Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Kari Neely, keynote speaker at Middle Tennessee State University’s summer graduation, challenged the more than 770 graduates of the Blue Raider’s latest class at the Murphy Center to live out the stories of their individual lives by becoming heroes of their own endeavors.
“It’s in the pursuit of adventure that our sense of adventure is awakened, and whether you’ve thought about it or not, you’ve all embarked on a long quest,” said Neely, an associate professor in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures who, as past president of the Faculty Senate, delivered the summer keynote address. “And that quest ends today as you walk across the stage and receive your diploma.”
Lauryn Tyler, the first college student in her family, came to MTSU as an Honors Transfer Fellow and studied fine arts in the College of Liberal Arts with her own ambitions, hopes, and goals to pursue. She graduated summa cum laude (3.927 GPA) with even bigger dreams that include studying abroad.
The Nashville native and Columbia resident will apply for a position as an English teaching assistant in Thailand as part of the U.S. Fulbright Program for Students in 2025, where she will spend the fall 2023 semester studying abroad.
“After Fulbright, my goal would be to continue working in Thailand, but for a nonprofit organization that focuses on youth development,” she said.
After graduation, Tyler will work on her Fulbright application “while working a few part-time jobs on the side to save money,” she said. From high school to now, work – as a waitress at a restaurant and as an administrative assistant at a church – has been a constant part of her life. “Working has definitely taught me how to manage my time well,” she said.
“I was only at MTSU for two years, but it was a wonderful experience,” said Tyler, who minored in Global Studies and Honors and defended her thesis. “I met a lot of great people, both classmates and professors. I learned a lot about myself during my time here.”
Tyler was one of the graduates honored Saturday among 542 undergraduate and 232 graduate students, including 184 master’s degree recipients, nine education specialist graduates and 38 doctoral students. Five doctoral students received diplomas, according to the Registrar’s Office.
Students from all MTSU schools – graduate studies, basic and applied sciences, behavioral and health sciences, Jones College of Business, College of Education, Liberal Arts and University College – received their degrees during the morning ceremony, which was also live-streamed on the MTSU Facebook page, True Blue TV and at mtsu.edu/live.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee emphasized that the university is a first-choice for both freshmen like Tyler and transfer students from the state’s community colleges, and that it plays a leading role in providing educational opportunities for adult learners and veterans.
“For more than a century, many have come to MTSU to find meaning and direction and to change the course of their lives for the better. We offer unparalleled opportunities to students from all walks of life,” McPhee said. “…That’s our brand. And by living up to our brand, we also grow the economy and quality of life in our region and our state.”
“Accept the obstacles”
Neely, meanwhile, urged graduates to surround themselves with “their crew” who will support and inspire them, and to seek out leaders and mentors who will help them overcome life’s inevitable obstacles.
Neely, who joined the MTSU faculty in 2007 and teaches courses on Arabic language, international graphic novels and graphic novels about the Middle East, said she loves a good adventure story, but first you need a hero.
“Even the heroes of old needed a certain level of vulnerability, a kind of Achilles heel. Just as every dragon needs to be slayable, every hero needs room to grow,” she said. “Becoming the hero of your own story can seem very daunting at first, especially in the beginning. Don’t get me wrong, it’s OK to be a supporting character or even a tertiary character sometimes. In fact, expect it. At the same time, don’t be afraid to step into the spotlight to achieve your goals.
“A quest without obstacles is no quest, no adventure. A quest without setbacks is boring storytelling. Please hear me when I say that a life without setbacks, or at least some obstacles, is boring. … The best stories people tell me are not about how perfect and easy they had it. Accept the obstacles, because they will be there.”
Maddy Williams, one of the newest graduates of the College of Media and Entertainment’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media, is ready to put the storytelling skills she learned in the classroom into practice as she continues her True Blue journey.
As a junior, Williams joined MTSU’s Student Voice team in the Marketing and Communications Department, helping cover events such as graduation ceremonies, the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival, the Grand Ole Opry, Blue Raider football, and MTSU nights at the Nashville Sounds and Nashville Predators. She has also created hundreds of videos for the university’s social media platforms and played a critical role in building those accounts.
“I truly cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I had not chosen MTSU,” Williams said. “I am so grateful for every opportunity this university has given me, and I am indebted to the faculty and staff who have supported me throughout my academic career.”
Williams is a talented storyteller whose work has appeared on WKRN-TV News 2’s “Local on 2,” Murfreesboro City Lifestyle magazine, two Knoxville television stations, and MTSU’s student-run newspaper, Sidelines.
“Without MTSU, I wouldn’t be the writer, social media manager, or digital marketer I am today. I wouldn’t have been able to immerse myself in different cultures through studying abroad,” said Williams. “I wouldn’t be the same person; my confidence, independence, and ambition have grown tremendously thanks to MTSU.”
Williams will soon return to campus as a part-time communications specialist in the university’s Office of News and Media Relations.
“I am thrilled to continue working for MTSU this upcoming fall semester,” she said. “In this role, I can hone my skills as a news writer and promote the incredible things happening on MTSU’s campus and colleges.”
The official Summer 2024 Commencement Program, which lists all graduates by school and provides additional details about the event and speakers, is available at https://bit.ly/MTSUCommencement-Program-Summer-2024.
By the time of its summer 2024 graduation, MTSU will have awarded more than 186,100 degrees to its students since its founding in 1911, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees, as it completed its 113th academic year this summer.
