MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — When Gamze Mert arrived at Middle Tennessee State University from a community college in Virginia, she was looking for opportunity. What she found was a launching pad.

“I remember my first week at MTSU thinking, ‘So this is what people mean by college life,’” said Mert, an international student from Turkey who came to MTSU through the prestigious Buchanan Transfer Fellowship honors scholarship.

Mert turned possibility into action, becoming a familiar face across campus through a wide range of activities, serving as an Honors College Ambassador and as cofounder and president of the Turkish Student Association. “I love all the friendships I found through social events and student organizations,” she said. 

Now with a psychology degree in hand, Mert joins more than 2,500 proud new Blue Raider alumni who received their degrees during three ceremonies held Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, inside Murphy Center as thousands of family, friends and supporters celebrated this academic milestone for the first graduating class of 2026.

Of the 2,566 graduates, 2,174 were undergraduates and 392 were graduate students, including 340 master’s recipients, 26 education-specialist recipients and 26 doctoral recipients. In addition, 10 graduate students received graduate certificates, according to the Registrar’s Office.

‘Step out of your comfort zone’

In his first commencement since announcing his retirement at the end of the year, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee applauded the newest graduates for their decision to become an integral part of a growing Blue Raider family worldwide and maintain MTSU’s status as the No. 1 provider of graduates to the Greater Nashville area. And for the seventh straight year, MTSU was named among the best colleges in the country by the Princeton Review.

“With today’s ceremony, you are now part of the distinguished history and tradition of this great institution,” McPhee said. “We look forward to seeing the far-reaching impact as you apply what you have learned during your studies.”

In remarks at the Friday, May 8, ceremony, state Sen. Dawn White, an MTSU College of Education alumna, shared insights from her personal journey with graduates — from MTSU student and graduate to classroom teacher at Black Fox Elementary School in Murfreesboro to small business owner to state lawmaker in her second term serving District 13 in the Tennessee General Assembly.

“So often in life, you will be presented with opportunities or faced with challenges, the true impact of which may not be immediately evident. As difficult as it may be, when the unexpected arises, avoid the urge to cling to the safety of the status quo and at least explore the possibilities awaiting you in the years ahead,” White said.

“Step out of your comfort zone and embrace opportunities to take on new challenges and opportunities to serve others and your community, wherever you choose to live. I can testify that you will never regret doing so.”

First-generation graduate Nicholas Perrone made the most of his opportunities at MTSU. A double major in political science and economics, with a minor in writing, he was heavily involved in extracurricular activities and served as president of the legal studies society, an experience that led him to realize he wanted to attend law school. 

Perrone also participated in MTSU’s mock trial team, where he received two outstanding witness awards, while being a member of numerous honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Gamma Iota Sigma Risk Management and Insurance Academic Fraternity. 

Perrone also served as a student leader on campus as a College of Liberal Arts Emissary. In that role, Perrone attended various events and shared his experiences at MTSU both inside and outside the classroom, including studying various financial and insurance markets in London, France and Germany during a study abroad trip.

“I enjoy sharing my stories with prospective students interested in attended MTSU, as well as those particularly interested in attending MTSU, as well as those particularly interested in the Political and Global Affairs Program,” he said. “I cannot thank the PGA faculty enough for helping him grow academically and professionally over the years.”

Perrone completed two internships, including with the Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office, adding he “cannot wait to make practicing law a reality” and plans to attend law school out of state in the fall.

‘The future of Tennessee’s economy’

Stuart C. McWhorter, deputy governor and commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, told Saturday morning graduates that they represented the state’s future. More than 70% of MTSU graduates remain in Tennessee.

“Tennessee’s greatest economic advantage is not a building, a highway, or a tax policy. Our greatest advantage is our workforce. It is people like the graduates sitting here today — talented, motivated individuals who are ready to contribute, innovate, and lead,” he said.

McWhorter offered graduates four principles he’s followed that could help them navigate life beyond campus: find mentors and learn from them; be prepared; think and act like an owner; and give something back.

“The future of Tennessee’s economy will not be determined only in government offices or corporate boardrooms. It will be determined by the choices made by people like you — healthcare professionals, counselors, educators, communicators, public servants, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. You have the opportunity to help shape what comes next for this state,” he said.

‘AI is not going to change that’

Saturday afternoon speaker Scott Borchetta, founder, chairman, and CEO of Big Machine Records, told graduates — many of whom with degrees from the academic college that now holds his name — that they are the storytellers and content creators of the future who should embrace the emergence of streaming and artificial intelligence in creative spaces. It’s something he tells his current artists.

“Streaming is here. It’s not going away, and you mustn’t be afraid of it. You must understand it’s a delivery tool and one that you have to embrace and understand how to use,” he said.

“Now, with AI, this is admittedly a much bigger genie, and it ain’t getting back in the bottle. But it is a tool, and we mustn’t be afraid of it. What I tell my artists is this — because most of them that are over 30 years old are deathly afraid of it — AI is a tool.  A tool unused is like a fine instrument, unopened, still sitting in its case. Your generation, you have the opportunity to use the most high-powered intelligence ever created. What are you going to do with it?”

MTSU unveiled the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment at the start of the academic year, renaming the world-renowned institution in honor of Borchetta’s ongoing commitment to provide state-of-the-art technology and hands-on training to its students.

Borchetta told graduates “that the people who thrive are the people who invested in and trusted their own judgment and vision, in their own taste, their own instinct. Your judgment cannot be disrupted. Your taste cannot be automated. The mechanisms change. If they do, you adapt.”

“… Here’s a warning. Invest in the skill and art of creation and not the platform or the system. Platforms and systems come and go. What is still the most valuable commodity is great content, great storytelling. AI is not going to change that. No matter the platform, content is king,” he said.

‘MTSU has amazing opportunities’

Graduate Mert’s social engagement also bled into her penchant for academic research, earning her recognition through the Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity, or URECA program, and serving as treasurer of the Student Organization for the Advancement of Research, or SOAR.

“MTSU has amazing opportunities for a student wanting to go into research, and I believe I made the most out of every one of them,” said Mert, who gained experience in the Cognitive Aging Lab in the Department of Psychology.

Faculty mentorship helped shape her next step. In the fall, Mert will begin a graduate program in developmental, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Houston.

“The professors and staff are always ready to help you beyond the classroom,” Mert said. “I hope other students will also dig deeper into their program and department, making connections and finding new paths.”

In case you missed it

You can access a full PDF version of the commencement program.

For those who were unable to attend in person, the ceremonies were live-streamed, with recordings available on the livestream channel,  True Blue TV, the university’s Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

With the spring 2026 commencement ceremony in its 115^th academic year, MTSU has awarded approximately 194,644 degrees to its students, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degrees, since its 1911 founding.

MTSU spring semester classes ended April 29. Final examinations conclude Thursday, May 7, with the official end of the spring semester. The summer 2026 full-term classes begin May 18.

For updates on MTSU anytime, visit https://mtsu.edu or https://MTSUNews.com.  

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu), Nancy DeGennaro (nancy.degennaro@mtsu.edu), DeAnn Hays, (deann.hays@mtsu.edu), Mike Davis (Michael.Davis2@mtsu.edu)