MTSU students, staff relish ‘Meet Murfreesboro’ options

Restaurants, the Smyrna Bowling Center, Murfreesboro Post, churches and more from the Murfreesboro and Rutherford County community met students, faculty and staff under two large tents on the MTSU campus Tuesday (Aug. 28).

It was Day 1 of the two-day Meet Murfreesboro, where new and returning MTSU students capture a glimpse of what businesses in the community have to offer. It is held in the Student Union Commons.

The annual New Student and Family Programs and Center for Student Involvement and Leadership Connection Point event introduces off-campus businesses, restaurants, ministries and more to students and MTSU employees.

Meet Murfreesboro will continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, in the Student Union Commons.

Marco’s Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Ideas Tees, the new Hernandez Mexican Deli downtown and Cedar Grove Church are but a sampling of businesses attending this year.

Freshman Rachel Petree, 18, of Knoxville, Tennessee, an animal science/horse science major, said the event was “super and super cool.”

“This is a great way to get involved in what Murfreesboro has to offer,” Petree said. “It’s a way to get connected outside of campus.”

Carrying free food, Tommy Khounoudom, 21, of La Vergne, Tennessee, an athletic training major originally from Vientiane, Laos, said at Meet Murfreesboro “you get to see a lot of different companies who are in the area.”

Connection Point was instituted several years ago as a way to get new and returning students connected to campus through many extra-curricular activities. It replaced the Week of Welcome theme.

MTSU has more than 300 combined undergraduate and graduate programs.