MURFREESBORO, TN - More than 1,600 students crossed the stage at Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday (12/13/2025), marking a milestone moment for the institution and its graduates. The fall commencement ceremonies, held inside the Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center, honored 1,626 new graduates, including 1,331 undergraduates and 295 graduate students. Among the graduate group were 262 master’s recipients, 13 education-specialist recipients, 20 doctoral recipients, and seven students earning graduate certificates.

The morning ceremony recognized graduates from the Colleges of Basic and Applied Sciences, Behavioral and Health Sciences, and Education. Later in the day, the afternoon ceremony celebrated graduates from the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, Liberal Arts, the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, and University College. Thousands of family members and friends filled Murphy Center, cheering loudly as students walked across the stage.

The atmosphere was both celebratory and reflective. Chris Whaley, president of Roane State Community College and an MTSU alumnus, delivered the morning keynote, urging graduates to cherish their time on campus and embrace the challenges ahead. In the afternoon, Brady Cooper, senior pastor at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, spoke about gratitude and the importance of remembering to be thankful.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee reminded graduates that they were joining a network of more than 115,000 alumni worldwide, with most remaining in Tennessee to contribute to their communities. He emphasized the university’s role in preparing students not only for careers but also for civic engagement.

With 20,488 students enrolled in 2024–25, MTSU continues to hold the distinction of having the largest undergraduate student body in Tennessee, even though the University of Tennessee–Knoxville has the largest overall student population at more than 36,000. This underscores MTSU’s role as a leading choice for undergraduates across the state.

Congratulations Andrew Oppmann - Among those receiving degrees was Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s Vice President for Marketing and Communications. Oppmann earned his doctorate in Higher Education Administration, a pursuit aimed at deepening his expertise in university leadership and strengthening his ability to serve MTSU’s students, faculty, and community. His career spans journalism, communications, and higher education, including leadership roles at The Daily News Journal, The Leaf-Chronicle, and The Tennessean. At MTSU, he has guided communications strategy, produced award-winning programming, and modeled lifelong learning.

Saturday’s ceremonies at Murphy Center symbolized a celebration of persistence, community, and the promise of new beginnings.