MTSU Mondays: Students design own degrees, Terrapin Brewing Co. awards scholarship

Nancy DeGennaro, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
·2 min read

Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University.

Students designing own degree paths

Now more than ever, students are creating their own degree paths through MTSU’s University College.

Students with a wide range of experience or those seeking a broad-based educational experience can benefit from this integrated studies major that is flexible by design. Students work closely with an academic adviser to plan out their core courses and choose their areas of study.

MTSU junior and aspiring gospel artist Nigel Tubbs of Murfreesboro wants to start a vocal coaching business after earning his bachelor's degree in integrated studies, a major that allowed him to customize his course of study to pursue his passion for music.
MTSU junior and aspiring gospel artist Nigel Tubbs of Murfreesboro wants to start a vocal coaching business after earning his bachelor's degree in integrated studies, a major that allowed him to customize his course of study to pursue his passion for music.

Nigel Tubbs, a junior from Murfreesboro, made the switch to integrated studies after a few “bumps in the road” with his original music education major.

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“I knew I wanted to do something in music, but the music theory courses really got to me,” the 26-year-old said. “In going over options with my adviser he decided it would be a good idea to explore the integrated studies major, and he was right.”

Students have to choose 24 hours of courses to take from two areas of emphasis.

University College advisor Mona Snell assisted Tubbs in choosing his areas of emphasis — music education and sociology — and he was able to hand-select courses.

MTSU’s integrated studies degree turned out to be a perfect fit for Tubbs, he said, allowing him to blend his love of teaching music with his passion for learning more about the human experience.

“After I switched to integrated studies, I was excited and more passionate about my work,” he said. “I was a better student because I was more focused, more determined to do great."

Brewing scholarship

Emily Beavers, a rising junior in the MTSU Fermentation Science program, is the second recipient of the Brewing Education Scholarship awarded by Athens, Georgia-based Terrapin Brewing Co.

MTSU junior Emily Beavers of Dunlap, Tenn., will be working at Sequatchie Brewing Co., which is co-owned by her father, Eric Beavers, starting in June. She's the second recipient of a Brewing Education Scholarship provided by Terrapin Brewing Co. of Athens, Ga. Beavers received a $10,000 scholarship.
MTSU junior Emily Beavers of Dunlap, Tenn., will be working at Sequatchie Brewing Co., which is co-owned by her father, Eric Beavers, starting in June. She's the second recipient of a Brewing Education Scholarship provided by Terrapin Brewing Co. of Athens, Ga. Beavers received a $10,000 scholarship.

The $10,000 Brewing Education Scholarship Fund supports underrepresented undergraduate students seeking an MTSU Fermentation Science degree.

The scholarship provides an opportunity for the 20-year-old MTSU student to intern with Terrapin in Athens during the summer between her junior and senior year of college.

“This will take so much weight off my family,” said Beavers, who plans to use the scholarship to go toward tuition. “I feel so fortunate. I have had to pay a little out of pocket. This should get me through the rest of school.”

Tony Johnston, MTSU Fermentation Science program director, said the Brewing Education Scholarship “is a powerful example of a company putting its money where its mouth is."

"Supporting students in their pursuit of an education that prepares them for a career is taking action. Action creates change," Johnston said.

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Beavers, a 2020 graduate of Sequatchie County High School and first-generation college student, entered MTSU as a biology major her freshman year.

“It was not the path for me,” she said.

In the process, Beavers discovered there’s more to fermentation than making beer. “I didn’t know hot sauces were a fermentation product,” she said.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU Mondays: Designing degrees, Terrapin Brewing scholarship