Alabama students rave about MTSU programs at Huntsville recruiting stop

Wearing a Middle Tennessee State University T-shirt and planning to pursue sports media, a prospective MTSU student Kate Varcak, left, and her parents, Dusty and Kevin Varcak, check out the variety of offerings at the table for the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment recently during the True Blue Tour recruiting event at the Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Ala. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Emmalee Holder’s drawn to science. Audio production excites Camarious White.

Holder and White were two of about three dozen Huntsville-area high school prospects and potential transfer students attending the annual Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Tour recruiting event recently at the Westin Hotel.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee addresses the audience attending the recent MTSU True Blue Tour recruiting event at the Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Ala. He shared information about the numerous opportunities available to students at the Murfreesboro, Tenn., university. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

“I just love science and biology,” said Holder, 17, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, a Lincoln County High School senior, who has applied, been admitted and plans to major in microbiology in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. “It’s a beautiful campus. It may be big, but it doesn’t seem big. And it’s close-knit.”

Including Huntsville, the lone out-of-state stop, MTSU admissions staff, university deans, academic advisors and others join President Sidney A. McPhee in engaging prospective students, their parents and counselors in hopes the teenagers and transfer students become future Blue Raiders.

During tour events, they learn about more than 300 degree programs, student success and organizations, caring staff and faculty, a safe campus environment and scholarship opportunities — some on the spot. MTSU admissions staff inform them of the guaranteed scholarship deadlines: Dec. 1 for undergraduate students and March 1, 2026, for transfers.

During the Oct. 30 nighttime student reception, Holder’s name was drawn for a scholarship, and the president increased it to $1,500 for her positive comments and intentions to attend MTSU.

White, 17, of Huntsville, a Bob Jones High School senior, may be able to utilize the Academic Common Market, where audio production in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment is one of the programs not offered in Alabama. Another route for Alabama prospects to pursue to reduce tuition is the Regional Scholars Program.

Becca Smitty, right, Middle Tennessee State University MT One Stop director, provides information and answers questions for a prospective student and his mother attending the MTSU True Blue Tour recruiting event recently at the Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Ala. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

A musician who plays saxophone in the band, White said he enjoys “controlling the sound waves for audio. I like how you have the power to control the beats and how to create the music.” He said he visited MTSU on Saturday, Oct. 25, but has not yet applied. However, the $1,000 scholarship he received may speed up his decision.

Nine students’ names were drawn for scholarships totaling $10,000.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, back row center, is shown with Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee scholarship recipients attending the recent MTSU True Blue Tour recruiting event at the Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Ala. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

$62K in scholarships for counselors

At the luncheon, 22 high school counselors and one technical college representative received a total of $62,000 in scholarships to award to their students.

For sending the most students MTSU’s way, alumna Kelley Nobles, of Fayetteville, a Lincoln County High counselor, received a $5,000 scholarship, and the president added $1,000 more because she and her husband, medical doctor Michael Nobles, are alumni.

“We’ll be able to help at least six students,” Kelley Nobles said. “Every student I have needs money to go to college. Some are thinking about commuting, and it’s not the best drive (U.S. 231) over the ridge. One student is technically homeless, living on a friend’s couch. She knows she’s going to MTSU. Lincoln County is very thankful to MTSU for this generosity.”

After a tour stop back home on campus on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the 2025 True Blue Tour concludes on Thursday, Nov. 13, in Williamson County. Visit https://mtsu.edu/rsvp for details and to register.

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