PODCAST ABOVE: On this episode of the WGNS Action Line, host Scott Walker sits down with Amy Sayward, Director of Middle Tennessee State University’s American Democracy Project, to discuss MTSU’s central role in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Thanks to a new National Endowment for the Humanities “Celebrate America!” grant, MTSU will host a year-long series of lectures, exhibits, screenings, and civic programs designed to bring the nation’s founding ideas out of the classroom and into the public square.

Sayward explains how the Semiquincentennial celebration begins Monday, February 2, 2026, and what students and the community can expect throughout the year—including a hands-on Franklin Press printing of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, screenings of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution,” Constitution Day programming, and talks by nationally recognized historians and legal scholars. The conversation also explores why civic learning, voter engagement, and understanding the nation’s founding principles remain vital 250 years later.

The discussion highlights how MTSU’s partnership with the Honors College, community organizations, and historical institutions will ensure these programs reach Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, and Middle Tennessee—while creating lasting educational resources that extend well beyond 2026.