James Salamon

Sara Studebaker was born in Bethel Township, Ohio. She was proudly related to the famous
Studebaker automobile maker. She attended Morehead State University where she majored in
Music Education. Sara graduated from MSU in 1975.

She went on to inspire students with her love of music throughout a 30-year teaching career. She
taught at the Mendon-Union High School (Mercer County, Ohio), St. Henry High School (St, Henry,
Ohio), and in the Sycamore Community School district (southwestern Ohio). She retired from
teaching in 2008.

After her retirement, she started this scholarship endowment at MSU to honor her love for
education and music. The scholarship is named in honor of Sara’s mentor and MSU faculty
member Frederick Adolph Mueller. Dr. Mueller was a professor of music at Morehead State
University from 1967 to 1991 and the author of The Art of Bassoon Playing. While teaching at
Morehead State University Mueller received the Kentucky Music Educators Association Teacher of
the Year award 1987. Muller passed away on March 5, 2002 and is buried at the Lee Cemetery in
Morehead, Kentucky.

As a musician, Sara was a gifted bassoon and piano player and created brilliant music
arrangements. She performed with a woodwind quintet and trio, performing locally (Ohio,
Kentucky, Indiana) and regionally from New York State to Louisiana.

Sara Studebaker passed away in 2017. After receiving a terminal liver cancer diagnosis with a
three-month prognosis, Sara lived with great zeal for two more years, always looking forward to
another trip, concert, or event. Sara and her husband, Jim Salamon enjoyed 31 years of marriage.
To honor Sara’s commitment to MSU and ensure her legacy is passed down to future generations,
Jim has continued to support this scholarship fund in memory of his beloved wife.