Cadet, British-U.S. Army member claim MTSU graduating veterans’ top fall awards

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — An ROTC cadet with his future ahead of him and a London, England, native with the rare distinction of serving in both the British and U.S. armies earned top awards during the fall 2024 Middle Tennessee State University Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street.

Alexander Hagerman, 23, of Nashville, received the Veteran Leadership Award and James Collins, 33, of Clarksville was presented the Journey Award.

Alexander Hagerman, left, of Nashville, Tenn., a Middle Tennessee State University graduating senior cadet in the Department of Military Science ROTC program, receives the Veteran Leadership Award from Laurie Witherow, MTSU vice provost for enrollment management, Thursday, Dec. 12, during the Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony at the Miller Education Center on Bell Street in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Hagerman, who will graduate Saturday, Dec. 14, with a bachelor’s in business administration in ceremonies in Murphy Center, was commissioned as a second lieutenant Friday, Dec. 12, in a ceremony in the Tom H. Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

They were among 36 graduating senior veterans attending the ceremony. Nearly 70 student veterans will graduate from MTSU with their degrees Saturday, Dec. 14, in commencement ceremonies at Murphy Center.

Hosted by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, it marked the 30thstole ceremony. Stole ceremonies are a tradition for the Daniels Center. Graduating veterans receive special red stoles — a symbol of their military service — to wear at commencement.

Dr. Laurie Witherow, associate vice provost for Admissions and Enrollment Services — Dr. Laurie Witherow

In presenting the award to Hagerman, Laurie Witherow, vice provost for Enrollment Management, said he “has taken on the vital responsibility of training, educating, mentoring and guiding future senior cadets of the (ROTC) program. His dedication to the battalion shines through his strategic planning and facilitation of events and training exercises, ensuring the battalion’s success and readiness.”

Hagerman’s “dream to be an officer started when I was 7,” he said. “An Army recruiter came to my school and I knew, ‘I want to do that.’ This is a culmination of being in the Boy Scouts and ROTC. The award sums up my life: selfless service to others.”

A business administration major in the Jones College of Business with numerous student competition awards to his credit, Hagerman looks to be a transportation officer after earning his commissioning as a second lieutenant in a Friday, Dec. 13, ceremony.

Middle Tennessee State University graduating senior veteran James Collins, left, of Clarksville, Tenn., accepts the Journey Award presented to him Thursday, Dec. 12, by Hilary Miller, director of the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, during the annual fall Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony at the Miller Education Center on Bell Street in Murfreesboro, Tenn. An English major in the College of Liberal Arts, Collins, a native of London, England, has the rare distinction of serving in the British Army and U.S. Army. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Collins, who has endured personal hardships in his journey, said his award, presented by Daniels Center Director Hilary Miller, “was very unexpected, but very MTSU-like to recognize someone who had a tough time and tried to make the best of it. My experience at MTSU has been beautiful. It saved my life.”

In the U.S. since 2018, Collins came to MTSU at the insistence of his sister-in-law. The English major in the College of Liberal Arts plans to pursue his doctorate, possibly at MTSU.

The Journey Award is presented in a partnership with the Journey Home Project, founded by the late country music legend Charlie Daniels.

Nearly 40 Middle Tennessee State University seniors attending the Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony gather for a group photo following the fall Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony, held Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Miller Education Center on Bell Street in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Nearly 70 veterans will graduate Saturday, Dec. 14, in ceremonies at Murphy Center. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Keith M. Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives — Keith M. Huber

“This is a huge accomplishment,” said Keith M. Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, acknowledging their effort to graduate and move to the next chapter of their lives.

Family, friends, alumni, guests and MTSU faculty, staff and administrators attended the event. To learn more about the Daniels Center, call 615-904-8347 or visit https://www.mtsu.edu/military/.

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