MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Author and journalist Bob Welch had a somewhat obvious piece of advice to the incoming Class of 2029 and transfer students attending this year’s Convocation Saturday, Aug. 23, to maximize their time on the Blue Raider campus — tell your story.

Co-author of the summer reading book for new students titled “Healing Wounds, A Vietnam Combat Nurse’s 10-year Fight to Win Women a Place of Honor in Washington, D.C.,” Welch was keynote speaker for this year’s traditional ceremony, which was also livestreamed, officially welcoming new students to the True Blue academic community.

Welch wrote the book with Vietnam veteran Diane Carlson Evans that chronicled her heroic journey and successful decade-long struggle to honor the women who served during the Vietnam War with a proper memorial for their service in the nation’s capital.

Evans returned from the unpopular war to the ridicule or indifference of those around her back home, leading to PTSD and even thoughts of suicide, Welch recounted. But she unlocked the “resolve, courage and purpose” she needed in a ball of clay given to her by a sculptor to shape into her concept of what the memorial should be.

“Students, MTSU today is handing you a ball of clay and is saying in essence, ‘Tell us your story. Dream. Think big. Where do you want to go? What do you want to be? How can we help you get there?’ And guess what? It’s perfectly OK if you have any idea where you want to go. That’s part of the fun,” he said.

Watch a short recap video of the ceremony:

Before Welch’s remark’s, Laurie Witherow, vice provost for Enrollment Management in the Division of Academic Affairs, began the event by explaining its significance including the presence of MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, the event host, and the processional of academic deans and faculty members as well as university administrative leadership, all wearing their academic regalia that many of those students won’t see again until their graduations.

“Today marks a great transition in your life, so perhaps the most important symbol here today is your presence and the presence of those who are here to support you,” Witherow said. “Your presence here represents your decision to voluntarily move from the communities in which you have spent your life up until now to this new community of learners. This is the formal transition from where you have been to where you are going.

“And the presence of the faculty, administrators and returning students who have assembled here is symbolic of our commitment to your success.”

Those are comforting words for new students like incoming freshman Jaylen Fleming, of Franklin, who will be studying history and education in hopes to one day become a high school teacher back in his hometown.

He wasn’t sure what to expect at Convocation but looked forward to connecting with a friend as they began learning what it means to be a Blue Raider.

“I’m a little bit excited, a little bit nervous,” said Fleming, noting he hadn’t been back to campus since his orientation in June and looked forward to exploring it more as the first week of classes approached. “I look forward to meeting new people and talking to all my class professors … just getting to know the area in general, learning the culture and all that.”

‘Find your voice, use it for good’

In welcoming the new students and the audience, McPhee noted that “beginnings are always very special. Today, this Convocation celebrates and honors our newest students. … You will meet individuals who may literally change your life.”

McPhee also recognized the two winners of the essay contest for the summer reading program, a service of the Distinguished Lecture Committee that was created in 2002 to provide students with books that affirm the importance of reading for a successful and fulfilling life and opportunities to interact with critically acclaimed authors.

This year’s winners included transfer student Sarah Myers from Grand Canyon University and incoming freshman Taylor Wallace of Smyrna, both receiving a $500 scholarship for their winning submissions.

Faculty Senate President Michael Federici, a professor in the Department of Political and Global Affairs, welcomed the new class on behalf of the university faculty, emphasizing that Convocation and the many things the new students will be introduced to at the university all lead to one central place — the classroom.

“The classroom is the place where you will be given the opportunity to develop your academic and professional skills. It will be instrumental to your education and your life generally,” he said. “I encourage you to engage with your professors, fellow students, and most importantly, with the ideas and knowledge that you will discover in your classes.

“… Keep in mind, that faculty measure their success by your success. You are instrumental to their professional lives. The partnership between faculty and students is the foundation for higher education.”

Before leading the new students and audience in reciting the True Blue Pledge, Student Government Association President R.J. Ware offered the incoming class words of encouragement as well as advice born from his own experience.

“You’ve made it to a campus that’s ready to invest in you, support you, and challenge you to grow in ways you might not even expect,” said Ware, a political science major from Hermitage. “… The people I met here, the opportunities I took, the lessons I learned, both in and out of the classroom, those are things that have changed my life, and the same can happen for you.

“The truth is, college is what you make of it. … Be intentional and be open to people who are different from you, and always remember to be kind. … As you begin this chapter, I challenge you to not just go to MTSU, but to grow at MTSU. Find your voice, use it for good, lean into discomfort and learn from failure. And whatever path you choose, own it.”

More than 220 members of the Band of Blue were on hand to perform the national anthem, processional music, and the Fight Song accompanied by MTSU Athletics cheerleading, with the event ending with all new students gathering on the floor of Murphy Center for their overhead class photo.

The day ended with MTSU Fraternity and Sorority Life hosting a meet-and-greet in Floyd Stadium, where students and families could also attend Fan Day in the stadium. MTSU’s fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 25, with the first day of classes and a full slate of Welcome Week activities for students.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)