OSH News
Student accomplishments
Murray State OSH students awarded ASSP St. Louis Chapter scholarship
Murray State OSH students, Canon Adams, Jesse Adams, Judah Arnold, Asia Blanton, Ryan
Potts, and Adam Rapp, were awarded a scholarship from the St. Louis Chapter of ASSP.
The scholarship is awarded with the purpose of supporting full-time undergraduate
or graduate studies leading directly to a career in a safety, health, environmental
or closely related field.
-Posted December 2024
Murray State OSH students presented at TVS-AIHA Conference
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health graduate students, Christine Apio, Myat
Thiri Maw, and Karena O’Bryan, presented at the Tennessee Valley Section of American
Industrial Hygiene Association (TVS-AIHA) conference in Lenoir City, TN. Mollie presented
on Parallel Particle Impactor Sampling, and Ryan presented on Heat Stress Sampling
from an Internship Experience. Here’s a look at the presentations they shared with
industry professionals.
Christine Apio: Ergonomics Risks and Challenges Specific to Nurses
Myat Thiri Maw: Enhancing Industrial Safety through Regulatory Compliance and Best Practices – Insights
from a Multi-State EHS Internship Experience
Karena O’Bryan: Barriers to Adopting Inclusive PPE in the Workplace
-Posted November 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded 2024 BCSP Foundation scholarships
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Elli McIntyre and Aubrey Stubblefield,
were awarded Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Foundation scholarships
which are provided to Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) Qualified Academic Programs
(QAP).
-Posted November 2024
Murray State OSH students and faculty attend 25th Annual Pilot Research Project Symposium
Murray State OSH Faculty, Dr. Julie Boyd, Dr. Susan Miller, and Dr. David Wilbanks,
along with OSH students, Jesse Adams, Tarandeep Kaur Arora, and Rachel Obeng, attended
the 25th Annual Pilot Research Project Symposium which is part of the University of
Cincinnati's NIOSH Education and Research Center (ERC).
-Posted October 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded Chevron scholarships
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students Jesse Adams, Tanner Beverly,
Ryan Potts, and Hannah Waller, were awarded the Chevron scholarship established by gifts to the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. (MSU Foundation).
-Posted October 2024
Murray State AIHA Student Section awarded AIHA's Student Local Section of the Year
The Murray State AIHA Student Section was awarded AIHA’s Student Local Section of the Year. As the winning recipient, the student section will
receive a $1,000 monetary award to be used for student local section activities.
-Posted September 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded AIHA Foundation scholarships
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Ryan Potts and Karena O'Bryan,
were awarded scholarships from the AIHA Foundation. Ryan received the SevenGen Advocacy
for the Future scholarship and the Ralph Vernon Memorial scholarship, and Karena received
the Liberty Mutual scholarship. Every year, the AIHF awards qualified students and young professionals with scholarships
of varying types to help offset costs in their pursuit of a career in industrial hygiene.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH students selected as NIOSH Trainees under the Murray State TPG Grant
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health graduate students, Asia Blanton, Karley
Clark, Karena O'Bryan, Ryan Potts, Aubrey Stubblefield, and Hannah Waller, were selected
as NIOSH Trainees under the Murray State Training Project Grant (TPG). As Trainees,
they receive support through funding for tuition/fees and travel. The purpose of the
grant is to strengthen the learning environment to prepare the next generation of
leaders in OSH practice. This is accomplished by preparing graduate students who are
well-trained to enter the workforce, ready to respond to both established risks, as
well as new challenges brought on by the changing nature of work.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded Krissa "Sparky" Dudley scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Lauren Adkins, Tarandeep Arora,
and Rebekka Walker, were awarded scholarships from the Krissa "Sparky" Dudley scholarship.
The Krissa “Sparky” Dudley Scholarship Endowment was established by gifts to the Murray
State University Foundation, Inc. (MSU Foundation) from her parents, George and Susan
Dudley in memoriam of her can-do attitude and "fire in the belly" to make a difference
in the world. The scholarship was created to assist students at Murray State University
in obtaining an education to prepare them for a career in Occupational Safety and
Health (OSH). Learn more about Krissa's story.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded Barriere Construction Company Safety scholarships
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Chelsey Council and Corbin Templon,
were awarded the Barriere Construction Safety scholarship established by gifts to the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. (MSU Foundation).
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH student awarded the L. Jack Dunman Memorial scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health student, Jesse Adams, was awarded the
L. Jack Dunman Memorial scholarship established by gifts to the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. (MSU Foundation)
.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded the Erie Insurance scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Nicoll London, Emily Reed, and
Tristen Richards, were awarded the Erie Insurance scholarship established by gifts to the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. (MSU Foundation).
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded ASSP Middle Tennessee Chapter scholarships
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Jesse Adams and Elli McIntyre,
were awarded scholarships from the Middle Tennessee Chapter of ASSP.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH student awarded AIST Globe-Trotters Member Chapter scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health student, Karena O'Bryan, was awarded a
scholarship from the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) Globe-Trotters
Member Chapter. This award is intended to reward and attract talented and dedicated
students and encourage them to pursue careers within the iron and steel industry.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH student awarded NSC scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health student, Asia Blanton, was awarded the
Diversity in Safety scholarship from the National Safety Council (NSC) and has been
invited to attend the NSC's National Awards Ceremony as scholarship recipient at the
NSC Congress and Expo in Orlando, FL, in September 2024.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH student awarded the 2024 Memorial James G. Neely scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health student, LeeAnn Richard, was awarded the
2024 Memorial James G. Neely scholarship. The Tennessee Safety and Health Conference
offers this annual scholarship as a way to foster education in safety and health fields,
and to maintain good relationships with universities and community colleges across
the state. James G. “Jim” Neeley was a longtime Tennessee union leader who served
as Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development under former
Tennessee Governors, Phil Bredesen and Ray Blanton. Prior to his service as Commissioner,
Neeley was president of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council.
-Posted June 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded ASSP Foundation scholarships
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students, Canon Adams, Jesse Adams, Elli
McIntyre, and Ryan Potts, were awarded scholarships from the ASSP Foundation. Since 1990, the ASSP Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in academic scholarships
and professional education grants to occupational safety and health students and professionals
working towards their educational goals. See a list of all ASSP Foundation scholarship recipients.
-Posted June 2024
Murray State ASSP Student Section placed 3rd in Outstanding Student Section Award competition
The Murray State ASSP Student Section received 3rd Place for the 2023-2024 Outstanding
Student Section of the Year Award. Murray State University ASSP Student Section ranked
third out of the 9 schools in scoring. The student section will receive a $500 stipend
from the National ASSP Organization.
-Posted May 2024
Murray State OSH students awarded the Murray State ASSP Student Section Scholarship sponsored by the ASSP Purchase Area Chapter
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health students were awarded scholarships from
the Murray State ASSP Student Section sponsored by the Purchase Area Chapter of ASSP.
Scholarship recipients include OSH students – Katie Winkenhofer, Elli McIntyre, and
Jesse Adams. The Murray State ASSP Student Section scholarship sponsored by the Purchase
Area Chapter of ASSP is awarded to deserving ASSP student section members each year
by the Murray State ASSP faculty advisor, Dr. Julie Boyd, and student section officers.
-Posted May 2024
Murray State OSH students travel to London and Dublin on a Study Abroad trip
Dr. David Wilbanks led an OSH Study Abroad Trip in Winter 2023 to London and Dublin.
He taught Exploring Risk Management Practices, allowing Murray State OSH students
to gain learning experiences in London including Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Churchill
War Rooms and Transportation museums; and in Dublin including Epic Irish Immigration
Museum, Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College, Croke Park Stadium and the Guinness
Storehouse. These sites provided a great lens for viewing how risk has been faced,
understood and acted upon, each providing vivid and real insights to risk management
practices both past and present. Comparisons of United States, British and Irish practices
were emphasized throughout.
-Posted January 2024
Murray State OSH student awarded Murray State AIHA Student Section scholarship
Murray State Occupational Safety and Health student, Tarandeep Arora, was awarded $500 in scholarship from the Murray State AIHA Student Section. A Murray
State AIHA Student Section scholarship is awarded to a deserving AIHA student section
member each semester.
-Posted November 2023
Alumni accomplishments
Murray State OSH Alumna serves on Murray State's Alumni Association’s Board of Governors
Pamela (Stocks) Butler, ’79, BS in Occupational Safety and Health; ’81, MS in Human
Services Counseling; and ’84, Specialist Degree in College Teaching, Human Services
Counseling, is a retired Army officer who serves on Murray State University Alumni
Association’s Board of Governors as the Black Alumni Network Representative.
-Posted October 2024
Murray State OSH alumnus named one of NSC's Rising Stars of Safety
Murray State OSH alumnus, William Langford, was named as one of National Safety Council’s
(NSC) 15th class of Rising Stars of Safety. This group consists of leaders aged 40
and younger dedicated to making workplaces safer. The 38 honorees for 2024 have promoted
continuous safety improvement within their organizations and created initiatives focused
on measurable outcomes to provide workforces safe environments. The class of 2024
honorees are featured in the September 2024 issue of Safety+Health magazine.
-Posted September 2024
Murray State OSH alumnus appointed Chair of BCSP Foundation
Murray State OSH alumnus, Travis Kruse, Ph.D., MS, CSP, has been appointed Chair of
the BCSP Foundation. Dr. Kruse is the Senior Director, Safety & Sustainability Solutions
Strategy for W.W. Grainger Incorporated. He has over 22 years of experience in consulting,
general industry, and sales leadership roles. He is a Certified Safety Professional
(CSP), Murray State University Occupational Safety and Health (ANSAC/ABET) Advisory
Council Member, Semiconductor Environmental, Safety & Health Association (SESHA) Board
Member, and an authorized instructor for the OSHA Training Institute (OTI). Dr. Kruse
has a Ph.D. in Public Health from Oregon State University and a M.S. degree in Environmental
Health and Safety from Murray State University and has published in the Journal of
Safety Research.
-Posted March 2024
OSH Alumna receives NSC Marion Martin Award
Murray State University Occupational Safety and Health alumna, Stephanie Miller, received the National Safety Council's Marion Martin Award. Launched in 2016, the Marion Martin Award annually celebrates the accomplishments of women in safety who have paved the way to success for other women in the profession.
Learn more about the award.
-Posted October 2023
OSH Alumna receives Murray State 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award
Murray State University Occupational Safety and Health alumna, Phyllis Childs ('98, '00) was the recipient of a Murray State 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award.
A Palm Beach County, Florida native, Childs earned her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication in 1998. She lettered in track and field all four years and was awarded MVP as a senior. She earned her master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in 2000, and considers the greatest highlight of her Murray State experience to be meeting her husband of more than 20 years, Wendell Childs, ’01. They have three children, David, Wendell, Jr. and Darren Childs.
Childs currently serves as the safety group manager for the General Motors (GM) North America Customer Care and Aftersales Division based in Warren, Michigan, leading GM’s safety efforts for 26 sites across the division. Throughout her 23-year tenure with GM, Childs has served the company all over the country including stints in Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Kansas, New York, Florida and Ohio.
According to Childs, her current role allows her to execute the full totality of skills and tools harnessed at Murray State. “Every day reflects the team-building experiences I learned in track and field and the communication skills I honed while excelling in Organizational Communication,” said Childs. “Even in failure, I learned at Murray State that the road to success is filled with failures, but that road is not filled with people who give up.”
Learn more about Phyllis and all of this year's Distinguished Alumni honorees.
-Posted April 2023
The Murray State University Foundation, Inc. announces the Krissa “Sparky” Dudley Scholarship Endowment
The Krissa “Sparky” Dudley Scholarship Endowment was established by gifts to the Murray
State University Foundation, Inc. (MSU Foundation) from her parents, George and Susan
Dudley in memoriam of her can-do attitude and "fire in the belly" to make a difference
in the world. The scholarship was created to assist students at Murray State University
in obtaining an education to prepare them for a career in Occupational Safety and
Health (OSH). Learn more about Krissa's story.
-Posted March 2023
Murray State OSH alumna appointed to FACOSH
Murray State OSH alumna, Jayme Hobson, '09, '10, was recently appointed to the Federal
Advisory Council on Occupational Safety & Health (FACOSH), a presidential advisory
board to the United States Secretary of Labor. She was also featured in the Paducah
Life Magazine for her accomplishments. Hobson serves FACOSH as a representative of
TVA, where she has worked since 2021.
-Posted March 2023
Faculty and department accomplishments
Murray State OSH faculty receives MSYou Matter Racers Care Mini Grant
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dada, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Safety
and Health, was awarded a MSYou Matter Racers Care Mini Grant. This grant will provide
vital funding to OSHConnect, the mentoring program at OSH, which connects students
with experienced mentors who offer guidance, support, and valuable insights.
-Posted December 2024
Murray State OSH faculty presents at ISOES conference
Dr. Susan Miller and Dr. Julie Boyd, assistant professors in the Department of Occupational
Safety and Health at Murray State University, presented at the 25th Annual Pilot Research
Project Symposium, part of the University of Cincinnati's NIOSH Education and Research
Center (ERC). They showcased a poster on their proposed research, which received a
$6,000 NIOSH grant. Their project is titled "Utilizing Artificial Intelligence with
Digital Human Modeling to Assess Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Non-Fireground
Firefighter Activities."
-Posted October 2024
Murray State OSH faculty presents at ISOES conference
Dr. Julie Boyd, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health
at Murray State University, was invited to present Wearable Sensor Technology: Quantifying Ergonomic Risk within the Hemp Industry at the International Society Occupational Ergonomics and Safety (ISOES) Conference
in Denver, CO, in August 2024.
-Posted August 2024
Murray State OSH faculty and alumnus presents at joint meeting of EASST and 4S in Amsterdam
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dada, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Safety
and Health at Murray State University, Dr. Ayorinde Ogunyiola in the Department of
Political Science and Sociology, and Murray State Occupational Safety and Health alumnus,
Justin Diehr, presented a paper on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Powered
GIS for Proactive Disaster Resilience in a Changing Climate, at the Quadrennial joint
meeting of the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST)
and the Society of Social Studies of Science (4S) in Amsterdam, Netherlands in July
2024.
-Posted July 2024
Murray State OSH faculty receives grant funding to utilize AI with digital human modeling to assess risk of MSDs in non-fireground firefighter activities
Dr. Susan Miller, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and
Health at Murray State University, was awarded a $6,000 grant from a University of
Cincinnati Pilot Research Project Proposal, Utilizing AI with Digital Human Modeling
to Assess Risk of MSDs in Non-fireground Firefighter Activities.
-Posted July 2024
Murray State OSH faculty serves as SME on BCSP's CSP Exam Writing Panel
Dr. David Wilbanks, associate professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and
Health at Murray State University, served as a subject matter expert (SME) on the
Board of Certified Safety Professional’s (BCSP) Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Exam Writing Panel. SMEs from various locations worldwide contributed to BCSP's five-year
revision cycle for its certification exams. This collective effort resulted in the
approval of an impressive 170 items to update the CSP11 exam. Over the course of four
days, they collaborated to craft and assess exam questions submitted by participants.
These questions undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure reliability and validity before
being further reviewed by subsequent panels for inclusion in the certification exams.
Their efforts are integral to keeping BCSP as the gold standard in safety certification.
The CSP certification is the most recognized and sought general professional certification
in North America.
-Posted June 2024
Murray State OSH faculty receives grant funding to address the growing concern of flash floods in the United States
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dada, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Safety
and Health at Murray State University, and Dr. Ayorinde Ogunyiola in the Department
of Political Science and Sociology were approved for $10,000 in grant funding.
Titled “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness: Assessing Risk Perception and Early Warning
Systems for Flash Flooding,” the project will address the growing concern of flash
floods in the United States (with Kentucky as a case study) by drawing insights from
sociology and disaster management. The proposed research will investigate how people
in Mayfield, Kentucky, perceived and prepared for the devastating July 2023 flood.
Using a mixed-method approach, the research will explore risk perception, early warning,
and disaster preparedness. Findings from this study will have national significance,
be useful in improving flash flood preparedness, and reduce negative impacts on vulnerable
communities.
-Posted March 2024
Murray State OSH faculty receives 2024 Murray State University Alumni Association Emerging Scholar Award in STEM
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dada, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at Murray State University, was awarded the 2024 Emerging Scholar Award in STEM by the Murray State Alumni Association.
The award gives special recognition for superior research, scholarly, or creative
work conducted by Murray State University faculty members who are in the early phase
of their careers, and who show professional promise. Each award is for $500, and each
recipient name will be engraved on the Murray State Alumni Association Emerging Scholar
Award plaque located in the Murray State University Alumni Center.
-Posted March 2024