MTSU enrollment up 2.2% as trustees reelect chairs, OK degree proposals, welcome 3 new members

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Three new members of Middle Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees attended their first quarterly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9, where trustees selected board leadership, endorsed three new graduate degree proposals, and learned of an enrollment increase putting fall student headcount at just over 21,000 students.

“I’m happy to report we are once again the largest LGI (Locally Governed Institution) in the state,” MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee told the board, with an official enrollment as of Tuesday at 21,025 students — a roughly 2.2% increase over last year.

“I can also report that we are up in new freshman enrollment by more than 3%, and we also saw a sizable increase in graduate students,” he added.

Sidney A. McPhee, president at Middle Tennessee State University, shares details of the university’s fall enrollment increase during the Board of Trustees fall quarterly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Miller Education Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

McPhee applauded the admissions team for its recruitment efforts, which continue with more than 170 visits and fairs already scheduled to recruit students this fall, he noted, including the university’s signature recruitment event, the True Blue Tour, which kicks off next week on Sept. 16 in Shelbyville and includes 14 cities overall.

John Floyd, MTSU Trustee (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — John Floyd

Jimmy Granbery, MTSU Trustee (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — Jimmy Granbery

Chad White, MTSU Trustee (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — Chad White

Among trustees celebrating the news were the three newest members, each serving six-year terms: John Floyd of Murfreesboro, founder and owner of Ole South Properties; Jimmy Granbery of Nashville, chair and CEO of H.G. Hill Realty; and Chad White of Murfreesboro, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary at Brookdale Senior Living.

McPhee read a special resolution in honor of the service of outgoing trustee, alumna and accomplished businesswoman Pam Wright, who was an inaugural board member, having served since 2017 when she was appointed by then-Gov. Bill Haslam. Wright was presented with a framed copy of the resolution in recognition of her service.

Pam Wright, center, outgoing member of the Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees, accepts a framed copy of the resolution honoring her service on the board from Board Chairman Stephen Smith, left, and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee at the start of the board’s fall quarterly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Miller Education Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

On the academic side, trustees endorsed the creation of master’s degrees in Concrete and Construction Engineering and Mechatronics Systems Engineering in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, as well as a doctorate in Business Administration in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business.

With the board’s approval, consideration of the degrees next goes to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for further review.

Board leadership approved

Trustees also unanimously reelected Stephen B. Smith as chair and Christine Karbowiak Vanek as vice chair. Both will serve two-year terms in their leadership roles.

Stephen Smith, chairman, Board of Trustees — Stephen Smith

Christine Karbowiak Vanek, MTSU Board of Trustees member, vice chair — Christine Karbowiak Vanek

This is the fifth term as chair for Smith, who was first elected to the top leadership role when the board was created in 2017. The MTSU alumnus is also a member of the Blue Raider Athletics Hall of Fame and chairman of Haury and Smith Contractors.

Vanek, retired chief administrative officer for Bridgestone Americas, was first elected as the board’s vice chair in 2021. This is her third term as vice chair.

Smith also announced his appointments of chairs of two board committees, each of whom will serve one-year terms:

Michael Wade, MTSU Board of Trustees, 2023- — Michael Wade

Pete Delay, MTSU Board of Trustees member. — Pete Delay

• Trustee Michael Wade will chair the Academic Affairs, Student Life and Athletics Committee, which oversees the quality of academic programs and services, and student life. He replaces Pam Wright, whose eight years of service as a trustee concluded earlier this year.

• Trustee Pete Delay will serve an additional one-year term as chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee, which oversees the integrity and stability of the university’s financial operations, long-term economic health and allocation of resources, and its physical assets of land, buildings, and equipment.

Trustees also approved the appointment of Tom Boyd for an additional one-year term as chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee, which assists the board in exercising oversight of the university’s financial and accounting practices, internal controls, and standards of conduct. The chair of Audit and Compliance must be confirmed through a vote of trustees, according to board policy.

In other matters Tuesday, trustees:

• Approved disclosure of plans to renovate Beasley Hall, a residential facility, during the summers of 2026 and 2027. The project will include restroom renovations, replacement of finishes and window replacements. Disclosure indicates that the university is considering a project, but does not obligate it to proceed.

• Approved a resolution endorsing tax-exempt financing for a new residential project located on the current Womack Lane Housing site, which will add about 550 new beds and is scheduled to open in Fall 2027.

For more information about the MTSU Board of Trustees, visit https://www.mtsu.edu/bot/.

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu) and Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)