Hundreds of MTSU students, faculty and staff met Murfreesboro as city businesses, restaurants, religious organizations and others showed what they have to offer during the annual “Meet Murfreesboro” Aug. 23-24 in the Student Union Commons.

The annual Leadership and Service and New Student and Family Programs Week of Welcome event introduces the off-campus businesses, restaurants and ministries to students and MTSU employees.

“It’s a way for students to familiarize themselves on and off-campus,” said Sierra Gibson, a sophomore psychology major from Memphis. “I feel like it’s a good place for students to find things to do around campus and in the community.”

Kroger, Ideas Tees, pizza establishments, various banks, cellphone companies and ministry-related organizations were among the many participating organizations. Pizza, hot dogs, lemonade and other food items were available.

Week of Welcome activities continue Thursday, Aug. 25, with the MTSU Department Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union Commons and Comedy Show at 7 p.m. in Murphy Center. To learn more, visit http://mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

Hillari Smith, right, of Manchester, Tennessee, offers free items while sharing information about Ascend Federal Credit Union to MTSU students attending the “Meet Murfreesboro” event Aug. 23 in the Student Union Commons. The two-day event drew hundreds of students, faculty and staff. (MTSU photos by Kimi Conro)

MTSU students listen as Angie Schreiber, center, who works special events for Murfreesboro-based Ideas Tees/Raider Tees, promotes the sale of T-shirts and hats Aug. 23 during “Meet Murfreesboro,” a Week of Welcome activity in the Student Union Commons.

MTSU students ready for Week of Welcome events on campus

Aug. 15, 2016

Thousands of new and returning MTSU students are converging on campus this week to prepare for the start of the 2016-17 academic year.

To help kick off the fall 2016 semester, MTSU’s Office of New Student and Family Programs has planned a boatload of Week of Welcome student activities with a theme of “All Aboard! Traditions are Anchored Here.”

Freshmen Shelby Hurt, left, of Winchester, Tenn., and Mark Crosslin of Estill Springs, Tenn., learn about job opportunities with the MTSU Police Department from Sgt. Andrew Bennett, second from right, and criminal investigator Kyle Thompson. Hurt is undeclared while Crosslin is a geosciences major. (MTSU photos by Kimi Conro)

New Student and Family Programs conducts Week of Welcome to greet both new and returning students awaiting the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 22.

To see the complete list of Week of Welcome activities, visit http://mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.

Week of Welcome activities begin Friday, Aug. 19, with We-Haul move-in day, dinner and an outdoor movie, “Finding Nemo” and continue through Saturday, Sept. 3, when the Blue Raiders entertain visiting Alabama A&M for a 6 p.m. football game in Floyd Stadium.

“Week of Welcome provides the perfect opportunity for new students to get their MTSU experience off on the right track,” said Jacki Lancaster, coordinator in New Student and Family Programs.

“There are events for students to have fun, meet new people and bring their entire family. There are other events that encourage new students to connect with MTSU and the MTSU community. We look forward to having the campus buzzing with students and their families this weekend.”

Activities include:

Click on the poster to see a larger version.

• University Convocation — 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, in Murphy Center. Special guest is Rajiv Chandrasekaran, co-author with Howard Schultz of “For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism and Sacrifice,” a national best-seller and the 2016 Summer Reading Program book for new freshmen (www.mtsu.edu/summerreading). The President’s Picnic in Floyd Stadium follows Convocation.
• Meet Murfreesboro — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 23-24, in the Student Union Commons. Students learn about city businesses.
• MTSU Department Fair — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, in the Student Union Commons. Numerous campus departments provide information and answer students’ questions.
• Comedy Show — 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, in Murphy Center, featuring MTV “Wild ’n Out” comedians Rip Michaels, Darren “Big Baby” Brand and Aarona Lopez. This event requires a student ID for admission.
• Raider Entertainment Variety Show — 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, in Tucker Theatre, featuring comedy hypnotist Eric Mina. This event requires a student ID for admission.
• Student Government Association Fight Song Competition — 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, in Murphy Center.
• Student Employment Fair — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29. On- and off-campus job opportunities await students.
• Volunteer Fair — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the Student Union Commons. Various organizations provide students with volunteer options.

MTSU Student Programming Director Rich Kershaw noted that his office, along with Raider Entertainment and New Student and Family Programs, are proud to bring the comedians from MTV’s “Wild ’n Out” to MTSU for a live performance.

Following the comedians’ 60-minute show, students will be invited onstage to play the comedy show “Wild ’n Out,” Kershaw added. For more information, call 615-898-2551 or visit www.mtsu.edu/events.

All Week of Welcome activities are part of the Connection Point campaign to help students become involved and engaged with MTSU. Students should bring their IDs to each event; for more information, visit www.mtsu.edu/stuaff/connect.

For more information, call 615-898-2454 or visit the New Student and Family Programs website at http://mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

MTSU students visit with MTSU Career Development Center staff Aug. 29 during the Student Employment Fair in the Student Union Commons. Numerous on-and off-campus departments and businesses participated in the Week of Welcome event.

An MTSU freshman, left, learns about volunteer opportunities from Tom Gallagher and Danielle Hester, volunteer service specialists for the Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. The Volunteer Fair took place Aug. 30 in the Student Union Commons.

Rena Brewer, left, a volunteer services specialist for the American Red Cross, tells MTSU junior transfer Sarah Lyle about volunteer opportunities with the organization Aug. 30 at the Volunteer Fair. Lyle is a psychology major.