2026 Award Recipients

MSU Founders Award

The Morehead State University Founders Award for University Service is an award established by the MSU Board of Regents in 1978 to recognize individuals who have provided superior and extensive service to the University as an employee or volunteer.

Dr. Dan Connell

Dr. Dan Connell is the recipient of the 2026 Morehead State University Founders Award for University Service, the University's highest honor recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to Morehead State University.

Connell dedicated nearly 40 years to MSU, serving in numerous leadership roles, including Director of the Academic Services Center, Dean of Extended Campuses, Continuing Education and Academic Support, Associate Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Assistant Vice President of Regional Education and Outreach.

Throughout his career, he expanded educational opportunities across the region by leading outreach initiatives including regional campuses and securing grants that supported TRIO programs, adult education, workforce development and community partnerships.

His outstanding service has been recognized with honors including the 2019 Educator of the Year Award from the Morehead Chamber of Commerce, the 2017 GEAR UP Kentucky Beacon Award from the KY Council on Postsecondary Education and the Walter O. Mason Jr. Award from the Council for Opportunity in Education.

Beyond the University, he has served in leadership roles with regional and national educational organizations dedicated to expanding access to higher education.

Connell and his wife, Donna, established the Donna and Dan Connell Scholarship Endowment, demonstrating their lasting commitment to helping future generations of MSU students succeed.

Alumni Hall of Fame

The Alumni Hall of Fame provides recognition to those individuals who have achieved excellence in their profession, community service or education at the local, state or national level. Alumni must have graduated from Morehead State University ten years prior.

Richard Crowe (Class of 1967, 1970)

A lifelong educator and scholar, Richard Crowe dedicated more than four decades to advancing higher education in Kentucky. He taught Economics and Business Management at Morehead State University, Cumberland College and Hazard Community and Technical College, where he also held key leadership roles.

During MSU’s transition from college to university, he secured vital funding through more than 200 successful grant proposals, including the first for the nursing program.

The only community college professor to serve as President of the Kentucky Economic Association, Crowe also led the Kentucky Business Association and received national recognition for teaching excellence.

A committed community leader, he continues to serve on the national education board of the Sons of the American Revolution, helping develop a virtual museum on the American Revolution.

Brian Davis (Class of 2001)

An accomplished aerospace engineer, Brian Davis has built a distinguished career with NASA, contributing to some of the most significant advancements in modern space exploration.

He played a key role on the NASA–SpaceX team that launched America’s first crewed mission to orbit since 2011, helping design and validate the Crew Dragon capsule’s launch abort system and its powerful SuperDraco engines to ensure astronaut safety. Davis has also advanced environmentally responsible aviation through NASA initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and noise while shaping the future of sustainable flight.

His work has spanned major programs including the Orion spacecraft, SAGE III atmospheric missions and hypersonic vehicle development. Known for his precision, innovation and dedication to safety, Davis continues to exemplify the spirit of exploration and excellence that defines both NASA and Morehead State University.

Steve Leslie (Class of 1983)

An award-winning songwriter, musician and educator, Steve Leslie has built an extraordinary career spanning more than three decades in the music industry.

A Grammy Award-winner for the title track of Ricky Skaggs' Brand New Strings, Leslie's songs have been recorded by some of country music's biggest names, including Kenny Rogers, Mark Chesnutt, Darryl Worley, George Strait, Darius Rucker and Rhonda Vincent.

A seasoned performer, he has appeared in venues across the U.S. and Canada, including the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Café. Steve is also a respected mentor and educator, having taught songwriting at Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University and Berklee College of Music. He was instrumental in helping to develop the early careers of Chris Stapleton, Erin Enderlin and Abbey Cone.

Through his teaching, performing and songwriting, Steve continues to inspire the next generation of musicians by sharing his passion for music that was nurtured and encouraged at Morehead State. Learn more about Steve at www.steveleslie.com. 

Notable Alumni

Notable Alumni recognition honors individuals who have demonstrated success in their career fields and/or are making a difference in their communities or profession.

Brooke Westling (Class of 2002)

Brooke Westling bridges technology and healthcare as a Senior Developer and Instructor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the Mayo Clinic.

For more than a decade, she has played a key role in developing and maintaining software systems that support the clinic’s world-class diagnostic and laboratory operations. Her expertise in both software development and laboratory science enables her to connect technical teams and medical professionals, driving innovation, efficiency and collaboration in clinical care.

A respected mentor and educator, Westling exemplifies Mayo Clinic’s patient-first mission through her commitment to excellence in healthcare technology.

Rising Eagle Award

The Rising Eagle Award is given to a recent graduate of the last 10 years who has demonstrated early career and/or community service achievement. 

Whittney Allen (Class of 2022)

Whittney Allen serves as the Director of Foundation Marketing and Communications for Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), where she leads storytelling, donor engagement, brand strategy and marketing for the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities.

A proud Morehead State University nursing graduate, she also holds a BA in Communication Studies and a master’s degree, blending clinical insight with organizational strategy and mission-driven work.

Whittney was named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear and serves on the Morehead State University Nursing Advisory Council.

Eagle Spirit Award

The Eagle Spirit award is given to an alumni who is an exceptionally proud and active Eagle. Recipients regularly demonstrate Eagle Pride through recruiting potential students, representing MSU in a positive manner, attending MSU events and encouraging active support of MSU among their peer groups.

Bill Baldridge (Class of 1968)

A lifelong Eagle and respected coach, Bill Baldridge has devoted his career to developing young lives and promoting Morehead State University with pride and passion. As a high school and college football coach — including serving as MSU’s Head Football Coach from 1983 to 1989 — he has inspired generations of student-athletes through leadership, integrity and heart.

Beyond the field, Baldridge continues to shape lives through his work with Team Focus, a national mentorship organization for young men without fathers. As Kentucky Director, he brought the program’s free summer leadership camp to MSU, helping hundreds of youths gain guidance and confidence.

A fixture at Homecoming and a lifelong supporter of the university, Baldridge’s dedication to MSU spans decades and generations, with both his daughters and grandson proudly following in his Eagle footsteps.