Athletic contests, “A Streetcar Named Desire” performances, 170 available open classes, Senior Day, reunions and more await MTSU alumni and friends of the university during the sixth Alumni Spring Showcase.

The showcase, formerly called Alumni Spring Weekend, features numerous events from April 7-15 in and around campus.

All events are listed on www.mtalumni.com, where you can click on the “Alumni Spring Showcase” featured item for more details.

MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience alumni, friends, faculty and staff enjoy a special outdoor breakfast during an MTSU Alumni Spring Showcase. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

The Office of Alumni Relations expanded the number of days and options for alumni, friends and people in the community. In addition to open classes April 10-14, the Alumni Spring Showcase features nearly 40 activities  to attend.

A sampling includes:

• Open classes, where alumni and guests can sit in on an actual class.
• Baseball and softball games, and the spring Blue & White football game.
• Alumni and guests’ discounted tickets for “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
• Dana Gluckstein’s “DIGNITY” exhibit at the Baldwin Photographic Gallery.
• Various MTSU School of Music performances in the Wright Music Building’s Hinton Hall.

“We understand that homecoming is a tough time to really check out campus, since time is limited with so many events,” said Paul Wydra, an assistant director in the Office of Alumni Relations.

“Spring Showcase is over a week long, covers two weekends and is a way to see campus and different events and activities at your own pace, since so many events, speakers, sporting events and more are scheduled.”

Wydra added that the showcase is “a great time to bring the family to campus and experience so many different activities and events — from sporting events, to speakers on campus, to open classrooms to self-guided tours of campus. You can see everything MTSU has to offer.”

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer, left, leads a tour of the new Science Building during an Alumni Relations spring event.

The College of Education, College of Basic and Applied Sciences and College of Liberal Arts are offering the open classes to alumni and people in the community, but online registration is required by Wednesday, April 5.

Noted forensic anthropologist Bob Mann will provide the William M. Bass Legends in Forensic Science Lectureship at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 10, in the Student Union Ballroom. Mann has examined more than 4,000 ancient and modern skeletons in a distinguished career.

In addition to attending a performance of “A Streetcar Named Desire” April 6-9, visitors are invited to attend English professor Robert Bray’s 5 p.m. Thursday, April 6, lecture, “Catching a 70-Year-Old Streetcar: Why Williams’ Play Still Matters,” in Tucker Theatre. Those attending the lecture will receive complimentary tickets to the 7 p.m. performance.

Other “Streetcar” performances include a discounted ticket if purchased with the special alumni discount code available online.

While “The Great American Eclipse at MTSU” is five months away, Department of Physics and Astronomy associate professor Chuck Higgins will discuss the much-anticipated event during the 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, Star Party in Wiser-Patten Science Hall Room 102. Observatory telescope viewing, weather permitting, will follow.

In addition to the open classrooms, other lunches and events require an RSVP.

A printable campus map can be found at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap. To learn about visitor parking regulations, including free parking, purchasing a one-day parking permit and more, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/parking/visitors.php.

For more information, visit the alumni site or call 615-898-2922.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)