[399] Event-filled MTSU Alumni Spring Weekend includes variety

MURFREESBORO — Alumni and friends of MTSU have many event options for the fourth annual Alumni Spring Weekend Friday through Sunday, April 17-19, across campus and several off-campus venues.

Now in its fourth year, Alumni Spring Weekend is held to let alumni, their families and MTSU friends return for a weekend of campus activities and discover the university’s growth.

There will be tours and open houses, lectures, reunions, food, meet-and-greets, celebrations and more — plus some football and soccer action added for good measure. Phillips Bookstore’s 20 percent off coupon and the Campus Recreation Center’s one-day pass are available through the alumni office.

For more information and the full schedule of events, visit http://www.mtalumni.com.

It will be a family-friendly atmosphere for all who attend.

“We want alumni and friends of the university to bring their families,” said Paul Wydra, MTSU Office of Alumni Relations assistant director. “It will be a time when they can show off their campus and see new buildings and the exciting things taking place on campus.”

Children will enjoy a special treat as families can attend an after-hours visit to the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 SE Broad St., in Murfreesboro, from 6 to 8 p.m. April 17. This requires an RSVP by calling 615-898-2922 or email alumni@mtsu.edu.

A trip to Murfreesboro Airport, 1930 Memorial Blvd., and the MTSU Flight Operations Center and aerospace technology in the Business and Aerospace Building will be another tour children will be find interesting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18.

With some exceptions, most events lead to the Blue Raider’ Blue and White spring game at 1 p.m. April 18 in Floyd Stadium. Fans will observe coach Rick Stockstill’s 2015 team for the first time.

In addition to aerospace, tours will include Campus Recreation, the College of Graduate Studies in the Ingram Building, Alumni House, Albert Gore Research Center, the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience milk processing plant, Science Building, Centers for Innovation in Media and Popular Music in Mass Communication, the Baldwin Photographic Gallery and a campus bus tour.

Events will be held to celebrate pending retirements for Ron Ferrara, longtime aerospace faculty member and department chair; and professors Deborah Anderson and Crosby Hunt, veteran faculty members in the Department of Speech and Theatre.

An aerospace alumni cookout to celebrate Ferrara’s retirement will be held starting at 4:30 p.m. April 17 in the Donald McDonald Hangar at the airport. RSVP by April 15 to mtalumni.com/aerospacereunion or call 800-533-6878.

An event to celebrate the retirements of Anderson and Hunt will start at 1 p.m. April 18 in the studio theater (BDA Room 101) in the Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building.

April 18 food options include the Land of Milk and Honey Alumni Breakfast for all alumni and guests from 8 a.m. to noon behind the Stark Agriculture Building (call Debbie Strobel at 615-898-2523 or email Debbie.Strobel@mtsu.edu to register) and the Alumni Spring Weekend Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union Building’s Blue Raider Grill (call 615-898-2922 or email alumni@mtsu.edu to register).

The seventh annual Alpha Delta Pi-Athlon — a 300-meter swim, 10-mile bike ride and 3.14-mile run, all on the MTSU campus — and two free School of Music events at 3 and 7 p.m., respectively, conclude the weekend’s activities.

For more information, call 615-898-2922 or visit the alumni website.