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Scholarship Supporting Science Students Honors Trailblazing Female Biologist

Dr. Beulah Mae AshbrookThe Murray State University Foundation has received a generous trust gift from the estate of Dr. Beulah Mae Ashbrook from Memphis, Tennessee, to establish the Beulah M. “Boots” Ashbrook Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will assist Murray State students majoring in biology or medical science.

A native of Arlington, Kentucky, Ashbrook, or “Boots” as she preferred to be called, came to Murray State on a home economics scholarship but soon changed her major to biology. She graduated in 1955 and went on to receive additional degrees from the University of Tennessee Memphis and the University of Tennessee Knoxville before blazing a trail in the fields of biology and medical science at a time when few women were accepted in those professions.

Because she believed that her education at Murray State laid the groundwork for her amazing career in research, teaching and administration, she wanted to give back in a way that would help do the same for future generations of students, especially those with financial need.

“Murray State University was where I received the foundation that prepared me for my career,” Ashbrook said when establishing her trust. “With the rising costs of education I want to support the students at this great university who might not be able to afford a college education.”

If you’d like to support Murray State students with the creation of a scholarship through your estate plan, contact Dr. David Durr, CFA, CFP® at 270-809-6912 and ddurr@murraystate.edu to learn how.