New, returning MTSU students ‘Meet Murfreesboro’ on campus

New and returning Middle Tennessee State University students are discovering a little bit more about Murfreesboro this week.

Hundreds of students will learn about local businesses, churches, restaurants and more during the event known as Meet Murfreesboro.

New and returning MTSU students take time out of their day to attend Meet Murfreesboro Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the Student Union Commons. Several dozen local businesses, churches, restaurants and more are participating in the New Student and Family Programs-sponsored event. Day 2 will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt) — New and returning MTSU students take time out of their day to attend Meet Murfreesboro Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the Student Union Commons. Several dozen local businesses, churches, restaurants and more are participating in the News Student and Family Programs-sponsored event. Day 2 will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Meet Murfreesboro is an annual two-day session where MTSU students, faculty and staff can learn more about Murfreesboro-area businesses. Day 2 will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Donut Country, Kroger, French’s Shoes & Boots, the Tennessee Department of Health, Smoothie King, Middle Tennessee Electric and others brought free items, coupons for discounts and even job opportunities to campus.

William Smith, 18, left, an MTSU freshman Concrete Industry Management major from Memphis, Tenn., receives a card for a free box of doughnuts from Murfreesboro Donut Country owner Kristy Davis Tuesday, Aug. 23, during the annual Meet Murfreesboro event in the Student Union Commons. At Meet Murfreesboro, new and returning students can learn about a variety of local businesses, including restaurants, and what they have to offer. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

“It means the world to us,” said Kristy Davis, an MTSU alumna and co-owner of Donut Country with her husband, Bo Davis, talking about the importance of the partnership.

“So many people locally come to MTSU that have had Donut Country doughnuts for years, then you have all of the people that have come from other places who don’t know about Donut Country, so it’s fun to introduce our doughnuts and ourselves to them.”

“I really like it (Meet Murfreesboro),” said Alma Spivey, a junior business administration major from Murfreesboro. “It gives us the opportunity to meet a lot of places in Murfreesboro, like new businesses. Some of them told me about job opportunities. I think it’s a great idea.”

MTSU student Mariah Higgenbottom, left, a child development and family studies major from Memphis, Tenn., senior biology major Kennedy Harper of Memphis, junior business administration major Alma Spivey of Murfreesboro and Alayna Root, a junior biology major from Thompson’s Station, Tenn., take turns pulling a rubber duck out of the child’s pool to see if they won a prize during Meet Murfreesboro Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the Student Union Commons. The event continues from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Anterio Booker, 20, an MTSU freshman from Memphis, Tennessee, who is undecided on a major and a 2020 Siegel High School graduate, called Meet Murfreesboro “a great experience, especially if you are looking for jobs. Every section is hiring and they are giving you useful information that you need and also giving out free things. Who wouldn’t like free things?

Organized by the Office of New Student and Family Programs, Meet Murfreesboro is a Connection Point activity, helping new MTSU students get connected and engaged in the campus community.

—Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)