MTSU interior architecture students take top prize in True Blue Core Program pin contest

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Two Middle Tennessee State University interior architecture students took top prize in a lapel pin contest for True Blue Core, the newly revamped general education program.

“We conceived the idea for organizing a pin design contest to engage current MTSU students with the True Blue Core and to showcase student talent,” said Susan Myers-Shirk, director of MTSU General Education/True Blue Core.

The restructured core curriculum sets a foundation for student success throughout their undergraduate coursework and provides them with interdisciplinary skills to complement their major.

Graduating seniors Kali Sizemore and Caroline Ayotte, both interior architecture majors, won first place and a $100 gift card for their design, which will be released in August — just in time for the fall semester. After graduating, they plan to start their own branding business.

Graduating Middle Tennessee State University seniors Caroline Ayotte, left, and Kali Sizemore won first place for their lapel pin design for True Blue Core, the newly revamped general education program at MTSU, located in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The design will be released in August. (Submitted photo)

Addison Conley, a senior majoring in journalism and visual communication, won second place and a $75 gift card. She drew her inspiration from the True Blue Core focus on foundational skills for students.

Middle Tennessee State University senior Addison Conley won second place for her lapel pin design for True Blue Core, the newly revamped general education program at MTSU, located in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Submitted photo)

Bethany Gach, a sophomore majoring in music business, garnered third place and a $50 gift card for her design that is based on the True Blue Core logo.

Middle Tennessee State University sophomore Bethany Gach won third place for her lapel pin design for True Blue Core, the newly revamped general education program at MTSU, located in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Submitted photo)

“We got some great entries, but our winners really did their research and gave us creative designs that aligned with the core purpose and values,” Myers-Shirk said.

After a five-year process, True Blue Core was unveiled in February at a launch party and program held in the Sam H. Ingram Building on campus. The revised curriculum serves as the groundwork for academic, professional and personal success as well as informed civic engagement and lifelong learning.

True Blue Core launches this year with the new 2024-25 catalog.

Curriculum categories were restructured with new student outcomes that include written communication, information literacy, nonwritten communication, quantitative literacy, critical thinking, inquiry and analysis, intercrural understanding and civic learning.

Guidelines for courses are based on market research and designed to provide students with the relevant skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their majors, careers and beyond.

The True Blue Core pins align with MTSU’s Button Campaign, which was started in 2013 to offer tangible, collectible items that served as mementos for campus academic and civic organizations and events.

Each year, new designs are unveiled for students to collect and display. This is the inaugural design for True Blue Core.

To learn more about True Blue Core, visit https://mtsu.edu/truebluecore/. You can also follow True Blue Core on Instagram and Facebook.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)