RAIDER RELIEF

MTSU was recently named a top college in the U.S. according to The Princeton Review in the newest edition of its college guide, The Best 385 Colleges, a designation only 13% of America’s fouryear colleges have earned. MTSU also received honors as a top college in the Southeast Region.

This is the best showing by MTSU in the annual review. We are among only six new institutions making the national Best 385 College list. In previous years, we have appeared on the Best of the Southeast Region list.

The Princeton Review does not rank schools overall 1–385 on the list. This list appears in alphabetical order.

MTSU is the only Tennessee locally governed institution on the list and the only public institution other than the University of Tennessee–Knoxville noted in the state.

This is significant, as there are more than 5,300 colleges and universities in the United States. We are now recognized as one of the best in the nation.

The survey that serves as the basis for the list asks students about their school’s academics/administration, campus life, student body, and themselves. The list described MTSU as a “go-to choice” for those wishing to receive a quality and affordable education close to home. It stressed that the school offers more than 180 degree programs for undergraduates—some that are not seen in other universities, such as Animation.

One student said, “You can literally major in fermentation and learn about the process of brewing beer.” And that students find these “highly specialized programs are closely tied to their industry, which means really good job placement.”

As far as professors go, they “like to be on a first-name basis” with students and often “make it a point to get to know you.” Students call faculty “very helpful and fair” and “thorough in every aspect of the subject matter.” One student shares, “A professor of mine teaches by walking around to every individual student and making sure they understand the subject matter.” They’re also “willing to circle back around if anyone in the class gets off track.” Students who do find themselves needing extra assistance with coursework or concepts can rest easy: “There are a lot of programs in place to help you, such as free tutoring,” and students also have “plenty of opportunities to gain a mentor” for more focused guidance during their college careers. Many say this “advising is top notch,” and that MTSU takes the time to “foster an environment of care for each and every student.” Overall, students agree: “This school is amazing, and it is such a hidden gem.”

Regarding the Student Body, one response stated, “the campus is big” but feels like a “comfortable and home-like school” environment.” 9 feature

RAIDER RELIEF

MTSU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Darrell Freeman Sr. lives out his purpose through the University’s ongoing humanitarian efforts

raider Relief, a humanitarian drive I revived when Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas in 2019, flew—in multiple separate trips piloted by MTSU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Darrell Freeman Sr. (’87, ’90) in his private plane—tens of thousands of pounds of emergency supplies, medicines, and necessities to help people who were affected.

Families of seven MTSU students were among those enduring the aftermath of the storm. Freeman, myself, and Terry Dorris, an asso- ciate professor and pilot in the Department of Aerospace, flew to the Bahamas on various days last fall.

Freeman donated use of his personal aircraft and fuel for the trips, while Dorris’ flight expenses aboard MTSU’s aircraft came from the tens of thousands of dollars in donations from community mem- bers. Those cash contributions also covered costs of the goods for the families and were further distributed to affected Bahamian students on campus to assist them as their families tried to recover.

I simply cannot put into words the tremendous feeling of gratitude I feel for our close-knit Raider community, which once again banded together in a True Blue Spirit of giving to provide for those less fortunate than we are.

When Sidelines, MTSU’s student-run news source, asked what one thing I wished to explain to students, I responded that this situation could happen to anyone.

I have never been more proud of this University community than in its repeated generous responses to the devastation occurring around the world, which in the case of Dorian was my own birth- place of the Bahamas.

Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane, hit and lingered over the island commonwealth of the Bahamas, killing many and leaving 70,000 homeless from the storm.

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I personally lost a grand-niece after the hurricane made landfall on Grand Bahama Island. Our entire family was devastated. Once again, let me emphasize my deepest thanks to the Blue Raider community for the thoughts and prayers and actions resulting from this terrible event. I was and continue to be truly touched.

The hurricane hit home for numerous MTSU students as well. In all, MTSU has 51 students enrolled from the Bahamas, seven of whom have families in the most affected areas of Grand Bahama and Abaco islands. Tiara Ashley Brown, president of MTSU’s Bahamian Student Organization, accompanied myself, Freeman, and Chip Crunk, CEO of R.J. Young Co. in Nashville, on the third mission to the Bahamas. The Raider Relief trip also delivered donations gathered by Brown’s student group.

I would be remiss if I did not single out Trustee Freeman for his exceptional level of humanitarianism in this instance. Freeman also piloted his plane for the first Raider Relief mission to Puerto Rico in 2017, which came to the aid of

the family of former MTSU basketball player Raymond Cintron after landfall there by Category 4 Hurricane Maria.

Freeman said he was honored and humbled by the opportunity to donate his services as a pilot—and the use of his aircraft—to the various relief missions. “If you own a plane,” he said, “I can’t think of a better way as to how you should use it.”

As commencement speaker at a recent graduation ceremony, Freeman urged his audience of newly minted degree-holders to “take over the world.”

“But when you do go take over the world, do it with compassion,” Freeman added. “Because the world needs more compassion . . . and do it with the sole purpose of helping people who are less fortunate than you are.

“If you do these things, you will have represented MTSU very well.”

Freeman has proven that those are words he lives by.