(MURFREESBORO) On Saturday (8/7/2021) the alumni base at Middle Tennessee State University increased by 825 as the Class of 2021 received their diplomas. The summer commencement was held in Murphy Center. It included 607 undergraduates and 218 graduate scholars, while boosting the university's total graduates to over 171,780.
Show Up and Do The Work
Guest speaker was MTSU Human Sciences Professor Rick Cottle told the graduates, “You learned something very valuable while you were here because you're sitting here in your regalia. What you learned was not just your academic field; you also learned to do something, and I want you to say it with me. 'We showed up. And we did the work'.”
Cottle concluded, “I’ve found pretty much that life is all about showing up and doing the work."
One of those new graduates who did the academic work, summa cum laude graduate Miranda Renzi of Franklin, called her MTSU years as a music business major in the College of Media and Entertainment "fulfilling" because, despite the pandemic-forced changes, she was "immersed in the Nashville music business community."
“I was able to make wonderful connections with staff and students, all while getting an education preparing me for entering the music industry," Renzi, who also earned recognition as a graduate of distinction from the University Honors College, said of her experience in MTSU's internationally recognized Department of Recording Industry.
"I wanted to be knowledgeable in all the different roles in recording industry. Learning the inner workings, I’ve discovered it literally takes a team effort to achieve success.”
Accepted Challenge With Determination
University President Sidney A. McPhee encouraged, but didn’t require attendees to wear masks or do social distancing, noted “I always say that our graduation ceremonies are the most significant events in the life of our university. As I've said before, no one could have predicted the enormous impact a previously unknown virus would have on our nation and our global community. I know that many of you would not have chosen to persist through an academic year with so many unknowns, so many changes to your routine.
Dr. McPhee concluded, “Whether you struggled, discovered a new appreciation for the possibilities of remote learning, or surprised yourself by thriving, I know none of it was easy. That is why I am so grateful that you accepted the challenge with the determination for which our students are known.”
Deal with Setbacks, Adversity
Another August graduate Jarod Ball, a Murfreesboro native who also earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and University Honors College recognition, said he’s grateful for both the practical and classroom experience his health-focused MTSU exercise science degree provided.
“I have learned a lot about the anatomy and physiology of the human body as well as a lot of the science behind athletics, exercise and nutrition,” Ball said of his work in MTSU's Department of Health and Human Performance in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.
He now plans to continue his education in physical therapy at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. “Most of what I learned will help me in my physical therapy career, even though that was not my specific degree. MTSU has prepared me very well for physical therapy school.”
Cottle reminded the graduates, however, that even the best classroom education can’t fully prepare them for their futures.
“You’re gonna have to learn how to deal with setbacks and with adversity,” the professor said, holding aloft a framed rejection letter from Auburn University that hangs alongside his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from the same college.
“This has my dad’s writing on it. It says … ‘What does he have to do to get in?’ It wasn't calling up the dean and saying, ‘You need to let my son in there.’ So I learned early on that setbacks can be the best thing that ever happened to you.”
Cottle, an associate professor in the Department of Human Sciences’ Textiles, Merchandising and Design Program in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, has worked in the textile/apparel industry for more than 25 years. He teaches basic and advanced textiles courses and apparel-focused business courses at MTSU and stays on top of the industry with his research and expertise in apparel marketing, sizing and 3D body scanning.
The official summer 2021 commencement program, listing all the graduates by college and noting their honors, is available athttp://ow.ly/P9F730rPlW9.
A video capturing the ceremony is available at https://youtu.be/MeS8uTg3ADM.
TRUE BLUE Tradition Continues
The university’s 2021-21 academic year begins Monday, Aug. 23, with the first official day of fall 2021 classes.
MTSU will formally welcome its new freshman class of 2025 and new transfer students at University Convocation in Murphy Center on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. Central.
That special event will feature youth advocate and U.S. Army veteran Wes Moore, author of MTSU’s Summer Reading Selection, "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates," as guest speaker. It also will air live at https://www.mtsu.edu/live, https://facebook.com/mtsublueraiders and https://mtsu.edu/TrueBlueTV.
For status updates on MTSU, visit https://mtsu.edu/coronavirus.
