Dr. Bob and Karen Jackson
MURRAY, Ky. — After many years of loyal and dedicated service and 43 years of association with his alma mater, Dr. Bob Jackson has announced his retirement as president of Murray State University, effective June 30, 2025. He will continue in his role as president. He will assist in the future transition as an honorary member and serve as special advisor to the Board until a future date.
Mr. Jackson has served as president since August 7, 2018, and has held other management positions, including chair of the Murray State University Foundation. Both President Jackson and his wife, Karen, are alumni of the university.
Under Mr. Jackson’s leadership, Murray State University has experienced significant growth and success in its mission to advance higher education in the region, state, and nation. The university has a renewed focus on student recruitment and retention, advances new academic programs, enjoys athletic success and change, a new building for the College of Nursing and Health Professions under construction, and a building for the College of Veterinary Medicine. , the learning commons and new residence halls were funded and designed in addition to the recent acquisition of Station 74 at Murray State University.
In addition, Jackson is committed to campus improvements, major renovations to Lovett Auditorium, Lazar Hall, the Caris Center, and the development of deferred historic buildings, including the Racer One and Dr. John W. Carr statues on campus. The focus has been on maintenance and preservation. Woods Park etc.
Jackson has spent much of his professional career in higher education as a state senator focused on ensuring the proper funding and access and affordability of higher education. Additionally, a School of Veterinary Medicine continues to be planned along with a medical school campus in partnership with the University of Louisville. The university was recently named the #1 Best Value School in the South by U.S. News and World Report.
“Serving as president of my alma mater is the honor of a lifetime and the culmination of my professional life,” Jackson said. “We are very grateful for this opportunity. However, everything has its seasons, and Karen and I are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, traveling, and looking forward to the next chapter of our lives.” I look forward to enjoying it.”
Jackson continued, “The last few years have been very busy for both of us, and I am very proud of the many accomplishments during my tenure. There is almost no downtime.”
“Importantly, no one does these jobs alone. I am so grateful to Karen, the administrative team, the board, faculty, alumni, friends, and especially our students. That’s what makes our university so special.” The future is very bright and there are many opportunities ahead of us,” added Jackson.
During his tenure, Mr. Jackson guided the university through the pandemic, oversaw many significant changes including a new building, celebrated Murray State’s 100th anniversary, and co-authored the centennial history, The Finest Place We Know served as He oversaw the launch of the Centennial’s $100 million capital campaign, which has now raised more than $90 million.
Chairman Leon Owens said: Mr. Jackson’s retirement marks the end of a historic period of leadership, change and innovation at Murray State University. Three new buildings under construction or in the planning stages totaling nearly $150 million, plus deferred maintenance projects, campus improvements, facility enhancements and significant academic enhancements totaling $100 million. That’s all. Dr. Jackson left a lasting mark and we are extremely grateful for his years of service. It was an honor to serve with him. ”
The Board of Trustees has begun a search for his replacement to ensure a smooth transition and the continuation of the University’s important commitment to the region, state, and nation.
A complete copy of Mr. Jackson’s resignation letter and a select list of his accomplishments at the University will be available on the Office of the President’s website after the special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Mr. Jackson is a former Kentucky state senator and chairman of the Murray State University Foundation. Karen is a former nurse and both are university graduates. They are the parents of Nolan Jackson and his wife, Nikki, and Marielle Jackson Gibson and her husband, Dr. Andrew Gibson, all of Washington, DC.
