New MTSU students kickstart college careers, fall semester with dorm move-in

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In many cases with the help of family and friends, thousands of Middle Tennessee State University students headed to their residence halls in recent days as they prepare for the first day of the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 26.

In Jim Cummings Hall in the heart of campus, Class of 2028 incoming freshmen are ready to begin their college academic and social journey along with roughly 20,000 Blue Raider classmates of all levels.

A new freshman student from Brentwood, Tenn., carries some of her belongings into one of two Middle Tennessee State University high-rise dorms — items to sustain her while she attends the Murfreesboro, Tenn., university this fall. About 600 new and returning students moved into campus housing on Wednesday, Aug. 21. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

With “Welcome Home!” as the theme, a Middle Tennessee State University Housing and Residential Life street sign awaits new and returning MTSU students and their families near Monohan, Lyon and Miss Mary halls next to Middle Tennessee Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Students began the move-in process in earnest Wednesday, Aug. 21, with most of it wrapping up Friday, Aug. 23, before the start of the fall semester and 2024-25 academic year. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Caleb Fifer, an incoming freshman from Memphis, Tennessee, said he chose to attend MTSU for the Aerospace Department’s internationally known aviation program.

The aerospace major with a professional pilot concentration in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences hopes to become a commercial pilot in the future and looks forward to “enjoying college and seeing what living on my own is like,” he said.

Megan Moffitt, an incoming freshman from Spring Hill, Tennessee, is most excited to “get to know her roommate,” she said.

A digital marketing major in the Jones College of Business, Moffitt plans to work as a social media coordinator after graduation.

Avery Rodriguez, student — Avery Rodriguez

Avery Rodriguez, an incoming freshman from Nolensville, Tennessee, plans to major in music. She dreams of working in country music.

“I would like to write albums and produce music as an artist,” Rodriguez said.

Incoming freshman Chloe Edmondson, of La Vergne, hopes to become a physical therapist, and her major in exercise science in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences’ Department of Health and Human Performance will help her achieve that.

Chloe Edmondson, student — Chloe Edmondson

Simone Edmondson, alumna — Simone Edmondson

Her sister, Simone Edmondson, graciously helped her unpack boxes and set up her dormitory earlier this week and stood wearing her MTSU alumni shirt — proud to have her sister join her alma mater.

Simone Edmondson graduated in December 2023 with a bachelor’s in video and film production from the College of Media and Entertainment’s Department of Media Arts. She now works in Murfreesboro as a freelance photographer.

Jonathan Oldham, center, a student resident assistant for Deere and Nicks Halls on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., assists a family moving their son into campus housing on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Staggered times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday made for a more efficient move in for families and MTSU Housing and Residential Life staff members. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

With assistance from her mother, right, a new Middle Tennessee State University freshman uses a cart to move in part of her belongings Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Jim Cummings Hall on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MTSU dorms are at peak capacity for the fall 2024 semester. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Last fall, all residence halls were full, and this year is headed in the same direction.

Michelle Safewright, MTSU director of housing and residential life, said the residence halls are currently at 96% capacity. She expects that as they work through the waitlist, the halls will reach full capacity, she said.

The 2024-25 academic term gets a kickstart with Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 24, in the Murphy Center Arena from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to welcome freshmen and transfer students followed by the Back to School Bonanza on Monday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Commons.

— Maddy Williams (Maddy.Williams@mtsu.edu)