More than 80 new faculty members began their immersion into the Blue Raider community Aug. 21 with the start of the New Faculty Orientation inside MTSU’s College of Education Building.

Orientation began with a visit to a room of informational booths set up by various departments across campus, ranging from the James E. Walker Library to the Department of Public Safety to Parking and Transportation Services.

Gina Hale, a pharmacy technician with MTSU Health Services, shares information with Joonghwa Lee, an incoming School of Journalism professor, during New Faculty Orientation Aug. 21 in the College of Education Building. More than 80 new faculty members are on campus to start the fall semester. (MTSU photo by News and Media Relations)

Rick Carnes, a new songwriting and copyright instructor in the Department of Recording Industry, found his stops at the many booths to be helpful.

“It’s really important to have everything in one place, because finding them individually is almost impossible … not enough time,” he said.

“I was very happy to connect with the creative-writing people,” he added, referring to staffers from the University Writing Center in attendance. “I had seen their website, but didn’t know where they were on campus, so when I found them here, that’s a great resource for me.”

The first day’s schedule included a formal welcome by University Provost Brad Bartel, followed by multiple speakers discussing a variety of topics such as the Faculty Senate, University College, student culture and athletics.

Orientation continued Aug. 22 at Walker Library with opening remarks from President Sidney A. McPhee followed by sessions on topics ranging from master classroom support and ITD faculty services to an overall review of library resources and services.