Racer Report: April 1-5
By MSU Public Relations | Apr 4, 2024
MURRAY, Ky. – The latest Murray State University Racer Report includes student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments, announcements, upcoming campus events and more for the week of April 1-5.
**
Dr. Abdul Yarali has signed a contract for his new book, "Identity and Access Management: Cybersecurity and Risk Management,” with Cambridge Publication in London, United Kingdom. The book is set to be published by August 2025.
“The rapidly evolving threats add to the vulnerability of systems. Cybersecurity threats, as well as attack techniques, are constantly evolving, which makes it difficult for organizations to keep up. This leaves them exposed to new attack vectors that exploit their existing defenses. More resources and budget constraints are needed to ensure organizations implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures,” said Yarali. “In this book, I will discuss engineering design access control and identity management, which involves a systematic and detailed approach to ensure that the right individuals have appropriate access to resources while protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. The proposed book covers the latest identity and access control developments at data storage, process and motion at edge, fog, and cloud layers of network connectivity.”
**
Professor Emeritus Roger Haney, Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication has published the first of four textbooks dealing with the effects of the mass media entitled "An Introduction to The Effects of The Mass Media."
The textbook covers the basics of media research, through which the reader will learn the advantages of scientific research over other types of knowledge, and how to conduct experimental and survey research, including polling procedures. The book also presents the historical development of mass media, the nature of the audiences of each medium, the basics of various learning theories, research on children’s learning from Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers and discussion of critical thinking techniques. Also included is extensive research on how the media socializes individuals, encompassing studies on stereotypes presented by the media and how to offset them, eating disorders and the prosocial effects of the media.
The book is available on Amazon.com as well as on: https://www.cambridgescholars.
**
Senior electromechanical engineering and technology student Boaz Burnett, of Murray, Kentucky, has created SmartPark, a myGate/smart parking application designed to help new and existing students gain more clarity on where they can park on campus.
Burnett’s efforts in pursuing a smart parking solution for universities started as a senior design project. He was awarded a $5,000 grant by Kentucky Commercialization Ventures in fall 2023 to commercialize his solution.
The app is free and can be downloaded at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/
**
Executive Director of Development Dr. Tina Bernot has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. Individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Bernot has established herself as a distinguished professional in educational fundraising and development. Currently serving as the executive director of development at Murray State University since 2016, she is responsible for spearheading all private fundraising initiatives for the institution.
Bernot received a Bachelor of Science in business management and marketing from Edgewood College in 1996. She subsequently earned a Master of Science in organizational communication in 2014 and a Doctor of Education in P-20 and community leadership with a focus on higher education administration in 2021 from Murray State University.
Bernot remains active in her professional community as a member of the International Association of Women. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the title of Kentucky Colonel by The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in 2022.
**
Murray State University’s Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (CEED) recently held its annual meeting of regional economic development professionals to discuss new academic program developments for the University’s Master of Science in Economic Development program and its Certificate in Economic Development. Also discussed was the newly developed agricultural track in the economic development program. At the meeting, President and CEO of the Murray Calloway County Economic Development Corporation Mark Manning was recognized for his vision and leadership assisting the University in the creation of the economic development program.
Additionally, Dr. Simone Silva, director of the Master of Science in Economic Development, was recognized for efforts to use her academic education and training to support outreach efforts in supporting those communities.
“It was a great opportunity to receive feedback from our economic development leaders on how we can work together on both academic and outreach efforts for the growth of jobs and wealth, while also recognizing Mr. Manning and Dr. Silva for their leadership and support,” said Chris Wooldridge, director of the CEED.
**
Jon Parrish Peede, a Murray State University student pursuing his Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy, was recently named president at Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio.
“The DA program has proven invaluable for making me aware of higher education trends and the pressures that faculty overcome daily,” said Peede. “I commend my Murray State professors and grad school peers for their insights, collegiality, and dedication. I will be a better president due to this superb doctoral program.”
Peede is the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal grant-making agency. As NEH chairman, he awarded more than $500 million to universities, museums, libraries and scholars. Currently, he is a faculty member in the department of English and foreign languages at Mississippi Valley State University.
Peede will complete his DA at Murray State in May 2025.
For more information on Murray State’s Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy, contact Dr. Kevin Binfield at kbinfield@murraystate.edu or at 270-809-2401.
**
Dr. Randy Keller, a retired Murray State University professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, was recently designated an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) fellow. Only five percent of the AIHA membership qualifies for a Fellow Award. According to the AIHA, the designation is a “reflection of your exceptional contributions to industrial hygiene and related disciplines. Your dedication, leadership, and expertise have left an indelible mark on our profession, and your recognition as a Fellow is a testament to your exemplary track record.”
**
Dr. Ismail Karabas, assistant professor of marketing in the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, was recently featured in Fox Business and New York Times stories centered around tip prompts at restaurants, cafes and businesses.
Read the stories at https://www.foxbusiness.com/
At Murray State, Karabas teaches Integrated Marketing Communications (undergraduate), Marketing Planning and Application (MBA), among others. His primary research interests are services marketing and advertising, and a list of his publications are available at https://bit.ly/3VHdXX6.
**
The Murray State University Western Seat Equestrian Team traveled to one of three western semifinal competitions held in the United States in March. Riders had to qualify for semifinals by placing first or second in their regional competition. Semifinal competition was held at the Middle Tennessee State University Livestock Arena in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team took riders and also furnished seven University horses for the competition as well. Riders had to place in the top four in a class of 16 to move on to IHSA national competition.
The Murray State Equestrian Team had two riders qualify for national competition. Josie Spratt of Purcell, Oklahoma was first in reining, qualifying for nationals and ninth in Horsemanship. Mallory Ritzman of Elkhorn, Wisconsin placed third in rookie horsemanship, qualifying for nationals. Kenleigh Davis of Clinton, Tennessee placed fifth in level I horsemanship, narrowly missing qualifying, and Clara Damman of Napoleon, Ohio placed sixth in beginner horsemanship. Qualifying riders will now be traveling to Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina the first week in May to compete in the IHSA National Horse Show.