Murray State University Racer Report: May 25-29
By MSU Public Relations | May 27, 2026
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 May 25-29.
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Dr. Matthew Hermes, assistant professor of exercise science at Murray State, and exercise science students Nolan Parry, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Aaron Smith, of Benton, Kentucky, recently had their research abstracts accepted for presentation at the National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference this summer.
Hermes, along with Dr. Andrew C. Fry, of the University of Kansas, and Dr. Jonathan D. Miller, also of the University of Kansas, had their abstract, “How Slow Can You Go? A Case Study of an Extremely Slow 1RM Test for the Bench Press,” accepted for presentation at the conference.
Hermes, Parry and Smith collaborated on two other accepted abstracts for the conference: “The Relationship Between Countermovement Jump and Law Enforcement Physical Test Performance in University Students” and “The Influence of Arm Swing on the Reliability of Countermovement Jump Metrics.”
This accomplishment reflects their hard work, dedication to research and commitment to advancing the field of exercise science.
The Assistant Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions and Professor of Exercise Science, Dr. Amelia Dodd, said she is proud to see Murray State students and faculty representing the program on a national stage and sharing their work with professionals and scholars from across the country. Dodd added that she commends Hermes for his exceptional mentorship and ongoing contributions to multiple scholarly projects.
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From the Boston Marathon finish line to the nursing school finish line, recent Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate and Purchase Area Health Education Center Scholar Breanna Day, of Eagle River, Alaska, has done both!
Running the Boston Marathon is a remarkable achievement that reflects dedication, perseverance and determination, qualities Day has also demonstrated throughout her journey in nursing school. Murray State and the School of Nursing and Health Professions are so proud to celebrate Day not only as a new graduate, but also as a Boston Marathon runner. She is an amazing example of what hard work and commitment can accomplish both inside and outside the classroom.
A member of the Murray State University Women’s Track and Field Team, Day said her professors worked around the marathon for her practicum schedule in order to complete one of the biggest dreams of her life.
“They checked in with me during my training, they wished me luck, and they celebrated with me when I returned to Murray,” Day said. “Although nursing is a difficult major, the professors, staff and my fellow classmates gave amazing support that helped me to succeed. Overall, my experience has been one of the best, and I’ll truly always be so grateful for the professors, coaches, staff and community that have supported me through my journey.”
Another recent Murray State graduate, Ella Piercey, also completed the Boston Marathon on April 20. Piercey, of Milan, Tennessee, recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry on the pre-physical therapy track. Piercey began endurance running in the fall of 2023, her first semester at Murray State. Piercey somehow managed to juggle training for the marathon, going to school full-time and working a part-time job. She said planning and staying consistent were key, but she emphasized that running was an outlet for her that helped her manage stress and stay mentally focused throughout her college years.
Piercey said it feels incredibly rewarding to complete the Boston Marathon and her degree within a month of one another.
“Both earning my degree and completing the Boston Marathon required discipline and consistency, so accomplishing them so close together made the moment even more meaningful,” Piercey said. “The Boston Marathon had been a dream of mine since day one of marathon training.”
“The Department of Biological Sciences is very proud of Ella’s accomplishments,” said Chair of the department, Dr. Sterling Wright. “The Boston Marathon requires certified marathon times based on age for acceptance into the race. Ella has been an excellent student in our pre-physical therapy program and we expect her accomplishments to continue beyond graduation. We wish her the best.”
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Dr. Alicia Carthell, assistant professor of English at Murray State, was an honoree for the Rosa M. Parks Award for “outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to others” during the Paducah NAACP’s “The Power of One” event on March 21 at Broadway United Methodist Church in Paducah, Kentucky.
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Dr. Shimikqua Ellis, assistant professor of English at Murray State, had her article, "Building Critical Allies through Critical Race English Education," published in Theory Into Practice Journal in March. Read the article at bit.ly/4wMys51.
Ellis also presented at the roundtables, "Building Engagement and Community in Online Courses" and "Teaching English in the Age of AI" at the Society of Information Technology & Teacher Education Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 23-27.
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Dr. Esther Malm, associate professor of psychology at Murray State, has had two recent publications:
- "Preferred Topics for Sex Education Training Among Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities in Ghana" in Sexuality and Disability with co-authors Mabel Oti-Boadi, Nutifafa Dey and Stephen Oppong. This study identified topics parents of children with developmental disabilities wanted to help support their children. The study was done in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, West Africa. Read the article at bit.ly/48VUJTC.
- "An Appreciative Inquiry into Protective Lifestyle Factors for Longevity" in Educational Gerontology, with co-authors Dr. Lauren Roberson, Rachel Obeng, Dr. Oluwabunmi Dada, Dr. Jessica Naber, Eliza Heinrich and Dr. Amelia Dodd. Malm and the Community Vitality Research Team (comprising Murray State University faculty and students) examined the risk and protective factors identified by Calloway County's elderly population as essential for promoting longevity, drawing on Blue Zone research.
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Dr. Gwendolyn Paradice, assistant professor of English at Murray State, recently had a novel, The Divining Season, published by Aunt Lute Press. The book follows 11-year-old Emily Howard, a peculiar girl who doesn't fit in. It might be her bizarre fear of doorways, or the strange illnesses that plague her or the obvious fact that she is not a blood relative of her mother. Regardless, Emily’s arrival to Larissa, Texas, changes the search for Native children who've gone missing and the way the women of Larissa relate to each other. Pre-order the book at auntlute.com/the-divining-season.
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Dr. Ho Ryong Park, professor of English in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program, has been named a Fulbright Scholar to Vietnam for 2026-27. The Fulbright Program, the United States government’s flagship program of international educational and cultural exchange, offers passionate and accomplished students and scholars in more than 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to mutual understanding. These talented Fulbrighters from all backgrounds inspire, innovate and contribute to finding solutions to challenges facing local communities and the world alike.
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Dr. Saihua Xia, professor of TESOL and English at Murray State, was appointed by the Board of Directors of the TESOL International Association to serve as incoming chair on its Professional Development Professional Council for a three-year professional leadership position starting on April 1, 2026.
The Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (CHFA), Nicole Hand, said that in addition to being excellent professors, the faculty are outstanding scholars. The reach of their research and creative activity extends to regional, national and international audiences, highlighting the impact and significance of their work, Hand said.