2,500-plus MTSU graduates await degrees at May 8-9 spring commencement

MTSU graduates marching in single file paired with three speaker headshots and logos.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will salute more than 2,500 new Blue Raider alumni during May 8-9 commencement ceremonies for the spring Class of 2026.

MTSU will hold its Spring 2026 Commencement in three ceremonies set for 3 p.m. Friday, May 8, and at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, in Hale/Earle Arena inside Murphy Center at 2650 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

In the May 8 ceremony, degrees will be conferred on undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and University College. The May 9 early ceremony includes students from the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts, followed by the final ceremony that afternoon that includes students from the College of Education, Jennings A. Jones College of Business, and Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment.

Of the 2,565 students set to graduate, 2,171 are undergraduates and 394 are graduate students, including 341 master’s candidates, 26 education-specialist recipients and 27 doctoral candidates. In addition, 10 graduate students will be receiving graduate certificates, according to the latest report from the Registrar’s Office.

For those unable to attend in person, the event also will stream live at https://mtsu.edu/live and on the university’s Facebook channel, https://facebook.com/mtsublueraiders, and will be broadcast on MTSU’s “True Blue TV” station on local cable channels and at https://mtsu.edu/TrueBlueTV.

Chris Rochelle, right, assistant director of the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, hands out diploma covers to graduates during the fall 2025 commencement morning ceremony in Murphy Center on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The spring 2026 ceremonies will be held May 8-9. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Speaker details

• State Sen. Dawn White, an MTSU alumna, will address graduates in the May 8 ceremony.

Dawn White, state senator, District 13 — Dawn White

White is in her second term representing District 13, which covers much of Rutherford County, including Eagleville, Rockvale, Almaville, Blackman, Leanna, and portions of Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Walter Hill and Christiana. She currently chairs the Senate Education Committee while also serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee. She previously served three terms as the state representative for District 37.

For seven years, White worked as a teacher in Murfreesboro City Schools at Black Fox Elementary before becoming a small-business owner for a decade, until the company was sold in 2015. White earned her bachelor’s, master’s and Ed.S. degrees at MTSU.

Stuart McWhorter, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development — Stuart McWhorter

• Stuart C. McWhorter, deputy governor and commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, will offer words of wisdom to graduates in the 9 a.m. May 9 ceremony.

As a top advisor to Gov. Bill Lee who manages the day-to-day operations of the department, McWhorter spearheads efforts to recruit new businesses to the state, support existing companies in their expansions, create greater opportunity across rural Tennessee, and help the state’s small business and entrepreneurial ecosystem grow.

He was appointed deputy governor in October 2025 and has served as TNECD commissioner since July 2022.

• Delivering keynote remarks for the final at 2 p.m. May 9 will be Scott Borchetta, founder, chairman, and CEO of Big Machine Records.

Most recently, MTSU unveiled the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, 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’s label is home to superstars including Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, The Band Perry, Lady A, and emerging artists Jack Wharff Band, Mackenzie Carpenter, Cole Goodwin, Marfa, Greylan, and more. He has led the charge on more than 226 million albums sold by Big Machine artists in addition to sending more than 265 singles to No. 1 on the country, pop and rock charts.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will briefly address each group of graduates after welcoming them and their guests.

MTSU President Sidney McPhee stands behind a podium in academic regalia addressing the crowd. — Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee offers a welcome address during the fall 2025 morning commencement ceremony inside Murphy Center on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The spring 2026 commencement ceremonies will be held May 8-9. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Clear bag policy in effect

For those attending commencement ceremonies in person, please note that a clear bag policy is in effect at Murphy Center as follows: Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC may not exceed 12 x 6 x 12 inches. Gallon Ziploc bags are allowed. Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches will also be permitted in addition to a clear bag.

Graphic outlining Murphy Center's clear bag policy.

More ceremony details

MTSU will provide closed-captioning services for the live video streams as well as American Sign Language interpretation at the ceremony. The live coverage will begin about 15 minutes before commencement starts.

MTSU’s May 8-9 summer commencement ceremonies are expected to last about two hours each. All graduating students must remain for the entire event.

A campus map with parking details for guests is available at https://bit.ly/MTSUparkingmap. A seating chart of Murphy Center, including access for guests with mobility issues, is available at https://www.mtsu.edu/murphycenter/facilities/.

Driving directions, along with complete graduation details for students and guests, are available anytime at https://mtsu.edu/graduation.

MTSU spring semester classes ended April 29. Final examinations will conclude Thursday, May, 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)