The partnership between Murray State College and the Chickasaw Nation is long held. From education to economic development, the goals of each have intersected frequently. MSC began as an agricultural school that was home to Chickasaw and Choctaw students, many of whom lived in dormitories on campus. One of those, built in 1919 and known as Chickasaw Hall, will soon become a 14-room boutique hotel and site of the Chokka` Kilimpi` Recruitment and Retention program for Native American students. The $5 million project has been funded by the Chickasaw Nation and Economic Development Administration, thanks to a grant awarded with the help of the Southern Oklahoma Development Association. This facility is expected to create 96 employment positions, 68 of which will be recurring. The site will work as a living laboratory for the institution’s hospitality management program and will serve the need for overnight accommodations for guests to the area. MSC was recently honored with the Heart of Conservation award from the Chickasaw Nation for its dedication to ensuring natural resource stewardship in its communities. MSC continues to be a partner in community sustainability across the Chickasaw Nation and has worked to break down community barriers for the development of an enhanced water supply that will serve all citizens of Tishomingo.