[126] MTSU True Blue Tour makes ‘amazing’ Nashville visit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Taylin Meneese likes the idea of taking study abroad some day as a Middle Tennessee State University student. The East Literature Magnet School senior also is interested in MTSU’s recognized video and film production in the College of Media and Entertainment.

University President Sidney A. McPhee made life a whole lot more interesting for Meneese when he offered her a $1,000 scholarship drew her name and presented her with an iPad Thursday (Oct. 5) during the MTSU True Blue Tour event at the Millennium Maxwell House.

Nashville was the second stop on the tour as MTSU travels from Memphis to Johnson City in Tennessee and then out of state — to Louisville and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Atlanta, Georgia; and Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama — interacting with thousands of prospective students for 2018 and beyond.

“It’s crazy and amazing,” said Meneese. “If I had not come here (for the event), I wouldn’t have won a scholarship and an iPad. It’s really big, I’m really excited and really shocked. I wasn’t expecting it.”

Meneese, 17, visited MTSU and took a campus tour last spring.

“I really like the campus,” she said. “It’s the perfect size. I like the diversity, and it offers a communications program. It’s right up my alley.”

The young woman attended with her mother, Shavonne Meneese; brother, Paul; sister, Mylah; and friend Savion Davis, who also a senior at East Literature.

Trinity Payton, 17, a senior at Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School, has visited the Murfreesboro school’s campus multiple times. His interests are in theatre in the College of Liberal Arts and visual art in the College of Media and Entertainment.

“We look forward to getting you to campus (permanently),” McPhee said at the conclusion of a conversation he had with Payton and his mother, Darlene Payton. Later, Trinity Payton’s name was drawn for an iPad.

Earlier in the day, MTSU entertained area high school counselors and community college staff with a luncheon. McPhee offered several thousand dollars in scholarships the counselors and community college staff can award to their students.

Next up for the MTSU recruiting team is a Wednesday, Oct. 11, visit to Bowling Green. Both the 12:30 p.m. luncheon and 6 p.m. student reception will be held at the Sloan Convention Center/Holiday Inn University Plaza, 1021 Wilkinson Trace.

To register for other tour events, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/schedule-a-visit/special-events.php.