MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University 2024 fall Convocation speaker Firoozeh Dumas’s talk and book she wrote that was used as MTSU’s summer reading assignment resonated with freshman Samwaeil Boulesand many others.
“I loved it. I read it in one sitting,” said Boules, 17, of Antioch, a freshman computer science major, talking about her book, “Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen.” “I had been down that day after being told over the phone I was fired (from a job). The book made me forget my troubles.”
A native of Iran now living in Southern California, Dumas spoke at Convocation — the formal start of MTSU’s fall semester and 2024-25 academic year, attracting thousands of new freshmen (Class of 2028) and transfer students (’26) and hosted by university President Sidney A. McPhee in Murphy Center on Saturday, Aug. 24, two days before the start of fall classes on Monday, Aug. 26.
Dumas, who urged students to “erase the slate and gather your own research, be the author of your own life, leave your comfort zone and talk to strangers — other students on campus, professors and cafeteria workers … never pass up the opportunity to spark a conversation.”
Ending her speech, Dumas quoted “one of my favorite humans, who happens to be from Tennessee … the great Dolly Parton, who has done more for literacy in this country than anyone else: ‘You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.’”
“So, be brave,” Dumas added. “Try talking to one another — yep, that takes bravery because you’ve got to leave your comfort zone. And don’t ever let someone else’s fear write your life story.”
Born in Egypt but moving to Nashville with his family at the age of 6 months, Boules said Dumas’s “speech was quite uplifting and the best part of the afternoon.” He met her and shared his inspirational story following Convocation.
McPhee welcomed everyone “to celebrate and honor our newest students for your new beginning, to the new community of scholars and significant new relationships — individuals (faculty) who literally will change your lives.”
Student Government Association President Michai Mosby, who led everyone in reciting the True Blue Pledge of core values, told students “the journey comes with challenges. The load may seem overwhelming, but there’s a support system ready to help. Strive to make an impact.”
Convocation also featured the Band of Blue performing, new Faculty Senate President Suzanne Southerland, a historyprofessor, and Laurie Witherow, vice provost for Enrollment Services.
New football coach Derek Mason, who jokingly said he may be the oldest freshman or transfer student, told them “we’re all going to be successful.” He invited them to Coach Mason’s Party in the Grove at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, in the Walnut Grove area three hours before the Blue Raiders’ home opener at 6 p.m. against Tennessee Tech in Floyd Stadium.
After Convocation, students and their families attended Blue Raider Fan Day in Floyd Stadium, featuring football, women’s soccer and other fall sports teams, games, food and more. For more on Convocation and New Student and Family Programs, visit https://mtsu.edu/nsfp.
Essay winners
Jessie Dicker, 24, of Nashville, a transfer from Nashville State Community College, and freshman Adrian Crain, 19, of Murfreesboro, received a $500 scholarship from McPhee for essays they wrote and chosen by an MT One Stop committee who reviewed 85 entries.
Dicker, who will be a data science major, based her essay on what it means to belong. “I’m grateful to MTSU for the opportunity,” she said. “The $500 (scholarship) is huge.”
Crain, who will be a creative writing major in the College of Liberal Arts, wrote her essay based on ways to creatively express yourself in a new environment. “Being a creative writing major, it’s really special to receive a scholarship.”
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
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