In looking back over her academic experience at MTSU, graduating senior Jessica Shotwell sees a rich adventure that allowed her to grow as a student and as a person from the first day she stepped on campus as a freshman.

“I can definitely say I’ve learned a lot since then,” said Shotwell, president of the Iota Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, who credited her involvement with the sorority for teaching her about the importance of serving others. “I’m now stronger and wiser than the freshman Jessica Shotwell.”

“When I think about what I’ll miss the most here at MTSU,” she added, “the word that comes to mind is ‘community.’”

MTSU graduate student Adekunle Afolabi, who is getting his master’s in engineering technology this spring, receives his medallion from Daniel Green, director of intercultural and diversity affairs, at the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception at the Tom H. Jackson Building. (MTSU photos by Jimmy Hart)

The sociology major from Memphis, Tennessee, shared those reflections and more before a capacity crowd during the recent spring Intercultural Graduation Reception hosted by the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs and presented by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership.

These special medallions await graduating minority seniors attending the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception at the Tom H. Jackson Building

Held April 19 inside the Tom H. Jackson Building, the reception is an opportunity to recognize minority students scheduled to graduate during upcoming May commencement ceremonies. MTSU’s overall enrollment is 34 percent minority; African-American students make up 20 percent, while Asian and Hispanic students make up roughly 5 percent each.

Keynote speaker for the event was Class of 1990 alumna and banking executive Latrisha Jemison, senior vice president and regional community affairs manager for Regions Bank.

A mass communication major while at MTSU, Jemison shared how the economy was weak when she graduated and jobs weren’t easy to find. She happened to end up in banking, an odd career path for someone who says she wasn’t that good at math and didn’t even know how to balance her checkbook at the time.

But through hard work and diligence, she caught the eye of a bank manager who trained her so well that she eventually became branch manager. Her career continued to rise.

“It’s not just about getting a job,” she said. “It’s about keeping a job and building a career.”

MTSU Class of 1990 alumna and banking executive Latrisha Jemison, senior vice president and regional community affairs manager for Regions Bank, makes a point during her keynote address at the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception at the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Jemison urged the 80-plus graduates in attendance to keep an open mind about their careers and be coachable, keeping in mind that “you don’t know everything.” She also reminded them the importance of networking, first impressions and building a personal brand that makes them stand out from the crowd.

Dr. Deb Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services, also gave brief remarks, congratulating the graduates on reaching this critical milestone in their academic journeys.

“Where you choose to go to school will change your life, so you’ve made a great choice,” she said. “But where you choose to go to school will change the school you become a part of, and that’s so true for you. You have made MTSU a better place.

“You have challenged us, you’ve challenged your faculty, you’ve challenged each other … you have paved the way for the classes that are going to come behind you, and they’re already out there.”

Daniel Green, director of intercultural and diversity affairs, presented the attending students with special medallions to conclude the ceremony, which was followed by light refreshments in Cantrell Hall.

For more information about the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, visit www.mtsu.edu/idac, email ida@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-5812.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)

These special medallions await graduating minority seniors attending the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception at the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Daniel Green, director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, welcomes students to the 2017 Intercultural Graduation Reception held April 19 in the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Dr. Deb Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services, congratulates graduating students at the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception.

MTSU senior Kenneth Anthony makes remarks as master of ceremony at the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception at the Tom H. Jackson Building.

MTSU senior Jessica Shotwell of Memphis, president of the Iota Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, reflects on her MTSU experience during the April 19 Intercultural Graduation Reception at the Tom H. Jackson Building.