Bob Jackson (Kentucky politician)

Bob Jackson
Minority Whip of the Kentucky Senate
In office
January 7, 2003 – January 1, 2005
Preceded byMarshall Long
Succeeded byJoey Pendleton
Member of the Kentucky Senate
from the 1st district
In office
November 10, 1997 – January 1, 2005
Preceded byJeff Green
Succeeded byKenneth W. Winters
Personal details
Born1962 (age 62–63)
PartyDemocratic

Robert L. Jackson (born 1962) is an American politician from Kentucky who was a member of the Kentucky Senate from 1997 to 2005. Jackson was first elected in a November 1997 special election following the death of incumbent senator Jeff Green.[1] He did not seek reelection in 2004 and was succeeded by Republican Kenneth W. Winters.[2] Jackson served as the president of Murray State University from 2018 until the end of the 2025 school year in June 2025.[3]

Early Life & Education

Jackson was born in 1962. He attended Murray State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, later attending graduate level courses at Murray State[3] and doctorate level courses at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.[4] Jackson holds a Master of Arts degree in higher education administration from Antioch University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Kentucky University.[4]

Career

Politics

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Involvement with Murray State University

Jackson served as interim president of Murray State University from August 2018 to March 1, 2019, when he was officially appointed as the 14th president of the institution.[4] Jackson has also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. and Senior Advisor to the University regarding government relations on the state and federal level.[4] Since his retirement on June 30, 2025, he serves as President Emeritus in support of the current president, Dr. Ron K. Patterson. Jackson's role with Murray State will continue as a special advisor to the Board of Regents through an unspecified future date.[5]

References

  1. ^ "W.Ky. election could turn tide in state senate". The Lexington Herald-Leader. November 1, 1997. p. C3.
  2. ^ "GOP hold on state senate at stake". The Lexington Herald-Leader. October 24, 2004. p. A1.
  3. ^ a b Operle, Derek (September 30, 2024). "Murray State University president Bob Jackson to retire in 2025". WKMS-FM. Murray, Kentucky. Retrieved October 22, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b c d "Robert L. Jackson, Ed.D." President 2 President. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  5. ^ "Dr. Bob Jackson announces his retirement". www.murraystate.edu. Retrieved November 24, 2025.