Middle Tennessee State University

Four Japanese language students at Middle Tennessee State University earned runner-up in Level 1 of the competitive 2025 Tennessee Japanese Video Skit and Presentation Contest. Held annually each spring semester, the contest is open to college students studying Japanese across Tennessee and includes both group skits and individual presentations depending on student proficiency.

Middle Tennessee State University Japanese major Jordyn Caudle was chosen by the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the prestigious 2025 Kakehashi Project in February. The Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville nominated Caudle, the first MTSU student selected for the exchange.

Middle Tennessee State University Honors student Victoria Grigsby has been accepted into the highly competitive Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University. The program is hosted by Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs this summer.

Middle Tennessee State University recently celebrated its most prestigious individual student awards for the 2023-24 academic year. Recipients included President's Award winner Ross Sibley of Redlands, California, Provost's Award honoree Sydney Robbins of Cordova, near Memphis, Robert C. LaLance Jr. Achievement Award winner Sevinch Kamaridinova of Gallatin, and MTSU Community Service honoree Brian Maxwell of Smyrna. A common thread: All are part of the MTSU Honors College.

Eight players for the Middle Tennessee State University hockey team were recognized as part of College Hockey South's All-Academic Team for the 2023-24 season.

Middle Tennessee State University Honors College alumna Ivy Adams was recently announced as a recipient of the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning award! Approximately 200 active Phi Kappa Phi members nationwide receive this $1,000 award each year to help fund post-baccalaureate professional development to include (but not be limited to): graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/research/learning. Adams completed her bachelor's degree in December 2022, majoring in Aerospace and minoring in Business Administration, Honors, Asian Studies and Chinese. She completed her masters in August 2023, majoring in Aeronautical Science with concentration in Aviation Management.

Kevin Bicker, associate chemistry professor, and his mentee Janna Abou-Rahma, undergraduate researcher and biochemistry major, appeared on this month's "Out of the Blue" episode to share about Abou-Rahma's recent win at a highly competitive health challenge and her experience working in Bicker's lab.