MURRAY, Ky. — A trip to the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, replying to e-mail and talking to students highlighted the first day on the job for Murray State University's new president King Alexander.

        “I don't really feel like it's my first day,” Mr. Alexander said Thursday. “But to everyone else, it's my first official day on campus. It's good to have a first day on Murray State's campus. It's like coming home.”

        The school's Board of Regents voted 10-1 in September to hire Mr. Alexander, 37, as the university's 10th president. Mr. Alexander is the son of former university president Kern Alexander, who retired in June.

        Mr. Alexander has unofficially been acting on the college's behalf for two months.

        On Thursday, Mr. Alexander had breakfast with area business leaders at the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. After returning to Murray, he had lunch with the Board of Regents and attended a welcoming reception with faculty and staff.

        “The rest of the day I spent responding to a backlog of e-mail,” Mr. Alexander said. “There was a lot in there.”

        Many were from faculty members offering their support in making his transition into office as easy as possible, he said.

        Faculty support has been an issue since the announcement of his status as a finalist. Several faculty expressed concern about Mr. Alexander's age and relative lack of experience.

        Terry Strieter, the faculty regent, was the only dissenting vote in September.

        “The reception I've received so far has been very warm,” Mr. Alexander said. “A few faculty have come forward to voice their concerns, but that emanates from a deep concern for the institution.”

        Next week, Mr. Alexander will travel to Frankfort to discuss the university's budget, including funding for a proposed $15 million student recreation and fitness center. Murray State's operating budget for this year is about $105 million.

        Mr. Alexander has two daughters — Savannah, 5, and Madison, 2. Mr. Alexander's wife, Elizabeth, died in January of breast cancer. His daughters will join him at the president's home — Oakhurst — after he's unpacked things.

        “There are boxes everywhere,” he said. “I want them to walk into a house that's a home.”

        Robert Samuelson, a Perryville, Tenn., senior, said he didn't realize Mr. Alexander would arrive on campus Thursday.

        “It was nice of him to stop and say hi,” he said. “I was impressed with how much he seems to know about the programs and the university. It's going to be interesting to watch him.”

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