Recent MSU Alum Dr. Jones gives $1 million for new initiatives

For Dr. Jesse D. Jones his gifts to Murray State University (MSU) are all about the students. His latest donation of $1 million in April clearly demonstrates the commitment he feels toward those seeking higher education. And while chemistry is close to his heart, this newest gift will impact many more students than just those majoring in that subject.

Two major initiatives will be funded through Jones’ most recent gift — equipment for the college of science, engineering and technology (CSET) and a Racer Writing Center in Waterfield Library. Most of the equipment will be housed in the newly established Jones-Ross Research Center, with additional equipment going to the Hattie Mayme Ross Science Library, both located in Jesse D. Jones Hall. The library is named after Jones’ grandmother whom he credits as being a major influence in his life.

In the Racer Writing Center undergraduates will have one-on-one instruction from graduate students on all aspects of writing. Jones believes that the value of developing good writing skills cannot be overestimated. “When I graduated from Murray State (1964), I had the mechanics of English, but I couldn’t organize my thoughts to write a compelling paper or proposal,” Jones explained. “I learned that 10 years into my career. Students need to have that ability when they graduate.”

The Racer Writing Center will go hand-in-hand with a renewed emphasis on writing across campus to prepare students for graduate school and professional careers.

A survey conducted by the library indicated that students would like to have a writing center available to them. Jones said he was excited to provide the funding for the Racer Writing Center and was happy that Adam Murray, dean of university libraries, had a plan for it. “Students already had a buy-in for the project,” Jones noted. “Dean Murray had been so helpful with the Hattie Mayme Ross Library that I wanted to assist him with what I think is a very good idea.”

According to Dr. Steve Cobb, dean of the college of science, engineering and technology, the portion of the $1 million gift that is earmarked for the Jones-Ross Research Center will bring a powerful transformation to his area. “It really moves us to a higher level,” he said, and emphasized that, like the writing center, the research lab has the potential to touch every student who walks on campus.

Jones agreed, saying that new instrumentation “signals that Murray is competitive with top schools, thinking toward the future and providing students with educations that will be competitive wherever they go.

“Having a research center with state-of-the-art equipment gives us the resources for students to gain some hands-on experience and do things that really will prepare them for leadership at the front of the group when they leave Murray,” Jones continued.

“(This gift) leapfrogs us ahead of our sister comprehensive state institutions and puts us on par with Research I institutions,” said Cobb.

“This is yet another transformational gift for the college of science, engineering and technology that Jesse Jones has given and it will position the institution to be competitive for new and additional federal research and foundation grants,” said Dr. Randy J. Dunn, president of Murray State University. “We are grateful to Dr. Jones for his vision and generosity.”

The advantages of such a position include both student and faculty recruitment. Additionally, Jones’ generosity provides MSU some leverage into research grants. “When you apply for external funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation or the National Institute of Health, they expect you to be able to articulate that you have a research infrastructure in place and the support mechanisms to be successful if you are awarded funding,” explained Cobb.

“I think this will be a powerful complex when it all comes together,” Jones, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from Murray State during the May 2010 Commencement, concluded.