MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Areté, the news magazine for Middle Tennessee State University Honors College, has been recognized again as a first-place winner in the National Collegiate Honors Council Publications Contest, earning recognition for its work highlighting the accomplishments, experiences, and perspectives of the university’s Honors community.

“For more than two decades, this publication has documented the people, ideas, and achievements that make the MTSU Honors College distinctive,” said Honors College Dean John Vile. “This national recognition reflects the quality of that work and the dedication of the people who bring these stories to our community. We are proud of Areté’s continued tradition of excellence and grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.” 

“This recognition is meaningful because it validates the work we’re doing to tell the story of our Honors College,” said Robin Lee, Honors College manager of strategic communication and editor of the publication. “Areté gives us a way to highlight our students and faculty, and their accomplishments. Having that work recognized by the national honors community is especially rewarding.”

Published by the MTSU Honors College and named after a powerful Greek term meaning excellence and virtue, Areté features stories about Honors students, faculty, programs, and opportunities, providing a way to share the work happening throughout the college with the broader university community and beyond. The publication is a collaborative effort involving writers, editors, designers, and other contributors. 

The publication has earned national recognition in previous NCHC Publications Contests, including first place in 2014, 2016, and 2022, second place in 2020, and third place in 2018. The latest recognition adds to the magazine’s record of achievement among publications produced by honors programs and colleges nationwide. The magazine’s strict pattern of placement in alternating years is a direct result of contest eligibility guidelines, which require previous winners to sit out a mandatory gap year before reentering the contest.

“Areté is truly a team effort, and this recognition belongs to everyone who helps make it possible,” explained Lee. “We couldn’t produce the publication without Senior University Editor Drew Ruble, Associate Editor Carol Stuart, Designer Brittany Stokes, our university photographers, and the Creative and Visual Services team. And, of course, the students, faculty, and staff who share their stories and work with us are at the heart of every issue. I’m grateful for the many people across the university who help bring Areté to life.”

The NCHC Publications Contest recognizes outstanding publications produced by honors programs and colleges across the country. Areté’s recognition places the MTSU publication among honors publications receiving national attention for their work.

Areté reflects the Honors College’s commitment to celebrating the people and experiences that define the MTSU Honors community while creating a lasting record of its accomplishments.

Areté has a long history of documenting the MTSU Honors experience. The publication began in 2003 as The Honors Alternative, became The Honors Edition in 2008, and was known as The Honors Magazine from 2012 to 2017. It adopted its current name, Areté, in spring 2018. Marsha Powers served as editor for many years before her retirement, with Lee taking over as editor in 2023. Powers, who passed away earlier this year, left a lasting legacy through her work with the publication and the Honors College.

Learn more about Areté at honors.mtsu.edu/arete.

— Robin E. Lee ([email protected])