For release: Aug. 23, 2012
News and Media
Relations contacts:
Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.
and Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu
‘I am true
Blue’ MTSU fall starts with
new Student Union, full weekend
MURFREESBORO — Unveiling
of the new $65 million MTSU Student Union and the “I am true Blue” branding
effort will be at the forefront of the University’s start to the fall semester
and 2012-13 academic year.
The opening of the nearly 211,000-square-foot Student Union,
whose length is said to be one-and-a-half football fields (150 yards), is
scheduled for Friday, Aug. 24, with doors opening at 7 a.m. The Student Union
is located on the east side of campus near the University Honors College and
the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center.
The building
features Phillips Bookstore; a 640-seat food court and 102-seat casual dining
restaurant; an 840-seat ballroom; student government, Student Involvement and
Leadership and other offices; a Parliamentary Room; theater; collaborative
computer center; and much more. (See a video tour of the building here: http://youtu.be/JuyOSpjs_dw.)
And, as a spinoff of the True Blue pledge revealed at
Convocation 2011, this year’s “I am true
Blue” branding effort will be a key central theme as students, faculty, staff
and administrators initiate the new year.
• today’s military science swearing-in ceremony, starting at
1:30 p.m. outside Forrest Hall;
• The Fall Faculty Meeting and MTSU Foundation Awards will
start at 10 a.m. Friday in Tucker Theatre. The faculty meeting features an
address by President Sidney A. McPhee;
• We-Haul move in from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both Friday and
Saturday. New and returning students are assisted as they move in to campus
residence hall. The effort is once again led by the Center for Student
Leadership and Life staff, students, other administrators and community
volunteers;
• Saturday, Aug. 25, marks the first official day of
classes, as set by the Tennessee Board of Regents;
• Convocation will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, in
Murphy Center. This year's Summer
Reading Program (www.mtsu.edu/summerreading)
selection for guest speaker is Tori
Murden McClure, author of "A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My
Heart in the Middle of the Ocean." She is the first woman to row alone
across the ocean. Convocation is open to the public; and
• the annual
President’s Picnic, which follows Convocation and is held in Walnut Grove,
located between the Cope Administration Building and Peck Hall, and across from
the James Union Building.
The first full
day of classes will be Monday, Aug. 27.
Among the
highlights of the first week and Week of Welcome will be the Thursday, Aug. 30,
home football opener as the MT Blue Raider meet McNeese State at 6:30 p.m. in
Floyd Stadium. Other Blue Raider athletic teams also have their fall seasons
getting under way.
“I
am looking forward to the 2012-2013 academic year,” University Provost Brad
Bartel said. “MTSU begins the year with new deans, department chairs and
distinguished new faculty all adding to the mix, with established individuals
providing our students with an unparalleled education. In addition, we have new
degree programs and exceptional new buildings, adding to the richness of the
environment. It will be a great year.”
Student
Affairs, the recipient of the long-awaited Student Union, also looks for a
tremendous year.
“We’re looking forward to a very
exciting new year for 2012-13,” said Dr. Deb Sells, vice president for Student
Affairs and vice provost for Enrollment and Academic Services. “Obviously,
the new Student Union is going to have enormous impact on the quality of
student life on the campus.”
Sells
said she anticipates an extremely eventful year.
“We’ll
be busy, especially helping students become acquainted with the programs,
services, and many activities available in the new union,” she said. “Additionally,
we will be rolling out a new suite of recruitment activities as we work to
attract additional students to the Blue Raider family.”
MTSU
plans special recruiting trips to Johnson City (Sept. 25), Knoxville (Sept.
26), Chattanooga (Oct. 2), Nashville (Oct. 8), Memphis (Oct. 24) and Jackson
(Oct. 25).
Along with athletics, this
fall there will be special music, theatre and dance opportunities open to the
public; homecoming is scheduled for the weekend of Friday and Saturday, Oct.
6-7; the Honors Lecture Series features various faculty takes on “The City” and
there will be additional guest lecturers visiting campus; and more.
Category: Featured Articles,
Top Stories, Student News, Campus Community, Special Events
Tags: Fall Welcome Back, Fall
Faculty Meeting, MTSU Foundation Awards, Convocation, New Student Union, I Am
True Blue, MTSU, Middle Tennessee State University
Fall Semester
2012
•
Saturday,
Aug. 25 — Classes begin
•
Monday,
Sept. 3 — Labor Day holiday (no classes)
•
Saturday-Tuesday,
Oct. 13-16 — Fall break (no classes)
•
Thursday-Friday,
Nov. 22-25 — Thanksgiving holidays (no classes)
•
Wednesday,
Dec. 5 — Last day of classes
•
Thursday,
Dec. 6 — Study day (no classes)
•
Friday-Thursday,
Dec. 7-13 — Final examinations
•
Saturday,
Dec. 15 — Commencement
•
Saturday,
Dec. 17— Deadline for Final Grades
About “I am true Blue”
"I am True Blue" began at MTSU as an affirmation of the
best ideals shared by the Blue Raider community. It signals our values, our
commitment to student success and our devotion to the institution. It also calls
upon all of us – students, alumni, faculty, staff and administration alike – to
be valuable contributors to the progress of our University.
It
is the first line of the True Blue Pledge, which spells out four core values:
honesty and integrity; respect for diversity; engagement in the community; and
a commitment to reason, not violence.
###
Media welcomed.
The Carnegie Foundation for
the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular
engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second
century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of
"Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information any time, visit
www.mtsunews.com.
-------
For
MTSU news and information any time, visit www.mtsunews.com.
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