MTSU’s Alumni Spring Showcase returns soon, with an exciting mix of in-person and virtual activities.

Working in collaboration with many campus departments and programs, the Office of Alumni Relations and the MTSU Alumni Association will offer the spring showcase April 9-17, allowing university alumni and friends to sample what’s taking place.

The Albert Gore Research Center and James E. Walker Library opened an exhibit called “I Am True Black: A History of Black Student Life & Activism” in the library on the first floor just past the elevators. The exhibit, which will be a part of MTSU Alumni Spring Showcase April 9-17, explores the history of Black student protest movements, the foundation and work of Black student organizations and other aspects of Black student involvement in MTSU’s campus life from the 1960s to present. It will be open during regular library hours. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

To learn more about the opportunities and parking for in-person events, visit www.mtalumni.com/springshowcase. In-person events will require the wearing of masks and social distancing in line with the university’s COVID-19 safety protocols. Many events are free; some require an admission charge.

Rhonda King

“The goal of Spring Showcase is to extend opportunities for our alumni, as well as members of the Blue Raider community, to connect and learn about what is going on at MTSU,” said Rhonda King, assistant director. “Throughout MTSU Spring Showcase, departments and programs across the university will be hosting events and activities that are designed to enrich the lives of our alumni.”

King said Alumni Relations has benefitted “from expanded geographic reach through our virtual programming during the pandemic, reaching many long-distance alumni who are unable to attend in-person events.”

This year’s schedule features both virtual and in-person offerings.

“Interactive webinars, online speakers, and virtual trivia are on the schedule along with in-person activities such as metal pouring, softball games and the I Am True Black exhibit in the Walker Library,” she said. “We invite our alumni to experience what is going on regardless of their geographic location or comfort level.”

In this file photo, MTSU staff answers questions at a Finish Your Degree Q-and-A event for prospective students in late October 2019 at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The college will hold a similar event April 13, 2021, at the chamber under COVID-19 protocols. (MTSU file photo by James Cessna)

Here’s a sample of the Alumni Spring Showcase offerings:

• MTSU Theatre and Dance production of “Godspell,” livestreaming from Tucker Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 9; 7:30 p.m. April 10; and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 11. Purchase the livestream athttps://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/49309.

Kelly Knowles

• A free, two-part Zoom webinar series — “Fight, Flight, or Freeze: How Your Driving Core Motive Impacts Your Interpersonal Communications” (noon on Monday, April 12) and “ Spring Clean Your Goals” (noon Wednesday, April 14) — presented by Kelly Knowles and hosted by the MTSU Alumni Association. Click hereto register.

• F•R•I•E.N•D•S Virtual Trivia Night with the Alumni Association. 8 p.m. April 15. For more information and to register, visit www.mtalumni.com/friends.

• MTSU Alumni Association Awards ceremony virtual premier, honoring 2020-21 Distinguished Alumni recipients. Time TBA on Friday, April 16, and airing on True Blue TV and MTSU Facebook page.

• “I Am True Black: A History of Black Student Life & Activism” exhibit on display in the James E. Walker Library. Guided tours of the exhibit will be offered 10:30 to noon April 13 and 5 to 7 p.m. April 15. Open for self-guided tours through May 6 during regular library hours (https://library.mtsu.edu/about/hours).

• Saturdays @ Todd — Event 1: Life Mapping Workshop with Kara Kemp and organized by Rutherford Arts Alliance. 10 a.m. to noon April 17 in Todd Hall Room 236. For information, https://tinyurl.com/KaraKempLifeMapping.Event 2: A 2½ to 3-hour alumni and sculpture medallions metal pour, led by associate professor Michael Baggarly. Space is limited for this in-person offering. 1 p.m. April 17 in Todd Hall Room 107. For more and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/SculpturePour.

• The True Story of Grad School: A Zoom webinar featuring current MTSU graduate students. Noon April 9. Register at www.mtalumni.com/graduateschool.

King said they are delighted to host a two-part webinars series presented by Knowles, an alumna and adjunct Jones College of Business management instructor.

“Kelly is an inspiring corporate trainer and teacher who coaches individuals through the discovery of their inner leadership,” King said. “We are honored to partner with Kelly, as she shares guidance on how a person’s personality strengths affect relationships with others and goal achievement.”

King added the Alumni Association will be hosting its fourth virtual trivia night.

“This time will be the one with a Friends theme, as we quiz players’ knowledge of the popular television show,” she said. “Our trivia nights have been a blast, with alumni playing from across the nation.”

Other key events include MTSU Relay for Life (6 p.m. April 16 in Student Union Commons), sporting events — free softball games against Conference USA opponents Marshall (6 p.m. April 9; 2 and 4 p.m. April 10; and noon April 11) and Western Kentucky (6 p.m. April 16; 2 and 4 p.m. April 17; and noon April 18) and men’s tennis match against Georgia State at 3:30 p.m. April 16 at Adams Tennis Complex at Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro) — and a virtual tour of the new School of Concrete and Construction Management building (2 to 3 p.m. April 9). To register in advance, visit https://tinyurl.com/4rheetmf.

—Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer leads a tour of the Science Building during a previous MTSU Spring Showcase. This year’s showcase will be held April 9-17. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)