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A RESOLUTION recognizing and honoring Dr. Robert "Bob" L. Jackson upon his 1
retirement as president of Murray State University. 2
WHEREAS, Dr. Robert "Bob" L. Jackson, a native of LaRue County, was 3
appointed as the 14th president of Murray State University on March 1, 2019, after 4
serving as interim president since August 7, 2018; and 5
WHEREAS, Dr. Jackson served the Commonwealth with distinction as a State 6
Senator for the 1st District from 1997 to 2005, holding the position of Senate Majority 7
Whip, among other positions in government; and 8
WHEREAS, under Dr. Jackson’s leadership as president of Murray State 9
University, there was a renewed focus on enrollment and retention, including a record 10
freshman class for Fall 2023, and the 4th largest freshman class for Fall 2024, among 11
other enrollment successes; and 12
WHEREAS, Dr. Jackson's administrative team ensured access and affordability for 13
Kentucky students and families, which were the cornerstone of his personal beliefs and 14
actions as president. Murray State University is a nationally recognized best value 15
institution, receiving record rankings in this area for years; and 16
WHEREAS, as president of Murray State University during the COVID-19 17
pandemic, Dr. Jackson developed a comprehensive plan and moved the university 18
forward with no major adverse financial events, no employee layoffs or furloughs, and no 19
cuts in pay or benefits, and held firm to his commitment to in-person learning, with the 20
university recognized as being the most in-person university in Kentucky by the 21
Chronicle of Higher Education; and 22
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Murray State University celebrated its centennial in 23
a record manner and documented its 100-year history with a new book, "The Finest Place 24
We Know," authored by Dr. Jackson; and 25
WHEREAS, Dr. Jackson's administration focused on preserving Murray State 26
University's historic campus and upgrading key facilities used by the entire campus 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 1994
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community, including the restoration of Lovett Auditorium, and completed important 1
work on Wrather Hall, Woods Park, Wilson and Wells Halls, and the Curris Center; and 2
WHEREAS, Dr. Jackson has also been a strong advocate for the needs of the 3
animal agricultural industry and for listening and responding to farmers and agricultural 4
leaders, and he has worked alongside state leaders to help this important industry; and 5
WHEREAS, throughout his presidency, Dr. Jackson served as chair of the Council 6
of University Presidents for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, working 7
tirelessly to promote the importance of postsecondary education and fight for access and 8
affordability for all students; and 9
WHEREAS, Dr. Jackson is a proud alumnus of Murray State University, where he 10
met his wife, the former Karen Miller, a native of Lyon County and registered nurse. Dr. 11
and Mrs. Jackson have two adult children, Nolan and Mariel; and 12
WHEREAS, the Kentucky State Senate is proud of the legacy of president and 13
former State Senator, Dr. Bob Jackson, and his contributions to the Commonwealth of 14
Kentucky; 15
NOW, THEREFORE, 16
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 17
Kentucky: 18
Section 1. The members of the Senate recognize Dr. Robert "Bob" L. Jackson's 19
legacy as a champion for postsecondary education, a fighter for rural Kentucky, and an 20
embodiment of Kentucky values. 21
Section 2. The members of the Senate honor Dr. Robert "Bob" L. Jackson upon 22
his retirement as president of Murray State University on June 30, 2025, and wish him 23
and his family well. 24
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 25
Resolution to Senate President Robert Stivers for delivery. 26