Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Initiatives
True Blue Character Blueprint: Building Character Education at MTSU
About
The “True Blue Character Blueprint: Building Character Education at MTSU” is a grant-funded project to lead a campus wide conversation to strengthen character education at Middle Tennessee State University by connecting the values of the True Blue Pledge with students’ academic and campus experiences. The initiative is supported by a Character Capacity-Building Grant through the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University, providing MTSU with resources to develop a more intentional and unified approach to character education.
Led by the College of Liberal Arts, the “True Blue Character Blueprint: Building Character Education at MTSU” brings together faculty, staff and students to explore what character means at MTSU and how qualities such as responsibility, civility, resilience and community engagement contribute to personal, academic and professional growth. Through faculty development, student programming, guest speakers and campus conversations, the initiative will build a shared framework for character education and create new opportunities to integrate character development throughout the MTSU experience.
Upcoming Events
TrueBlue Character Kick-Off
Date: Wednesday, Sept 9
Time: Refreshments begin at 10:30am; Remarks at 11:15am
Location: JUB room 100
Faculty Learning Community Events
The True Blue Character Faculty Learning Community brings together an interdisciplinary cohort of MTSU faculty to explore character education and its role in teaching and learning. During the 2026-27 academic year, participants will examine current character education practices, identify opportunities across MTSU’s curriculum and work toward defining what character means at MTSU. faculty and staff can register at https://ctm.mtsu.edu/faculty-learning-communities/ (Look for the Building Character Education at MTSU FLC)
Faculty Learning Community meetings are working sessions for selected faculty participants and are not open to students.
| FLC Meeting 1 | Sept 14, 2026 | Library 348 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | |
| FLC Meeting 2 | Oct. 19, 2026 | Library 348 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | |
| FLC Meeting 3 | Nov. 9, 2026 | Library 348 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | Guest: Liz Whiting |
Campus Lectures
The True Blue Character Campus Lecture Series brings guest speakers to MTSU to engage students, faculty, staff and the broader campus community in conversations about character and its role in our personal, professional and civic lives. Lectures will explore topics such as leadership, responsibility, citizenship, ethics and belonging while encouraging participants to consider what it means to demonstrate True Blue character at MTSU and beyond.
| Senator Lamar Alexander & Senator Bill Frist | Oct. 19, 2026 | Tucker Theatre | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Note: Reception in lobby at 4:30 |
| Liz Whiting | Nov. 10, 2026 | Honors College 106 | 11:30am – 1:00pm |
Fireside Chats
True Blue Character Fireside Chats provide students with an informal setting to discuss character and what it means to be part of the True Blue community. Led by faculty from the Faculty Learning Community, these conversations will explore topics such as leadership, responsibility, belonging and the values that shape the MTSU experience. Students will have opportunities to share their perspectives, engage with others and help shape how MTSU approaches character education across campus.
| Fireside Chat 1 | Sept. 16, 2026 | TODD 227 | 9:00am – 10:00am | |
| Fireside Chat 2 | Nov. 11, 2026 | STU Parliamentary Room | 11:00am – 12:00pm |
Book Club
The True Blue Character Book Club brings MTSU faculty and staff together to explore current ideas and research related to character, virtue and their role in higher education. Through guided discussions, participants will consider how character development connects with teaching, learning and the MTSU experience while building a shared understanding of character education across campus. Faculty and staff can register at https://ctm.mtsu.edu/book-groups/ (Look for the Cultivating Virtue In the University bookclub)
The book club will meet during the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters and is intended for MTSU faculty and staff.
| Book Club Meeting 1 | Sept 24, 2026 | TODD 227 | 8:00am – 9:00am | Cultivating Virtue in the University |
| Book Club Meeting 2 | Oct. 8, 2026 | TODD 227 | 8:00am – 9:00am | Cultivating Virtue in the University |
| Book Club Meeting 3 | Nov. 12, 2026 | TODD 227 | 8:00am – 9:00am | Cultivating Virtue in the University |
| Book Club Meeting 4 | Dec. 1, 2026 | TODD 227 | 8:00am – 9:00am | Cultivating Virtue in the University |
TrueBlue Character Feedback
We want to hear your thoughts about the True Blue Character Blueprint. Use this form to share ideas, suggestions, feedback or concerns about the initiative, its events or character education at MTSU. Your name and contact information are optional. You are welcome to submit feedback anonymously. If you would like someone from the True Blue Character Blueprint team to follow up with you, please include your contact information.