Governor's Scholars Program

Murray State University is a proud partner and host of the Governor's Scholars Program.

Welcome to the Governor’s Scholars Program at Murray State University 2026. We are committed to the academic and personal growth of Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. GSP at Murray provides the ideal balance of a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and residential life experience.

If you have any questions related to the program, please contact our office in Frankfort at 502.209.4420.

Opening Day Schedule

Opening Day is June 21, 2026. All times are in Central Time Zone.

Helpful Links: Traveling to Murray, KY | View the campus map | Residential Life FAQs

Parking is available in a large lot in front of the Curris Center off Chestnut Street. Signs and GSP staff will direct you to parking.

Please click the plus sign to view important details about each event.

8:30 a.m. to Noon — Registration (time based on last name)

Location: Curris Center

Check-in times for opening day are based on the first letter of your last name.

E-K

Last names beginning with letters E-K

8:30 a.m.

L-R

Last names beginning with letters L-R

9:15 a.m.

S-Z

Last names beginning with letters S-Z

10:00 a.m.

A-D

Last names beginning with letters A-D

10:45 a.m.

If you are coming from over 200 miles away and need a later registration time than the one assigned above, please email the GSP Murray office at murraygsp@gmail.com

1:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. — Dining Services Open House (optional)

Location: Winslow Dining Hall

The staff of Murray’s dining services will be available to address any dietary questions/concerns (i.e. allergies).

2:00 p.m. — Residence Hall Meetings for Scholars

Location: Your Hall in HC Franklin

Scholars return to residence halls by 2 p.m. for hall meetings. This meeting is for scholars only and family members should be making their way to Lovett Auditorium and have left the residence hall area.

2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. — Family and Faculty Meet and Greet

Location: Lovett Auditorium

This event is optional but strongly encouraged. This is a chance for families to meet ask questions to their scholar's faculty member.

2:45 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. — Family Meeting without scholars

Location: Lovett Auditorium

After the faculty meet and greet, family members will hear from the Executive Director of the Governor’s Scholars Program, Dr. Jen Price. Family members will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the welcome meeting.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Opening Day Ceremony

Location: Lovett Auditorium

Scholars process out and families depart. Scholars will be heading to another meeting immediately.

4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — ❗Mandatory Community Meeting for scholars

Location: Curris Center Ballroom (3rd floor)

This meeting is mandatory for all scholars.

7:00 p.m. — Scholars' Hall Meetings

Scholars return to your hall in HC Franklin

Family Day is Sunday, July 5. Parents and family members can visit the campus and see their scholars. Scholars may leave campus with their families from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. that day if they wish. Requests to keep scholars overnight (either Saturday or Sunday evening) will not be honored.

Closing Day is Saturday, July 25. We will update the information about Closing Day as we get closer to the date. We will post updates here as they become available.

Weekly photos

Want to know what is happening at GSP? We'll upload photos throughout the program.

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