Tommy Lewis Endowed Scholarship for Business established at Murray State University

MURRAY, Ky. – Tommy Lewis, a 1982 graduate of Livingston Central High School and 1986 graduate of Murray State University, has established an endowed scholarship at Murray State for business majors from Livingston, Lyon and Marshall counties in Kentucky. This new fund, to begin making awards in the fall of 2024, will make achieving an undergraduate education in business more attainable and affordable for students from these local counties for years to come. 

A lifetime member of the Murray State University Alumni Association, Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree in business – computer information systems from Murray State in 1986 and his Master of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in 1993. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of GA Foods, a healthcare nutrition company, and resides in Brentwood, Tennessee. 

Lewis was inspired to create this scholarship to help other students such as himself and give back to the institution that helped launch him on the successful business career that he has had. As the first person in his family who ever attended a university, Lewis credits his experience at Murray State with helping him develop and grow in many ways that changed his life and set him on a path of success. Through this scholarship, he wants to impart the same opportunity to other young people coming from a similar background. 

“Murray State University was my home for four great years. However, the lessons I learned there and the skills I obtained, academically and socially, prepared me well for a fulfilling business career in the healthcare industry,” said Lewis. “I have had the good fortune to work with some of the most respected firms on Wall Street and across the globe. My MSU education has stood the test of time and prepared me well. I'm pleased to be in a position to support the educational and professional goals of other western Kentucky students.”

In addition to his current role as CEO of GA Foods, Lewis’ career has included positions such as Vice President of Marketing for Medifax EDI and WebMD, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Emdeon, President of Nutrisystem and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Tivity Health.

“We are grateful for Mr. Lewis' gift and we appreciate him taking the lead to open the doors of success for students from Livingston, Lyon and Marshall counties,” said Dr. David Eaton, dean of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business. “We love it when our alumni pay it forward and provide future students the opportunities that their time at Murray State has provided for them.”

Contributions to the Tommy Lewis Endowed Scholarship for Business can be made by contacting the Murray State University office of development at 270-809-3001 or by making a secure gift online at  murraystate.edu/giving.