News and Music Discovery
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

MSU Board of Regents Appointees Have History in Frankfort and Education

Recently appointed Murray State University Regents, Dr. Walter Bumphus and Lisa Rudolph have deep connections to Murray state, but also in higher education policy and Frankfort politics.

 

Bumphus of Austin, Texas is the President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. Dr. Bumphus has spent his career forwarding the mission of community colleges as a CEO for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Baton Rouge Community College and Brookhaven College in Texas.

 

Rudolph of Kirksey, KY is the wife of Robbie Rudolph who served as Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary under Governor Ernie Fletcher.

 

Robbie Rudolph was also candidate for Lt. Governor as Fletcher's running mate in his failed race for re-election.

 

On Facebook, Murray State President Bob Davies posted about of the new members as well as his support of Gov. Bevin’s additions to the board:
 

“...Both Mrs. Rudolph and Dr. Bumphus have strong connections to west Kentucky and Murray State and have been active and extremely supportive in the goals of our University. Each of them will bring insights and expertise to the Board of Regents and will add to the overall strength and leadership of the Board…” said Davies.

Davies also posted this biography information about the two new appointees.

 

Lisa Rudolph is co-owner of Rudolph's, Inc., a wholesale tire distributor and Rudolph Freight, Inc. a nationwide trucking company, both located in Murray, Kentucky. Rudolph holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Education, both from Murray State University. She and her husband, Robbie, are co-founders are also co-founders of the Four Rivers Foundation; A scholarship program benefiting four school districts, including Fulton Independent, Fulton County, Hickman County, and Carlisle County, as well as the Fulton County Area Technology Center. Rudolph has served two terms as a Trustee of the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky. She has two children, Mallory Howard and Grant Rudolph, and three grandchildren, all residing in Murray.

He added this about Dr. Bumphus

 

(Bumphus) A Kentucky native, Dr. Bumphus served as a professor in the Community College Leadership Program and as chair of the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT Austin, he also held the A. M. Aikin Regents Endowed Chair in Junior and Community College Education Leadership. Dr. Bumphus earned a Bachelor's degree in speech communications and a Master's degree in guidance and counseling from Murray State University. In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater. Dr. Bumphus went on to earn a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the Community College Leadership Program at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Bumphus holds the distinction of being one of the few leaders in the field of education to hold the key to the city of Princeton, Kentucky. Dr. Bumphus has also received the ACCT Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year Award, the AACC Leadership Award, the Diverse Champion Award and serves on several national commissions.

The Murray State Board of Regents next meets on Friday, September 9th.

 

 

Nicole Erwin is a Murray native and started working at WKMS during her time at Murray State University as a Psychology undergraduate student. Nicole left her job as a PTL dispatcher to join the newsroom after she was hired by former News Director Bryan Bartlett. Since, Nicole has completed a Masters in Sustainable Development from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia where she lived for 2 1/2 years.
Related Content