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2024 Convocation welcomes new MTSU students Aug. 2...

2024 Convocation welcomes new MTSU students Aug. 24 in Murphy Center

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Convocation at Middle Tennessee State University later this week will bring thousands of new students and many of their families to campus to kick off the 2024-25 academic year.

The public is welcome to attend Convocation, a free event, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in Murphy Center. Parking will be available in the Greenland Drive and other nearby lots. For building location and parking visit https://www.mtsu.edu/parking and click on the map tab. The event will stream live at https://mtsu.edu/live.

With MTSU top administrators, deans and faculty representatives in attendance wearing their academic regalia, Convocation will be part of events welcoming freshmen and transfer students to begin the academic year.

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU president
Dr. Sidney A. McPhee
Dr. Laurie Witherow, associate vice provost for Admissions and Enrollment Services
Dr. Laurie Witherow

“Convocation is an important event for our new students and their families, and for us as a community,” said Laurie Witherow, vice provost for Enrollment Services in the Division of Academic Affairs

“It’s our New Year’s Eve in a way, the start of a new school year and a big adventure for our newest transfer students and members of the MTSU Class of 2028,” she added. “This will be the 23rd year we will welcome students this way into the MTSU community of learners, the True Blue family.” 

Middle Tennessee State University Student Government Association President Michai Mosby welcomes new students in August 2023 during the 22nd annual University Convocation in Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. In his second term as SGA president, Mosby, a senior from Memphis, Tenn., will again address new students at this year’s Convocation starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in Murphy Center. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)
Middle Tennessee State University Student Government Association President Michai Mosby welcomes new students in August 2023 during the 22nd annual University Convocation in Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. In his second term as SGA president, Mosby, a senior from Memphis, Tenn., will again address new students at this year’s Convocation starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in Murphy Center. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Convocation is hosted by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee. Student Government Association President Michai Mosby will lead the students in reciting the True Blue Pledge. Members of the Band of Blue will perform the national anthem, and an overhead group photo of students will be taken at the conclusion of the event.

Convocation will feature Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen,” the summer reading book for new students. 

Middle Tennessee State University’s Class of 2027 and new transfer students gather on the court in Monte Hale Arena in Murphy Center to pose for a class photograph following the 22nd annual University Convocation in August 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This year, new students will hear from Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen,” the summer reading book for new students, during the Saturday, Aug. 24, event to start the 2024-25 academic year. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)
Middle Tennessee State University’s Class of 2027 and new transfer students gather on the court in Monte Hale Arena in Murphy Center to pose for a class photograph following the 22nd annual University Convocation in August 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This year, new students will hear from Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen,” the summer reading book for new students, during the Saturday, Aug. 24, event to start the 2024-25 academic year. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)
"Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen" book title
The cover of 2024 MTSU Convocation speaker Firoozeh Dumas’ book, the summer reading selection for new students. (Submitted)
Convocation will feature Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen,” the summer reading book for new students. 
Firoozeh Dumas

An Amazon.com review says Dumas “mines her rich Persian heritage in Laughing Without an Accent, sharing stories both tender and humorous on being a citizen of the world, on her well-meaning family, and on amusing cultural conundrums, all told with insights into the universality of the human condition.”

“Firoozeh Dumas, winner of the Spirit of America award, is our Convocation speaker,” Witherow said. “The excitement in the arena will come from the promise all these new students bring to our campus.” 

The reading program, a service of the Distinguished Lecture Committee, was created in 2002 to provide students with books that affirm the importance of reading for a successful and fulfilling life and opportunities to interact with critically acclaimed authors.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 26, marking the start of the MTSU fall 2023 semester.

Part of more than 3,000 people in attendance, new Middle Tennessee State University students and their parents and family members recite the True Blue Pledge during University Convocation in Murphy Center in August 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The 23rd annual University Convocation will be held starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in Murphy Center. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)
Part of more than 3,000 people in attendance, new Middle Tennessee State University students and their parents and family members recite the True Blue Pledge during University Convocation in Murphy Center in August 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The 23rd annual University Convocation will be held starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in Murphy Center. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

An active weekend

Before Saturday’s Convocation, Dumas will autograph copies of her book during the President’s Back to School Bash, an effort led by New Student and Family Programs, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, in the Quad area outside Keathley University Center.

Following Convocation, students and their families will join the public invited to Blue Raider Fan Day in Floyd Stadium.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 26, marking the start of the MTSU fall 2024 semester.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

Middle Tennessee State University’s Class of 2027 and new transfer students gather on the court in Monte Hale Arena in Murphy Center to pose for a class photograph following the 22nd annual University Convocation in August 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This year, new students will hear from Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen,” the summer reading book for new students, during the Saturday, Aug. 24, event to start the 2024-25 academic year. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)
Middle Tennessee State University’s Class of 2027 and new transfer students gather on the court in Monte Hale Arena in Murphy Center to pose for a class photograph following the 22nd annual University Convocation in August 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This year, new students will hear from Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen,” the summer reading book for new students, during the Saturday, Aug. 24, event to start the 2024-25 academic year. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)


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