Murray State's Hutson School of Agriculture has announced the establishment of the Clara Gilliam Fund for Excellence, named after the daughter of Murray State alumni Jerry and Julie Gilliam. Mrs. Gilliam is an Agriculture teacher at Todd County Central High School and Clara is a student at North Todd Elementary School.
The fund, made possible by a generous gift from Christian County farmers Joseph and Lisa Sisk, supports the development of the Murray State Center for Agricultural Hemp and the growing hemp and CBD industry. Diagnosed with Aicardi syndrome, which causes seizures and hinders the ability to move and communicate, Clara has seen an improved quality of life under her CBD treatment plan. Now 6 years old, Clara was not expected to live past the age of 4.
“As graduates of the Murray State agriculture program, Julie and I are humbled and blessed by this donation from the Sisks to establish this fund in honor of Clara,” Jerry said. “We are hopeful that through this funding, the research and development of hemp at Murray State through the Center can continue to help Clara and others through the development of hemp and hemp related opportunities.”
The Center for Agricultural Hemp has announced several different giving levels to support the fund and the Center. Anyone interested in making a gift is encouraged to contact Abby Hensley at [email protected].