Lady Raiders defeated No. 6 Kentucky in 4th ever win over ranked foe
December 2011
Middle Tennessee women’s basketball weathered a tenacious Kentucky defense to pull out just the fourth win in school history over a ranked opponent and tie for the highest opponent ranking of the quartet, as the Lady Raiders defeated the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats 70-58 at Murphy Center Dec. 27.
Devoted fan donated $1M to MTSU athletics
December 2011
The MTSU Athletic Department received a $1 million gift from the late Jeff Hendrix. The gift, the largest unrestricted donation in MTSU athletics history, will be used for construction of a new stadium club in Floyd Stadium. The official presentation took place Dec. 11 during halftime of the MTSU-Georgia Tech women’s basketball game at Murphy Center.
West Point-bound ROTC team earned top regional award
November 2011
MTSU’s 11-member ROTC Ranger Challenge team is reaping the rewards of some mid-October efforts. The team was honored Nov. 10 with the presentation of the first-place award it captured during the annual ROTC 7th Brigade “Bold Warrior Challenge” Oct. 14 at Fort Knox, Ky.
MTSU mock trial team won Mid-South tournament
November 2011
An MTSU team was crowned champion of the Mid-South Mock Trial Invitational Tournament held at Middle Tennessee State University Nov. 11-12. The annual tournament, which has been held at MTSU for 20 years, is among the largest and most prestigious in the nation.
MTSU students recorded for world’s largest classical label
November 2011
The MTSU Wind Ensemble became the first and only university musical ensemble in Tennessee to record for the world’s largest classical music label. Their CD, “Angels in the Architecture,” for the Franklin, Tenn.-based Naxos label’s Wind Band Classics, interprets the works of composer Frank Ticheli and two of his mentors.
Men’s basketball had record-breaking night in victory over UCLA
November 2011
The MTSU men’s basketball team shot a Sun Belt record 90.9 percent from 3-point range en route to an 86-66 domination of UCLA in the EA Sports Maui Invitational. The Blue Raiders also tallied a school-record 71.4 percent from the field, setting the stage for what has become one of the most notable basketball seasons in MTSU history.
MTSU Foundation celebrated 50th anniversary
November 2011
The MTSU Foundation celebrated its golden anniversary in November with 140 past and present board members, as well as University officials and other invited guests.
MTSU Arts brand unveiled
November 2011
MTSU announced plans Nov. 16 to better promote its arts programs and increase public awareness and participation in their various offerings. University Provost Brad Bartel and Liberal Arts Dean Mark Byrnes unveiled the new brand for the combined effort to be used to market events by schools and departments within the College of Liberal Arts.
MTSU, DSCC signed pact to streamline student transfers
November 2011
President Sidney A. McPhee and Dyersburg State President Karen A. Bowyer signed an agreement Nov. 10 that provides a framework for programs to enhance the educational experience of students attending both schools. The agreement includes dual admissions, concurrent enrollment, reverse transfer, and cooperative advising for students.
Walker Library acquired 1 millionth volume
November 2011
The James E. Walker Library reached a historic milestone with the acquisition of its one-millionth volume. Laws of the State of Tennessee, the first book published in Tennessee, was printed in Knoxville in 1803 by George Roulstone.
MTSU, Motlow inked agreement to ease college transition
November 2011
MTSU and Motlow signed a memorandum of understanding Nov. 2 to help students who earn a two-year associate’s degree to apply those credits toward earning a four-year bachelor’s degree, officially authorizing a Dual Admission Program to ease the transfer process between the two Tennessee Board of Regents institutions and encourage students’ academic success.
First special edition of magazine published
November 2011
In November, MTSU published its first specialty magazine. MTSU Research highlights a variety of departments and programs at MTSU and demonstrates how the University has, over the course of its 100-year history, become a center for creation, innovation and discovery.
Student team created mobile app for campus
October 2011
MTSU Mobile, an Android application developed by students for students at MTSU, launched in beta form for anyone to test and use. The app started as a class project with Dr. Sung Kun Yoo, who received a grant to fund the class’s summer 2011 development work.
MTSU senior won Miss Tennessee 2012 pageant
October 2011
MTSU was well-represented in the Miss Tennessee USA 2012 pageant: The winner, Jessica Hibler, and the second runner-up, LeShan Mathews, both have MTSU ties. Hibler, a 22-year-old senior broadcast-journalism major, won the pageant crown on Oct. 8 and received scholarship money and the chance to compete in the spring Miss USA 2012 pageant.
MTSU’s Child Care Lab celebrated 30 years of caring for kids
September 2011
The Child Care Lab at MTSU celebrated its 30th year of serving young children whose parents attend or work at the University. Thirty-two children, ages 3 to 5, are enrolled at the facility, which is rated by the state of Tennessee’s Department of Health and Human Services with its highest “3-Star Program” status.
MTSU was again named ‘military-friendly school’
September 2011
MTSU again made the list of “Military Friendly Schools,” an annual rating by G.I. Jobs magazine. The publication surveyed more than 7,000 schools nationwide before choosing 1,231 for the recognition. Schools selected go the extra mile to recruit and retain veterans, provide financial assistance and offer special programs and opportunities.
MTSU unveiled new $4.3M dairy
September 2011
MTSU’s School of Agribusiness and Agriscience celebrated the grand opening of the new $4.3 million dairy and dedication of the MTSU Experiential Learning and Research Center on Sept. 15. The farm and new dairy are located on Guy James Road in Lascassas, about six miles east of campus.
Capitol Street Party featured MTSU onstage, behind the scenes
September 2011
MTSU students played a major part in Capitol Records’ “Capitol Street Party” on Nashville’s Music Row Sept. 21. The show featured a headlining performance by MTSU alumnus Eric Paslay (’05), as well as 45 students from the College of Mass Communication who worked behind the scenes to produce the show from MTSU’s new $1.4 million Mobile Production Lab.
MTSU selected as one of Newsweek’s top 5 ‘healthiest’ U.S. schools
September 2011
Newsweek’s 2011 College Rankings put MTSU fifth among U.S. schools that are health-minded and “inclined to healthier pursuits.” Newsweek considered five factors in its rankings: sexual health, drug scene, physical activity, campus food and student health care.
Record crowd celebrated MTSU’s Centennial birthday
September 2011
A record crowd of 30,502 to gathered in Floyd Stadium for the Blue Raiders’ 2011 football home opener against Georgia Tech. Halftime festivities included the presentation of perhaps the largest cake the state of Tennessee has ever seen and a rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by the record crowd, assisted by the MTSU Band of Blue.
1,200 celebrated MTSU’s Centennial at Blue Tie Gala
September 2011
Amid a sea of sparkling décor and commemorative backdrops, 1,200 blue-clad attendees shared in the once-in-a-lifetime Blue Tie Gala honoring Middle Tennessee State University’s Centennial Celebration. The much-anticipated event, 100 years in the making, was held Sept. 9 at Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center.
The new College of Education building opened
September 2011
University officials cut the ribbon Sept. 10 to celebrate the formal opening of the new College of Education Building. Guests toured the three-floor $30 million facility, which comprises 87,000 square feet of offices, collaborative classrooms, computer labs and a 150-seat auditorium.
Centennial edition of MTSU Magazine reached 96,000+ alumni
August 2011
What do you love about MTSU? MTSU Magazine featured “100 Things We Love About MTSU” in the August 2011 edition. The Centennial-themed edition of the magazine reached more than 96,000 alumni in early August and helped to kick off MTSU’s Centennial Celebration.
True Blue Pledge introduced at Convocation
August 2011
The President’s Task Force on Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution developed the “True Blue Pledge,” which was introduced at MTSU’s Convocation Ceremony. The task force, formed shortly after the death of Lady Raider basketball player Tina Stewart in March, also enacted conflict-resolution tactics to be included in classroom lessons and orientation sessions.
Billy Pittard
Emmy-winning alumnus selected to lead EMC department
August 2011
Award-winning alumnus Billy Pittard was announced as the new chairman of MTSU’s Department of Electronic Media Communication on Aug 3. Pittard’s extensive resume includes five national Emmys.
Centennial academic year began as faculty members honored
August 2011
Calling the start of MTSU’s second century in higher education “exciting and historic times for our University,” President Sidney A. McPhee welcomed faculty members to the 2011-12 academic year on Aug. 29. At the conclusion of the meeting, MTSU Foundation President Murray Martin presented the 2010-11 Foundation Awards to 17 faculty members.
Fall enrollment eclipsed record with 26,442 students
August 2011
MTSU experienced a slight gain — and another record — when campus officials announced an official enrollment of 26,442 students for fall 2011. The total was 12 more students than the fall 2010 figure, when a final tally of 26,430 students was submitted to the Tennessee Board of Regents.
MTSU and U.S. Army entered into UAS partnership
August 2011
MTSU unveiled a unique partnership with the U.S. Army on Aug. 18 that further solidified the University’s reputation as a premier establishment for the study of unmanned aerial systems. The memorandum of understanding was announced at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference in Washington, D.C.
MTSU unveiled new website for university news
August 2011
The university officially announced its online news website, www.mtsunews.com, at the Fall Faculty Meeting. The website, collaboratively developed by the Marketing and Communication Department and the Information Technology Division, streamlined the delivery of University-related news to the campus community and external media outlets.
Concrete Industry Management became MTSU’s 10th department
July 2011
On July 1, MTSU’s Concrete Industry Management Program, under Director Heather Brown’s leadership, officially moved from program status under the Department of Engineering Technology to become the 10th department in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
Governor signed bill opening Hope Scholarship dollars for summer
June 2011
Gov. Bill Haslam signed the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Bill June 8 on the MTSU campus, a measure that will allow college students across the state to use lottery-scholarship funds to enroll in summer school. The signing took place in MTSU’s new Education Building.
MTSU partnered with Avaya on state’s first telecomm ‘test kitchen’
June 2011
MTSU partnered with Avaya to create a demonstration lab in the Telecommunications Building to serve as a “test kitchen” for the company’s interactive-communication products. The lab is open to students and faculty. The cutting-edge technology in the lab includes touch-screen tablets with multimodal capabilities, including voice, video and instant-message conferencing.
Stockstill ranked among Top 10 Coaches
June 2011
CBS Sports released the Academic Progress Rate rankings by Football Bowl Subdivision coaches, and Rick Stockstill was ranked 10th nationally. Stockstill was the only coach in the top 10 from the Sun Belt Conference or the state of Tennessee. Since Stockstill’s arrival, the program’s APR score has made the biggest jump of any school in the country.
Blue Raider athletics named Sun Belt’s top program
May 2011
For the seventh time in 11 years of Sun Belt Conference participation, the MTSU Athletic Department won the Vic Bubas Cup as the top overall sports program in the league. The award is given each year to the university that comes in first in the Sun Belt’s all-sports standings.
Four MTSU students, faculty awarded Fulbright Fellowships
May 2011
In May two faculty members, Dr. Richard Pace, a professor in MTSU’s sociology and anthropology department, and Dr. Mohammed Albakry, associate professor of English, received coveted Fulbright Scholarships. In addition 2010 graduate Patrick Pratt and May grad Kim Yarborough were selected to received Fulbright Awards for U.S. Students.
MTSU Magazine re-launched
April 2011
The University celebrated the re-launch of the MTSU Magazine on April 13. The magazine, which has not been published since fall/winter 2009, returned with a 48-page issue mailed to alumni. The change required a reallocation of resources, so MTSU ended publication of two of its long-standing print products, The Alumni Record and The Record, in June.
Byrnes selected as new liberal arts dean
April 2011
MTSU officials announced Dr. Mark Byrnes as the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts on April 15 after a national search. Byrnes had served as acting and interim dean following the illness and May 2010 death of Dr. John N. McDaniel, who served as MTSU’s dean of liberal arts for 26 years.
MTSU’s aerospace program reached new heights
March 2011
MTSU’s aerospace program has long been known as one of the best, but in recent years aerospace faculty have raised the national profile of the program, securing funds from NASA and other outside sources and building a department that is not only a cutting-edge learning environment but also an unmatched training, testing and research facility.
MTSU’s forensic-science program received national attention
March 2011
Dr. Hugh Berryman, a professor of sociology and anthropology at MTSU, won the 2012 T. Dale Stewart Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Academy for Forensic Sciences. The award, given annually to a single recipient, is the highest honor bestowed upon a forensic anthropologist in the United States.
Lady Raiders made 14th NCAA Tournament appearance
March 2011
In March, the MTSU women’s basketball team made its 14th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Lady Raiders ended the season 23-8, and Ebony Rowe became the first player in University history to be named a Freshman All-American.
Alumnus donated $1 million to enhance women’s basketball program
February 2011
Ken Shipp, a 1947 alum and longtime athletic coach, committed $1 million to MTSU in February. The presentation took place during halftime of the Feb. 5 MTSU-South Alabama basketball game. The funds enhanced the endowed scholarship that Shipp established in 2009 and renovated office space in Murphy Center for the women’s basketball program.
MTSU welcomed new leader for international education
February 2011
Dr. David A. Schmidt, former director of the Bechtel International Center and associate professor of Japanese at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Cal., was chosen to fill the newly created position of vice provost for international affairs.
CMT team earned 2nd place in national competition
January 2011
MTSU’s Construction Management Technology team placed second out of 43 teams at the annual National Association of Homebuilders Student Chapters Residential Construction Management Competition in Orlando, Fla.
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