NASHVILLE, Tenn. — RCA Records Nashville artist and former MTSU student Chris Young celebrated the season of giving Nov. 27 by creating an annual scholarship for recording industry students at his alma mater.

“MTSU helped to give me a foundation for the music business, and I want this scholarship to help other students who are looking to take a similar path,” said Young, a native of Murfreesboro.

Chris Young

Young’s gift will allow MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry to award a yearly scholarship, starting this fall, for a rising junior or senior.

“Chris has remained a loyal and connected MTSU alumnus through the years,” said Joe Bales, vice president of university advancement.

“He’s returned to perform several times in MTSU’s Murphy Center as his music career ascended and remains generous with his time and talent, even donating some of his touring audio equipment and accessories a few years ago.”

Young, who just released his first holiday-themed album, “It Must Be Christmas,” continues to give back to communities along his remaining 2016 “I’m Comin’ Over Tour” stops. Through Dec. 10, he’s encouraging fans to bring a new, unwrapped toy or book to his concerts; the gifts will then be donated to local Toys For Tots campaigns.

With five albums to his credit, Young has amassed eight No. 1 singles and 15 gold/platinum certifications. His hits include “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices,” “Tomorrow,” the platinum-certified “I’m Comin’ Over” and “Think of You,” a duet with Cassadee Pope.

The former MTSU student, who attended in 2005, has performed several times at the university. In 2008, Young was the special guest of MTSU’s Invention Convention — the same event he attended as a child — where he sang several songs to an excited crowd of 300 middle-school youngsters.

The Department of Recording Industry in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment has been consistently recognized by international publications and organizations as one of the top programs in the world.

Recording industry undergrad majors at MTSU can focus on audio production, commercial songwriting or music business. A Master of Fine Arts degree in recording arts and technologies prepares MTSU graduate students for advanced work in audio production, recording and integrated electronic media.

The department also collaborates with MTSU’s School of Music on a “music industry” minor concentration that allows students to minor in music-industry entrepreneurship or recording industry.

MTSU students who are interested in applying for the scholarship may contact the Department of Recording Industry office at 615-898-2578.