Military
"We help any military-connected person in need. "
MTSU has a long tradition of aiding veterans in their transitions from military to civilian life. The MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center constitutes the largest and most comprehensive veterans and military family center at a university in Tennessee. Here are a few updates from this important center:
- In 2022, we had a wonderful Veterans Impact Celebration featuring Holly Thompson and Keni Thomas, a 9/11 Remembrance, and an Artist Reception, in addition to all of our academic events.
- Once again in 2022, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix joined three other iconic Nashville institutions—the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Predators, and the Nashville Sounds—in support of the Daniels Center and the more than 1,100 military-connected students at MTSU seeking academic success and quality employment.
- The Grand Ole Opry hosted the Opry Salute the Troops show again in 2022. Performer and former MTSU student Craig Morgan closed out the show. During the previous year’s Salute show, MTSU alum Chris Young gave a shoutout to MTSU from the stage.
- The Nashville Sounds baseball club held an online auction of game-used Military Appreciation jerseys to benefit the Daniels Center.
- The Daniels Center took center stage—or center ice, if you will—during the Nashville Predators Military Appreciation Night in 2022. Fifty student veterans attended the NHL game between the Predators and visiting Dallas Stars in Bridgestone Arena. As part of the Predators’ Military Appreciation Week, another 75 student veterans received tickets for a future game.
- The Daniels Center made its presence known at the Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2022, as the NASCAR world turned its attention to Nashville. The MTSU center has formed a partnership with the superspeedway in Gladeville and with Rackley Roofing, the sponsor of that night’s truck race.
- The Daniels Center has additional partnerships with Nashville Soccer Club, a professional club in Major League Soccer.
These types of events with these types of partners not only provide entertainment for our veterans and military-connected students but also bring awareness to the Daniels Center and the assistance that it provides veterans and their families, regardless of whether they attend MTSU. That’s right—veterans do not need to be MTSU students to be assisted by the Daniels Center. We help any military-connected person in need. And the help we provide does not have be school-related. We are constantly helping people get connected to Veterans Affairs, maximize their benefits, and find jobs and housing.
OCTOBER
Teacher Appreciation Party
When the MTSU College of Education committee that partners with local school districts brainstormed with Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City Schools about ways to give back and support the teachers who help mentor the college’s future educators, they decided on a very public, party-style thank you.
After months of planning and preparation, about 70 local teachers arrived on campus to enjoy the college’s inaugural Teacher Appreciation event.
Staff decked out the Tennessee Ballroom in the James Union Building with colorful lights, tables adorned in True Blue tablecloths and topped with inspirational quotes, a photo booth, a display of MTSU-themed blankets and cookies for attendees to take home, two tables full of giveaway items, two more tables laden with food and drink, and a stage complete with big blue star lights.
Top music business school
MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry—and the College of Media and Entertainment that houses it—marked an eighth year on Billboard’s international list of top music business schools, once again earning acclaim for the program’s diversity, depth, and longevity.
In the article “Billboard’s 2022 Top Music Business Schools Revealed,” the magazine stated that “opportunities abound” for students’ professional development, thanks to participation in events like Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festival, the presence of an active on-campus music venue in the Chris Young Café, and a student-run record label, Match Records.
MTSU has been on Billboard’s best music business schools lists since 2013. The magazine has published seven such lists since then, plus this year’s; it skipped a 2015 compilation and didn’t publish one for 2021 because of the pandemic.
Its alphabetical listing of 38 schools in the Oct. 8 print and Oct. 11 online editions also included long-recognized programs at Berklee College of Music, New York University, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Blue Raider Homecoming
It was a perfect MTSU homecoming—good weather, an awesome parade, great tailgating food, a new homecoming king and queen, recognition of the 2022–23 MTSU alumni award winners, lots of student and alumni involvement, and much more.
Thousands of alumni and True Blue supporters descended upon campus, whether for tailgating with family and friends, lining East Main Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard to parade watch, or cheering on the football team inside Floyd Stadium.
The parade featured dozens of entries, including floats, huge concrete trucks, candy for children, and the alumni award recipients, while the Band of Blue and Lightning Dance Team entertained spectators.
Carson Wright and Summer Lester-Jones were crowned king and queen, respectively.
Nearly 30 Golden Raiders—members of the Class of 1972 and older—attended a special event that included a campus tour, lunch, and receiving a commemorative pin and diploma.
