MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Middle Tennessee State will graduate more than 2500 students this weekend in Murfreesboro, but the university Tuesday recognized 125 graduating military veterans in a special ceremony.
MTSU held what it’s calling a “stole” ceremony for the student warriors. Each was given a red sash or stole -- signifying their veteran status -- to wear during graduation.
The ceremony was presided over by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and by the university’s new adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith M. Huber. Huber thanked the veterans for their sacrifice.
“While the served in defense of our nation (they) were willing to…departed and left behind everything that was precious to them: their family, their friends, their homes; often to go to places they couldn’t even find on a map.”
MTSU says it plans to make the stole ceremony an annual event to honor its student veterans.