MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — “Out of the Blue,” Middle Tennessee State University’s monthly television magazine program, turns its focus to the families who call MTSU home in its November episode, highlighting the connections that make the campus feel like a community.

My goal for this piece was to illustrate how much the idea of “family” shapes life at MTSU. As I talked with parents, students, and faculty, it became clear that many people feel a strong sense of belonging here. From families who stay involved through the Parent and Family Association to faculty whose own children choose to attend, this story highlights the connections that make MTSU feel like home.

The story features interviews with Katherine Mills from the Parent and Family Association, mother-daughter duo Amelia and Ava Bozeman, and father-daughter duo Lee and Amy Wade, each offering their own perspective on what makes MTSU feel like home and how family connections shape the Blue Raider experience.

“If you ask new students why they chose MTSU, so many of them say it is because it felt like home,” said Mills. “Faculty and staff take the time to talk with them and get to know them, and that sense of care is what makes them feel like they are part of a family here.”

The Bozemans say that sharing the MTSU experience has strengthened their bond in a way they both appreciate.

“When Ava said she wanted to come to MTSU, I was thrilled, because I know what a great place this is and I knew she would be supported here,” said Amelia, an alumna and lecturer in the Jones College of Business. Ava agrees, adding, “It’s nice having those little moments when we see each other on campus. It makes the day feel lighter, and it reminds me that I have a space here.”

The Wades say that sharing the same campus has created a meaningful connection between their everyday routines.

“I’ve been bringing Amy to MTSU since she was little, so seeing her here as a student is something I’m really proud of,” said Lee, a criminal justice professor and associate dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Amy appreciates having her dad nearby, but in his own role on campus.

“Sometimes I stop by his office after class, and we talk about whatever is going on,” she said. “It’s comforting to know I have that support here, and it gives us something special to share.”

Watch the segment below:

Working on this piece reminded me that the families at MTSU represent much more than individual stories. They show how connection, support, and shared experiences create a true sense of home on this campus.

To watch, listen

• “Out of the Blue” is available anytime on the university’s YouTube channel, the True Blue TV channel, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

• It also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; NewsChannel5+ at 6:30 p.m. Sundays; WKRN+ at 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon Sundays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month; and on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.

• It is also available as a podcast on iTunes and Google Play and as individual interview segments on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

Watch previous episodes of “Out of the Blue” at https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue.

— Karli Sutton (Karli.Sutton@mtsu.edu)