Former MTSU student and current Lady Antebellum lead singer Hillary Scott is giving back to her alma mater by establishing a scholarship for aspiring female music industry students within the university's recently renamed College of Media and Entertainment.

"This scholarship is something I'm extremely excited about," said Scott, a former MTSU recording industry major turned Grammy-winning artist as part of the popular country music trio. "There are so many amazing people who have supported, encouraged and challenged me to become who I am today, and many of those were from my time at MTSU.

"I'm passionate about helping young women succeed and thrive in what they love to do and am thrilled to be a small part of fostering the dreams that I share with so many current and future students."

Lady Antebellum manager and MTSU alumnus Daniel Miller announced the scholarship on Scott's behalf Tuesday, Sept. 22, at music rights organization BMI in Nashville. (Watch a video report at http://youtu.be/9SHadN2iQgg.)

The announcement came during an event to commemorate the name change of the previous MTSU College of Mass Communication. Among those in attendance were university President Sidney A. McPhee; Ken Paulson, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment; and Department of Recording Industry Chair Beverly Keel.

University officials say the new name better reflects the 24-hour media cycle, the college's diversity of programs and concentrations, and the growing demand for content that informs, engages and entertains.

"We are now in a position where our former students and graduates have become so successful that they can afford to give back to MTSU," Keel said just before Scott's scholarship was announced.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student in the Department of Recording Industry. The amount and name of the scholarship have yet to be determined.

Another fellow MTSU alumnus, Pete Fisher, general manager and vice president of the Grand Ole Opry, told the crowd that every industry represented in the College of Media and Entertainment is "in a significant state of change," presenting an exciting challenge for university educators who have to prepare students for the marketplace.

"That's what MTSU and that's what the College of Media and Entertainment is committed to under Dean Paulson's leadership," Fisher said. "I'm so excited for the future."