MTSU on WGNS: ‘Bleed Blue’ blood drive, Jazz Artist Series, True Blue Tour/Preview [LISTEN]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University representatives recently appeared on WGNS Radio to discuss the annual “Bleed Blue” American Red Cross blood drive, this year’s Jazz Artist Series, and the ongoing annual True Blue Tour student recruitment initiative.

They appeared on the live “Action Line” program with guest host Bryan Barrett broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to a podcast of the Oct. 20 program.

Guests for the October program included:

• Gene Baker, senior account manager of Donor Services for the American Red Cross of Tennessee, and John Mitchell, executive director, Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross , discussed this year’s “Bleed Blue to Beat WKU” Blood Drive going on Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 27-29.

The annual blood drive between Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University includes a special push on helping patients with sickle cell disease. The three-day blood drive is taking place from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at MTSU’s Campus Recreation Center, 1848 Blue Raider Drive.

Whichever university garners the most donations wins the coveted challenge trophy to display. But in the end, everyone is a winner in this competition — which can result in 800 to 900 units of blood collected between the two institutions. The Red Cross reports that up to three patients can use the components from one unit of blood.

While walk-ins are welcome, donors are encouraged to sign up for the event online. Off-campus donors can park for free in visitor parking spots at MT One Stop, 1860 Blue Raider Drive, next to Campus Rec.

Middle Tennessee State University representatives appear on the Oct. 20 “Action Line” program on WGNS-FM Radio. Pictured at the station’s studio in downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn., are, at left, Jamey Simmons, director of Jazz Studies in the MTSU School of Music; top right, from left, are John Mitchell, executive director, Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Gene Baker, senior account manager of Donor Services for the American Red Cross of Tennessee; and bottom right, from left, John Davis, assistant director of Undergraduate Transfer Admissions, and Molly Mihm, coordinator of Tours and Events. (MTSU photo illustration by Jimmy Hart)

• Jamey Simmons, director of Jazz Studies in the MTSU School of Music, discussed the recent MTSU Jazz Artist Seriesconcert featuring Nashville-based trombonist Roland Barber and teased other upcoming concerts in the series.

The first concert of this year’s series was held Oct. 23, featuring Nashville-based trombonist Roland Barber, who performed with his jazz quartet in the Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building. The concert featured members of Barber’s touring group, including MTSU Jazz Studies alum Josh Cook (drummer) and jazz faculty Jack Aylor (bassist).

The second MTSU Jazz Artist Series concert is scheduled for March 5, 2026, and the third concert is part of the MTSU Illinois Jacquet Jazz Festival, set for March 28, 2026. It includes a full day featuring performances of school ensembles and MTSU groups, jam sessions, educational sessions and the 5:30 p.m. headline concert featuring an international headliner with MTSU Jazz Ensemble 1.

Dedicated to the memory of tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, the festival seeks to educate, inspire and entertain audiences in the Middle Tennessee area.

• John Davis, assistant director of Undergraduate Transfer Admissions at MTSU, and Molly Mihm, coordinator of Tours and Events, discussed MTSU’s annual True Blue Tour student recruitment push has upcoming Midstate stops.

MTSU is past the halfway point of its annual tour to recruit future Blue Raiders, with upcoming stops in the Midstate where prospective students and their families can engage MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, academic deans and a variety of staff about everything from the various academic programs to housing to the admissions process and guaranteed admissions and scholarships.

Plus, lucky student attendees have a chance to have their names drawn during the evening receptions, where thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded. It’s the fourth decade of MTSU administrators and staff traveling by bus and car to recruit students with 6 p.m. receptions and school counselors and community college staff with 12:30 p.m. luncheons at all but two of the 15 stops.

All events are free and walkups are welcome, though admissions staff encourage people to RSVP in advance at https://mtsu.edu/rsvp. Upcoming Midstate stops include Oct. 28 at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville; Nov. 11 back on campus in MTSU Student Union Ballroom; and Nov. 13 at Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin.

Prospective students are also welcome to attend Saturday True Blue Preview recruiting events, scheduled for Nov. 1 and Feb. 28, 2026. To register for the free events in advance, go to www.mtsu.edu/rsvp. MTSU also offers daily campus tours. For information, call 615-898-5670 or email admissions@mtsu.edu.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, senior director of MTSU News and Media Relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.