in the school of agriculture residing in the neighboring state of Indiana . McKinney is creating the scholarship in the memory of his parents, Forrest and Elizabeth McKinney. The scholarship will be based on financial need and leadership potential with preference given to students who participated in the 4-H Youth Program in Indiana.

“For years Murray State University Agriculture has taken great pride in our programs and our graduates. One such graduate is Dr. Michael McKinney," says Dr. Tony Brannon, dean of the MSU School of Agriculture. "Dr. McKinney has a long record of accomplishments and success throughout his career. Although extremely busy and located many miles from Murray, he regularly takes the time and makes the effort to attend our annual alumni banquet. We take great pride in the fact that he has recently established The Michael McKinney ‘Hoosier Pride’ Scholarship for Agricultural Studies. This scholarship will be a great benefit to future students who are pursuing careers in agriculture.”

McKinney holds the title of Professor Emeritus in Leadership and Public Policy from the University of Florida (UF) where he retired in 2005. He is a former president of the MSU Agriculture Alumni Association and was named Outstanding Murray State Agriculture Alumnus in 1979. Prior to joining the UF faculty in 1986, he was an Extension Educator at Purdue University . McKinney grew up in Indianapolis and was recently inducted into the Pike High School Hall of Fame in that city. His passion has been working with youth through the 4-H Program and he currently serves as president of the 4-H Foundation in Hillsborough County ( Tampa ), Florida.

Mike has maintained a close relationship with Murray State over the years and regularly attends homecoming activities with his close friends and fellow MSU graduates, Jim and Judy Stahler of Murray, Ky.

Applicants for this scholarship must be graduates of an Indiana High School , be enrolled in the MSU School of Agriculture and have a 2.5 GPA.

For more information on the Michael McKinney “Hoosier Pride” Scholarship for Agriculture Studies, contact the MSU Scholarship Office at 270-809-3225 or at scholarship.office@murraystate.edu.