MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —
With an eye toward next week’s NFL Draft or signing as a free agent for a
potential pro career, former MTSU
football standout and U.S. Marine Steven Rhodes remained focused on the
present.
Rhodes joined other student veterans, their families, other
guests and MTSU administrators and staff during the seventh Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony
Wednesday (April 19) in the Tom H. Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall.
The university recognized nearly 50 of 122 student veterans
planning to graduate Friday, May 5,
in College of Graduate Studies ceremonies,
or Saturday, May 6, for undergraduate commencement during the
event.
To view video from the ceremony, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrtkSmbvqYk.
Since May 2015, MTSU has honored its graduating student
veterans with a formal ceremony, presenting them with special red stoles.
“This is a blessing to me and my family,” Rhodes said of the
occasion. “This is special to be able to show other veterans they can earn
their degree.”
At MTSU, he was a 6-foot-3, 253-pound honorable mention All-Conference USA defensive end, voted
the Armed Forces Merit Award winner
by the Football Writers Association of
America, and carried a 3.2 GPA student in the classroom. He majored in organizational communication in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.
Raising a family with a wife Adrienne and sons Kameron,
6, and Devon, 4, playing football,
studying and the rest of life’s opportunities, Rhodes, a Nashville native, said it had been challenging.
“My wife has helped out and I have had a great support
system with parents helping,” he said, relieved “my school work is finished and
I can’t wait to graduate.”
Rhodes and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, a big admirer of the athlete, exchanged a huge hug
during the ceremony when all student veterans came forward to be recognized. He
said he had “a great workout” for the Tennessee
Titans and “is looking forward to the call, whether it’s the draft or free
agency. I’ll be somewhere in a month.”
McPhee told the student veterans he looks forward “to
greeting you and personally thank you in a few weeks at graduation.”
Many-Bears Grinder,
commissioner for the Tennessee
Department of Veterans Affairs, attended the ceremony, as did other VA
personnel, retired Brig. Gen. David Ogg
(Class of 1978) and David Corlew
with The Journey Home Project and
longtime manager for country music legend Charlie
Daniels, an avid supporter of the MTSU Veterans and Military Family Center
that now bears his and his wife’s name.
For more on the assistance offered by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and
Military Family Center, call 615-904-8347 or visit http://mtsu.edu/military/index.php.
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