The former president of Middle Tennessee State University died Monday (4/16/2012). Lifelong educator Dr. Melvin G. Scarlett of Murfreesboro passed away at age 91.
While at MTSU, Dr. Scarlett was the driving force behind the creation of the honors and recording industry programs, as well as the communications department, and was named the Aerospace Educator of the Year. He also traveled with architects to tour facilities throughout the nation before construction of Murphy Center, the state-of-the-art multi-purpose athletic facility that is still a campus showpiece. At MTSU, Dr. Scarlett gave students a greater voice in campus governance and, through thoughtful communication, avoided the unrest plaguing many other universities during the turbulent ‘60s and early ‘70s.
During his retirement, Dr. Scarlett continued his contribution to higher education through authorship of The Great Rip-Off in American Education: Undergrads Underserved and a separate volume on his tenure at MTSU.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. at Woodfin Funeral Chapel, 1488 Lascassas Pike, in Murfreesboro, with the funeral at the same location Thursday at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Creekside at Three Rivers or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday (4/18/2012) at Woodfin Funeral Chapel, 1488 Lascassas Pike, with the funeral at the same location at 10:00 o'clock Thursday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Creekside at Three Rivers or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.