MURFREESBORO – If you’re wondering why the name of Donald Trump’s running mate sounds familiar - JD Vance once spoke at the MTSU Convocation.

Before accepting the vice presidental nomination, Vance’s time in politics was limited. He has only served in the United States Senate since being sworn into office on January 3, 2023. However, he was chosen to speak at MTSU back in 2017 for his work as an author.

Vance’s book, "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and a Culture in Crisis", was selected for the Summer Reading Program for all incoming students to read, analyze, and discuss. The book, which spent 54 weeks on the New York Times’ bestseller list, details the effect of his upbringing in Kentucky and Ohio on his values and views on social issues.

During the convocation, Vance expressed his concern for Americans straying away from pursuing college and higher education due to disdain for what some individuals call the “intellectual elite,” which is still an issue today:

Vance served in the Marine Corps from 2003-2007 after graduating from high school. He later attended Ohio State graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and philosophy, and later graduated from Yale Law School.

“A college education is one of the invisible but most important barriers separating those that have opportunities from those who don’t,” said Vance.

While his speech occurred almost seven years ago in August of 2017, his words still remain true to the incoming class of 2024.