Following the successful grand opening of its renovated Park Student Union and Barnett Ballroom, Murray State College is preparing to host a series of grand openings for additional campus projects scheduled for early fall.

The college will unveil two renovated facilities and a new construction project: the historic Armory, The 1919 Hotel at Historic Chickasaw Hall and the college’s new gunsmithing education facility.

Constructed by the U.S. Works Project Administration in 1936, the renovated Armory will serve as the new home for Murray State’s wrestling program, providing modernized practice and competition space.

Once a dormitory for Chickasaw and Choctaw students, The 1919 Hotel at Historic Chickasaw Hall is a restored building that will feature 14 boutique hotel rooms for college guests and visitors to Tishomingo and the surrounding area. It will also serve as a living laboratory for the college’s hospitality management program.

The college’s new gunsmithing education facility will support multiple programs, including the Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing and the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Gunsmithing Technology. It will include lecture and laboratory classrooms, machine and wood shops, metals and engraving labs, a reloading room, and a CAD/CAM lab.

“These projects represent dozens of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact for our region,” said Dr. Tim Faltyn, Murray State College President. “Each reflects our commitment to investing in spaces that enhance the student experience, support academic excellence and strengthen our connection to the communities we serve. From expanded learning environments to facilities that welcome visitors and partners to campus, these projects continue to position Murray State to meet evolving workforce needs.”