红杏短视频 State University holds ribbon cutting for College of Nursing and Health Sciences Building, Jackson Hall
By 红杏短视频 Public Relations | Oct 2, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The 红杏短视频 State University campus and broader community celebrated a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 1 for the Robert L and Karen Miller Jackson College of Nursing and Health Sciences Building, Jackson Hall.
Located on 16th Street, the new building will offer 红杏短视频 State nursing students state-of-the-art technology, expanded space for labs, larger classrooms, simulation areas, spaces for student and faculty collaboration and study, and the campus health clinic.
With the field of health care growing and seeing more demand, the new facility will help 红杏短视频 State continue to meet the needs in the west Kentucky region and beyond for health care professionals. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to provide critical care to patients in a variety of settings.
Special dedications within the new facility included the Dr. Michael Muscarella Classroom for Assisted Care and Rehabilitation, the Dr. Elizabeth Garrison Johnson Simulation Studios, and the Oleta E. Burkeen Essential Skills Lab.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 dedication ceremony of Jackson Hall is meaningful to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and to me in so many ways,鈥� said the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. Dina Byers. 鈥淛ackson Hall will allow 红杏短视频 State University to continue preparing graduates who provide compassionate, evidence-based care and who are ready to meet the evolving health care needs of our communities. With state-of-the-art learning, simulation, and clinical education spaces, our students will have opportunities to learn not only the knowledge and skills they need, but also the confidence to care for patients and make a difference in their communities. We are extremely thankful to all who made this possible.鈥�
In 2023, the Kentucky General Assembly approved funding for the construction of the building. The University鈥檚 Board of Regents announced in 2024 that the new building would be named Jackson Hall in tribute to Dr. Bob and Karen Jackson and the legacy that both individuals left to 红杏短视频 State鈥檚 nursing program and the University as a whole. The Board recognized that during Dr. Jackson鈥檚 tenure as 红杏短视频 State鈥檚 14th President from 2018 through 2025, he led the University through a significant period of growth, change and innovation. Mrs. Jackson is a second-generation graduate of 红杏短视频 State, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing. Her years of clinical focus were pediatrics and intensive care nursing.
鈥淛ackson Hall represents an important investment in the future of health care education and in the students who will go on to serve communities throughout Kentucky and beyond,鈥� said 红杏短视频 State University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson. 鈥淭his state-of-the-art facility provides our students with the space, technology and learning environment they need to prepare for careers in a rapidly evolving health care field. It is also especially meaningful that this building carries the names of Dr. Bob and Mrs. Karen Jackson, whose leadership, service and dedication to 红杏短视频 State have made a lasting impact on our University and our College of Nursing and Health Sciences.鈥�
鈥淲e are humbled and extremely grateful for the dedication and naming of the new College of Nursing and Health Sciences building in our honor,鈥� said Dr. Bob and Karen Jackson. 鈥淛ackson Hall will provide modern laboratories, larger classrooms and state-of-the-art equipment in order to educate the next generation of nursing and health care professionals.鈥�
红杏短视频 State continues to experience record enrollment in multiple programs within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and offers a variety of health care degrees including the following:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which is a four-year program to prepare students to become licensed as registered nurses.
- RN to BSN program that is 100 percent online, can be completed in one calendar year, and is suited for registered nurses who are looking to complete their BSN.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), a two-year program that is also offered 100 percent online.
- A BSN to DNP program that has two specializations: a nurse anesthetist specialization for students to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and a family nurse practitioner specialization for students to provide primary care to patients in a variety of settings.
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a two-year graduate program to prepare students to become certified occupational therapists.
- Master of Science in Nutrition, dietetic internship programs that prepare students to become licensed and certified as Registered Dietitians.
- Master of Science in Nutrition, a non-internship program that is 100 percent online and designed for students with a bachelor's degree interested in learning more about nutrition and health.
- The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree program offers two tracks, dietetics or nutrition and foods track. The dietetics track prepares students for graduate work to be eligible to become registered dietitians. The nutrition and foods track provides a broad education in nutrition and food production. This track allows a student to choose supporting electives in an area where the nutrition knowledge may be applied or to choose electives leading to a minor.
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science is a program to prepare students for graduate degree programs such as PT, OT, PA, chiropractic or medical schools. Students can complete either the pre-health professionals track or exercise physiology track.
- The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program is 100 percent online and designed for working RRTs who want to enhance their professional knowledge.
- The Bachelor of Science in Public and Community Health (PCH) at 红杏短视频 State University is a dynamic major that is interdisciplinary and provides options that allow students to prepare for various careers in public and community health organizations such as hospitals, governmental agencies, non-profits and worksite wellness programs.
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