Caelan Cox looked completely different standing inside the MTSU President's House, Student Union Ballroom and other campus locations Monday (Feb. 18) than he did in October 2018 in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, when he attended the university's True Blue Tour event.
Maybe blue face paint had something to do with it.
Cox had his face painted MTSU blue for the tour event at the Chattanooga Convention Center. He also sported a College of Media and Entertainment T-shirt that night as he joined fellow students and their parents or guardians for the university's annual recruiting event.
Scholarship recipients came from Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas and from all across Tennessee. McPhee met visitors at the blue carpet entrance, then later shared how he hoped they would make MTSU their home for the next four years.
Cox, 19, is homeschooled by his mother, Trish Cox, and plans to study animation. He received a new Presidential Scholarship offer -- $18,000 for four years ($4,500 per year). The scholars must decide by May 1 to accept the offer. He said he is "set" on MTSU.
"It has a beautiful campus and all of the staff are friendly and approachable," Caelan Cox said of MTSU, adding he was looking for an animation degree "and this college has it."
"He has toured several schools," said Trish Cox, who has homeschooled him for 2½ years. "This is the place that's had his heart. It's the gold standard." Her suggestion of the painted blue face probably helped him obtain a separate $1,500 scholarship that night in Chattanooga.
"The technology he saw (at MTSU) made his eyes light up," added Trish Cox, who also mentioned a similar feeling her son experience when Billy Pittard, the chair in the Department of Media Arts, and her son jointly discussed the opportunities in animation at the Chattanooga tour event in 2015.
"Billy asked Caelan a technical question," she said. "Caelan's face lit up because it was the first time in his life someone was speaking his language. I stood there in amazement because I didn't understand a thing they were saying. I honestly think he was sold on MTSU that very moment."
At the President's House, McPhee gave Cox a signed copy of his hard-cover book, "China ... Through the Eyes of an American University President," filled with photographs McPhee has taken on various visits to that country.
Research, Science Building, library sealed Valdez's decision
Janelle Valdez, 18, lives in Smyrna, Tennessee, but is a senior at Central Magnet just down East Main Street from MTSU. The Presidential Scholarship recipient plans to major in physics and minor in Spanish.
"I like that it's huge and there's a lot of things to do here," Valdez said. "My home is close by. The (James E. Walker) library is really big. There are things I can research here and I really like the Science Building. A lot of my friends are going to go here, so I won't feel alone."
Matthew Valdez, her older brother, is a senior in the Jones College of Business.
At the end of the Celebration of Scholars event in the ballroom, Janelle Valdez, who was by herself, took a tour of the Department of Physics and Astronomy with Chair Ron Henderson.
Swaminathan: 'Diversity, options, community' swayed choice
Brentwood, Tennessee, resident Meya Swaminathan, 17, will be following the footsteps of her sister, too, in coming to MTSU. She plans to study computer science.
"I like the diversity of the programs and how concentrated they are. There are lots of options to choose from," said Swaminathan, a Brentwood High School senior who was accompanied by her father, Kris "Swami" Swaminathan, for the special event.
Meya Swaminathan said she "loves the community aspect" of campus because "everyone is very close."
Kris Swaminathan said older daughter Meena Swaminathan's MTSU experience contributed to making the decision easier for her younger sister. And he's pleased Meya has chosen computer science, which has been his career field.
MTSU student, staff/parent perspectives
Rick Chapman shared from a dual perspective as director of Student Health Services and as a parent. Son Houston Chapman will be a freshman this fall, planning to study media management. A member of the Ravenwood High basketball team in the TSSAA district tournament round, he was unable to attend the scholars event. He received a Presidential Scholarship offer.
"He visited here twice," Rick Chapman said. "Our son said MTSU was far ahead (of other schools) in labs. The intramural program is where you can get plugged in. And the new (Presidential) scholarship program made it a no-brainer."
Rick Chapman also assured parents and their teenagers Health Services and the 10-year-old Campus Pharmacy offer excellent care.
MTSU senior Kami Dyer, an Honors College Buchanan Scholar and biochemistry major, talked about "so many opportunities" the university has provided, including three study abroad trips.
MTSU has more than 300 combined undergraduate and graduate programs.
