MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The May episode of “Out of the Blue,” Middle Tennessee State University’s television program, takes a closer look at the people and projects helping shape MTSU today: from longtime campus leadership to new creative spaces and successful alumni.

This month’s episode highlights how the university continues to grow and evolve, both in the classroom and behind the scenes, while giving viewers a look inside the Center for Educational Media’s newly updated studio that serves as the home base for the signature True Blue TV program.

This month’s guests were interviewed by program host Andrew Oppmann, vice president of the Division of Marketing and Communications, to christen the show’s brand-new set.

May’s guests include:

• Mark Byrnes, provost and chief academic officer, reflects on his long history with MTSU and the changes he’s seen over the years. A Murfreesboro native who joined the faculty in 1991, Byrnes shares how both the university and the surrounding community have grown.

He also talks about MTSU’s more than 330 academic programs and the university’s continued focus on supporting students through new opportunities and academic growth.

• Karli Sutton, reporter for True Blue TV, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Center for Educational Media’s new “Out of the Blue” set. Designed by an MTSU alumna and built by CEM staff, the updated studio brings a fresh look to the longtime program.

Sutton also touches on how the project came together and highlights the hands-on experience students gain while working in the center.

• Nic Dugger, an MTSU alumnus, shares how his time at the university helped launch his career in television and live event production. Now serving as executive director of the Mid-South Emmy Awards, Dugger stays closely connected to MTSU.

He also talks about how students continue to be involved in the annual Emmy Awards.

You can watch the full episode below:

Ways to watch, listen

• “Out of the Blue” is available anytime on the university’s YouTube channel, the True Blue TV channel, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

• It also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; NewsChannel5+ at 6:30 p.m. Sundays; WKRN+ at 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon Sundays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month; and on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.

• It is also available as a podcast on iTunes and Google Play and as individual interview segments on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

Watch previous episodes of “Out of the Blue” at https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue.

— Karli Sutton (Karli.Sutton@mtsu.edu)