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Memphis, Jackson MTSU recruiting tour student pros...

Memphis, Jackson MTSU recruiting tour student prospects finding their way

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.

A large crowd of prospective students and their family members listen as Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes discusses academic programs, caring faculty and staff and other benefits when considering MTSU as a college choice Oct. 28 during the annual True Blue Tour recruiting event at Esplande Memphis in Cordova, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
A large crowd of prospective students and their family members listen as Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes discusses academic programs, caring faculty and staff and other benefits when considering MTSU as a college choice Oct. 28 during the annual True Blue Tour recruiting event at Esplande Memphis in Cordova, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
Nikki Hunter, second from left, daughter Rhegan Hunter, a senior at Harding Academy, and Robb Hunter of Memphis, Tenn., listen intently as Julie Baker, MT One Stop Enrollment Coordinator II, explains financial aid, scholarship and admissions information during the Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Tour recruiting event Oct. 28 at Esplande Memphis in Cordova, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
Nikki Hunter, second from left, daughter Rhegan Hunter, a senior at Harding Academy, and Robb Hunter of Memphis, Tenn., listen intently as Julie Baker, MT One Stop Enrollment Coordinator II, explains financial aid, scholarship and admissions information during the Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Tour recruiting event Oct. 28 at Esplande Memphis in Cordova, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

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/rsvpWalk-ups are welcome at the free events.

Kiersten Davis

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).

Owen Sorrell

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.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, foreground, speaks with prospective students from South Gibson High School (and their mothers) —Faith Reed, left, Jennifer Bailey Ivy Cianciolo and Lois Cianciolo — Oct. 29 at the MTSU True Blue Tour event at the Jackson Country Club in Jackson, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, foreground, speaks with prospective students from South Gibson High School (and their mothers) —Faith Reed, left, Jennifer Bailey Ivy Cianciolo and Lois Cianciolo — Oct. 29 at the MTSU True Blue Tour event at the Jackson Country Club in Jackson, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
Middle Tennessee State University College of Education Dean Naporcha Cone, right, covers academic offerings for majors with a prospective student and his father at the MTSU True Blue Tour event Oct. 29 at the Jackson Country Club in Jackson, Tenn. Dozens of Jackson-area students and their parents attended the two-hour recruiting event. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
Middle Tennessee State University College of Education Dean Naporcha Cone, right, covers academic offerings for majors with a prospective student and his father at the MTSU True Blue Tour event Oct. 29 at the Jackson Country Club in Jackson, Tenn. Dozens of Jackson-area students and their parents attended the two-hour recruiting event. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Top programs, diversity, dates to remember

Byrnes and McPhee highlighted MTSU’s signature and other programs at the Memphis and Jackson student events.

Mark Byrnes, Provost.
Dr. Mark Byrnes
Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU President
Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

“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, MTSU undergraduate admissions director
Tony Strode

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.

Memphis, Tenn.-area prospective students, whose names were drawn for scholarships, are shown with Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes, center, on Monday, Oct. 28, during the MTSU True Blue Tour visit at the Esplande Memphis event venue in Cordova, Tenn. MTSU awarded $18,000 in scholarships. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
Memphis, Tenn.-area prospective students, whose names were drawn for scholarships, are shown with Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes, center, on Monday, Oct. 28, during the MTSU True Blue Tour visit at the Esplande Memphis event venue in Cordova, Tenn. MTSU awarded $18,000 in scholarships. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

‘Big fan of the school’

M.L. Weber

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.

MTSU 2024-25 National Alumni Association President Rob Payne of Lafayette, Louisiana
Rob Payne

“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.

Tyrone "Tyke T" Stroble
Tyrone “Tyke T” Stroble

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)

High school counselors from the Memphis, Tenn., area receiving scholarships for their students are shown with Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee near the conclusion of a luncheon recognizing them sending students to the Murfreesboro, Tenn., school, Monday, Oct. 28, at Esplande Memphis in Cordova, Tenn. MTSU awarded nearly $108,000 in scholarships to counselors for their students. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)
High school counselors from the Memphis, Tenn., area receiving scholarships for their students are shown with Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee near the conclusion of a luncheon recognizing them sending students to the Murfreesboro, Tenn., school, Monday, Oct. 28, at Esplande Memphis in Cordova, Tenn. MTSU awarded nearly $108,000 in scholarships to counselors for their students. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)


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