MTSU again recognized supporters who have made long-term financial commitments to the university during the third annual 1911 Society Luncheon at the MT Center inside the Sam Ingram Building on Middle Tennessee Boulevard.

The 1911 Society, named in honor of MTSU’s founding year, celebrates individuals and families who have created gifts to the university through their estate plans. New members honored at the recent MTSU Foundation’s third annual 1911 Society Luncheon included, from left: Nancy and Jerry Allen, Dwayne and Gayle Duke, and John and Bobbie Duke. (MTSU photos by J. Intintoli)

The 1911 Society, named in honor of MTSU’s founding year, celebrates individuals and families who have created gifts to the university through their estate plans.

Joe Bales

In welcoming the attendees to this year’s luncheon, Joe Bales, vice president for university advancement, thanked this year’s honorees for being part of “an elite group of donors whose contributions have made a significant impact on our campus.”

As part of the April 17 luncheon, three students from throughout the university who have benefitted from scholarships provided through donor gifts thanked supporters and shared how the scholarships have helped them achieve their educational goals. Other scholarship recipients were recognized as well.

The MTSU Foundation honored donors who have reached the 50-year plus milestone of supporting the university. Recognized at the third annual 1911 Society Luncheon were, from left to right, are John Hood, director of community engagement and support at MTSU, and wife Marilyn, seated left, and Charles and Nancy Pigg.

New 1911 Society members honored at the event included: Jerry and Nancy Allen; Gayle H. and Dwayne Duke; John and Bobbie Duke; Bella Higdon; Devin and Laura McClendon; and J. Howard and Janie Young. New members of the group receive a framed rendering of Kirksey Old Main.

Also celebrated were select members of the Signal Society, which honors annual donors who have supported the university in 20 or more years. This group is named for Middle Tennessee Normal School’s first newspaper/magazine, The Signal, which was originally published in 1912.

Those recognized at this year’s luncheon were Signal Society members who recently reached the 40-year plus milestone. The latest group included Edward and Sarah Barlow and Patrick and Delores Doyle. They received an engraved medallion reflecting their years of support.

Also recognized and presented with a special plaque were those who had reached the 50-year plus mark of support. That group included: John and Marilyn Hood; R. Norman and Barbara Martin; Charles and Nancy Pigg; and Ross and Eva Mae Spielman.

For more information about becoming an MTSU donor, go to www.mtsu.edu/development and choose from the selection of tabs about giving on the left.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)

From left to right, students Nathan Tilton, a junior aerospace major from Brookhaven, Miss.; Brooke Morgan, a graduating senior forensic science major from Rutledge, Tenn.; and Gabriell Gassaway, a graduating senior from Clarksville, Tenn., spoke at the third annual 1911 Society Luncheon about how donor support has helped them pursue their degrees. The luncheon was held April 17 at the MT Center on Middle Tennessee Boulevard. (MTSU photos by J. Intintoli/Photo illustration by Jimmy Hart)

The MTSU Foundation honored donors who recently reached the 40-year plus milestone of supporting the university. Recognized at the third annual 1911 Society Luncheon were, from left to right, Patrick and Delores Doyles, and Sarah and Edward Barlow. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU alumnus Andy Womack, left, and Bud Fischer, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, chat at the MTSU Foundation’s third annual 1911 Society Luncheon held April 17 at the MT Center on Middle Tennessee Boulevard. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)