MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — From Distinguished Alumni and Golden Raiders to Party in the Grove to the crowning of the king and queen, Middle Tennessee State University’s 2024Homecoming was a blast … except for the outcome of the Homecoming Game.
A huge crowd of students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered for the annual Homecoming Parade and Party in the Grove in Walnut Grove, with food, fun, games and entertainment featuring country music singer-songwriter Brice Long, an MTSU alumnus from the Recording Industry program in the College of Media and Entertainment.
Middle Tennessee State University students in the “Blue Zoo” section in Floyd Stadium on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., whoop it up while cheering on the Blue Raiders in the Saturday, Sept. 21, Homecoming Game against the visiting Duke Blue Devils, who prevailed 45-17. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
A group of “cowgirls” representing the Middle Tennessee State University National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association walk down Middle Tennessee Boulevard during the annual Homecoming Parade Saturday, Sept. 21, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. “Blue Raider Rodeo” was the theme for 2024 Homecoming. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)
With the Western theme of “Blue Raider Rodeo,” the MTSU Alumni Association and Student Government Associationcollaborated on numerous special events leading up to Homecoming Day when everyone gathered to reminisce and enjoy activities for all ages.
The Duke University Blue Devils spoiled things, returning to North Carolina with a 45-17 victory over the Blue Raidersin a game delayed by lightning early in the second half.
The day began with the always popular parade, featuring the Band of Blue and student-prepared floats, and the Mixer on Middle Parade Watching Party at The Alumni House on Middle Tennessee Boulevard.
The Alumni Relations Office coordinated an alumni tailgate Slick Pig barbecue lunch, with Raider Walk —the football Blue Raiders meeting the crowdin Walnut Grove as part of the pregame festivities.
An MTSU Black Alumni Society Homecoming Party, National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show,and Country in the Commons were among other Homecoming Week events.
Senior biology (pre-dental) major Sarah Kamar of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and junior media management major Kevarrius Wright of Somerville were the respective Homecoming Queen and King.
Middle Tennessee State University Homecoming King Kevarrius Wright, left, of Somerville, Tenn., and Queen Sarah Kamar of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, flank Student Government Association President Michai Mosby of Memphis, Tenn., during halftime ceremonies Saturday, Sept. 21, in Floyd Stadium on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MTSU students voted for the king and queen honorees. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
As the Band of Blue performs, a large turnout of Middle Tennessee State University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends converge on Walnut Grove to tailgate and Party in the Grove Saturday, Sept. 21, before the annual Homecoming Game in Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)
Golden Raiders, Distinguished Alumni
• Fifteen Golden Raiders from the Class of 1974 and others from earlier classes gathered for a reunion Friday, Sept. 20, in the Sam H. Ingram Building’s MT Center. They took a bus tour of campus, reminisced with annuals and conversations and returned for a luncheon and induction ceremony led by university President Sidney A. McPhee, who awarded them a special lapel pin and honorary diploma.
Middle Tennessee State University celebrated Golden Raiders from the Classes of 1974 and older Friday, Sept. 20, in the Ingram Building on Middle Tennessee Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Alumni included front row, from left, Jane Holt McCalmont, Bill Crawford, Phyllis Hickerson Washington, Joyce Vaughn, Jerry Hill, Billy E.O. Hardison; and back row, from left, Deborah DeRosier Lasseter, Charles L. Weir, Loretta Wilson, Sue Ann Marlin Johnson, Milbrey Bercik Campbell, Tommy Campbell. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
Celebrating the 2024-25 Middle Tennessee State University Distinguished Alumni on Friday, Sept. 20, in the Ingram Building on Middle Tennessee Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tenn., are from left, Dr. Rob Payne, MTSU Alumni Board president; Dr. Leah Lyons, Citation of Distinction (MTSU faculty); David Ogg, Citation of Distinction (Military); Lexie Phillips, Young Alumni Achievement; Peggy Chabrian, Distinguished Alumnus; Judy Goodwin, Citation of Distinction (non-MTSU educator); Kristen Gallant, Citation of Distinction, Community Service; and university President Sidney A. McPhee. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
• Later Friday, also in Ingram, the 2024-25 MTSU Distinguished Alumni were formally recognized.
They included the Distinguished Alumni (Peggy Chabrian of Port Orange, Florida) and Young Alumni Achievement (Lexie Phillips of Estill Springs) award recipients, plus four individuals who are True Blue Citations of Distinction recipients: MTSU College of Liberal Arts Dean Leah Lyons of Murfreesboro, Judy Goodwin of Murfreesboro, Kristen Gallant of Knoxville, Tennessee, and David Ogg of Murfreesboro. They also were recognized during the game. Read more about this year’s recipients.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
Dressed for the occasion with their cowboy attire, Middle Tennessee State University first lady Elizabeth McPhee and President Sidney A. McPhee, center left, greet first-year football coach Derek Mason, who leads the Blue Raiders through Raider Walk in Walnut Grove on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 21. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
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