Murray State University hosts groundbreaking for new School of Nursing and Health Professions building

The Murray State University campus and broader community participated in a special groundbreaking event for the University's new School of Nursing and Health Professions building on Dec. 8, 2023.

The building will offer Murray State students expanded opportunities such as laboratories, simulation areas, larger classrooms and more study and collaborative spaces. 

With the field of healthcare growing and seeing more demand, the new facility will help Murray State continue to meet the needs in the region for healthcare professionals. 

In the last legislative session, the Kentucky General Assembly approved $45.5 million in funding for the construction of the building, which is expected to open in January 2026. 

"Today's groundbreaking for Murray State University's new School of Nursing and Health Professions building is a tremendous moment for our institution, the west Kentucky region, the Commonwealth and beyond," said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. 

"We are very grateful to all of our legislators for their support as this initiative becomes a reality through the construction of this beautiful state-of-the-art facility. Through our excellent faculty and staff in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, we are continuing to prepare our students well as the next generation of healthcare professionals."

Murray State University Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions Dr. Dina Byers shared that the new building "will be a place for collaboration and innovation." 

"We will provide healthcare education that is interdisciplinary and collaborative by using state-of-the-art technology and creative instruction," said Byers. 

"Graduates from these programs will have the knowledge and skills to provide care to complex patients in a variety of settings. Our graduates will be well-equipped to help meet the healthcare workforce needs of western Kentucky and beyond. The new space will allow the School of Nursing and Health Professions to expand and develop new healthcare programs." 

The new facility is scheduled to open in January, 2026.