OCTOBER

Teacher Appreciation Party

When the MTSU College of Education committee that partners with local school districts brainstormed with Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City Schools about ways to give back and support the teachers who help mentor the college’s future educators, they decided on a very public, party-style thank you.

After months of planning and preparation, about 70 local teachers arrived on campus to enjoy the college’s inaugural Teacher Appreciation event.

Staff decked out the Tennessee Ballroom in the James Union Building with colorful lights, tables adorned in True Blue tablecloths and topped with inspirational quotes, a photo booth, a display of MTSU-themed blankets and cookies for attendees to take home, two tables full of giveaway items, two more tables laden with food and drink, and a stage complete with big blue star lights.

Top Music Business School

MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry—and the College of Media and Entertainment that houses it—marked an eighth year on Billboard’s international list of top music business schools, once again earning acclaim for the program’s diversity, depth, and longevity.

In the article “Billboard’s 2022 Top Music Business Schools Revealed,” the magazine stated that “opportunities abound” for students’ professional development, thanks to participation in events like Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festival, the presence of an active on-campus music venue in the Chris Young Café, and a student-run record label, Match Records.

MTSU has been on Billboard’s best music business schools lists since 2013. The magazine has published seven such lists since then, plus this year’s; it skipped a 2015 compilation and didn’t publish one for 2021 because of the pandemic.

Its alphabetical listing of 38 schools in the Oct. 8 print and Oct. 11 online editions also included long-recognized programs at Berklee College of Music, New York University, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Blue Raider Homecoming

It was a perfect MTSU homecoming— good weather, an awesome parade, great tailgating food, a new homecoming king and queen, recognition of the 2022–23 MTSU alumni award winners, lots of student and alumni involvement, and much more.

Thousands of alumni and True Blue supporters descended upon campus, whether for tailgating with family and friends, lining East Main Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard to parade watch, or cheering on the football team inside Floyd Stadium.

The parade featured dozens of entries, including floats, huge concrete trucks, candy for children, and the alumni award recipients, while the Band of Blue and Lightning Dance Team entertained spectators.

Carson Wright and Summer Lester-Jones were crowned king and queen, respectively.

Nearly 30 Golden Raiders—members of the Class of 1972 and older— attended a special event that included a campus tour, lunch, and receiving a commemorative pin and diploma.