$1 M Gift To Murray State Will Support Many Students

MURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State University Foundation, Inc. has announced one of the most generous estate gifts in the University’s history through a bequest from the late Dr. Brinda Smith. The gift, topping over $1 million, will provide tremendous support in three different areas: scholarships for students majoring in elementary education, health and physical education, or political science; scholarships for students majoring in special education or speech language pathology; and support for Pogue Library and its programs and facility needs.

Dr. Brinda Smith’s connection with Murray State ran deep throughout her life first as a student, then as a faculty member, finally as a long-time and generous supporter. Born in Calloway County Kentucky, she graduated from Murray State in 1954 with a double major in physical education and library science, and then went on to earn her master’s degree from Louisiana State University and her doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi. Starting in 1964, Smith served as a faculty member in the Murray State College of Education. Later in her career, she continued to provide many years of leadership to the University as a member of the Murray State University Foundation Board of Trustees.

In the early 1990s, she established the Smith-Johnson Memorial Scholarship as a tribute to her mother, Mrs. Mary Johnson Smith, and aunt, Dr. Mayrell Johnson, who were both also proud Murray State alumni. After graduating from Murray Normal School, Mrs. Mary Johnson Smith went on to have a 42-year career as a teacher. Dr. Mayrell Johnson, after graduating from Murray State in 1931, enjoyed an impressive career in political science and law, including time as a faculty member at Murray State, instructor in the Murray Aeronautics Program, and service with the U.S. Navy, where she was the first woman to be issued flight orders. On top of the generous contributions that Dr. Smith made to this scholarship fund during her lifetime, the recent estate gift adds significant new support, benefitting countless students in elementary education, health and physical education, and political science for years to come.

In addition to support for the Smith-Johnson Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Smith’s estate gift also establishes two new endowed funds: the Elizabeth (Betty) Smith Memorial Endowment, in memory of her sister, to provide scholarships for students majoring in special education and speech language pathology, and the Brinda Smith Library Endowment to support Pogue Library and its project and program needs. Dr. Smith had the honor of having the Smith-Johnson History and Genealogy Room in the Pogue Library named after the three women of the Smith-Johnson families who had lifelong ties to Murray State.

After her teaching career at Murray State, Dr. Smith moved to Florida and served on the faculties of Florida International University and the University of Miami. While in Florida, she began a second and very successful career in finance, working as a principal broker and financial analyst for 20 years.

After Brinda’s death in 2023, her family wanted to honor her deep ties to Murray State. Her cousin and the executor of her estate, Mike Vincek, directed the recent gift of over $1 million to Murray State University.

Mike says, “Dr. Smith’s dedication and devotion to the University ran deeply. As an alumnus, a former staff member and having served on the board of trustees, she valued Murray State and the Calloway County community in the highest regards.  Her wishes were to give back.”

The impact of this support is far reaching. Dr. David Whaley, dean of the College of Education and Human Services said, “This generous estate gift will do so much for Murray State University. In particular, I think about the teacher shortage we are facing in Kentucky and beyond. These scholarships will help provide financial support and more access to college students who want to pursue teacher education. These scholarships lift the burden of educational expenses, allowing teachers in training to focus on learning and growing.”

“After learning about Dr. Smith and her family and the generous gifts they have made to Murray State, three words immediately came to mind: empower, impact and service,” said Stephanie Schaaf, chair of the Center for Communication Disorders. “Our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students will be empowered by this support from a former faculty member of the College of Education and Human Services; this scholarship will help our students in a profession that allows them to make a profound impact on someone’s life, as Dr. Smith and her family have done for many years; and as our Murray State SLP graduates continue to give back through service in their profession, they emulate Dr. Smith, and her legacy lives on.”

Dean of University Libraries, Cris Ferguson shared, “With family roots connected to Dr. Rainey T. Wells, the University’s founder, Dr. Smith’s appreciation for genealogy and Murray State University led the family to extend more support to Pogue Library and the Genealogical Collection. We are grateful to Brinda Smith and her family. Brinda’s legacy helps preserve the rich history of the Jackson Purchase region and ensure access to genealogical materials for researchers near and far for years to come.”

For more information on how to support Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services and its students or Murray State University Libraries, contact Jenni Todd, director of development, at 270-809-3026 or jtodd14@murraystate.edu.