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April 02, 2008 Gyndel E. Garnett Scholarship for Graves Co. Students Established at MSU Murray State University representatives and family of the late Gyndel Garnett will make a special scholarship presentation at the Graves County Board of Education meeting Thursday, Sept. 18, to announce the establishment of the Gyndel E. Garnett Endowed Scholarship for Graves County High School students. Mr. Garnett, a Graves County native and long-time educator, died in June 2006. The scholarship was established through a generous gift from his estate. "We are deeply appreciative of Mr. Garnett's vision to establish the Gyndel E. Garnett Endowed Scholarship for current and future students of Graves County High School," says MSU President Randy Dunn. "By virtue of Mr. Garnett's gift, he has significantly enhanced the opportunity for Graves County High School students to attend Murray State and earn a college degree. We are excited to announce Mr. Garnett's gift and the new scholarship for students of Graves County High School." Pete Galloway, Superintendent of Graves County schools says, "Those of us who knew Gyndel remember his obvious passion for the Graves County schools. His vision for the district laid a solid foundation to transform it into one of the most progressive school systems in the Commonwealth. Now it is very appropriate and gratifying that this scholarship will bear his name and that Graves County students will benefit from his generosity from this point forward. The creation of this scholarship is very special and something for which we are forever grateful." The youngest of 13 children of the late George and Fannie Garnett, he 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. Mr. Garnett taught school a total of 9 1/2 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. "Gyndel wanted to give students a chance for a quality education who could not afford it," says Larry Odom, nephew of Mr. Garnett. "Coming from a large family, he understood how tough it can be to pay for college. Gyndel wanted to see Graves County students succeed." Mr. Garnett was a member of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, the Kentucky, American and West Kentucky associations of School Administrators, the Mayfield-Graves County Chamber of Commerce and the KET Advisory Committee; a life member of the Kentucky Congress of Parents and Teachers, and on the board of directors with the Mayfield-Graves County United Way and the Mayfield Optimist Club. Mr. Garnett was life member of Owens Chapel United Methodist Church. Bob Jackson, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at MSU says, "Mr. Garnett has left a great and permanent legacy to the students of Graves County High School. This bequest of $356,000 is one of the largest scholarship endowments at the university dedicated to a single high school. Mr. Garnett valued education and dedicated his life to improving public education in western Kentucky. We are deeply appreciative of his vision and commitment to giving back to the school system and university that he loved very much." Each scholarship awarded will be a minimum of $2,000 per student per academic year. Recipients of the scholarship must be full-time students at Murray State and graduates of Graves County High School. Recipients who reapply must have and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. For more information on the Gyndel E. Garnett Endowed Scholarship and other endowments, contact the MSU Scholarship Office at 270-809-3033 or at bob.jackson@murraystate.edu.
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