The Office of Research and Creative Activity

page last modified on 3/4/2024

22nd Annual Posters-at-the-Capitol

Posters-at-the-Capitol is a showcase of 100+ unique scholarly efforts led by undergraduate students from each state-funded university in the Commonwealth. During the one-day event, students present their faculty-mentored projects to those responsible for crafting higher education policy in Kentucky. This event is proudly hosted by Murray State University.

Spring Scholars Week 2024

Spring Scholars Week is April 15-19, 2024

Submissions due by end of day on April 5th at MSU's Digital Commons: Scholars Week website

Confirmed schedule:

  • Monday - 10:30: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Panel (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Monday - 12:00-2:00: Interdisciplinary Poster Session (Curris Center Ballroom)
    • FNP and Post-Masters Student Presentations
    • Nursing Anesthesia DNP Project Presentations
    • Sigma Xi Poster Competition
  • Monday - 12:30: Strategic Communication Showcase: Insights From Emerging Professionals (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Monday - 3:30-5:00: Short Takes: Creative Nonfiction Essays in Progress (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Tuesday - 9:00-12:00: Psychology Department Panel (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Tuesday - 2:00-3:15: Historical Research (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Tuesday - 3:30-5:00: English and Philosophy Department Panel (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Tuesday - 3:30-5:30: Global Languages Senior Colloquium Q&A (208 Faculty Hall)
  • Tuesday - 4:00: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi induction ceremony (Freed Curd Auditorium)
  • Wednesday - TBD: Honors College Senior Theses Presentations (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Wednesday - 12:30: Strategic Communication Showcase: Insights From Emerging Professionals (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Thursday - TBD: Honors College Senior Theses Presentations (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Thursday - 8:00-9:00: Criminal Justice Student Research Panel (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Thursday - 3:30-5:00: Poetry By Heart (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Friday - 1:00-2:00:  Political Science and Sociology Department Panel (Waterfield Galleries)
  • Web: Senior Nursing Student Posters
  • Web: Global Languages Senior Recorded Presentations

 

Download a copy of the Spring 2023 event schedule

2023-2024 University Distinguished Mentor Award (UDMA) 

The Office of Provost, in conjunction with the Office of Research and Creative Activity, is please to present the University Distinguished Mentor Award. This annual award will be presented to a member of Murray State's Faculty, nominated by their peers, in recognition of extraordinary efforts in the area of student mentoring, which is understood as a sustained partnership of mutual concern significantly fostering students’ intellectual, ethical and academic development above and beyond expectations of even excellent advising and teaching.

Read more about the award and guidelines

  • Deadline for nominations - January 26, 2024
  • Deadline for nominees to submit information - February 9, 2024
  • Award presented at Faculty Recognition Banquet (tentative) - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal 

Our latest issue, covering Academic Year 2023-24 has begun publishing! Click to view Volume 7, Issue 1 here.

Fall Scholars Week 2023

During a designated week each semester, the Murray State community is encouraged to interact with showcases of academic and creative endeavors from our undergraduate and graduate students.

Fall Scholars Week is November 13-17, 2023

Submissions were due by end of day on November 3rd at MSU's Digital Commons: Scholars Week website

2022-2023 Research and Travel Grants 

ORCA is pleased to announce the return of research and travel grants for students mentored by Murray State faculty members. We began accepting proposals on August 15, 2023 for the 2023-2024 academic year at Murray State's Digital Commons for new research grants. We will accept travel grant proposals year-round, as long as funds are available. Individual students may be awarded up to $1000 in research grants and $800 in travel support grants during an individual academic year.

UPDATE: As of January 23, 2024, our grants proposal window for 2023-24 closed. If you are currently seeking funds, please reach out to aboston@murraystate.edu before May 31, 2024.

Updated proposal forms will be available to download in early August 2023:

ORCA Annual Report

Annual report on ORCA activities for the 2022-23 Academic Year. Download a copy of the report here.

Quick Facts about ORCA, AY 22-23

  • 12 of 12 slots filled for Posters-at-the-Capitol with projects from the College of Business, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, the School of Agriculture, and the College of Science, Engineering & Technology
  • 350 students presented in both Scholars Weeks with support from 88 individual faculty members
  • 20 grants awarded totaling over $15,000
  • 17 items published in Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

 

 

 

Take the next step

© Murray State University Department of Web ManagementWe are Racers.