Out of the Blue from MTSU

MTSU's School of Music has launched its first-ever capital campaign, Where Every Note Counts, to expand scholarship opportunities for music students and members of the Band of Blue from across the university. In this episode, School of Music Director Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass discusses the campaign's goals, its impact on student success, and how philanthropic support will help the next genera...

On this episode, discover how Nic Dugger turned his passion into a successful career in television and event production. A proud graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Nic credits his experience—especially within the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment—for helping shape his path in the entertainment industry. Now serving as Executive Director of the MidSouth Emmy Awards, Nic...

On this episode, get an inside look at academic leadership at MTSU through the perspective of Dr. Mark Byrnes, Provost and Chief Academic Officer. As the longest-serving academic chief among Tennessee’s public universities, Dr. Byrnes plays a key role in supporting more than 330 academic programs, helping shape the educational experience for thousands of students. A Murfreesboro native, Dr. Byrnes...

On this special podcast episode of "Out of the Blue," we follow a bottle of our "world famous" chocolate milk from the farm to the store. See how Agriculture students start their day at the MTSU Dairy Farm, carefully milking the herd and ensuring top-quality care every step of the way. That fresh milk doesn’t travel far—it heads straight to the MTSU Creamery on campus, where it...

As the world of athletics continues to evolve, so does the support system behind it. Inside the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences is a new graduate certificate program in Sport Social Work, designed to prepare professionals to meet the unique mental health and social service needs of athletes and athletic communities. On this episode we sit down the Dr. Justin Singleton, the director of th...

Effective July 1, 2026, the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences will officially reorganize, bringing new opportunities, fresh leadership structures, and an expanded vision for student success. Dean Peter Grandjean joins us on this podcast to break down what this transformation means for students, faculty, and the future of the college.

Later this year, MTSU will launch a new program, a Master of Science in Legal Studies, collaborating with the Nashville School of Law. On this episode we sit down with the he program's director, Sandy Benson as she explains the ins and outs of what this new program will include and how to apply.

We close out our "Joys of the Season" series of episodes this December with a re-release of last year's "Sleigh Ride," performed by the students of the 2024 MTSU Symphony Orchestra. From the crew of "Out of the Blue," we wish you a merry Christmas and happy holidays!

In this segment of "Joys of the Season," we take you to the warm acoustics of Hinton Hall with a beautiful performance by the MTSU Bassoon Ensemble, led by Dr. Staci Spring and conducted by Dr. Dennis Hawkins of the School of Music. The ensemble presents a rich, expressive rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” First introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis...

In this segment of "Joys of the Season," join us in Hinton Hall for a stirring performance by the MTSU School of Music’s Schola Cantorum ensemble. Led by Choral Director Dr. Will Chandler, this accomplished vocal group brings breathtaking clarity and richness to one of the season’s most enduring classics: “O, Come All Ye Faithful.” Originating in the 18th century, this beloved carol has been sung...

In this video podcast, we take you inside Tucker Theatre for an electrifying musical theatre performance that sets the tone for the entire show. Under the direction of Professor Kristi Shamburger, MTSU theatre students deliver a dynamic rendition of “Turkey Lurkey Time” from the Broadway hit Promises, Promises. Known for its spirited choreography and holiday cheer, this number—originally staged by...

On this episode, True Blue TV correspondent, Karli Sutton explores how MTSU truly feels like home for generations of Blue Raiders. From parents working on campus to their children following in their footsteps, discover how MTSU’s family-first culture fosters connection, gratitude, and opportunity. Hear from Sophomore Rachel Oppmann and other stories from MTSU families who make the university a tru...

On this episode, we chat with Tyler Adkins, Assistant Director of SPARE, about how this student-led organization brings campus to life through concerts, events, and the popular Party in the Grove tailgate series. From hands-on experience in event planning and artist management to producing MTSU’s annual Spring Concert, SPARE gives students real-world opportunities to create, collaborate, and conne...

https://www.mtsu.edu/program/digital-media-m-s/ We are live on location in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment at MTSU with Dr. Ken Blake who discusses the new online Masters in Digital Media program in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media.

On this episode, founder, Chairman & CEO of Big Machine Label Group, Scott Borchetta reflects on the historic renaming of the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University.

Engineering professor Dr. Saeed Foroudastan and MTSU Junior Andrew Starkey lead a tour of the Rover and Baja experimental vehicles housed in a new custom lab within the Applied Engineering building.

Mechatronics Engineering alum and current Business grad student Abbie Lee, joins the podcast live from the new Applied Engineering building to discuss her major and the role this new building will play in students' academic learning.

We’re proud to welcome R.J. Ware to the podcast as the newly elected president of Middle Tennessee State University’s Student Government Association. R.J. joins us to discuss his vision, leadership goals, and the key priorities he’s already working on for the upcoming academic year. From student engagement to campus initiatives, get a first look at what’s ahead under his administration.

We’re excited to welcome MTSU alumna Karli Sutton to the "Out of the Blue" team! Starting in September, Karli will be contributing compelling stories to the show and creating video content for our flagship station, True Blue TV.Karli began her broadcasting journey as a reporter and producer for Middle Tennessee News, the student-run news outlet from MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strate...

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Engage, Middle Tennessee State University’s signature academic initiative that promotes a culture of engaged learning across campus—empowering both students and faculty. Joining us to reflect on a decade of impact is Julie Myatt, director of the Engage program. She shares insights into the program’s evolution, success stories, and its continued role in shaping th...

The MTSU Honors College is proud to announce the launch of its official podcast — Honors Spotlight! Through in-depth interviews, Honors Spotlight brings you inside the lives of the students, faculty, and alumni who make the Honors College so unique. From thesis triumphs to global adventures, you'll hear real stories of curiosity, leadership, growth — and the occasional behind-the-scenes laugh....

Assistant Athletics Director Nathan Wallach, a proud MTSU alumnus, is the driving force behind many of the exciting upgrades happening at Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium. From modern amenities to fan-focused improvements, Nathan is helping shape a new era for Blue Raider athletics. In this conversation, we discuss how these enhancements will improve the day to day of student-athletes while elevati...

The Tourism and Hospitality Management program in MTSU’s College of Behavioral and Health Sciences is gaining attention for all the right reasons — thanks to its forward-thinking, hands-on approach to student success. From immersive experiences to industry partnerships, the program is redefining how future professionals are prepared for careers in this fast-paced, ever-evolving field. Joining us o...

MTSU proudly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts this summer! For over four decades, this prestigious three-week, on-campus intensive has welcomed more than 300 of the state’s most talented high school students, giving them the opportunity to grow, explore, and refine their skills across a wide range of artistic disciplines — from visual arts and music t...

Think agriculture is just cows and crops? Think again! MTSU’s School of Agriculture is one of our standout programs, packed with surprising majors, hands-on learning, and real-world experiences. From digging into soil science to saddling up at the Horse Science Center, students here get way more than just classroom time. In this episode we sit down with Dr. Chaney Mosley to talk farm life, ag tech...