Hometown: Bristol, TN-VA
Graduate of Tenn. High and ETSU
MTSU News and Media Relations media specialist
Married/1 child
Christian
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Articles by Randy Weiler
Finishing the Race: Iconic coach’s legacy continues to impact MTSU far beyond the track
(MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) by Bill Lewis, Drew Ruble, and Randy Weiler The family of legendary MTSU track and field coach Dean A. Hayes recently established a permanent scholarship to honor the philosophy of their iconic patriarch and the nine original Blue Raider Pioneers of the athletic department of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
MTSU professor lands 5-year, $18K research grant for actuarial, insurance study
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A nearly $18,000 grant from the Casualty Actuarial Society will support Middle Tennessee State University’s Lu Xiong in his research related to the actuarial and insurance industry. Xiong and David Koegel, a New York-based senior actuary at a major consulting firm and co-principal investigator with the grant submission, received the $17,980 award earlier this year. The agreement allows up to five years, but “we expect to complete the work within two years,” Xiong said.
MTSU closes Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving; classes resume Dec. 1
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Students and faculty will enjoy an additional day off, Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 29, for the holiday. MTSU will reopen for business at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1. Fall semester classes will resume at their regular times on Monday.
MTSU quantum leader boosts research, workforce development efforts at state conference in Murfreesboro
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Hanna Terletska recently joined a statewide trio of innovation experts during a key research-related panel discussion as part of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s annual Governor’s Conference 2025.
Alabama students rave about MTSU programs at Huntsville recruiting stop
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Emmalee Holder’s drawn to science. Audio production excites Camarious White. Holder and White were two of about three dozen Huntsville-area high school prospects and potential transfer students attending the annual Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Tour recruiting event recently at the Westin Hotel.
MTSU pays tribute to hundreds of veterans, active-duty personnel at 43rd Salute events [+VIDEO]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In honor of the approaching Veterans Day, Middle Tennessee State University recognized hundreds of veterans, active-duty personnel and their families as part of the 43rd annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game and activities on Saturday, Nov. 8. Veterans like Bill Kampbell, of Murfreesboro, who became the 35th recipient of the Joe Nunley Sr. Distinguished Veteran Award during the annual Veterans Memorial Service that morning in the Keathley University Center Theater.
MTSU ‘Out of the Blue’ November show highlights ‘engagement opportunities’ inside Student Union Building [+VIDEO]
MURFRESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Student Union Building as a central gathering place for campus life for students is featured in the November edition of “Out of the Blue,” Middle Tennessee State University’s television magazine show.
‘Need has not slowed’: MTSU’s Daniels Center celebrates serving student veterans since 2015 [+VIDEO]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this week, reflecting on a decade of service providing a one-stop resource for student veterans and military connected families — whether assisting in their academic journey, transitioning back in to the workforce, or assessing veterans benefits. “This anniversary represents another milestone,” MTSU President Sidney A.
MTSU prepares to ‘salute’ veterans Nov. 8 with variety of special activities
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — For former U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Don Witherspoon, the 43rd annual Middle Tennessee State University Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game and accompanying activities are “particularly important since it’s the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.” All veterans and active-duty personnel and their families are invited to the game and pregame events on Saturday, Nov.
With strong partners, grants, MTSU ushers in new quantum era with QRISE Center [+VIDEO]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Joined by industry partners, Middle Tennessee State University announced a new quantum center in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences that will be a world-class hub for advancing quantum discovery, innovation, education, workforce and economic development.
MTSU Daniels Center celebrates ‘A Decade of Service’ to student veterans on Nov. 3
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary in providing a decade of service to thousands of student veterans and others since 2015. The public and MTSU community are invited to attend the ceremony starting at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in the Keathley University Theater, 1524 Military Memorial.
Murfreesboro, MTSU communities respond with solid support for drug-vape take-back day
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A longtime friend and mentor to Middle Tennessee State University Campus Pharmacy Pharmacist Tabby Ragland kicked off the fall Drug-Vape Take-Back Day on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in a big way. Retired Upjohn Pharmacist Terry Deason, of Murfreesboro, nearly filled one-half of a large bin when she “dropped off a whole bunch of things,” said Ragland, overseeing the event near the Campus Pharmacy drive-thru next to the Campus Recreation Center.
East Tennessee students ‘flying’ to embrace MTSU’s quality programs
JOHNSON CITY and KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As Middle Tennessee State University prepares to return to the Midstate this week in its quest to recruit prospective students for 2026 and beyond, the annual True Blue Tour made impressive inroads during recent East Tennessee stops in Johnson City and Knoxville. “Quality academic programs, truly caring faculty, affordable and an absolutely beautiful campus,” MTSU president Sidney A.
MTSU emerging as regional leader in quantum science research, development
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University continues its emergence as a prominent quantum science research and development force in the state, region and nation through strategic partnerships and initiatives that have drawn millions in research grants and growing support from federal officials.
MTSU recruiting tour targets prospective Nashville, Clarksville students with ‘quality’ programs
CLARKSVILLE and NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Before heading to Johnson City and Knoxville in East Tennessee in mid-October in the midst of the annual Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Tour to recruit prospective students, MTSU recently visited two of its nine Midstate stops — Nashville and Clarksville. “Quality programs, a caring university, affordable. Visit MTSU — ranked as one of the best universities in the nation,” President Sidney A.
MTSU sciences participate in upcoming STEAM festival events
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will participate in the ninth annual Tennessee STEAM Festival and the fourth annual Murfreesboro Airport STEAM Fest. The Tennessee STEAM Festival takes place Oct. 10-26, with more than 300 events hosted at 80 venues across the state.
MTSU students, faculty observer fall break Oct. 11-14; classes resume Oct. 15
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students and faculty will observe fall break from Saturday, Oct. 11, through Tuesday, Oct. 14. Fall semester classes will resume at their regular times Wednesday, Oct. 15. All MTSU offices will be open their regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 14-15. • The Student Union will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 11, from noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, and from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 13-14.
Southern Company provides $100K donation to MTSU Daniels Center
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — For the third consecutive year, Atlanta, Georgia-based Southern Company has provided a substantial donation to the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University. Through its Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Southern Company Gas foundations, Southern Company collectively donated $100,000 to the Daniels Center in mid-August in Nashville. Representing the Daniels Center, Keith M.
MTSU Oct. 3 Star Party features lecturer’s ‘How to Build a Galaxy’ talk
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — For fans of the Milky Way, Erik Monson, a first-year lecturerin Middle Tennessee State University’s Physics and Astronomy Department, will discuss “How to Build a Galaxy” during the next Star Party. Monson’s talk will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, in Room 102 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall. All Star Parties are free and open to the public, and children are welcome.
MTSU fall Buchanan Lecture Series students engaging in ‘Spaces and Places’ learning
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It’s all about “Spaces and Places” — the theme for the Middle Tennessee State University Honors College fall Buchanan Lecture Series. Nearly 50 students are attending the class — one that’s examining topics in literature, astronomy, geosciences, religion, philosophy, history, historical preservation and other disciplines through the multifaceted conceptual lenses of ‘space’ and ‘place,’ said Philip Phillips, Honors College associate dean.
Despite weather, MTSU Homecoming 2025 delivers ‘road trip’ of memories [+VIDEOS]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It was an almost perfect Middle Tennessee State University Homecoming 2025. Reminiscent of last year’s homecoming when a 1-hour, 42-minute severe weather delay intervened, this year a 2-hour, 42-minute severe weather delay and a Marshall University Thundering Herd football team rallied with 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points to defeat the Blue Raiders 42-28 in Floyd Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22.
MTSU ‘Out of the Blue’ features acclaimed, hands-on Experimental Vehicles Program [+VIDEO]
MURFRESBORO, Tenn. — Moving to the new, 90,000-square-foot Applied Engineering Building, the award-winning Middle Tennessee State University Engineering Technology Experimental Vehicles Program has new space to grow.
Music-inspired Veteran Impact Celebration raises $135K for MTSU Daniels Center
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It has been a jam-packed summer for the Middle Tennessee State University Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center. From a benefits fair for Nashville International Airport veteran employees to the eighth annual Veteran Impact Celebration, Daniels Center staffers have been active in raising awareness and funds at events including Nashville Sounds’ baseball games and the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony.
MTSU mechatronics alum lauds new Applied Engineering Building in September ‘Out of the Blue’ [+VIDEO]
MURFRESBORO, Tenn. — Recent Middle Tennessee State University Mechatronics Engineering graduate Abbie Lee brings a student perspective to the new, three-story, $74.8 million Applied Engineering Building in the September edition of “Out of the Blue,” MTSU’s television magazine show.
At MTSU 9/11 ceremony, retired Navy, Secret Service agent tells audience to ‘remember the real heroes’ [+VIDEO]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Roy Sexton was with President George W. Bush when the attacks by the extremist group al-Qaida on U.S. landmarks unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001. The U.S. Navy veteran and retired U.S. Secret Service agent led the advance team on Bush’s visit to a Sarasota, Florida, elementary school on Sept. 11, 2001. As the president read to the children, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer and Sexton were learning of the attacks by the extremist group al-Qaida on U.S. landmarks.
MTSU eyes future Blue Raiders with 14-city True Blue Tour starting Sept. 16
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Adding two new Midstate cities to the mix, Middle Tennessee State University will soon embark on its annual True Blue Tour across the state, this year visiting 14 cities for 15 events, including two separate stops in Nashville. Visits to Cookeville on Thursday, Sept. 18, and Gallatin on Thursday, Oct. 23, will be a first-time venture for the recruiting team led by President Sidney A. McPhee. The tour begins Tuesday, Sept. 16, in Shelbyville.
Free application days await hundreds at Sept. 13, Nov. 1 MTSU True Blue Preview recruiting events
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Hundreds of prospective students and their families will visit Middle Tennessee State University this fall for special recruiting events. MTSU staff and administrators are preparing for the upcoming True Blue Preview on Saturday, Sept. 13. Later, one is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1. To register for the free events in advance, go to www.mtsu.edu/rsvp. Preview day events start at 9 a.m. in the Student Union and end midafternoon.
MTSU Scholars Academy successfully acclimates new students to campus life
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Addi Andara and Chris Collins joined nearly 150 of their fellow Middle Tennessee State University first-year students in obtaining a jump-start in their college careers by being part of the almost two-week 2025 Scholars Academy. “This is setting me up for success in the long run,” said Andara, 18, of San Francisco, California, who plans to be a commercial songwriting major bitten by the music bug about 18 months ago. “We are getting a lot more of the (campus) resources.
Professor kicks off fall Star Party season Sept. 5 discussing ‘First Light on the Rubin Observatory’
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University Physics and Astronomy professor John Wallin’s discussion of “First Light on the Rubin Observatory” will kick off the fall Star Party season. Wallin’s talk will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Room 102 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall. All Star Parties are free and open to the public, and children are welcome. The format is a 45- to 60-minute lecture followed by a telescope viewing at the nearby MTSU Observatory, weather permitting.
Retired Navy, Secret Service agent to speak at MTSU 9/11 Remembrance
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — U.S. Navy veteran and retired Secret Service agent Roy Sexton will be the guest speaker for the 11th annual 9/11 Remembrance at Middle Tennessee State University. The public and MTSU community are invited to attend the ceremony, which is free and will be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in the second-floor atrium in Miller Education Center, 503 E. Bell St., in Murfreesboro. It will be livestreamed on www.mtsu.edu/live.
DOE awards $2.2M grant to MTSU-led quantum program, ORNL for research, workforce development
BYLINE: By Randy Weiler MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A Middle Tennessee State University-led quantum consortium that also includes Tennessee State University, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College and Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
MTSU closes Sept. 1 for Labor Day holiday; classes resume, campus reopens Sept. 2
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for the Labor Day Holiday. No classes will be held and all business and department offices will be closed. Campus offices will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 8 a.m. and classes resume at their regular times that day. Students taking Saturday classes are expected to attend Saturday, Aug. 30.
MTSU welcomes thousands of students home to campus for start of fall 2025 semester
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Thousands of new and returning Middle Tennessee State University students have begun the process of moving in to on- and off-campus housing for the start of the 2025-26 academic year. Along with the humidity on a warm day, move-in activity heated up on campus on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 11 residence halls, the Scarlett Commons apartments and Greek Row housing, said Michelle Safewright, executive director of MTSU Housing and Residential Life.
2025 Convocation welcomes thousands of new MTSU students Aug. 23 in Murphy Center
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Convocation at Middle Tennessee State University will soon bring thousands of new students and many of their families to campus to kick off the 2025-26 academic year. The public is welcome to attend Convocation, a free event, starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in Murphy Center. For those who can’t attend in person, the event will be broadcast on MTSU livestream, True Blue TV and MTSU’s main Facebook page.
New MTSU alum flies off to Notre Dame, embarking on 5-year research team effort
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — With an Irish name and heritage, Emerson O’Rourke plans to spend the next five years in the land of the Fighting Irish — as an aerospace graduate teaching assistant and research assistant at the University of Notre Dame — after a stellar Middle Tennessee State University academic career.
MTSU pair share Veteran Leadership Award at summer Stole Ceremony
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Ross List and Virgil Teter both began their military careers in the 1990s in different branches, and now the soon-to-be Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a new shared experience to go along with working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Both received the Veteran Leadership Award during the summer 2025 Graduating Veteran Stole Ceremony Thursday, Aug. 7, in the Miller Education Center’s second-floor atrium on Bell Street.
MTSU unveils new, cutting edge Applied Engineering Building, prepping students for high tech careers [+VIDEO]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Current Middle Tennessee State University students like Abbie Lee and those in the future will benefit from the new 90,000-square-foot Applied Engineering Building, officially opened Wednesday, Aug. 6, with a ribbon-cutting attended by hundreds of university and program supporters.
MTSU geosciences students benefit from PE Limited’s $2.76M software donation
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University Geosciences Department structural geology students, including Dylan Carr of Lebanon, will be utilizing 2024 PE Limited MOVE software this fall that will improve underground exploration techniques they will learn in the classroom and boost their career opportunities. MTSU undergraduate and graduate students will continue to benefit from a $2.76 million in-kind donation from Edinburgh, Scotland-based PE Limited, professor Mark Abolins said.
Civil Air Patrol cadets’ national academy at MTSU sparks career paths
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Dozens of teenagers from around the nation enjoyed driving the Middle Tennessee State University Experimental Vehicles Program’s lunar rover and four-wheel Baha during Day 2 of the Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Engineering Technology Academy on Tuesday, July 8. Later in the day, the 40 cadet participants from more than 20 states, including two from Hawaii, visited the MTSU Dairy at the MTSU Farm off Guy James Road in Lascassas.
Sounds’ military appreciation jersey online auction benefits MTSU Daniels Center
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Nashville Sounds baseball club is again auctioning specialty game-worn military jerseys to benefit the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University. The game-worn jerseys debuted on Sunday, May 25, for Salute to Armed Forces Day, worn again Friday, June 6, at the players’ insistence because the May 25 game was rained out and will be worn again Thursday, Sept. 11, for First Responders Night.
MTSU closes July 4 for Independence Day holiday; summer classes resume July 5, offices reopen July 7
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will be closed Friday, July 4, for the Independence Day national holiday. No classes will be held and all offices will be closed. Summer session classes will resume Saturday, July 5, at their scheduled times. All business offices and departments will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 Monday, July 7.
June ‘Out of the Blue’ TV show features MTSU School of Agriculture expansion [+VIDEO]
MURFRESBORO, Tenn. — Chaney Mosley, Middle Tennessee State University School of Agriculture director, outlines the variety of programs, a new data-driven agri-analytics certificate available to students and more in the June edition of “Out of the Blue,” the university’s television magazine show. Mosley talks about the program, one of 11 College of Basic and Applied Sciencesdepartments, with “Out of the Blue” host Andrew Oppmann, MTSU vice president of Marketing and Communications.
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets gain leadership, character skills in training at MTSU
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Young people in military uniforms have been maneuvering about the Middle Tennessee State University campus since June 6, participating in team building and leadership training. The university hosted nearly 90 U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps members from 46 units nationwide for 14 days on campus with construction and other activities and in Nashville learning basic and advanced scuba skills.
MTSU closes June 19 for Juneteenth holiday; offices reopen, classes resume June 20
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will be closed Thursday, June 19, for the Juneteenth U.S. federal and state holiday. No summer classes will be held and all university offices will be closed. MTSU will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday, June 20, and summer classes will return to their regular schedule. Closures will include the James E. Walker Library, Campus Recreation Center and Student Union.
MTSU Stormwater partners with June 14 Garden Extravaganza, June 21 Boat Day events
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Two free and engaging upcoming events on back-to-back Saturdays are being offered to residents in Rutherford and surrounding counties with assistance from Middle Tennessee State University faculty and staff. MTSU Facilities Services’ Stormwater program is partnering with several local organizations to host or sponsor: • The Rutherford County Garden Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 14, at Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., in Murfreesboro.
MTSU students’ creativity exhibited during 2025 Engineering Technology Mech-Tech expo [+VIDEO]
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Tech-savvy Middle Tennessee State University Engineering Technology and Mechatronics Engineering students closed out the spring semester by exhibiting their one- and two-semester capstone projects during the spring Mech-Tech expo in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. More than 200 people attended Mech-Tech, which featured 35 student presentations, along with 17 poster-only presentations.
MTSU Military Science commissions 9 new leaders as U.S. Army 2nd lieutenants
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Nine Middle Tennessee State University graduating senior cadets in the Military Scienceprogram were commissioned as U.S. Army second lieutenants in a special ceremony held recently in Keathley University Theater. Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, the professor of military science, presided and administered the Army Oath. The guest speaker was Army Col.
Talented crop of 3,500 incoming MTSU students attending summer New to Blue Orientations
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Mt. Juliet Christian Academy valedictorian Abigail Whicker will join Middle Tennessee State University’s incoming Class of 2029freshman group this fall as a highly driven, much awarded young woman.
MTSU Military Science leader reflects on 75 years of ROTC program [+VIDEO]
MURFRESBORO, Tenn. — Earlier this year, Middle Tennessee State University’s Military Science Department celebrated the 75th anniversary of its ROTC program. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, thedepartment chair and professor of military science, recently appeared in the May edition of “Out of the Blue,” MTSU’s television magazine show.
MTSU True Blue Day at Sounds game will honor decorated Vietnam-era war hero Stogner
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Horace N. Stogner Jr., of Murfreesboro, earned a Silver Star, four Bronze Stars (three for valor) and three Purple Hearts while serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in the 1960s. On the eve of Memorial Day, a federal holiday honoring and mourning military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Capt.
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