MEMPHIS and JACKSON, Tenn. — Kiersten Davis of Memphis and Owen Sorrell of Humboldt appear to know where their futures lie — and Middle Tennessee State University is on their radar.
Davis, 17, a senior at White Station High School, and Sorrell, 17, who is homeschooled through Home Life Academy, were among several hundred students attending the recent MTSU True Blue Tour events at the respective Esplande Memphis venue in Cordova and Jackson Country Club.
The tour is part of a three-month, 13-city visit by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, Provost Mark Byrnes, admissions recruiters, advisors and other staff to recruit future Blue Raiders for 2025 and beyond.
Final stops include Nashville on Thursday, Nov. 7; Shelbyville on Monday, Nov. 18; and Wilson County/Lebanon onThursday, Nov. 21. To register, go to https://www.mtsu.edu/rsvp. Walk-ups are welcome at the free events.
Davis, who plans to study biochemistry in hopes of becoming a physician, has visited the Murfreesboro campus, which “has a small campus feel and I really like the flat landscape. There were friendly people. I remember how welcoming it felt.” She qualifies for a True Blue Scholarship ($3,500 per year with a 3.5 or higher GPA and 22 to 24 ACT, which she plans to retake).
With a nearly 4.0 GPA and 30 composite ACT, Sorrell plans to apply for an Honors College Buchanan Fellowship, the top university scholarship awarded to MTSU freshmen annually, and study political science and history, in wanting to pursue prelaw.
“I like the campus location, and MTSU has good history and political science programs,” said Sorrell, who has applied and “looking for a date to visit.” He has been taking English composition, algebra and introduction to sociology dual enrollment courses through Union University in Jackson.
Top programs, diversity, dates to remember
Byrnes and McPhee highlighted MTSU’s signature and other programs at the Memphis and Jackson student events.
“We have exceptional faculty and staff,” he added. “We have a diverse (35%) student population from nearly 75 countries. Fifty-six percent are transfer students. It’s a safe, beautiful campus.”
McPhee told counselors and community college staff about a 50% discount they would receive for their first graduate class through the College of Graduate Studies.
Tony Strode, director of Undergraduate Admissions, shared about the Dec. 1 deadline for qualifying students to apply for guaranteed scholarships and upcoming True Blue Preview campus Saturday visit days: Feb. 8 and March 22, 2025.
McPhee told counselors and community college staff about a 50% discount they would receive for their first graduate class through the College of Graduate Studies.
‘Big fan of the school’
Sporting an MTSU blue sweatshirt, 11th year college counselor M.L. Weber of St. Agnes Academy in Memphis says she’s “a big fan of the school. I would send everybody to MTSU if I could. … Kids go there, they graduate and they’re successful
“I really appreciate the school. The scholarship (we received) will help some students decide if they want to go to MTSU.” A counselor at Freedom Prep in 2023-24, Weber said she “was able to send two more students to MTSU (this year) because of the scholarship.”
Strong alumni presence
MTSU 2024-25 National Alumni Association President Rob Payne drove from Lafayette, Louisiana, to attend the Jackson and Memphis student receptions.
“This was fun. It’s great,” said Payne (Class of 1997), an animal nutritionist who earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the School of Agriculture, discussing the tour student receptions. “We are right down the road in Louisiana. Memphis and Jackson are easy to get to.”
Seeing the scholarship giveaways and hearing about guaranteed admission and guaranteed scholarships “shows how more accessible they are today from when I was a first-generation student from Smyrna,” he added.
Payne counts professor Omri Rawlins, retired Farm Lab Director Tim Redd and recently retired Fermentation ScienceDirector Tony Johnston and the late Harley Foutch among mentoring faculty pushing his research along.
Alum Tyrone “Tyke T” Stroble (Class of 2010) of Memphis, who will be featured entertainment during Party in the Grove Saturday, Nov. 9, in Walnut Grove on campus as part of the 42nd annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forcesgame activities, spoke at the Memphis student reception.
Alumna Emily Yates (’11) spoke briefly to counselors in Memphis. She is director of marketing and creative services for WHBQ-TV/Fox 13 in Memphis.
Alum Will Shull (’10) was part of 12 Jackson State Community College representatives attending the counselors’ luncheon in Jackson. He is director of advising.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
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