A year after expanding the MTSU Distinguished Alumni Awards, prominent alums praise the process that brings distinction to the honorees.

And for 2014-15 MTSU National Alumni Association President Paula Mansfield and Distinguished Alumni Awards selection committee chair Chip Walters, they want the word to spread to as many MTSU graduates as possible to obtain the best nominees for consideration.

The awards, which will include an overall Distinguished Alumni recipient, recognize those with prolonged records of achievement who have made outstanding contributions to society and who exemplify the ideals for which MTSU stands in extraordinary ways.

People are encouraged to nominate someone for an award. Criteria and nomination forms can be found at www.mtalumni.com/awards. Nominations for all awards are due Tuesday, March 31.

Paula Mansfield

“Honoring our outstanding alumni is a high priority for the MTSU National Alumni board,” said Mansfield (Class of ’82). “We want to bring honor and distinction to those who have achieved greatness and notoriety in their respected fields.”

A local businesswoman, Mansfield said the committee has “developed six categories in which our alumni can be recognized by their university and want to encourage people to nominate someone for an award.”

Mansfield serves as senior vice president/ community banking relationship manager with First Tennessee Bank in Murfreesboro.

Walters (Class of ’85), voice of the Blue Raiders in football and men’s basketball, said the committee “is very happy with how the new format was embraced and the excitement level over the new True Blue Citations of Distinctions.”

Chip Walters

“We hope more and more of our alums learn about this awards program and take a few moments to get involved and nominate those deserving individuals who are True Blue and heart,” added Walters, who works with Blue Raider Sports Properties.

Honorees selected in late summer will have a celebration in their honor during Homecoming Week, as well as be recognized at the Homecoming Parade and football game.

The dates for Homecoming Week and the Homecoming Game have yet to be determined.

The True Blue Citations of Distinction will include awards for the following categories:

• Young Alumni Achievement;

• Achievement in Education — MTSU Faculty;

• Achievement in Education — Non-MTSU Faculty;

• Service to Community; and

• The David Cullum Award for Service to the University, named in memory of the former president of the National Alumni Association, Blue Raider Athletic Association and MTSU Foundation, who died May 2, 2013. He was a member of the Class of ’55.

For more information or if you have questions regarding the nomination process, call 615-898-2922.

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