2 minute read
Letter from the Dean
Mastering the Extraordinary
I am delighted to welcome you to the first edition of M&E, the magazine of the world-renowned College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University. As you will see, we have done some extraordinary things during the pandemic.
Two months after I became dean, COVID-19 forced our faculty, staff, and students to quickly convert to remote learning. I proudly watched as my team rose to the occasion, going above and beyond on a daily basis to teach, encourage, and mentor students who were dealing with an unprecedented disruption in their lives.
This first issue of M&E is a celebration of the perseverance and spirit of the college’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni— all of whom have continued to achieve great things during a difficult time. Whether it’s launching a new student-run venue, creating an award-winning mask campaign, or producing live sports events while following COVID-19 protocols, the College of Media and Entertainment has continued to produce quality and noteworthy content and create new opportunities for our students to learn and grow.
Our M&E cover story features singer-songwriter and MTSU alumna Brittney Spencer, who recently celebrated her Grand Ole Opry debut and the Times Square premiere of the video for her new single, “Sober & Skinny.” I’ve known Brittney since her days as a student here, when she immediately impressed me with her talent, charisma, personality, and drive. I know great things are in store for her!
She is a great example of what our students and alumni can and will achieve. While technology, media, and entertainment have changed since my days as a student working on electric typewriters, the professors’ passionate commitment to their students has remained steadfast. Students are our priority at MTSU, and we devote our days to improving their lives.
I am so grateful to our generous alumni who are dedicated to giving back to the University they so love. Country singersongwriter Chris Young has been a staunch supporter of MTSU students for years, including his creation of a scholarship in the college. He has taken his involvement to a new level with the opening of the Chris Young Café, which provides students with real-world, hands-on experience in performance, audio production, and venue management. We are so thankful for every gift, no matter how big or small, because it assures our students that they are important and worth the investment.
Finally, I’m so grateful to Professor Leslie Haines for using her creative magic to design our new magazine logo.
There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of CME, whether students study journalism, strategic media, sports media, public relations, advertising, digital media, animation, photography, TV and film production, media management, interactive media, audio production, music business, or commercial songwriting.
Thanks for spending a few minutes to learn what’s going on at MTSU!
