Long-standing Murfreesboro civic club celebrates impact on MTSU students through scholarships

Rotary Club of Murfreesboro members join staff from Middle Tennessee State University’s Development Office for a group photo with Noon Rotary Club scholarship recipients Nyatuil Tongyik, front row, third from left, and Oscar Meza, front row, second from right, during the club’s special donor appreciation reception hosted recently at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus. (MTSU photo by Brian Delaney)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Rotary Club of Murfreesboro celebrated its inaugural scholarship recipients event this spring at Middle Tennessee State University where Rotarians heard from a duo of recipients about the positive impact of the organization’s financial support.

Held inside the Wood-Stegall Center that houses the university’s Development Office, the after-5 social gave Rotarians the opportunity to meet scholarship recipients Nyatuil Tongyik, a second-year graduate student in the Physician Assistant Studies program from Bethpage, and Oscar Meza, an alum and high school geometry and ESL teacher at Smyrna High.

Middle Tennessee State University alumnus Randy Allen (’01, sociology, political science), center, gives remarks in his role as the current president of the Rotary Club of Murfreesboro during a special donor appreciation reception held recently at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus where club members heard from club scholarship recipients Oscar Meza, left, and Nyatuil Tongyik, right, about the positive impact of their financial support. (MTSU photo illustration; photos by Brian Delaney)

The evening began with the recipients and Rotarians getting acquainted over dinner, then progressed into a short agenda where Tongyik and Meza shared stories about how the scholarship had made a difference in their lives.

Meza referred to the scholarship as an investment and relief.

“It brought back memories from when I was in Interact, the high school version of the Rotary Club,” he said. “The scholarship was a big financial relief, as I was told I could not work during my student teaching.”

From left, Rotary Club of Murfreesboro members Ben Bohanon and Julie Corcoran listen as Middle Tennessee State University student Nyatuil Tongyik, a second-year graduate student in the Physician Assistant Studies program, discusses her academic accomplishments during a special donor appreciation event held in late April at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Photo by Brian Delaney) — From left, Rotary Club of Murfreesboro members Ben Bohannon and Julie Corcoran listen as Middle Tennessee State University student Nyatuil Tongyik, a second-year graduate student in the Physician Assistant Studies program, discusses her academic accomplishments during a special donor appreciation event held in late April at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Photo by Brian Delaney)

Katie Enzor, development director, Murfreesboro Child Advocacy Center (Photo submitted) — Katie Enzor

Katie Enzor, director of development for MTSU’s Honors College and James E. Walker Library, and other campus initiatives, spoke about the purpose of the April 25 event, followed by Randy Allen, MTSU alum and president of the Rotary Club, who shared about the club’s history.

“It is truly a pleasure to thank so many wonderful Rotarians who give back to our community in countless ways,” Enzor said. “I’m honored to host this special gathering on campus and to introduce two of our amazing scholarship recipients. Hearing the inspirational journeys of Nyatuil and Oscar really demonstrates the real impact these scholarships have made.”

In 2008, the club established the Noon Rotary Club Scholarship to support MTSU students. In honor and celebration of their 100^th anniversary in 2019, the club raised over $100,000 for the scholarship that continues to grow.

Andrew Peck, left, the incoming president for the Murfreesboro Noon Rotary Club, talks with scholarship recipient and Smyrna High School teacher Oscar Meza, center, and Rotary Club member Ben Bohannon during the club’s special donor appreciation reception hosted recently at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus. (MTSU photo by Brian Delaney)

Andrew Peck, the club’s incoming president-elect, said the scholarship was significant, “it’s important to invest in our community, and this is not only investing in MTSU, but investing in those that are going to help us in the future.”

Rotarians, including over 20 MTSU alumni, are involved in various annual fundraising activities.

“For our club, it’s the pancake breakfast in December,” said Lisa Nolen, MTSU alumna and Rotary Club of Murfreesboro treasurer. “It’s a combination of fundraising and community engagement.”

Although MTSU students have benefited from the scholarship for almost 20 years, building professional and civic connections with the students is the club’s top priority.

“The goal is to strengthen that connection, build that relationship, and help us connect back to the scholarship’s intent to assist students with their journey to graduation. And so tonight was a start,” said Allen.

Middle Tennessee State University alumnus Randy Allen, president of the Murfreesboro Noon Rotary Club, is shown with Katie Enzor, development director for MTSU's Honors College and James E. Walker Library, during the club’s special donor appreciation reception hosted recently at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus. (MTSU photo by Brian Delaney) — Middle Tennessee State University alumnus Randy Allen, president of the Murfreesboro Noon Rotary Club, is shown with Katie Enzor, development director for MTSU’s Honors College and James E. Walker Library, during the club’s special donor appreciation reception hosted recently at the Wood-Stegall Center on the MTSU campus. (MTSU photo by Brian Delaney)

Rotarians are guided by four questions they call the “four-way test,” which ask:

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Contact Enzor at katie.enzor@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-5329 to learn about scholarship initiatives. Visit the MTSU Development Office website at https://development.mtsu.edu/types-of-gifts/ to learn about types of gifts, including scholarship endowments.

— Johari Hamilton (Johari.Hamilton@mtsu.edu)