Stand almost anywhere on the MTSU campus, and you’ll likely see the phrase “I am True Blue” at least once on a nearby sign, light pole banner, or garment.
It’s printed on every student and staff ID card. It’s part of the name of several campus services and initiatives, including True Blue Core, True Blue Fusion, the annual True Blue Tour recruitment effort, and True Blue TV. Major campus awards, such as the True Blue Citations of Distinction for distinguished alumni and the True Blue President’s Award recognizing the year’s top male and female student-athletes, riff on the phrase. The MT Athletics department in particular embraces it. “I am True Blue” is displayed on the playing fields of most athletic venues, including the turf in Floyd Stadium and the hardwood floor in Murphy Center.
Simply put, it’s everywhere. And it has been for the past 15 years. “I am True Blue,” though, is not just a marketing slogan. It has become MTSU’s identity, one born out of tragedy, the death of Lady Raider basketball player Tina Stewart, that succinctly expresses the MTSU community’s core values of honesty and integrity, respect for diversity, engagement in the community, and a commitment to nonviolence.
The pledge was formally introduced at MTSU’s Convocation ceremony on Aug. 28, 2011, alongside the set of four core values. To this day, a decade and a half later, the pledge remains a central part of campus life. Each year, the student body president still leads the incoming class of freshmen and transfer students in reading the True Blue Pledge at Convocation. The University formally celebrated the 15th anniversary of “I am True Blue” at our August 22 Convocation. True Blue!