Mr. Raymond (Ray) Muzia

After joining the Army in 1966, Ray was stationed in Alaska where he served as a cook and perfected skills he had previously learned while cooking in a bakery at the very young age of 12 or 13. This talent served him well in his married life as he was responsible for many delicious family meals, especially on major holidays. Upon his honorable discharge from the army in 1968, Ray then attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Science with majors in Economics, Psychology and Political Science in 1972 and his Master’s degree in Economics in 1973. He was elected the President of the Student Government in 1971. While a student at Murray State, Ray was chosen by the Governor of Kentucky to become a member of the “The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels”, a non-profit service organization. In 1977, Ray became a Professor of Economics at Thomas Nelson Community College, teaching so many people throughout the years that he could not go anywhere in public without meeting a former or current student. Ray had been the Interim Dean of Business, Public Services, Information Systems and Mathematics Division for the past 5-6 years until earlier this year when he took medical leave. Ray was a favorite among the students and his classes were memorable for his straight talk and common sense examples. You didn’t forget him if you had him as a professor, with his blue jeans, long hair, boots and booming voice. Ray’s dedication and love of teaching at Thomas Nelson was second only to his devotion to his two daughters who were his greatest source of enjoyment and accomplishment. Ray also met his wife, Leah, at Thomas Nelson and his daughters also attended classes there.