MTSU students discover city’s variety of offerings at ‘Meet Murfreesboro’

Daniel McGrath has lived all of his life in Murfreesboro. But even he made more discoveries about his hometown through the annual “Meet Murfreesboro” event on the MTSU campus earlier this week.

Meet Murfreesboro is the annual Connection Point event sponsored by New Student and Family Programs and Center for Student Involvement and Leadership that introduces off-campus businesses, restaurants, ministries and more to students and MTSU employees. The event was held Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug. 27-28) in the Student Union Commons.

McGrath, 19, a Franklin Road Christian School graduate and a freshman MTSU leisure, sport and tourism major, said he “learned about a lot of different places I didn’t even know about around town.”

“I’ve been in a smaller circle,” McGrath added. “There are a lot of new people and places right under my nose. It’s great that they have this.”

Lesley Chinos, 22, a senior in the School of Nursing from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, shared how “really diverse” the event was and “enjoyed a lot of free food.” She also liked the midday break “because school is a long day and takes a lot (of my) time.”

A senior transfer from Chattanooga State in his hometown, Jaymel Chivers, 22, said Meet Murfreesboro “caught my eye. I still don’t know a lot about the city, but I enjoyed all the businesses (being here). … I met some nice people from different churches who welcome you with open arms.”

Lydia Cayton, coordinator of New Student and Family Programs, said nearly 70 businesses and ministries registered for the popular event that’s also a Connection Point destination for students to find out-of-the-classroom opportunities on campus.

“It’s really a great partnership we have with the community,” Cayton said. “Students get a bunch of free things and learn what’s available to them off-campus.”

To learn more about Meet Murfreesboro and opportunities to participate in 2020, call 615-898-2454.

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