The MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences created a special Homecoming Week experience for its students with the help of over 50 alumni who returned to campus to give back.

The college Ambassador Initiative, engineered by the college’s development director Nicole Chitty and embraced by Dean Bud Fisher and his faculty and staff, brought 51 alumni and friends of the university to 37 classrooms. The alumni shared about their careers, what their years at MTSU were like, improving soft skills and more.

Dr. Amy Cadwallader, a lead scientist at Aegis Corp., speaks to a class as part of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences Ambassador Initiative during homecoming week at MTSU. (MTSU photo by Nicole Chitty)

Dr. Robert “Bud” Fischer

“This has been a great week for our students to meet and interact with these accomplished alumni from our college,” Fischer said. “Our students have learned the important skills the alumni learned when they were at MTSU, what they look for in the people they are hiring and many valuable traits.”

Key alumni and university friends who made an impact in classrooms throughout the college included:

• Chris Hefley — founder and president of LeanKit.
• Gareth Stageman — head of information technology for UBS International.
• Rusty Barnett — recently retired executive of BP Corp.
• Judith Bevels — an executive with Siemens.
• Mike Bailey, Ken Frizzell and Tyler Stokes — Nissan North America engineers.
• Max Barrett — JE Dunn Construction.

Barrett came from Texas to speak to the college’s students.

Five distinguished military alumni participated in a panel discussion Thursday (Oct. 1) with about 90 of the Department of Military Science’s ROTC cadets in the Keathley University Center Theater and later a small group setting in Forrest Hall, which serves as the home of the program.

The ROTC Leadership Panel consisted of:

MTSU alumnus and Tennessee National Guard Adjutant Gen. Terry “Max” Haston, front right, goes around the table to learn about the university’s current cadets during a small group session in Forrest Hall on campus Oct. 1. It was part of a College of Basic and Applied Sciences Homecoming Week session to bring industry leaders to the classroom. In all, 51 speakers will attend 37 classes. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

• Maj. Gen. Terry “Max” Haston (Class of 1979), adjutant general with the Tennessee Army National Guard.
• Retired Brig. Gen. Les Fuller (’73).
• Retired Brig. Gen. David Ogg (’78, ’87).
• Retired Col. Jeffrey Bonner (’82).
• Retired Lt. Col. John Harris (’74).

Bonner is the 2015-16 MTSU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni. He and a group of others were recognized during the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Oct. 2 in the Sam Ingram Building.

University President Sidney A. McPhee attended the military leadership panel session. He joined both the military alumni and the other alumni and friends in a Friday evening appreciation dinner at B. McNeel’s in downtown Murfreesboro.

In addition to military science, College of Basic and Applied Sciences departments include aerospace, the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, Concrete Industry Management, engineering technology, geosciences, mathematics physics and astronomy.

For more information, call 615-898-2613 or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/cbas/index.php.

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

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, front center, and military science alumni who have distinguished themselves with outstanding military careers are shown with many of the 90 current ROTC cadets in the Keathley Univesity Center Theater Oct. 1. Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Les Fuller (Class of 1973), left, Tennessee Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Terry “Max” Haston (’79), retired Brig. Gen. David Ogg (’78, ’87) and retired Lt. Col. John Harris (’74) participated in a leadership panel and small group settings in Forrest Hall to share about their time at MTSU and in service to their country. This week, the College of Basic and Applied Sciences has secured 51 speakers covering 37 classes during a special Homecoming Week activity. Lt. Col. Jackie McDowell, rifth front, is the current professor leading the program.

Attending a College of Basic and Applied Sciences dinner for 51 speakers and other guests Oct. 2 at B. McNeel’s restaurant in Murfreesboro, MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience alumni Michelle Conkle (Class of 1994), left, and Marvin Whitworth (Class of ’72), right, share a laugh about questions students asked them when they spoke during the homecoming week Ambassaodrs Initiative Sept. 28-Oct. 2. Listening to the conversation are Mike Conkle, second from left, and Francille Whitworth. (MTSU photo by Nicole Chitty)