College of Liberal Arts
Lifelong Learning Program
Mission Statement
The College of Liberal Arts began a new outreach effort with the Lifelong Learning Program in May 2015. The program is an accessible learning experience for those who want to learn more about their community, state, nation, and world. While many alumni and community members are still interested in learning and staying aware of topics in the news, this program’s goal is to meet and exceed expectations of those attending.
For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rice by email at Jennifer.Rice@mtsu.edu or by phone at (615) 494-7628.
Fall 2025 Program Information
Discovering the Past:
A Local History Expedition
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Downtown Murfreesboro, TN
Cost: Free (registration required)
Join the MTSU College of Liberal Arts for an immersive morning exploring the rich and layered history of Murfreesboro. This year’s program, presented in collaboration with the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, offers a unique opportunity to experience local history from multiple perspectives—through exhibits, artifacts, and the streets themselves.
Program Highlights:
- Welcome & Introduction: Gather at the historic Rutherford County Courthouse for a brief overview of the day’s expedition.
- Courthouse Museum Tour: Discover the stories behind one of Murfreesboro’s most iconic landmarks with a guided tour of the Rutherford County Historic Courthouse Museum.
- Walking Tour of Downtown Murfreesboro: Step into the past with a guided walking tour through the heart of downtown.
- Heritage Center Experience: Explore three current exhibitions at the Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at rarely seen local artifacts/documents. Highlights may include materials from the Armstrong Collection and insights into ongoing projects like the Cemetery School initiative.
- Student Perspectives: Hear from MTSU students involved in local history projects as they share their research and discoveries.
This event is ideal for history enthusiasts, educators, students, and anyone curious about the stories that shape our community. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for Murfreesboro’s past and the people working to preserve it. Registration is free at the link below.
Questions?
Contact Jennifer Rice
Jennifer.Rice@mtsu.edu
(615) 494-7628
Fall 2024 Program Information
The 2024 CLA Lifelong Learning Program was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. We will explore the facilities of our Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE) and hear from the Center’s Director, Dr. Thomas Holland.
True Crimes and War Dead:
The World of Forensic Anthropology
This lecture will explore the field of forensic anthropology through the examination of notable historical cases. The case studies are designed to illustrate salient points about the discipline by going beyond the laboratory techniques and methods. Dr. Holland will also cover the role and activities of MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE).
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
9 AM – 12 PM
Forensic Institute for Research and Education
Wiser-Patten Science Hall (WPS)
Fall 2023 Program Information
The CLA Lifelong Learning Program returned for Fall 2023 just in time for us to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Tennessee Manuevers during World War II. Join us for an exciting program with Dr. Louis Kyriakoudes, Professor of History and Director of the Albert Gore Research Center.
World War II in Tennessee: Stories of Heroism, Sacrifice, and Change from the Collections of the Albert Gore Research Center
Saturday, August 26, 2023
9 AM – 12 PM
Albert Gore Research Center
Todd Hall
Tennessee and Tennesseans played a critical role in World War II. U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull, a native of the Cumberland Plateau, guided the nations diplomacy in the year leading up to and during the war. Representative Albert Gore, Sr. supported U.S. assistance to Great Britain. Once the nation entered the war, Tennessee served as an important military training site, hosting the Tennessee maneuvers, and bases across the state. Thousands of Tennesseans served in the military. Tennesseans also served by working in war industries, ensuring our soldiers had the materials needed for victory.
This one-day minicourse explored the experience of World War II in Tennessee through the archival collections of the Albert Gore Research Center. Participants studied original speeches, letters, oral histories, and other original documents to understand how World War II transformed Tennessee.
The course was led by Louis M. Kyriakoudes, PhD, director of the Albert Gore Research Center with assistance of the Gore Center’s archivists.
2021 Program Information
The Lifelong Learning Program went virtual in 2021 with a theme of “The Roaring Twenties.” You can view the program recordings at the link below.