MTSU alumnus attends ISI academic honors conference in Washington, D.C.

Middle Tennessee State University alumnus Benjamin Adams recently completed the Intercollegiate Studies Institute’s 2023 Honors Conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

Adams was one of 50 students from across the country selected to attend the weeklong bootcamp earlier this summer focused on the United States’ combination of biblical history, classical Greek philosophy, Roman government, and London’s economic prowess.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, resident, who graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations with minors in honors and pre-law, attended the conference July 30-Aug. 5.

John Vile, dean of the MTSU Honors College, said he brought this opportunity to Adams’ attention because he knew of his interest in political theory and public policy, “particularly with regards to environmental issues.”

“I walked away with several new friends, professional connections, and a finer appreciation for our country’s origins,” Adams said, adding that he appreciated the in-depth discussions and debates with like-minded, politically motivated students and graduates. “I would highly recommend this program to MTSU’s social science-oriented students.”

Shown here inside the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building wearing two of his academic medallions, Middle Tennessee State University spring 2023 honors graduate Benjamin Adams of Murfreesboro, Tenn., recently completed the Intercollegiate Studies Institute’s 2023 Honors Conference in Annapolis, Maryland. Adams graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations with minors in Honors and pre-law. (Photo by Connie Bartemus, MTSU Honors College)

Adams graduated from Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro and initially attended college in Colorado from 2019 through December 2020 studying real estate and environmental design.

“In response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, I moved to Montana during the spring of 2021, planning to become a political science/pre-law student through the University of Montana’s Davidson Honors College,” he said.

Then he had the opportunity to become an Honors Transfer Fellow at MTSU, beginning in fall 2021 as a political science major. While here, he completed internships with the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville and through The Washington Center Academic Internship Program in Washington, D.C.

“You can imagine that starting college over 1,000 miles from home, braving the public health measures around the pandemic, and then moving back home was a rocky way to navigate my college career. Still, MTSU bridled my aspirations (the Nashville/D.C. internships also helped), guiding me to finish on time and under budget. Hoorah!” exclaimed Adams.

Now that he has completed the ISI summer program, he plans to stay in Washington and study for the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT. Then, he wants to attend law school and complete an MBA. He is interested in pursuing attorney careers within the construction, mining, and energy industries.

For more information about the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, visit https://isi.org, or contact Laura Clippard, the Undergraduate Fellowships Office coordinator, at 615-898-5464 or Laura.Clippard@mtsu.edu.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)