Middle Tennessee State University is again recognizing outstanding alumni who represent excellence and distinction through their professional careers, loyal support and service to the broader community.

From 1960 to present, the MTSU Alumni Association has recognized accomplished alumni with the association’s highest honor: the Distinguished Alumni Award.

This year’s recipient is Torrance Esmond (Class of 2003) of Nashville, Tennessee. Known professionally as “Street Symphony,” Esmond is a record producer, music executive, composer and adjunct MTSU professor, spearheading a new hip-hop and R&B songwriting class.

This year’s Young Alumni Achievement Award, given to a graduate age 35 or younger making a positive impact in the world, goes to Gabrielle Thompson (Classes of 2012 and ’15), a Nashville resident and Free for Life International’s executive director and CEO for the past six years — with a heart for empowerment and justice for vulnerable world populations.

For the eighth consecutive year, True Blue Citations of Distinction are being awarded. Categories, including a new one for Military Service, and this year’s honorees include:

• Achievement in Education (MTSU faculty) — Rebecca Foote (Class of 2006), of Murfreesboro, a Jones College of Business faculty member and Master Instructor coordinator in the Department of Accounting.

• Achievement in Education (non-MTSU faculty) — Mitchell Miller (Classes of 1990 and ’91), of Middleburg, Florida, the John A. Delaney Presidential Professor at the University of North Florida, where he also serves as editor of the American Journal of Criminal Justice. 

• Service to University — Chip Walters (Class of 1985), of Murfreesboro, the longtime “Voice of the Blue Raiders” in football and men’s basketball and master of ceremonies for various athletic and universitywide functions and volunteer on numerous MTSU boards and committees.

• Service to Community — Col. Barry Melton (Class of 1982), of Cleveland, Tennessee, who has worked since 1986 in numerous capacities with the Civil Air Patrol.

• Military Service  — Col. Joel Cook (Classes of 1992 and ’93), of Yorktown, Virginia, who has spent 30 years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, vice wing commander and current director/chief at Air Combat Command headquarters in Virginia.

“The Alumni Association is excited to recognize the achievements of seven talented alumni,” said Ginger Freeman, Office of Alumni Relations director. “Their accomplishments show the breadth of success of our graduates and we look forward to honoring and celebrating them as part of this year’s homecoming festivities.”

Regarding the new military award, Freeman said “as an institution that has such a strong history with the military and veterans, it was only natural to add this new award. It is an honor to recognize an alumnus for their military service.”

The Alumni Association will recognize them at several events during MTSU Homecoming in late October.