Murray State University has reached a major milestone in its campus development with the topping out of its new School of Nursing and Health Professions Building, officially named Jackson Hall. The ceremony marked the placement of the final steel beam, symbolizing progress toward the facility’s completion and the university’s growing commitment to training future healthcare professionals.
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According to the university’s announcement, the $45.5 million project, fully funded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is on track to open in fall 2026. Once completed, Jackson Hall will house cutting-edge classrooms, simulation areas, laboratories, collaborative study zones, and the campus health clinic—all designed to enhance experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
University officials, faculty, and guests gathered in the parking lot north of the construction site on North 16th Street to witness the ceremonial placement of the final beam atop the building’s northwest corner. The event featured remarks from Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson, President Emeritus Dr. Bob Jackson and his wife Karen Jackson, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management Jason Youngblood, and School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Dr. Dina Byers.
“Our topping out ceremony was a shared opportunity to recognize all who have been involved in this wonderful project, as this new building will benefit our current and future students as the next generation of healthcare professionals,” Patterson said.
The ceremony not only celebrated the building’s progress but also gave attendees a glimpse into the future of healthcare education at Murray State.
“Touring parts of the new building was a memorable highlight for those who were able to visit the structure,” Youngblood said. “We’re looking forward to getting the structure under roof before winter so that progress on the interior spaces can continue to move forward.”
The facility’s completion will mark a major step forward for Murray State’s renowned nursing and health programs, which have outgrown their longtime home in Mason Hall.
“Mason Hall has served the nursing program for many years, and we are thankful for the support that the Mason family provided so many years ago,” Byers said. “However, we are growing and have the opportunity to expand the way that we teach and collaborate with students and each other. Jackson Hall will provide that special place.”
The building’s name—Jackson Hall—honors Dr. Bob and Karen Jackson for their ongoing dedication to Murray State’s growth and excellence.
“Karen and I are very excited about the new School of Nursing and Health Professions building which will be a tremendous asset to Murray State University as we work to serve the nursing and health professions needs of our region and state,” Dr. Jackson said. “In addition, we are grateful for the naming of this facility, Jackson Hall, in our honor.”
When complete, Jackson Hall will serve as a hub for innovation in healthcare education, supporting the university’s mission to address the regional and statewide demand for skilled nursing and allied health professionals. The state-of-the-art design reflects Murray State’s focus on integrating technology and collaboration into the curriculum, positioning graduates for success in a rapidly evolving medical landscape.
The topping out ceremony signifies not only a construction milestone but also a symbolic investment in the future of Kentucky’s healthcare workforce—a future that Murray State University is actively building, beam by beam.
Originally reported by Mike Alexieff in Kentucky New era.
