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Articles by Olivia Bowling
MSU traditional music students thrive at international conference
Bluegrass music filled the city of Chattanooga in a week-long celebration, including a few notes from Morehead State students. The Mountain Music Ambassadors of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State experienced awards, networking and educational panels, during the 40th annual World of Bluegrass celebration hosted by the International Bluegrass Association. kAm“xE 92D 366? C62==J :?DA:C:?8 36:?8 96C6j x 92G6 366?
MSU traditional music students thrive at international conference.
CHAtTANOOGA, TENN. Bluegrass music filled the city of Chattanooga in a week-long celebration, including a bit from Morehead State students. The Mountain Music Ambassadors of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State experienced awards, networking and educational panels, during the 40th annual World of Bluegrass celebration hosted by the International Bluegrass Association.
The 3rd Annual White Squirrel Festival
The 3rd Annual White Squirrel Festival filled the city of Olney, Illinois with traditional music, by countless bands, including Morehead State University’s Mountain Music Ambassadors at the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music Center. For more information about the Mountain Music Ambassadors, or the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music visit their website for upcoming events.
Songwriters showcase their orginallity
Morehead was alive with original music Thursday in the ADUC Theater. The Songwriter’s Showcase gave students attending the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music an opportunity to showcase their original music they have written while taking part in the Songwriter’s Ensemble throughout the semester.
Songwriter Showcase
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Songwriter Showcase
Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. High near 50F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 34F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Great Pretenders 2025
Morehead State University students performed at Delta Zeta’s annual philanthropy lip-sync competition, Great Pretenders, Tuesday evening inside Button Auditorium. The event raised $7,000 dollars for Delta Zeta’s philanthropy organization, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, and featured performances from 11 organizations. For more information about the Starkey Hearing Foundation, visit their website.
Pickin’ and grinnin’ through midterms
Morehead State University's Kentucky Center for Traditional Music (KCTM) presented their mid-semester concert Tuesday evening inside the Rowan County Arts Center. The show showcased the MSU country, old-time, bluegrass, Mountain Music Ambassador and a special guests performance from Steven Middleton and Rob McNurlin.
KCTM Mid-Semester Concert 2025
Professor Steven Middleton (left) plays the harmonica alongside Rob McNurlin (right) at the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music's Mid-Semester Concert at the Rowan County Arts Center in Morehead, Ky on March 25, 2025. Photo by Olivia Bowling | The Trail Blazer
KCTM Mid-Semester Concert 2025
Lakota Doyle (left) and Wade Skaggs (right), members of the MSU Old Time Band, play on-stage at the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music's Mid-Semester Concert at the Rowan County Arts Center in Morehead, Ky on March 25, 2025. Photo by Olivia Bowling | The Trail Blazer
Kentucky Flooding
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The semester's last tune
The Kentucky Center for Traditional Music presented its Semester End of Semester concert at the Morehead Conference Center Wednesday evening to showcase various bands including the Morehead State University country band, the old-time string band, a bluegrass ensemble, country band and the Mountain Music Ambassadors. Tom Lyngklip had a senior spotlight and performed alongside the director of the KCTM Daxson Lewis and instructor David Austin Tackett to conclude his time at the center.
A sorority is making wishes come true
A sorority is granting one wish at a time. Chi Omega hosted their annual dance competition, Follies, to raise money for their philanthropy, Make-A-Wish. Each year, the sorority is placed with a different child, where donation and ticket profits fund the child’s wish. The Make-A-Wish foundation grants wishes to children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses, and grants over 35 wishes daily to children across America. This year, Chi Omega was placed with four-year-old, Hadlee Willis.
Follies 2024 OB
A sorority is granting one wish at a time.
Follies 2024 OB
Periods of rain. High 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 50F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Traditional music students reach harmonic heights
The Morehead Conference Center was alive with music. Morehead State University's Kentucky Center for Traditional Music presented their mid-semester concert Wednesday evening that showcased bands including the MSU country, old-time, bluegrass and the Mountain Music Ambassador.
Morehead State media students and WMKY staff score big in state awards
LEXINGTON Morehead State University students won big at the Kentucky Broadcaster Association awards. Several students from MSU were nominated for their work in the broadcast field. Hallie Adams, a senior media production and journalism student, finished the night with two awards, including Student Broadcaster of the Year, best in Special Program or Feature, and a runner-up in News Reporter of the Year.
Making anything Paw-sible
The student-led 4 Paws organization has elected new leaders. 4 Paws, a group dedicated to the training of service dogs, has recently elected new officers for the organization located at Morehead State University. The leaders are committed to educating people on the importance of animals that aid those with disabilities. “Getting to work with these special dogs, is such a once in a lifetime experience, and is not something everyone gets to do,” said Jordan Clements, the newly elected president.
Foreign languages trimmed at Morehead State
MOREHEAD Foreign language programs are facing massive cuts across the country, condensing departments that emphasize the arts and humanities. Morehead State University is no different. Colleges have started putting more focus towards STEM-related majors, and as a result, many students are faced with shrinking programs or the complete removal of their major. Foreign language programs are the most affected.
Languages getting trimmed at MSU
Foreign language programs are facing massive cuts across the country, and condensing departments that focus on the arts and humanities. Colleges have began putting more focus towards STEM related majors, and as a result, many students are being faced with shrinking programs or the complete removal of their major. Foreign language programs are the most effected by this. “There is just something about language classes that brings kids out of their shells.” said Jessica Oney.
The social media minor has a lot to quack about
Two students have taken over a local business’s social media platforms. Abby Claire and Chase Whaley have partnered with The Fuzzy Duck & CoffeeTree Books to gain hands-on experience for their social media minor. “We were so excited to be doing The Fuzzy Duck because it’s such an iconic business that everyone here knows about,” said Claire, a graphic design major. A requirement for the minor is to manage a local business’s social media.
Abby Claire and Chase Whaley, The Fuzzy Duck
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Dressing less for more impact
Students ran with less clothing in the cold to help others keep warm. The 17th annual Nearly Naked Mile, sponsored by the Student Alumni Ambassadors, on Tuesday. The annual run is held to raise money and keep those in need warm in the upcoming colder months. Participants in the race could donate coats and jackets or pay an entry fee, both of which went straight to charity. Money raised at the event was used to purchase new coats for donation.
Nearly Naked Mile
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A professor sparks conversations about UFOs
CoffeeTree Books was filled with mystery. Royal Berglee, a global studies professor at Morehead State University, kept students and community members enthralled with a discussion about UFOs and aliens inside Coffee Tree Bookstore Tuesday night. “It just seems like we always have these situations come up,” said Berglee. Berglee has been interested in aliens and other supernatural creatures after he witnessed a UFO sighting in his backyard.
Convergent media student recognized for her hard work
A Flemingsburg native with a passion for both audio and print media received multiple awards. Hallie Adams amassed numerous honors from the Kentucky Broadcasters Association’s Impact Awards on the collegiate level. The junior convergent media major and photography minor was named best radio reporter and was a finalist within the divisions of best digital journalist, best newscast and best public affairs.
Dr. Berglee's UFO Talk
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Changing the world one tote bag at a time
Two organizations are teaming up to make a change. The Campus Activity Board and Evergreen teamed up on Wednesday, September 20, to educate students on the importance of sustainability and gave students an opportunity to paint tote bags in order to begin limiting plastic consumption. The average college student will generate over 640 pounds of solid waste each semester, with the majority of the waste accumulating at the end of the semester.
Local food truck's success is soaring
Two former professors have found a sweet new business. Steven and Nashia Fife recently opened up a food truck for their business, The Donut Fairy, that serves doughnuts, eclairs and other desserts. The married couple got the idea to buy a food truck after they both left the university. “After we left the university, Steven started looking at food trucks because he wanted to do pizza,” said Nashia.
Induction has been made for a Morehead State professor
A professor is dedicated to the betterment of the Commonwealth. Dr. Janet Ratliff, an associate professor of small business management and entrepreneurship, has been inducted into Kentucky’s Leadership Class of 2023. “Leadership Kentucky allows you the opportunity to really see the state in which we live in totality, the good, the bad, everything about it so that you can be a part of it, and lead where you are, and better understand how to network and connect to people,” said Ratliff.
Chair of Communication, Media and Art and Design has been named
A professor receives a big promotion. Jeffrey Hill, an editing and communication professor, was recently promoted to Chair of Communication, Media and Art and Design. “I was pretty excited when I found out, you know my wife had taken on a similar position the previous year,” Hill said. “I was able to listen to her, and listen to the fun she was having, some struggles as well.
Little Company, Bigger Impact
A local program got the chance to travel overseas. The Little Company is a program dedicated to keeping arts education alive in schools got the opportunity to take a group of theater students to showcase their talents in the historic city of Edinburgh, Scotland. “I found myself weeping just at everything all of the time because there is just so much history and all of it is so shocking to find out that I’m standing in a building that’s older than my country,” said Logan Wilkerson.
Encapsulating the eagles
Morehead buried items for the next generation. The Student Alumni Association at Morehead State University displayed items submitted to be sealed in the centennial time capsule. The capsule will not be opened until the university’s 125th anniversary. Many organizations and clubs put pieces into the capsule to be opened by the next generation of eagles.
Swishes for Wishes 2023
A sorority scored donations for their philanthropy. Morehead State’s Chi Omega chapter hosted Swishes for Wishes on Tuesday night. Many students came out to play basketball and support Winston, a child who was diagnosed with leukemia, through the Make-A-Wish foundation. “Knowing we are making an impact on Winston’s life is an indescribable feeling,” said Emma Lane, a freshman in Chi Omega.
Barnett brings the laughs
"Last Comic Standing" finalist cracks up Morehead students. Ty Barnett, a stand-up comedian featured on shows like "Comedy Central," "America’s Got Talent" and "The Late Late Show," performed at the Adron Doran University Center on Wednesday night. Barnett, a Chicago native, has been performing stand-up for over 20 years. The comedy veteran also served in the military for six years and began to focus on his comedy career after being discharged.
Students LevelUp by going abroad
A group of students have returned to campus after spending spring break abroad. The students were taken abroad as part of a LevelUp historical tourism course and visited parts of Greece and Austria, while immersing themselves in the culture they’ve studied. This once-in-a-lifetime trip also provided opportunities for teamwork, learning and hands on experience. “This class is possibly the best class I have ever taken hands down,” said Arewn Sargent, a freshman.
A student has a homerun for art
A student has chosen a different path when coming to college. Lily Napier, a freshman majoring in art education at Morehead State, was born into a softball family. Yet, after growing up in softball all her life, she later discovered a new love for the arts. Napier’s father was a softball coach at Shelby Valley High School. T-ball was all Napier needed to be hooked. “I liked watching college girls pitch with my dad on TV. It was a big way for us to connect,” said Napier.
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Freshman Lily Napier poses with some of her artwork displayed in her dorm. April 5, 2023. Photo by Olivia Bowling | The Trailblazer
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A few passing clouds. Low 49F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. A few passing clouds. Low 49F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Holi celebration promotes cultural education
Students at Morehead State University got colorful to celebrate Holi. The Campus Activities Board at MSU collaborated with the International Student Association on Thursday to give students a chance to celebrate the festival of Holi. They provided white t-shirts and many colorful powders for students to cover themselves in as a way of celebration.
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Students at Morehead State University got colorful to celebrate Holi.
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Students at Morehead State University got colorful to celebrate Holi.
Casino Night returns
Casino Night dealt out games and prizes for students. Morehead’s Campus Activity Board hosted its annual Casino Night in the Adron Doran University Center on Tuesday night, where students enjoyed different classic casino games and slot machines provided by the Cincinnati Casino Company for a chance to win prizes. “This year we had three different games. “We had blackjack, roulette and a poker game.” Said Bryce Allen, CAB’s entertainment coordinator.
Dodgeball for good causes
Morehead State’s Greek life competed for charity. Delta Zeta and Sigma Phi Epsilon teamed up to host the annual dodgeball match, where all proceeds went to charities of the organizations’ choice. The Recreation and Wellness Center was buzzing with excitement as the teams faced off. “It was really great seeing both Greek organizations and non-Greek organizations enter,” said Nathan Smith, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s vice president of programming.
Black History Month dinner and performance
Students enjoyed traditional soul food and live music to celebrate Black History Month. The Eagle Diversity for Education Center at Morehead State hosted its sixth annual Soul Food Dinner on Wednesday, followed by a performance by Kazual Mania in ADUC to not only celebrate Black History Month but also educate students on the importance of diversity.
Car crash leaves a hole in the wall
A hole in the REC wall has to be repaired for three months. A carcrashed through the wall of Morehead State’s Recreational and Wellness Center on December 12, and the damage to the building has yet to be repaired. “It was very shocking, I have only ever seen things like that in online videos and things,” said Steven Middleton, an instructor of mass communication at MSU.
The Morehead Writing Project
The Morehead Writing Project has provided writing students and teachers with educational opportunities since its founding in 1986. The MWP is a federally funded professional development program that offers outreach programs and training in Eastern Kentucky schools. Its invitational Summer Institute is led by professors including MSU’s Deanna Mascle and Alison Hruby.
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