MTSU newcomers launch college experience with move to campus dorms

Thousands of Middle Tennessee State University students continue to return to campus this week for the start of the fall semester and 2022-23 academic year starting Sunday, Aug. 21, with University Convocation and the start of classes the next day.

At a slower, calmer pace than in years past, nearly 2,900 students will have completed the move-in to campus housing by the end of the weekend, with move-in day appointments the past two years helping make it a nearly seamless transition.

MTSU freshman Daniel Triggs Jr., left, of Memphis, Tenn., loads a bag onto a cart that will be taken to his dorm room in Corlew Hall Friday, Aug. 19, during a move-in day on campus. His mother, Antionette Triggs, stands in the background and other family members and his roommate assisted with the move. Fall classes will begin Monday, Aug. 22. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt) — MTSU freshman Daniel Triggs Jr., left, of Memphis, Tenn., loads a bag onto a cart that will be taken to his dorm room in Corlew Hall Friday, Aug. 19, during a move-in day on campus. His mother, Antionette Triggs, stands in the background and other family members and his roommate assisted with the move. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Family members and even new roommates helped Kailyn Tucker of Hollow Rock, Tennessee, Elijah Wiseman and Daniel Triggs Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee, and Kendall Durrill of Baltimore, Maryland, bring carloads of essentials — rugs, microwaves, flat-screen televisions, instruments, clothes and more — to their “new homes” in Corlew Hall for the next two semesters.

Off to college

A commercial songwriting major, Triggs, 18, said he’s “ready to move in. This has been my dream school since middle school. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but when I get to my room and I see everything, I think it will kick in. I’m very excited.”

Regarding his major, Triggs “has been doing music since middle school, sixth grade, and I always wanted to get bigger with it. I feel like I’m a good songwriter so I think I can go a long way.” Helping the Crosstown High School graduate move were his mother, Antionette Triggs, father, Daniel Triggs Sr., brother, Demarcus Triggs, and roommate, Christopher Stringer of Memphis.

A family loads items into a bin for a new MTSU student who will be living in Jim Cummings Hall on the MTSU campus. About 2,900 students will be living in MTSU residence halls, including around 850 moving in the final two wrap-up days Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19-20. University classes begin Monday, Aug. 22. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — A family loads items into a bin for a new MTSU student who will be living in Jim Cummings Hall on the MTSU campus. About 2,900 students will be living in MTSU residence halls, including around 850 in the final two wrap-up days Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19-20. University classes begin Monday, Aug. 22. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Tucker, 18, who will be a forensic science major, said MTSU officials have made everything really easy to do (with the move-in). “It’s been easy to find everything here.” She had plenty from other Tuckers — sister Jayde, father Josh, stepmother Samantha and grandmother Susan.

Tucker said she recalls that MTSU “stuck out to me more than other schools. I liked when I toured here. I liked the people that were on tour with me.” She added that she’s always been interested in forensics and hopes to join the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department after graduating.

Wiseman, 17, who will be a computer science major, said he’s “looking forward to earning his degree and starting my career.” In computer science, he “likes building things from scratch with my own skills.” Mom Tanya, dad James and sister Taniya Wiseman aided Elijah’s move-in.

As mom, Sue Durrill, left, unwraps some bedding material, daughter and MTSU freshman Kendall Durrill and father Jeff Durrill of Baltimore, Md., roll out a new rug for the audio production major’s room in Corlew Hall Friday, Aug. 19, during a move-in day on campus. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt) — As mom, Sue Durrill, unwraps some bedding material, daughter and MTSU freshman Kendall Durrill and father Jeff Durrill of Baltimore, Md., roll out a new rug for the audio production major’s room in Corlew Hall Friday, Aug. 19, during a move-in day on campus. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The Durrills — parents Sue and Jeff — assisted daughter Kendall in bringing two carloads of items from Maryland before eventually flying back home and leaving the new MTSU audio production major with the family’s Bronco Sport to attend concerts in Nashville and head home for holidays and school breaks.

Belle Aire Baptist Church volunteers served free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and water to the new students and helpers. Belle Aire hosts “MTSU Sunday” at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 21 at the church, 1307 N. Rutherford Blvd. MTSU cheerleaders crisscrossed campus, helping visitors with directions and answering questions.

University Convocation

University Convocation, the official start to the academic year, will be held starting at 1 p.m. Sunday in Murphy Center and features Andrew Frosthoefel, author of MTSU’s Summer Reading Selection, “Walking to Listen,” as guest speaker. Masks are optional.

Convocation will air live at https://www.mtsu.edu/live, https://facebook.com/mtsublueraiders and https://mtsu.edu/TrueBlueTV.

Forsthoefel will sign copies of his book at the Back to School Bash at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Student Union Commons.