FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University launched this year’s True Blue Tour on Sept. 14 with $71,400 in scholarships awarded to incentivize the prospective students and families in attendance at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs to become part of the Blue Raider family.
For Nolensville High School senior Grayson Irwin, it’s another piece of his plan falling into place. The $1,000 scholarship he walked away with from MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will go toward an aerospace degree.
“It’s going to be awesome,” said Irwin, who has his eye on a room in the new Womack Commons student housing complex under construction on the east side of the Murfreesboro campus. “I’m going to try and get into that new residence hall.”
When his dad, Steven Irwin, broached the topic of college and careers eight months ago, the younger Irwin already had a plan: attend MTSU and become a professional pilot by successfully navigating the hugely popular major within the highly touted Aerospace Department.
“He texted me an hour later, ‘Hey, what are you doing Monday? I’ve already set up a full day tour for us,’” said Dad. “He’s already got his private pilot’s license. He had to wait till (age) 17; he has one last assessment to take.”
Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, right, presents Lewis County High School student Ryder Ward with a $1,400 scholarship during the university’s first True Blue Tour student recruitment stop on Sept. 14, 2026, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn. Next to Ward is LHS Assistant Principal Melissa Burney and MTSU mascot Lightning. Ward will be the first in his family to graduate from college. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) 
Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee awards a $1,000 scholarship to Franklin High School student Lukas Kaminski during the university’s first True Blue Tour student recruitment stop on Sept. 14, 2026, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn. Joining Kaminski for the presentation were his parents, Mia and Scott, along with MTSU mascot Lightning. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) 
Summit High School student Travis Thielen, second from right, accepts a $1,500 scholarship from Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee during the university’s first True Blue Tour student recruitment stop on Sept. 14, 2026, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn. Also shown is MTSU mascot Lightning, and Thielen’s mom, Stephanie, who is excited for Travis to join his older sister, Sarah, at the Murfreesboro, Tenn., campus. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) 
From left, Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, Reginald Polk II, mom Tanora Polk, dad Reggie Polk, sister Vivian Polk and mascot Lightning pose for a photo during the university’s first True Blue Tour student recruitment stop on Sept. 14, 2026, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn. Polk II plans to use the $1,500 scholarship awarded to him by McPhee when he transfers from Columbia State Community College to study computer science at the Murfreesboro, Tenn., university. Both of his parents are MTSU alumni. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) 
Grayson Irwin, second from left, a student at Nolensville High School in Williamson County, holds the ceremonial scholarship check presented by Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, right, during this year’s first True Blue Tour student recruitment stop, held Sept. 14, 2026, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn. Next to Irwin is dad Steven Irwin and MTSU mascot Lightning. The younger Irwin plans to use his $1,000 scholarship toward pursuing a professional pilot degree at the Murfreesboro, Tenn., campus. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
True blue opportunities
Five future Blue Raiders were awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, and in addition to Irwin, Lukas Kaminski from Franklin High School, Reginald Polk II from Columbia State Community College, Travis Thielen from Summit High School and Ryder Ward from Lewis County High School heard their names drawn to step forward to accept the large ceremonial check.
While not everyone walks away from a True Blue Tour stop with a scholarship in hand, every attendee can gain valuable information about the buffet of opportunities to succeed at MTSU by visiting the various informational tables throughout the student reception venues, which are staffed by university faculty, staff and academic deans who join McPhee by bus and cars traveling around the state and region this fall.
“There’s a lot of (other) scholarship opportunities,” said Page High School student Abby Hoffman, who plans to study interior architecture. “I’m definitely applying.”
The priority application deadline for scholarship consideration is Dec. 1, and students who wish to take advantage of Free Application Week should submit applications between Sept. 21-27.
“When it comes to your students’ education, they have to work very, very hard to fail,” McPhee told parents during the evening student reception. “We do everything to provide support for them, to take care of them, to provide the opportunity in the classroom and certainly in the environment.”
Counselors lunch
Earlier in the day, MTSU gave out $65,000 in scholarships at the True Blue Tour guidance counselors luncheon held at most stops to 27 area high schools and community colleges — a one-time, $2,500 scholarship to each school — to be distributed at the discretion of those schools’ guidance counselors.
Independence High School in Thompson’s Station received an additional $2,500 for sending the most students to MTSU out of all schools represented at the luncheon.
“I talk to students about this being one of the best values around,” said Independence counselor Caitland Sharp. “MTSU just has so much to offer. It’s a huge school, but they make it more personal for the students.”
Sharp said the high school awarded its scholarship from the previous year to a student who was trying to leave a difficult situation.
“She planned to go to MTSU but still had no idea how she was going to pay for all of it,” said Sharp. “Getting to give that to her was like, I mean, she broke down in tears, and she was so incredibly grateful. … It made a huge difference for her.”
This season’s Tour has nine more stops scheduled across the region over the next three months. All events are free and walkups are welcome, though admissions staff encourage people to RSVP in advance at https://mtsu.edu/rsvp.
Remaining 2026 True Blue Tour schedule
• Sept. 29 — Carnegie Hotel, 1216 W State of Franklin Road, Johnson City (6 p.m. Student Reception only)
• Sept. 30 — Bridgewater Hospitality Collective, 205 Bridgewater Road, Knoxville
• Oct. 14 — The Westin Huntsville, 6800 Governors W., Huntsville, Alabama
• Oct. 21 — FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms, 415 Great View Drive E. Ste 103, Memphis
• Oct. 22 — Jackson Country Club, 31 Jackson Country Club Drive, Jackson
• Oct. 26 – The Chattanoogan Hotel, 1201 Broad St., Chattanooga
• Oct. 29 — Blue Ribbon Circle Club, 1110 N Evans St., Shelbyville
• Nov. 2 — Gaylord Springs Golf Links, 18 Springhouse Lane, Nashville
• Nov. 5 — MTSU Student Union Ballroom, 1768 MTSU Blvd., Murfreesboro
— Cat Curtis Murphy ([email protected])
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