Dr. Bob McGaughey, retired professor and chairman emeritus of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, received the Golden Horseshoe award Oct. 9 at the dinner for the Golden Anniversary of the graduating class of 1965.
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| Doc McGaughey visits with JMC alumni at Tent City during the Homecoming festivities each year. Pictured from left: Dr. Bob Jackson, Murray State Foundation president; Amanda Saunders, 2006 advertising alumna; and McGaughey.
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MSU President Bob Davies presented the award on behalf of the MSU Alumni Association, citing McGaughey’s years of service and support of the University.
McGaughey, a member of the last graduating class of Murray State College, and Bob Valentine, senior instructor in the JMC department, were the speakers at the dinner.
McGaughey received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Murray State and his doctorate from Ohio University.
He joined the MSU faculty in 1969 as the adviser to The Murray State News and journalism instructor. He became department chairman in 1974.
He retired in 1997 after 27 years and 23 years as the chairman. He then taught part time and worked with the BIS program in MSU’s Continuing Education unit until December 2010.
McGaughey has received several awards/honors for his work at Murray State. He won the Max Carman Outstanding Teacher of Year in 1984 and was named the Distinguished Professor by the Alumni Association in 1990.
Selected eight times to attend the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) faculty-industry seminar in New York City, he was named the Frank Stanton Fellow as the distinguished broadcast educator in the U.S. by the IRTS.
He was named Boss of the Year by the Murray chapter of the Professional Secretaries International in 1989, the Distinguished Organization Adviser by Omicron Delta Kappa in 1997 and as one of the Outstanding Teachers in America in 1996-97.
He received a special award from the Kentucky Press Association for service upon his retirement in 1997. He served two terms as the educational representative to the KPA board of directors and 10 years as executive director of the West Kentucky Press Association.
His other honors include being named to “Personalities of the South,” International Men of the Year,” “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest,” “Who’s Who Among American Teachers,” “Who’s Who in the Media and Communications,” “Who’s Who Registry of Business Leaders,” and “Men of Achievement.” In 2012 he was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
An honor graduate of Murray State’s ROTC program, he served two years on active duty and 18 years with the 100th Army Reserve Division. He retired in 1985 with the rank of major. His nine ribbons and medals include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and the Vietnamese Service Medal.
He may be best known for his work with fellow professor and close friend, Bob Valentine. The two have done workshops in communications, public relations and advertising and their two-man comedy act since 1978. McGaughey was named to “Who’s Who in American Entertainment in 1991 and 1995.
