MSU faculty member Dr. Pam Rices establishes scholarship in honor of her parents 

MURRAY, Ky. — As the only child of George Rice, a surgical tech, and Helen Axley Rice, a homemaker, Dr. Pam Rice grew up in a loving household with parents who supported and encouraged her in everything she did. As a tribute to them, Rice recently established the Axley-Rice Memorial Scholarship in their honor.

Rice, assistant dean of the MSU college of health sciences and human services, decided to set up the renewable fund for full-time students who have completed at least 30 hours of college coursework at Murray State. First preference will be given to students who have declared exercise science as an area or athletic training as a major. Financial need will be a secondary consideration when choosing recipients. Recipients shall have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA in order to be eligible for this award. Additional criteria may include leadership, service, ethical behavior and professional promise. 

Dr. Corky Broughton, dean of the college of health sciences and human services, said Rice’s gift to the department is an example of the loyalty Murray State faculty have to the success of the institution and its students.

“Health sciences and human services is a college that puts people first,” Broughton said. “It is reflected in the time, attention and even the financial support that people like Dr. Rice give to our students. This commitment to our students is what sets us apart.”

Broughton said he is proud to call Rice both a colleague and friend and is privileged to have worked with her over the years and witness her personal generosity and concern for students. 

“Dr. Rice’s generosity will allow students to pursue their dreams,” Broughton said. “Scholarship recipients will have opportunities that will impact not only their lives, but the lives of their children and future generations.”

Rice said she decided to establish the Axley-Rice Memorial Scholarship at this time because the university is in the midst of its comprehensive campaign, Hold thy Banner High: The Campaign for the Students of Murray State University.

“I’ve been thinking about setting up a scholarship for a while, and now that MSU is in the middle of our comprehensive campaign, this just seemed like the right time to do it,” Rice said.

Rice plans to make annual donations to the fund and then eventually endow it through a planned gift to Murray State in her will.