President Dr. Ron K. Patterson and First Lady Jenny Patterson select student artwork for scholarships and Oakhurst exhibition
By Carrie Jerrell | Apr 17, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson and First Lady Jenny Patterson awarded scholarships to three Department of Art & Design students during the Organization of Murray State Art Students’ (OMAS) recent annual exhibition in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery. The first couple also chose a number of student works for display at Oakhurst, their residence on the Murray State campus, in an inaugural student exhibition opening on April 8 and on display through the summer.
“Jenny and I are delighted by the opportunity to showcase artwork by Murray State students in our home,” said President Patterson. “Our students’ creativity and talent are a constant source of inspiration, and it is a privilege to celebrate their work in this way. We look forward to sharing their remarkable pieces with guests and highlighting the strength of our arts programs at Murray State.”
Lisa Greene, a senior studio art major from Cadiz, Kentucky, received the Oakhurst Presidential Award for Artistic Excellence ($1,000) for her work, “Beautifully Shattered”; Emily Ray, a senior studio art major from Stonefort, Illinois, received the Oakhurst Award for Artistic Distinction ($600) for her work “The Great Blue Heron”; and Lily Insco, a sophomore art education major from Mayfield, Kentucky, received the Oakhurst Award for Artistic Merit ($400) for her work “Precedence.”
“I am profoundly honored and deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity. It fills my heart with immense joy to have my work recognized not only by the esteemed President of our University but also by the First Lady,” said Greene. “This acknowledgment is a source of genuine humility for me, as it validates the hard work and dedication I have poured into my academic journey.”
“I feel incredibly honored to have my artwork selected by President and First Lady Patterson,” echoed Insco. “This recognition motivates me to keep growing as an artist and future educator. I am so grateful to have a university president and first lady who truly value the arts.”
“Receiving an award like this felt surreal to me, in the most positive way,” said Ray. “Starting with art on the walls of my childhood home, to then hanging in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery, and now coming to a place of amazing opportunities from the President and First Lady Patterson. I can’t thank them enough for seeing my work and giving me that light.”
President and First Lady Patterson selected a number of additional student works to exhibit along with the award winners in the gallery at Oakhurst. Oakhurst is the first family’s primary residence and one of the most iconic buildings on Murray State’s campus. Dr. Rainey T. Wells, Murray State’s founder and second president, began construction on the home in 1917. President and First Lady Patterson established the gallery at Oakhurst in the fall of 2025 and celebrated with an exhibition of work by faculty in Murray State’s Department of Art & Design.
Students whose work was selected for the Oakhurst Gallery include Carrie Bell from Kuttawa, Kentucky; Kyah Bigley from Hardin, Kentucky; Isabel Bolaños from Oak Grove, Kentucky; Julia Burke from Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Jaxon Burns from Southhaven, Mississippi; Ryan Dallum from Louisville, Kentucky; Bryce Drake from Danville, Kentucky; Lisa Greene from Cadiz, Kentucky; Gracie Hayden from Paducah, Kentucky; Lily Insco from Mayfield, Kentucky; Emily Ray from Stonefort, Illinois; Duel Reed from Scottsville, Kentucky; Lily Smith from Cadiz, Kentucky; and Samantha Vega from Louisville, Kentucky.
“The Department of Art & Design values President Patterson’s vision for exhibiting student work at Oakhurst and his generosity in providing a scholarship for a featured piece,” said Dr. Rebecca Williams, associate professor of art education and chair of the Department of Art & Design. “What began as the intention to fund one scholarship grew into support for three students after he and the First Lady Jenny Patterson spent time with the students’ work. President and First Lady Patterson are making a lasting difference through their investment in art and design at Murray State.”
For more information on President Patterson or the history of Oakhurst, please visit the Office of the President’s website at murraystate.edu/president. For more information on the Department of Art & Design, contact msu.art@murraystate.edu.