MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is expanding its support for military service members and their families across Rutherford County and beyond.
Officials gathered in the Keathley University Center (KUC) Theater on Wednesday (Aug. 4th) to celebrate the expansion of the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center. The newly upgraded facility, located on the bottom floor of the KUC, now spans more than 4,000 square feet. It holds the distinction of being the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any higher education campus in Tennessee.
The center serves over 1,200 student veterans and family members every year. Led by Director Hilary Miller, the staff provides transition assistance to help service members re-enter civilian life.
"The Daniels Center has a very strong philosophy that we do not send people on a runaround," Miller said. "We want to make sure they can come to one place, and they can get all their needs taken care of, and that includes things well beyond education."
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee highlighted that everything a student veteran needs to succeed is located under one roof. Assistance includes course advising, military benefits navigation, government paperwork processing, and employment search aid.
To deliver complete support, the facility acts as an official field office for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. It houses two full-time state Veterans Service Officers alongside two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs staff members: a full-time mental health counselor and a VetSuccess on Campus counselor.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, credited President McPhee for pushing the university to elevate its military outreach.
The facility is named after late country music legend Charlie Daniels and his wife, Hazel. This year marks 10 years since the university named the center after the couple, following the center's 10th anniversary celebration last year. Outside the entry doors, a Legacy Wall honors Daniels' music career and lifelong support of the U.S. Armed Forces.
"Dad’s passion was our veterans, and he said we owe them an unpayable debt and gratitude, and he was right," Charlie Daniels Jr. told supporters during the ceremony. "This center is a wonderful part of his legacy."
Hazel Daniels also shared her gratitude for the expanded space, noting her late husband's deep pride in the institution.
Army veteran, country singer, and Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan spoke at the ceremony before performing his songs "Soldier" and "Almost Home" with guitarist Zack Robertson.
"Without this center, there would be veterans who would not be where they are today, and I do believe they are saving people’s lives," Morgan said.
Services at the center remain available to veterans and military families throughout the community, regardless of whether they are enrolled at MTSU.
Residents can learn more about local military support services by visiting https://www.mtsu.edu/military/ or by calling 615-904-8347.
