Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University Summary

Middle Tennessee State University (founded September 11, 1911, and commonly abbreviated as MTSU) is an American university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This bill stated that three colleges be established within each grand division of the state (Modern-day ETSU, MTSU, and University of Memphis) and one additional school for African-American students (TSU). Originally known as the Middle Tennessee Normal School, it became a state college in 1943 and officially became a university in 1965. It is currently the second-largest institution of higher learning in Tennessee (by overall enrollment), trailing only The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Originally known primarily for its Education and Nursing programs, MTSU has more recently gained recognition for its Aerospace, Business, Mass Communication/Recording Industry, and Music/Music Business programs. MTSU is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents System, one of two higher education systems in Tennessee. MTSU’s easy access from Nashville and surrounding cities via Interstate 24 and State Route 840, coupled with its favorable enrollment standards, makes it the largest university in the central third of the state and the single largest economic contributor in Murfreesboro. As of Fall 2006, MTSU has the state’s largest undergraduate student body with 22,863 students. MTSU’s focus in recent years has been on growth, but the university is quickly outgrowing its infrastructure. With the 2004 advent of the Tennessee Lottery (which provides college scholarships to Tennessee students attending in-state schools), more students than ever have the financial resources to attend MTSU. MTSU classifies itself as a regional university, and primarily draws its student base from the areas surrounding Nashville and Murfreesboro. The Aerospace and Recording Industry programs regularly draw students from outside the state of Tennessee. Only 3,500 students (approximately 15% of enrollment) live in on-campus dormitories, though the landscape surrounding the university is littered with apartments marketed toward students. Students admitted in this category will be expected to: MTSU was founded on its education program, and it remains one of the highest-enrolled programs at the university. Middle Tennessee State University employs approximately 800 full-time faculty members. The Department of Recording Industry (part of the College of Mass Communication, and commonly referred to by the acronym “RIM” for its former name “Recording Industry Management”) is the university’s most popular program. It competes for students with Belmont University, a small private Christian university located in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row district, which also offers a critically-acclaimed Recording Industry program but is more known for its music business program than its technological recording program. CIM at MTSU was the first of its kind in the country as other CIM programs have recently started as Arizona State and New Jersey Institute of Technology due to the immense success at MTSU. Further east are newer additions, such as the Keathley University Center (KUC), Photography Building, Ned McWherter Learning Resources Center, John Bragg Mass Communications Building, James Walker University Library, Business and Aerospace Building, Campus Recreation Center, and the campus’s newest building, the Paul W. Sorority houses at public universities in Tennessee were disallowed per a perceived prohibition in Tennessee state law discouraging sorority houses based on the notion that more than eight women living in the same house would constitute a brothel. Middle Tennessee State University has no auxiliary campuses, and aside from online courses, all classes are held either on-campus or at adequate facilities in the city of Murfreesboro. MTSU is only a half-mile (800 m) east of the nearest hospital, privately-owned Middle Tennessee Medical Center, located on East Bell St. The hospital will move to a new building across town in 2010. Middle Tennessee State University’s colors are Royal Blue (PMS Uncoated 300) and White. An MTSU football player, Charles Sarver, won $5 from The (Murfreesboro) Daily News Journal with his winning entry “Blue Raiders”, which he later admitted borrowing from Colgate University, whose teams were known as “Red Raiders” at the time. The university’s athletic teams simply refer to the school as “Middle Tennessee” or “MT”, abandoning the words “State University”. This is being done to save another logo change should the university change its name to “University of Middle Tennessee”, as has been long-rumored. These “club sports” are not sanctioned by the university, though each team does receive funding as a student organization. MT set a record when it won the highest-scoring NCAA Division I-A football game in history, 70-58 over the University of Idaho Vandals on October 6, 2001 at Floyd Stadium. The university’s main athletics building (which houses the basketball arena and athletic department offices and was built in 1973) is named in honor of Charles M. Also, some of the football games are recorded onto video by students from the College of Mass Communications and are aired on the student run TV station, MTTV Channel 10. Alumni and boosters have repeatedly tried to change the university’s name to the University of Middle Tennessee, but the request has been consistently rejected by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Though the official reason is not known, speculation centers on The University Of Tennessee’s efforts to stop such a change, so “UMT” would not be confused as being a member of the UT system, the other higher education organization in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University has its own zip code (Murfreesboro, TN 37132) and telephone prefix +1 615 898 **. MTSU holds the licenses to two FM radio stations: MTSU has been awarded Comcast Cable’s channel 10, which has been named “MTTV”, throughout Rutherford County for student-created programs and official university announcements. The athletic facilities at MTSU (along with select venues in and around Murfreesboro) play host to every Tennessee state high school championship game/match in every Division I (public schools and non-scholarship private schools) sport except girls’ soccer (held in Chattanooga). Most Division II (scholarship-awarding private schools) championships are also held at MTSU, although the basketball tournaments are held at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Floyd Stadium, the university’s football field, is thought to be the geographic center of Tennessee, though the official marker sits approximately a half-mile (800 m) north of the stadium on Old Lascassas Pike. In September 2006, Alumni Drive was renamed Alma Mater Dr, and a new road south of Greek Row connecting to N Rutherford Blvd was named Alumni Dr. Middle Tennessee State University has its own police force, but is also under the jurisdiction of Murfreesboro police. Middle Tennessee State University is a “dry campus”, meaning alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

Middle Tennessee State University History

Middle Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 as a state normal school and received university status in 1965. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its mission statement says in part, “MTSU prepares students to live productively and to become lifelong learners; to employ scientific knowledge and an understanding of culture and history; to think logically, critically, and creatively; to communicate clearly; to make sound judgments; to acquire working knowledge of a discipline or group of related disciplines; and to participate as citizens in the global community.” It is classed as a Dcotoral Research University—Intensive by the Carnegie Institute.

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Middle Tennessee State University Academics

Middle Tennessee State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 7 colleges: the College of Basic and Applied Science, the College of Business, the College of Education and Behavioral Science, the Honors College, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Mass Communication, and the College of Graduate Studies.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as aerospace, agribusiness, biology, computer sciences, engineering, accounting, education, art, geography, French, social work, journalism, and theatre.

Graduate programs are offered in a number of fields and concentrations. These include master’s level programs in information systems, library science, engineering, airport/airline management, chemistry, economics, English, mathematics, nursing, counseling, and education. Doctoral degrees are offered in chemistry, economics, English, human performance, and public history. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in the following areas: administration and supervision, educational leadership, and elementary education. Graduate certificates are offered in art education, critical care, dyslexic studies, geosciences, gerontology, and nursing informatics.

MTSU is home to seven different colleges, as well as a College of Graduate Studies. More valedictorians and salutatorians from the mid-state area attend Middle Tennessee State than any other university in the area. The University’s entering freshmen consistently score above national averages in their studies. And Middle Tennessee State is home to the state’s first Honor’s College at any higher educational institution.

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Middle Tennessee State University Unique Programs

Middle Tennessee State proclaims eleven “Chairs of Excellence,” which provide an overview of its areas of emphasis, including the fields of dyslexia, free enterprise, health services, first amendment studies, health services, nursing, manufacturing excellence, equine reproductive physiology, equine health, and urban and regional planning.

MTSU is also home to a number of centers with special emphases, including energy efficiency, Albert Gore research, historic preservation, labor-management relations, and popular music. The University’s programs in Aerospace and the Recording Industry attract students from many different backgrounds and locations.

Three “interdisciplinary departments” provide students with degree programs and studies that transcend specific fields and prepare graduates for the increasingly interdisciplinary professional world and advanced study.

Middle Tennessee State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: ACT of 26 and GPA of 3.0, or ACT of 24 and GPA of 3.5. Students meeting these requirements are admitted to the Honors program automatically. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will live in Honors dorms, take small courses, and attend colloquia and speaker programs. There are several scholarships especially for Honors students.

Distance learning programs are offered in some undergraduate and graduate programs, including a certificate program in creative writing. Students enrolled in distance learning programs will take part in courses offered on-line, off-campus, through videoconferencing, or teleconferences.

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Middle Tennessee State University Financial Aid

The University’s scholarship deadline is December 1 for incoming freshmen. Incoming applicants do not need to submit a separate application for scholarship consideration. Incoming freshmen that receive an institutional scholarship are required to complete 5 hours of community service while they are on the scholarship. Such opportunities include the National Merit Finalist award ($6,000 per year), the Chancellor Scholarship ($5,000 per year), the Presidential Scholarship ($4,000 per year), the James M. Buchanana Scholarship ($1,000 per year), and the Academic Service Scholarship ($3,000 per year). All of these scholarships require that the student receiving them must maintain a 2.75 grade point average.

Tuition at Middle Tennessee State University is $2,300 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, lower division undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for students with need. These are awarded on a first-come, first served basis. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

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Middle Tennessee State University Students

Middle Tennessee State offers 19 different residence halls and two apartment communities. More than 3500 students live on campus. The residences are centrally located, allowing access to computing centers, student activity areas, and recreational facilities. The Student Recreation Center is a $14 million, 140,000 square foot facility that houses athletics facilities, aerobics rooms, free weight areas, water slides, rock climbing, and four full-sized sand volleyball courts.

Student life at Middle Tennessee State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Besides fraternities and sororities, there are religious groups, academic and professional groups, sports clubs, multicultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as the Astronomy Club or the Blue Moves Modern Dance Company.

There is an annual student film festival, showcasing films produced by students, fine arts programming in a variety of exhibits and performances, and a lecture series. An American Indian festival is held the first full weekend in March.

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Middle Tennessee State University Traditions

James McGill Buchanan is a prominent figure in Middle Tennessee State history. This alumnus of the 1940 class was the first MTSU alum to be awarded the Nobel Prize. His was the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, and rewarded his “theory of public choice,” which explained the complicated expenditure of public funds. Buchanan is memorialized throughout the MTSU campus, as well as in scholarships and other programmatic memorials.

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Middle Tennessee State University Local Community

Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is approximately 30 miles from Nashville. Near-by attractions include historical buildings and museums, several annual festivals, among them the Tennessee Highland games, and the Center for the Arts, which has numerous performances and exhibits.

Murfreesboro, with a 2003 population of just under 80,000, experienced a massive population growth of nearly 40% between 1990 and 2000. The town’s average annual temperature is 52—79 in July and 36 in January—giving residents a true four-season year (including an average annual snowfall of 6 inches). Outdoor enthusiasts have access to nearly ever recreational activity possible. Visitors can experience drag racing, Civil War re-enactments, and historical museums.

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