麻花导航

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Construction on 麻花导航鈥檚 new Jackson Hall of Nursing and Health Professions has begun, and on Dec. 13, 2024, the University鈥檚 Board of Regents announced that one of the building鈥檚 most integral learning spaces will be named the 鈥淥leta E. Burkeen Nursing Essential Skills and Health Assessments Lab鈥� in appreciation of the loyal support and generosity that Oleta and Charlie Burkeen and their daughter and son-in-law Kelli and Scott Parsons have shown to the University over many years and continuing into the future. 

Recently, the Parsons have made a significant new commitment of financial support to help furnish the soon-to-be Jackson Hall School of Nursing and Health Professions Building with modern, state-of-the art equipment and technology to provide Murray State nursing students with top class learning facilities. 

The Parsons and Burkeens have a long and generous giving history with 麻花导航 University. In 2004, Mrs. Oleta Burkeen, who was a beloved faculty member in Murray State鈥檚 nursing program for more than 20 years, and her husband Charlie established the Phoebe Fund Endowment in Nursing to assist nursing students of great need with expenses required for the completion of their degree including their final licensing examination, pins and more. Carrying on her parents鈥� tradition, Kelli Parsons and her husband Scott established the D. Scott and Kelli Burkeen Parsons Scholarship for International Study in 2010 to help make the benefit of an international experience through study abroad attainable for more 麻花导航 students. Both of these endowed scholarships have benefited countless students over the last 20 years. 

Oleta Burkeen, a 1971 麻花导航 graduate in nursing, earned her master鈥檚 degree in public health from the University of North Carolina and then served as Chief of Nursing for the Tennessee Valley Authority before returning to 麻花导航 to teach community health nursing, where she remained until her retirement in 2001. During her 24 years at the University, she touched the lives of hundreds of students. 

Kelli Burkeen Parsons and Scott Parsons have both enjoyed tremendous professional careers. Kelli, a native of Murray, valedictorian of the Calloway County High School class of 1987, Magna Cum Laude graduate of 麻花导航鈥檚 journalism program and graduate of the Northwestern University Medill Graduate School of Journalism, has served as Chief Communication and Marketing Officer for Fortune 50 companies. She currently serves as Global CEO for Hill & Knowlton, a Burson Group company.

Scott Parsons, a native of Woodford County, Kentucky, is an investor who held management positions in the technology sector prior to his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Treasury in the administration of George W. Bush.

鈥淔ollowing a career in corporate America, Mom transitioned to teaching and never looked back.  She and Dad loved their Calloway County and 麻花导航 communities. They believed in the University鈥檚 life-changing mission and took pride in nursing as a profession with profound impact,鈥� said Kelli Parsons. 鈥淢om was the definition of a servant leader who vested herself in growing her students鈥� capabilities, confidence and care for every client and patient. Through the Essential Skills Lab, Scott and I are blessed to honor Mom and sustain her commitment to improving the lives of those most in need and supporting nursing students for generations to come.鈥�

鈥淥n behalf of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, I want to express our gratitude to Kelli and Scott Parsons for their generous gift in honor of Mrs. Burkeen,鈥� said Dr. Dina Byers, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. 鈥淭his gift will help us continue our commitment to providing students with excellent educational experiences and will ensure that Mrs. Burkeen鈥檚 legacy of helping students gain confidence in caring for clients and patients continues.鈥�  

鈥淗onoring a former faculty member through philanthropy is a meaningful way to create lasting impact,鈥� said 麻花导航 Executive Director of Advancement Dr. Tina Bernot.  鈥淲ith this bold and generous gift, Kelli and Scott will not only continue her mother's legacy in nursing but also help fund cutting-edge equipment for our new facility. We are deeply grateful for their support, which will educate the next generation of nurses while allowing us to celebrate the remarkable life and contributions of Oleta Burkeen.鈥�  

Murr