Morehead State Celebrates New Residence Hall with Beam Signing

The upcoming Martin Hall will house 80 students and honor a legendary basketball coach.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeating pattern of a mortar board graduation cap in vibrant shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the energy and excitement of a university campus expansion.Morehead State University celebrates the groundbreaking of a new student residence hall with a symbolic beam signing ceremony.Lexington Today

Students and staff at Morehead State University gathered to sign a steel beam that will be installed at the top of the new Martin Hall residence building. The hall, named after former MSU men's basketball coach Wayne Martin, is expected to open next spring and house around 80 students. A new scholarship endowment has also been established in Martin's honor, already raising over $100,000 in support.

Why it matters

The new Martin Hall residence represents an exciting campus expansion and investment in student housing at Morehead State. It also pays tribute to a highly respected figure in the university's history, honoring Wayne Martin's legacy as both a successful basketball coach and former president and general manager of local TV station WKYT.

The details

During a special ceremony, students and staff were invited to sign the steel beam that will be installed at the top of the new Martin Hall residence building. The hall is named after Wayne Martin, who served as Morehead State's men's basketball coach from 1978 to 1987 and later became the president and general manager of WKYT television. The new residence will house around 80 students and is expected to open in the spring of 2027.

  • The beam signing ceremony took place on April 7, 2026.
  • Martin Hall is expected to open in the spring of 2027.

The players

Wayne Martin

Former Morehead State men's basketball coach from 1978 to 1987, and later president and general manager of WKYT television.

Morehead State University

A public university located in Morehead, Kentucky, known for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to see this new residence hall come to life and to honor Coach Martin's legacy at Morehead State.”

— Student Representative, Morehead State University

What’s next

The university plans to hold a grand opening ceremony for Martin Hall when it is completed in the spring of 2027.

The takeaway

Morehead State's investment in new student housing and the creation of a scholarship endowment honoring a beloved figure in the university's history demonstrates the institution's commitment to providing a high-quality, enriching campus experience for its students.