Riddle's acting career spans over 40 years as a character actor in such films as "Johnny Dangerously" with Michael Keaton, "Hang 'Em High" with Clint Eastwood and "Speedway" with Elvis Presley, and has also included television and commercial roles as well. His television credits include "The Waltons," "Dallas," "Little House on the Prairie," "The F.B.I." and "Highway to Heaven."

A native of Fulton, Ky., Riddle graduated from MSU with a business bachelor's degree and minored in literature and drama.

Patti Jones, associate director of alumni affairs, said it is an honor for Riddle to give such a poignant collection to MSU that contains autographed photos of stars, first editions books, valuable movie posters and scripts.

Dr. Sandra Jordan, dean of MSU college of humanities and fine arts, said Riddle will be the first recipient to receive the college's Distinguished Alumnus Award. "There was never a question that Hal Riddle would be the first to receive the newly organized college of humanities and fine arts Distinguished Alumnus Award," she said. "He is among those rare individuals who had the courage to follow the path of a lifelong dream. Along the way he garnered fame and rubbed elbows with the rich and powerful, but he never forgot his roots, his Kentucky heritage and his values. He is an inspiration, not only because he is a successful professional actor, but because he is a man of faith and honor."

A veteran actor who holds the classic film "Gone With the Wind" close to his heart as an all-time favorite, Riddle has been a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences since the early 1980s. He is also a member of The Screen Actors Guild Union, which is comprised of 85,000 members. From this group, only 1,600 actors are honored to be elected into the academy and are the ones who vote for those who receive the Oscars.

Riddle, 81, lives in a cottage in the Motion Picture Retirement Village in Woodland Hills, Calif. The Louis B. Mayer 275-seat theatre is located on campus, where residents of the village are able to view the latest released movies. "Cast Away," "While You Were Sleeping," "Remember the Titans," "The Patriot," and "Braveheart" are among Riddle's recent favorites. In addition to "GWTW," Riddle also favors five other movie classics: "Ben Hur," "Casablanca," "Camille," "Mutiny On The Bounty," and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

His cottage walls are decorated with memorabilia from the Golden Era of motion pictures. An array of framed autographed pictures from Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Norma Shearer, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Robert Taylor and Buck Jones are among the items in Riddle's collection and are ones he holds most special.

Riddle said the reason these items are special is because he received them as a young boy in Fulton. "I watched many movies at The Grand Movie Theatre in Fulton," he explained. ³After the theatre went through a refurbishing project, the name was changed to the Orpheum.²

Riddle said he saw "Ben-Hur" and "The Big Parade" there. "I once wrote a story about Marion Davies titled, 'Stars of Stars' and sent it into a movie magazine called "Movie Classics" and won $10 as second prize." Riddle said from that entry that contained his name, he began receiving letters from Hollywood companies asking him to purchase lists of the stars' home addresses for 50 cents.

As a young boy Riddle delivered the "Fulton County News" and the "Memphis Press Scimitor" to Fulton residents to make his "pocket money." Riddle used the money he made from his routes to purchase the lists of the stars and began writing to them at their homes requesting photos and their autographs. "I even sent a letter to Ronald Coleman in 1936 telling him how much I admired him in 'A Tale of Two Cities,' and low and behold, I received an autographed 8 x 10 of him in costume of the character in that movie."

Among the names and pictures of the stars which adorn his wall, there is one special picture of the late Hollywood actress, Billie Dove, who young Riddle fell in love with as a child after seeing her in the silent film "Adoration." After sending Dove a fan letter, Riddle received an autographed photo that became a fixture in his life. The photo was a part of his life at MSU, as it hung on the wall of his dorm room.

It wasn't until he became a resident at the village that his lifetime infatuation with Dove became a reality.

A secretary to the CEO at Woodland Hills, heard Riddle's discussion of his life-long love of Dove and introduced the pair who became close friends. Riddle often visited her in the long-term care facility in Woodland Hills. Dove died on Dec. 31, 1997, after Riddle had made a final visit to her. Their relationship was so dear that Riddle was invited to deliver a eulogy at her service.

Riddle's collection has been seen by many current Hollywood celebrity names including Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Most recently, Riddle, who has been afforded many of Hollywood's great memories and moments, experienced two more golden moments. One moment was of sad accord, the loss of Riddle's long-time friend, Jack Lemmon. The other, a highlight, was a chance to meet the son of Riddle's life-long hero, the late Clark Gable.

A former roommate of Lemmon's in his early theatre days, Riddle said he is going to miss Jack. "His secretary told me that when they cleaned off his desk they found a note that read 'Call Hal Riddle for lunch,'" Riddle said. "I'm so sorry we did not get to keep that date. But I sure have some great memories of one of the nicest people in our whole industry."

Riddle attended the memorial service for Lemmon that was held inside the new viewing theatre of Paramount Studios. "Having it inside the studio kept the public at bay and only a limited number of Jack's close friends and working associates were there," he explained.

Riddle said Paramount provided the service for the family. "The actual memorial was so well planned with clips of all Jack's life and films, and Kevin Spacey and Tom Hanks participated in the eulogies. Jack's son, Chris, gave a very nice and touching family response."

The Golden Boot Awards is Oscar night for people in westerns. Riddle said he normally doesn't attend the event, but he made an exception this year since they were honoring Clark Gable's 100th birthday. It was his chance to finally to meet John Clark Gable. Riddle met Clark Gable during his acting days because they shared the same barber. "It was great. (His son) was interested in hearing about my Gable collection and is planning to come out before too long and see the cottage and the collection,² Riddle said. "It was worth the whole evening."

Held in the Beverly Hilton Ballroom, Riddle said the event was a "packed house." The producer was Patrick Curtis, Melanie and Ashley's baby son, "Beau," in "Gone With The Wind" and also Racquel Welch's first husband.

In commemoration of the Gable tribute, most of the remaining cast members of "GWTW" were on hand to share in the festivities, all except Olivia de Havilland, who no longer travels. Cammie King (Bonnie Blue Butler), Evelyn Keyes and Ann Rutherford (Scarlett's sisters), and Rand Brooks (Scarlett's first husband) were among those honored.

Riddle said it was a fabulous night that he enjoyed and was so pleased he was included in the events of the evening. "It was highlighted by being able to meet young Gable," he said. "He sure has his father's smile and charm. He no longer acts in movies, which he only tried a couple of them, but decided he did not like acting."

A 1975 MSU Distinguished Alumnus recipient who also served as grand marshal of MSU's 50th Homecoming Parade, Riddle said he has had many interested patrons who have contacted him for his memorabilia collection. Northwestern University, Oklahoma University and the Warner Brothers Museum are among the patrons. "I just didn't answer their registered letters," he explained. "Murray has acknowledged me through numerous honors and has always been dear to my heart."

Today Riddle spends the majority of his time working for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. The fund was started in 1925 by Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith, among others, to aid actors. Their concern for actors who were down on their luck and had nowhere to go resulted in the birth of The Motion Picture Retirement Village. Riddle is proud that he is able to pay the $73 per day rent for his cottage and also reserve a new apartment for $3,600 a month. However, he works continuously for the fund so that others who have worked in the movie industry and need financial assistance, are able to receive the aid offered.

His efforts resulted in the highlight of his professional career last October. Riddle was surprised with an honor at a special 75th anniversary of the fund hosted by Kevin Spacey. During the course of the evening a narration of Riddle's life was presented.

"I thought, 'Wow, what is Gregory Peck doing here!' Then I saw Haley Joel Osment and I thought, 'Wow, why are you here?'" Playing young Hal was Haley Joel Osment. Gregory Peck took on the role of the older Hal. "They narrated as my life rolled by on a screen," Riddle explained. "What a rush! I cannot describe the feeling I had."

The many highlights of Riddle's career, including many moments of rubbing elbows with Hollywood's greatest names, are moments that Riddle traces back to his Kentucky roots. Riddle's heart belongs to his Fulton home and his MSU alma mater. A boy who spent many summer days on his grandparents' farms in Daviess County, Ky., Riddle is a country boy at heart. ³You can take the boy out of Kentucky, but you can't take Kentucky out of the boy," Riddle said.

Enrollment is up in all categories of both undergraduate and graduate students. Two of the largest increases were noted in the number of students enrolled in graduate programs and first-time freshman students. First-time freshman students jumped 10.3 percent, or 134 students, making this the second largest freshman class since 1996. The number of full-time graduate students climbed an astounding 18.4 percent. Preliminary totals for the various categories reported for the Fall 2001 semester are listed below. Fall 2000 figures are shown in parentheses.

-- Undergraduate / 7,746 (7,492); up 254 students for a 3.4 percent increase

Full time / 6,548 (6,334); up 214 students for a 3.4 percent increase

Part time / 1,198 (1,158); up 40 students for a 3.5 percent increase

-- Graduate / 1,844 (1,649); up 195 students for an 11.8 percent increase

Full time / 522 (441); up 81 students for an 18.4 percent increase

Part time / 1,322 (1,208); up 114 students for a 9.4 percent increase

-- First-time freshman / 1,434 (1,300); up 134 students for a 10.3 percent increase

Credit hours / 115,419 (112,361); up 3,058 additional hours for a 2.7 percent increase

FTE / 7,440 (7,226); 214 difference; 3.0 percent increase

Jim Vaughan, interim dean of admissions and registrar, noted the leadership of Dr. Kern Alexander (presently serving as interim president following his retirement in June) and guidance of the Murray State board of regents as having played a significant role in the consistent strides that Murray State has made in enrollment during the past several years.

Reviewing past enrollment data, a clear path can be charted to show the growth of the Murray State campus in specific programs such as the school of agriculture (whose student base has swelled over 50 percent during the past 10 years) to an overall headcount of over 1,600 more MSU students than there were just seven years ago. This year's 4.9 percent increase (449 students) in total projected enrollment far surpassed any of the growth established over the past six years, where the annual total number of additional students had ranged from a low of 11 in 1999 to a high of 227 in 2000.

The information released is an estimated report of final enrollment. Final (official) enrollment data will be sent to the Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE) on Oct. 25.

Murray State University was recently recognized for the 11th consecutive year by "U.S.News & World Report" as one of the nation's best regional universities.

In its just-released rankings, "America's Best Colleges," "U.S.News & World Report" ranked MSU among the top public comprehensive universities in the nation. The report also ranked MSU as one of the top five public comprehensive universities in the south.

Boosting MSU's reputation is the very high performance ratings of both reports indicating alumni satisfaction with their college education. The "U.S.News & World Report" showed that MSU topped all of Kentucky's public universities in the category of percentage of alumni giving. A principal measure of institutional success and productivity is how graduates view their educational experience at a university.

According to Robert Morse, director of data research for "America's Best Colleges," "The percentage of alumni who gave to their school during the 1999 and 2000 academic years was used as an indirect measure of alumni satisfaction."

In a study just conducted by Kentucky's Council on Postsecondary Education in Frankfort, Murray State University finished first among Kentucky's public universities with an overall 74 percent satisfaction rating from its graduates. In the "instruction provided in major" category, Murray topped other institutions with 91 percent.

"Thanks to the outstanding work of our faculty and staff, Murray State University has reached the highest level among the nation's public comprehensive universities," said Dr. Kern Alexander, Murray's president emeritus. "The results of these independent studies assure students who attend MSU that they can expect the highest quality of public education offered in America."

In the CPE study, Murray State led all other public universities in Kentucky in such categories as alumni satisfaction with instruction provided in major areas of study, instruction provided in general education, availability of faculty, quality of instruction and knowledge of faculty, academic advising, career counseling, availability of computers and technology, academic and student services, computer and technical skills - preparation for work, and research skills - preparation for work. MSU finished only one point below the leader in two categories of math skills necessary for work and problem solving skills - preparation for work.

Dr. Gary Brockway, Murray's provost, observed that the survey findings were a tribute to the dedicated faculty and staff. "When the graduate is satisfied with the quality of instruction and feels prepared for both life and work, you know that the teaching was excellent. We have always tried to provide the best quality of education possible at Murray State. These CPE results indicate that we have succeeded."

For those involved in university fund raising, satisfied graduates are a welcome sight. "Alumni who had a great experience at Murray are more likely to give back to the school," said Jim Carter, vice president for institutional advancement. "We have always heard that our graduates would put their Murray State education up against the finest in the nation. The survey results show us that the majority of MSU alumni share that feeling of satisfaction."

A native of Eddyville, Ky., Pogue graduated from high school at the age of 14 and enrolled at Murray State University the day following his 16th birthday. Interrupted by his tour of duty, Pogue served twice as a member of the history faculty at MSU and maintained a close kinship with the university and the people of western Kentucky. His vast personal collection of books, papers and memorabilia is housed on the MSU campus in the Pogue Special Collections Library, named in his honor. Remembered as one of Murray State's most famous and respected alumni, Pogue died in 1996 at the age of 84.

More information about this new publication can be found online at www.uky.edu/UniversityPress/books/pogueswar.html.

The projected increases for Murray State fall below reports coming in from some of the surrounding states showing increases of approximately 15 percent. According to reports submitted recently to the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), Murray State's tuition rate increase is within the curve set by other Kentucky public institutions. These range from a 5.5 percent increase anticipated at one institution to a 9.7 percent increase reported at Western Kentucky University.

With tuition rates being driven by the economy, recent "Chronicle of Higher Education" reports indicate that the current financial atmosphere of the nation will have a direct impact on future state appropriations. Changes in Kentucky appropriation revenues are anticipated to range from minimal to zero, or possibly negative growth. Jim Ramsey, Kentucky state budget officer, has indicated that there is a current trend of declining state revenue.

Kentucky is not alone in the budget crisis. Other states have addressed funding shortfalls in 2001-02 by imposing double-digit increases in tuition. Among these are institutions in Alabama and Mississippi, along with neighboring states of Illinois and Tennessee, whose students faced tuition increases of up to 15 percent.

The recommended mandatory fee increase will help fund the debt service of a proposed wellness and recreation center to be constructed on the Murray State campus. MSU officials have requested state matching funds to complete the proposed $15 million student centered facility. Student fees collected will be designated for the debt service of the construction project. Student scholarships and waivers are expected to increase nearly $700,000 in the 2002-03 fiscal year. Statistics from the CPE show Murray State contributing the highest amount of scholarship dollars per student FTE of the six public, regional universities in Kentucky. According to "U.S.News & World Report," Murray State University is among the nation's leaders in the "Best Value" category. This means, according to the rating agency, "what you get for the money spent."

According to the "Chronicle of Higher Education," the nation's four-year public institutions reported an average annual tuition rate of $3,351 in 1999-2000 with the high being $6,913. Murray State's annual tuition during the same period was $2,402.

Between 80 and 90 percent of those with depression, even the most serious forms, can be helped. Anxiety illnesses may include panic disorder, obessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. As with depression, many of these people can be helped with the proper balance of psychotherapies and/or medication.

The MSU Psychological Center serves clients experiencing depression or anxiety disorders. Other clients of the center may be struggling with adjustments to changes in life circumstances, such as moving to a new city, the break-up of an important relationship or the loss of a loved one.

According to Dr. Laura Liljequist, director of the center, a wide variety of services are offered to students of the university and members of the community. "Individual therapy for both adults and children, as well as family therapy, is available," Liljequist said. "Psychological assessments, such as evaluations of learning disabilities or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can also be arranged."

The Psychological Center offers its services on a sliding-scale basis, with fees depending on family income and the number of people in the household. "This allows for many people to receive needed psychological services that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive," Liljequist said.

The center provides high quality service at a low cost by operating as a training facility for advanced master's degree students. The clinicians work under the close supervision of Liljequest and Dr. Renae Duncan, both state licensed psychologists. The center is careful to maintain professional standards, such as confidentiality of client information.

To become a client of the center, individuals can call or go by the office any time between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday to fill out the necessary paperwork. Depending on the type of services requested, the paperwork requires anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to complete. Cases are assigned to clinicians weekly after the initial paperwork is done. Appointments are scheduled individually by the clinicians, and clients have the assurance of knowing that they will be working with the same clinician during each visit so that a trusting relationship can be built.

Clinicians have taken all their graduate courses in assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic technique and are working in a one-year practicum required by the state before they can become certified. This practicum is similar in model to the "internship" phase in the medical profession.

The center is located on the Murray State campus on the fourth floor of Wells Hall (on 16th St.). For more information, call (270) 762-2504.

A native Kentuckian, Alexander received a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master of science in comparative education policy from the University of Oxford, England, and a B.A. in political science from St. Lawrence University in New York. Accepting the presidency at Murray State, Alexander leaves the post of administrator and faculty member at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Since 1997, Alexander has been responsible for managing the graduate education program in the study of higher education governance, leadership and policy development in the department of educational organization and leadership at UI. Ranked in the nation's top 20 in 2000-01 by "U.S. News and World Report," this program has experienced a 200 percent growth in student enrollment while under his leadership and currently consists of approximately 100 doctoral and master's degree-seeking students from the U.S. and abroad. He is also a faculty member of UI's Institute of Government and Public Affairs, which is an interdisciplinary public policy "think-tank" consisting of faculty from three University of Illinois campuses.

Alexander's career has encompassed positions at two research and one doctoral university, faculty membership in a governmental institute, a fundraising directorship, and management in a 28-branch commercial banking operation. His research in domestic and international higher education policy and practice has appeared in leading professional journals and has been featured within the last 18 months in "The Chronicle of Higher Education," "The Economist" and "The Christian Science Monitor."

Prior to coming to Urbana-Champaign, Alexander served as postdoctoral researcher in the office of the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and taught in the department of educational administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Earlier, he was director of annual programs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he coordinated the institutionıs fund raising activities. He has also been a manager at Liberty National Bank in Louisville, Ky.

Alexander's academic publications include edited books, book chapters, refereed articles, applied research studies, monographs, book reviews and reports. He has secured a number of research grants and currently serves on the editorial boards of "The Journal of Education Finance" and "The Journal of College Student Retention."