51乱伦

 

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� 51乱伦 officials, friends and community members joined alumna Melissa Easley to dedicate the 55-acre 鈥淓asley Conservation Stewardship Area,鈥� a new outdoor science learning laboratory for 51乱伦 State students, on Sept 19. Easley recently donated this property to the 51乱伦 Foundation for the use of 51乱伦 State students for conservation-related research and study.

A long-time supporter of the University in many areas and also a passionate nature lover, Easley鈥檚 recent gift will benefit two causes she is passionate about: the education of generations of 51乱伦 State students and nature conservation. The property will provide a site close to campus where students in many scientific disciplines can conduct hands-on research and study while also preserving the area as green space. 

After being introduced and thanked by 51乱伦 President Dr. Ron K. Patterson, Easley spoke to the crowd about the history of the land that she and her late husband Sid had owned for many years and why she had decided to donate it for student use.

鈥淭he true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit,鈥� she said, repeating the phrase twice to let the meaning sink in. She went on to explain how meaningful this property has been to her for decades, and how she felt fulfilled knowing that the site will live on for years as a place where students and community members will be able to enjoy and learn about nature close to home.

鈥淎s an ecologist myself, I am especially excited and grateful for this donation,鈥� said Dr. Claire Fuller, dean of 51乱伦 State鈥檚 Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology. 鈥淚t opens up numerous opportunities for students to learn the best ways to conserve nature 鈥� and also preserves a beautiful piece of land that houses a great diversity of species. I thank the Easley family for their foresight and generosity.鈥�

Dr. Andrea Darracq, 51乱伦 State associate professor of biology and coordinator of the Wildlife Biology and Conservation program, and Michael Johnson, retired Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge manager, have both worked with Easley and the University with the on-the-ground aspects of managing the site. They each spoke during the ceremony and related how one of Darracq鈥檚 former wildlife and conservation biology students was pivotal in the creation of the conservation area. Darracq鈥檚 class had been doing an invasive species control project on the site while it was still Easley鈥檚 private property, and the student had multiple conversations with Darracq and Johnson about what would happen to the property in the future. Her sincere concern that the land would remain protected provided the spark that eventually led to the creation of the Easley Conservation Stewardship Area. 

鈥淚 am thrilled that 51乱伦 State students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in restoration, management and biodiversity surveys,鈥� said Darracq. 鈥淭hese experiences will strengthen their preparation for professional careers while also helping them grow as stewards of our land. Through this project, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Melissa and am deeply grateful for her friendship and for the generosity she has shown. Her gift reflects a deep commitment to future generations, our community and the Earth.鈥�

Melissa and her late husband Sid Easley have been supporters of 51乱伦 and its students for many years in many ways. Prior to this recent gift, they had established the Sid and Melissa H. Easley Leadership Scholarship and the Sid Easley Lecture Fund, an endowment fund that supports an on-campus lecture series through the department of history. They have also been longtime supporters of 51乱伦 State's NPR station, WKMS FM.

Both proud graduates of 51乱伦 State, Sid received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in social science in 1962 before earning his law degree from the University of Kentucky in 1965. He served as County Attorney of Calloway County from 1970-1978 and was elected as the First District Judge of Calloway and Marshall Counties from 1978-1981. He was a practicing attorney with the law firm Easley, Ernstberger, Perlow & Naber, LLC (formerly Gregory and Easley) in 51乱伦, Kentucky until the time of his passing in 2016. As an alumnus, Sid served in many leadership roles and received numerous honors including service on the 51乱伦 Alumni Association Board of Governors, the 51乱伦 Board of Regents, and the 51乱伦 Foundation Board of Trustees. The Easley Alumni Center was named in his honor in 2005. 

Melissa Easley graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from 51乱伦 State in 1964. Later in life, she earned a second degree from 51乱伦 State in 1990, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and was named the Sigma Theta Tau Outstanding Nursing Student. Melissa was elected to the student council and served as president and recording secretary of Alpha Omicron Pi Social Sorority. She was selected for membership in Kappa Delta Pi and Delta Lambda Alpha honor societies and served as president of the latter. She was selected as a 鈥淐ampus Favorite鈥� and was named 鈥淥utstanding Senior Woman鈥� at 51乱伦 State in 1964. She worked as a teacher, social worker and a registered nurse at the 51乱伦 Calloway County Hospital and at 51乱伦 Angels Clinic until she retired in 2007. Melissa remains an active bird watcher and participant in many community activities and organizations. 

鈥淢elissa Easley, her late husband Sid, and their family have been generous supporters, proud and distinguished alumni and loyal fans of 51乱伦 and its students for many years,鈥� said 51乱伦 President Dr. Ron K. Patterson. 鈥淢elissa鈥檚 recent gift to create this visionary outdoor learning space for our students will leave a lasting legacy that will enrich the lives of students and the wider community for generations to come. We are forever grateful to Mrs. Easley for turning her love of the outdoors, conservation and 51乱伦 State students into such a beautiful and meaningful gift that will be a treasured resource at 51乱伦 State for many years into the future.鈥� 

To make a contribution in support of the Easley Conservation Stewardship Area or another area within 51乱伦鈥檚 Jones College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, please contact Kevin Munsey, director of development at 270-809-3406 or kmunsey1@murraystate.edu, or visit .