ClassOf56

“For four years we have lived, existed, and struggled at Murray State College;

in each phase we have met new mysteries and experiences and found pleasure.

For as many years we have consistently followed the highway of complaints

and ‘griping,’ but now give thanks for the persistency of the class bells, the

enthusiasm of a close game and the warmth of new friendships. These things

MSC has given us bit by bit intermingled with the cramming for exams, the

routine learning exercises, and the occasional rush for the last bus home.”

--Introduction to the Seniors Section of the 1956 MSU Shield

Over 40 class members of the Murray State University 1956 graduating class will return this weekend for a slate of activities honoring their 50-year reunion on MSU’s campus.

Members of the class will begin activities at The Big Apple Café on Thursday evening for a get together from 5 to 7 p.m. Classmate and attorney, William A. Logan, will be the guest speaker during the Emeritus Club luncheon, held Friday at noon in the Murray Room of the Regional Special Events Center . A Commencement Reception will be held for the graduating class of 2006 at the Alumni Center on Friday evening from 4 to 5:30 p.m. All 1956 class member and friends of the university are invited to attend.

Col. Anna McHargue, a 1956 class member will be honored as the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus recipient at a dinner Friday evening in Pogue Library. A “Muffins ‘n Minglin’ breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Alumni Center for the ’56 class members. The group will then receive special recognition during MSU’s 2006 Commencement Ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. at the RSEC.

As McHargue prepares to travel to her alma mater from Menlo Park , Calif. , she believes the common bond her classmates share was generated by the post attitudes from World War II . “We just thought we were ordinary people, but there were many older students attending college after World War II and this in itself created much more seriousness among all of us.”

Distinction and honor is prevalent in the 1956 class, as McHargue joins four other of her class members Wanda Durrett Bigham, Bobby Brashears, Charles Mercer , and Jacque Voegeli who have also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Classmate Howell Clark is a former MSU Distinguished Professor honoree.

Mercer, the retired executive vice chancellor and professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville , agrees with McHargue and said the seriousness among all of them following the war presented a “time of challenge to achieve.”

“This collective ideal was prevalent to MSU,” he said. “The faculty was of one mind and teaching was simply outstanding. The late Dr. Liz a Spann, Dr. Walter Blackburn, Evelyn Lynn, Forrest Pogue and a whole litany of others were committed to educate the students--I am very proud of Murray State and its role in the development of western Kentucky and in my own journey.”

Bobby Brashears, a retired U.S. Army major general, said he cannot identify the most outstanding characteristic of his days at Murray, but describes it as a “wonderful experience and a happy family.” “Our classes were small and we got to know our professors and classmates very well,” he said. “Our professors were more than professors they were our mentors and that had a huge impact on me.”

Brashears recalls a lasting impression experience at Murray during his second semester as a freshman. “I phoned Fred Gingles, my accounting professor, at home one evening at 8 p.m. to ask for his help in my practice test,” he said. “He invited me over to his house and he worked with me until we found the one cent error. This experience helped me be a mentor during my Army career”

Jim Adams, a retired psychiatrist, said in addition to the faculty mentorship the friendships he made also provided him with mentoring opportunities. “I was able to accept a residency with a family practitioner in Providence Kentucky when my former roommate accepted a Florida residency and decided to leave Providence .”

Former Kentucky state senator, Logan, said his experience at Murray granted him numerous opportunities through his job as a camera man covering events. “Every one at this reunion knows all about my photography skills,” he said. “Just being at Murray was the highlight for me, I worked hard and my campus job with the camera was not like work—I was able to watch plays and other campus functions from a front row seat.” Joyce Polley Logan , the 1956 Outstanding senior woman, also received her masters from Murray and will soon celebrate a 50-year career in education. An associate professor at the University of Kentucky , Logan worked in the offices of Ralph Woods, MSU president, and Ben Hogancamp, former MSU faculty member. “This was the icing on the cake for me while at Murray ,” she said. “These work experiences as a business major were very inspirational.”

Lanette Howard Thurman, classmate and reunion committee member, said the seriousness they experienced was also laced many fun memories as well. Saturday afternoon outings on Kentucky Lake, making the honor roll so curfew could be advanced an hour from 9 to 10 p.m. and attending weekly chapel, are all memories that Thurman recalled “During chapel we held discussions of possible controversial topics with Harry Sparks leading them in a straight forward manner,” she said. “Our president, Ralph Woods, was an authoritative figure that students needed and wanted, and we all demonstrated a high level of respect for leaders.”

Arvin Crafton, classmate and reunion committee member, said he is looking forward to reminiscing with everyone. “It will be an exciting time to visit with people we haven’t seen since our college days,” he said. “It doesn’t seem possible 50 years has passed since we graduated.”

Alumni and the public are invited to attend all events. For Alumni Reunion Weekend information or reservations, contact Patti Jones , associate director of alumni affairs, at 270-762-3437, 800-758-8510, or patti.jones@murraystate.edu.