3 minute read
MILITARY
MTSU has a long tradition of aiding veterans in their transitions from military to civilian life.
The MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center constitutes the largest and most comprehensive veterans and military family center at a university in Tennessee. Here are a few updates from this important center:
• In 2022, we had a wonderful Veterans Impact Celebration featuring Holly Thompson and Keni Thomas, a 9/11 Remembrance, and an Artist Reception, in addition to all of our academic events.
• Once again in 2022, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix joined three other iconic Nashville institutions—the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Predators, and the Nashville Sounds—in support of the Daniels Center and the more than 1,100 militaryconnected students at MTSU seeking academic success and quality employment.
• The Grand Ole Opry hosted the Opry Salute the Troops show again in 2022. Performer and former MTSU student Craig Morgan closed out the show. During the previous year’s Salute show, MTSU alum Chris Young gave a shoutout to MTSU from the stage.
• The Nashville Sounds baseball club held an online auction of game-used Military Appreciation jerseys to benefit the Daniels Center.
• The Daniels Center took center stage—or center ice, if you will—during the Nashville Predators Military Appreciation Night in 2022. Fifty student veterans attended the NHL game between the Predators and visiting Dallas Stars in Bridgestone Arena. As part of the Predators’ Military Appreciation Week, another 75 student veterans received tickets for a future game.
• The Daniels Center made its presence known at the Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2022, as the NASCAR world turned its attention to Nashville. The MTSU center has formed a partnership with the superspeedway in Gladeville and with Rackley Roofing, the sponsor of that night’s truck race.
• The Daniels Center has additional partnerships with Nashville Soccer Club, a professional club in Major League Soccer.
These types of events with these types of partners not only provide entertainment for our veterans and military-connected students but also bring awareness to the Daniels Center and the assistance that it provides veterans and their families, regardless of whether they attend MTSU. That’s right—veterans do not need to be MTSU students to be assisted by the Daniels Center. We help any military-connected person in need. And the help we provide does not have be school-related. We are constantly helping people get connected to Veterans Affairs, maximize their benefits, and find jobs and housing.
