Middle Tennessee State University’s top administrators and deans will meet with prospective students in nine cities this fall — six in-state and, for the first time, three in bordering states — as part of the university’s expanded “True Blue Tour.”

Organized annually by the university’s Admissions Office, this year’s True Blue Tour includes the traditional six Tennessee recruitment stops in Chattanooga on Tuesday, Sept. 29; Johnson City on Monday, Oct. 19; Knoxville on Tuesday, Oct. 20; Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 22; Memphis on Monday, Nov. 9; and Jackson on Tuesday, Nov. 10. (Editor’s note: Dates for Memphis and Jackson are updated.)

In this September 2014 file photo, Elyssa Hurley, left, and her mother, Estelle, both from Lenoir City, Tennessee, discuss the technical qualities and capabilities of the Department of Electronic Media Communication’s $1.8 million mobile production truck during the Knoxville True Blue Tour. Elyssa Hurley has been accepted and plans to transfer to MTSU from Roane State Community College’s campus in Lenoir City. The Roane State sophomore plans to study history and film. (MTSU file photo by News and Media Relations)

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

The new out-of-state stops include Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 30; Huntsville, Alabama, on Wednesday, Nov. 4; and Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and other administrators will join deans from the university’s eight academic colleges, the library services dean and counselors from the financial aid and admissions offices.

They will be on hand to answer questions from prospective students, transfer students and their parents at the events.

“We look forward to again visiting with prospective students and their families during the tour,” McPhee said.

“It’s a prime opportunity to explain the unique educational experience MTSU offers, and we again invite our many alumni and friends across the state to stop by and help spread the word about our university.”

During the three out-of-state stops, university leaders will emphasize MTSU’s Academic Common Market program. This tuition savings program allows prospective students who live in participating states to qualify for in-state tuition rates for unique academic majors not offered in their home state. Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/acm.

“We think some out-of-state students and parents will find our ACM program very attractive, so this is a great opportunity to spread the word,” said Deb Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services.

MTSU’s admissions counselors will also meet with high school counselors at eight of the tour stops and provide them with campus and program updates.

Each True Blue Tour reception starts at 6 p.m. local time, except for the Nashville stop, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The events are free, but students should register here in advance.

Click on the image to register for the 2015 True Blue Tour.

Fall True Blue Tour reception sites are:

• Sept. 29: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza, Chattanooga.
• Sept. 30: Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta.
• Oct. 19: The Millennium Centre, 2001 Millennium Place, Johnson City.
• Oct. 20: The Foundry on the Fair Site, 747 World’s Fair Park Drive, Knoxville.
• Oct. 22: Renaissance Nashville Hotel, 611 Commerce St., Nashville.
• Nov. 4: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama;
• Nov. 9: The Peabody Memphis, 149 Union Ave., Memphis;
• Nov. 10: The Jackson Country Club, 31 Jackson Country Club Drive, Jackson.
• Nov. 11: Holiday Inn University Plaza, 1021 Wilkinson Trace, Bowling Green, Kentucky;

Freshman students who meet all scholarship criteria, and who complete applications for MTSU admission by no later than Dec. 1, will receive guaranteed awards.

Transfer students who meet all transfer scholarship criteria, and who complete applications for fall admission by no later than Feb. 15, will receive guaranteed awards.

MTSU also is mailing brochures to thousands of Tennessee high school seniors with ACT scores of 19 and higher with an invitation to attend a True Blue Tour stop and visit the Murfreesboro campus, Sells added.

Fall Preview Days have been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 7, starting at 8 a.m. in the Student Union, Sells added. High school and community college students and counselors, as well as parents, can register to attend any MTSU Admissions events by visiting this site.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)