Hundreds of MTSU students converged outside the Student Union Tuesday and Wednesday to sample free food, win a few prizes and learn more about the myriad services offered on campus and in their community at the ‘Meet Murfreesboro’ event.

Hundreds of MTSU students turned out Wednesday, Aug. 28, for the Meet Murfreesboro event at the Student Union Commons area. Area businesses and organizations set up information booths to share their services with interested students. (Photos by MTSU News and Media Relations)

“I think it’s pretty cool that you get to do this event. It kind of gives us a look around Murfreesboro and see where everything’s (located),” said Blayne Nguyen, a sophomore computer information major from Hendersonville, Tenn.

Fall classes started Monday for most MTSU students, with thousands of them moving into campus dorms and housing or nearby apartments within recent days while others began commuting to campus from local residences and nearby communities.

A part of the full slate of the university’s Week of Welcome activities, the two-day Meet Murfreesboro event featured representatives from a wide variety of local businesses and organizations who set up display tables beneath two large tents on the Student Union Commons.

Coordinated by the university’s New Student and Family Programs within the division of Student of Affairs, the event allowed businesses to share informational brochures about their services as well as let students take advantage of coupons, discounts and free samples.

“It shows us a whole bunch of discounts and things like that,” said Josh Bartow, a junior business and finance major also from Hendersonville. “It helps you know what you need, what you want, and it’s easy all in one spot.”

Lightning’s Locker Room was among the businesses with a booth a the Meet Murfreesboro event Wednesday, Aug. 28, at MTSU.

Among businesses who set up booths at the event were Cornerstone Financial Credit Union, Stones River Mall, T-Mobile, Pizza Hut, Fulin’s, Xfinity, Pregnancy Support Center of Murfreesboro and Bibles for America, just to name a few.

“It’s a way for you to experience what Murfreesboro has to offer,” said Breyana Beverley, a sophomore pre-nursing major from Murfreesboro making the rounds with fellow ‘Boro resident Michael Joyner, a sophomore business management major.

“It’s a lot of stuff around here that I’ve actually never heard about. It’s a way for me to see what else there is,” Beverley said.

Upcoming Week of Welcome events include a university department fair Thursday, Aug. 29, a volunteer fair featuring nonprofits Tuesday, Sept. 3, and a student organization fair Wednesday, Sept. 4. For times and locations, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome_nsfp.php.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)