MTSU alumni John L. Batey, left, and Faye Brandon laugh during the 2012 Ag Alumni and Friends Reception at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn. (File photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

Alumni and friends of the MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience will hold their eighth annual reception at The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

The gathering will be held in the Calsonic Arena’s Hall of Fame Room on World Grand Championship night at The Celebration.

The $10 admission includes food, beverages and a free ticket to the 2014 Tennessee walking horse grand finale.

Open to all alumni and friends of the university, attendees are asked to RSVP by calling 615-898-2523.

Recent graduate Sarah Newton-Cromwell will be introduced to the audience, as well as David Whitaker, director of the MTSU Horse Science program.

Newton-Cromwell, who earned her master’s degree from MTSU and graduated Aug. 9, will be a faculty instructor and handle the equine-assisted activities and therapies aspect of the program.

Whitaker, a member of the faculty since 1982, will be retiring in September.

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