Inaugural MTSU Admitted Student Day attracts 1,400 to campus event full of options, opportunities

Flanked by Middle Tennessee State University first lady Elizabeth McPhee, left, and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, right, twins Maxine and BiBi Beasley and their mother, Beth Beasley, of Shelbyville, Tenn., hold the “MTSU Bound” yard sign they received while attending Admitted Student Day and a Celebration of Scholars visit to the President’s House Saturday, Feb. 22, on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The twins plan to study graphic design in the College of Liberal Arts. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Camila Reyes acknowledged being “excited about coming” to the inaugural Middle Tennessee State University Admitted Student Day Saturday, Feb. 22.

In Conrad Baltz’s first time to visit MTSU while attending the new student recruitment event, he said he was “pretty excited to see what computer science (his expected major) has to offer.”

A Middle Tennessee State University student holds up a sign for the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences to draw the attention of prospective students interested in the college before they leave the Student Union Ballroom and go to the nearby Academic Classroom Building during Admitted Student Day on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MTSU welcomed more than 1,400 student prospects for the event. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Reyes and Baltz were among more than 1,400 prospective students — plus family members — receiving blue carpet treatment on the campus where they aspire to start their MTSU and college careers in August once they complete their enrollment.

Gina Poff, MTSU New Student and Family Programs director — Gina Poff

Gina Poff, director of New Student and Family Programs, said the turnout — about 80% of preregistration numbers — “was beyond our expectations.”

“They were excited about getting ‘MTSU Bound’ signs, excited about receiving (MTSU) blue cords to wear at their high school graduation showing ‘where I’ve committed to go to college,’” Poff added.

The day included spending time with deans, department chairs, faculty and advisors for academic sessions, some of which included utilizing science technology; they accessed early registration for May’s New to Blue orientation; 1,100 people attended the Blue Raiders’ 74-70 men’s basketball game victory against visiting Sam Houston in Murphy Center; and much more.

Tony Strode, Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate admissions director, welcomes more than 1,400 prospective students and family members to the inaugural Admitted Student Day in the Student Union Ballroom on the campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MTSU’s New Student and Family Programs had a full day of activities planned for the visitors. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Students pursue interests

Reyes, 17, attending with her mother, Cristina Renderos, and father, Billy Reyes, is a senior at Intrepid College Prep in Nashville and plans to study business communications in the Jones College of Business.

Regarding MTSU, which she visited two years ago as a sophomore, Camila Reyes said she marveled at “how big the school is; I’ve heard it’s diverse and I still haven’t seen the business program yet.”

Baltz, 18, of Nashville and a Father Ryan High School senior, also “liked the size and location” of MTSU, he said. He attended with his parents, Josh Baltz and Amy Mullican.

“A great nursing program” is what appealed to Jabariyae Jennings, 18, a senior at The Howard School in Chattanooga, “where I do clinicals at my high school,” she added. “I like the diversity at MTSU.”

In a Middle Tennessee State University biology laboratory in the Science Building on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., prospective students take turns utilizing a microscope. During the Saturday, Feb. 22, Admitted Student Day, some student prospects enjoyed hands-on opportunities at academic sessions in various colleges within the university. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Honors College courts Buchanan Scholars

Dean John Vile and the University Honors College staff courted 20-plus prospective Buchanan Fellows (MTSU’s top academic scholarship for freshmen) for a special breakfast earlier in the day.

Amelia Ferreira, 17, of Clarksville, a Kirkwood High School senior, plans to join her sister, Hannah Ferreira, as a Buchanan Scholar and study environmental science “because I’ve always been interested in this, but I may consider other fields,” she said. As to why attend MTSU, Amelia Ferreira said “MTSU is a nice distance from home and my sister is someone who can show me around.”

Celebration of Scholars

Major scholarship recipients were invited to a Celebration of Scholars event at the President’s House, hosted by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and first lady Elizabeth McPhee.

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