John D. Hood, MTSU alumnus and current director of the university’s government and community affairs, was recognized Friday, Sept. 11, by having the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District’s 911 administration and training center named in his honor.

As the 911 center’s longest-standing board member and treasurer, Hood was honored in an unveiling of the signage for his namesake in a livestreamed ceremony held Friday just before the 911 Board meeting at the facility on Fortress Boulevard. The new signage reads the “John D. Hood 911 Administration and Training Center.”

Pictured, from left, are Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency/Public Safety Director Chris Clark, Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Director Steve Smith, Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron, John D. Hood, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks, and retired Murfreesboro Police Department Chief Glenn Chrisman. The Rutherford County 911 center on Fortress Boulevard was named Friday in honor of Hood, the 911 Board’s longest-serving member and treasurer and current director of government relations at MTSU. (Photo by Ashley McDonald/Rutherford County Mayor’s Office)

“We could not think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said RCECD Director Steve Smith in a county news release. “Mr. Hood has been such an incredible figure representing the Rutherford County community over the years, and he has been a tremendous asset to our communications team.”

John Hood

“To say I’m flattered and honored on this occasion would be an understatement,” said Hood during the ceremony, with both the director and Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron, who nominated Hood for the recognition, in attendance. “This community has been good to my family and to me, and I take pleasure in working to make it a better place in which to live.”

He described his work as a “service . . . the rent we pay for the space we occupy on Earth,” and that he’s “just trying to keep my rent covered.”

Watch the ceremony filmed by Rutherford County Government’s RCTV below:

Ketron praised and thanked Hood for his decades of service to the county in a variety of capacities, including as a member of the state House of Representatives and local community service organizations.

Wearing an “I Am True Blue” MTSU polo, Hood counted down the reveal of the sign before unveiling it along with Smith. The director encouraged any who’d like to share virtual congratulations with Hood to do so through the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Facebook page.

After his graduation from MTSU in 1954 in social science, Hood — known by many as “Mr. MTSU” for his longtime support and engagement — later returned as the director of development and then as an assistant to the president while also attaining his master’s degree in education.

Outside of his time at the university and membership on the 911 center’s board, he’s served in the military, worked in radio and banking and held elected office as a state representative for the 48th District. A prominent member of the local community and much sought after event emcee throughout the years, Hood has held his position as MTSU’s director of government and community affairs since 2008.

— Stephanie Barrette (Stephanie.Barrette@mtsu.edu)

In this 1989 clipping from The Daily News Journal, John Hood, left, treasurer of the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (911 Board) presents a $320,000 check to Kenneth Blackburn, corporate affairs manager for South Central Bell, while Steve Lane, director of the project, looks on. The check represents payment to the phone company for equipment needed for the enhanced 911 system which went on-line in February. (Courtesy of the Rutherford County Mayor’s Office)

In this undated newspaper clipping from The Daily News Journal, pictured, from left, are Tim Hawkins, John Hood, Mayor Joe B. Jackson, County Executive John Mankin, Steve Lane, emergency management director, and Neal King showing their support for the 911 emergency number on the ballot as a referendum. (Courtesy of the Rutherford County Mayor’s Office)

In this file photo from the American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast, John D. Hood, center, is pictured with Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Director Steve Smith, right, and Assistant Director Cassie Lowery. (Photo courtesy of the Rutherford County Mayor’s Office)