Centennial Scholars Program grows

Midgett family pledges first Centennial Scholarship to MTSU's Honors College



MTSU administrators pose for a photo with Don and Carolyn Midgett, left, and Louise Parker, second from right, during the first Centennial Scholarship in Honors Luncheon at MTSU. At center is MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and at right is Dr. John Vile, dean of the University Honors College. The Midgetts have committed to endow the first Centennial Scholarship earmarked for the University Honors College program for Carolyn Midgett's late parents, Ralph and Elizabeth Travis Gwaltney, both graduates of Middle Tennessee State Teachers College. Parker, also an MTSTC alumna, is the younger sister of Elizabeth Gwaltney.

MTSU Photographic Services photo by Andy Heidt


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A family with an extensive and influential history with MTSU has made a commitment to establish the Ralph and Elizabeth Gwaltney Centennial Scholarship for the University Honors College.

Don and Carolyn Midgett made the commitment to MTSU for the first Centennial Scholarship earmarked for the University Honors College program. The scholarship is named for Carolyn Midgett's late parents.

"MTSU is coming up on its 100-year celebration, and our families have been part of MTSU for 80 of those years,"; Don Midgett said.

Ralph Gwaltney (B.S. '39, M.S. '54) and Elizabeth Travis Gwaltney (B.S. '36) both graduated from Middle Tennessee State Teachers College, which was renamed Middle Tennessee State College in 1943. Their daughter Carolyn, Don's wife, graduated from MTSC in 1964, just before it attained "university"; status in 1965.

"Mr. Gwaltney stayed back and worked on the farm, which is why he started college a few years later,"; Don Midgett said, explaining the couple's time difference in receiving their bachelor's degrees.

Ralph Gwaltney, originally from Hickman County, was an officer in his senior class and a member of the "T"; Club, known today as the Varsity Club. He played basketball, baseball and tennis and later coached girls' basketball at Walter Hill High School and worked for many years for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Murfreesboro.

Elizabeth Travis Gwaltney was born and raised in Murfreesboro. As a college student she played in the band and was a member and officer of the Glee Club. She taught in the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City school systems for 36 years and was a charter member of the Golden Raiders.

"We are extremely grateful to Don and Carolyn Midgett for their generosity,"; said Joe Bales, vice president for MTSU development and university relations. "For many years, they have been quietly making an impact on our campus with investments that make MTSU better. This latest gift of a Centennial Scholars Endowment continues their family legacy of supporting their alma mater and assuring that the university, as well as our students and faculty, have the resources they need to be successful.";

Don Midgett said his strong connection to the Honors College goes back to the close friendship between his father, E.W. "Wink"; Midgett, and Paul Martin Sr., for whom the Honors Building is named. The MTSU Honors Program officially became a college in 1998, and the Honors Building opened in 2003. Since then, their friendship has been sealed in brick and mortar: Inside the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building is the E.W. "Wink"; Midgett Classroom.

"The Honors College seemed to be an appropriate area (for the scholarship),"; Don said, who also sits on the Board of Visitors for the college as well as on the MTSU Foundation Board.

Wink Midgett served the university for 40 years, founding the Department of Business and coaching football, basketball and golf.

"We figure there are probably 200 or more people today doing what my dad did by himself back then,"; Don quipped.

Dr. John Vile, Honors College dean, said the college is "especially pleased to be associated with a family that has already played such an important part in the history of MTSU.";

"We're hoping that this gift will inspire other donors to think about making donations for the support of honors students,"; Vile continued. "Traditionally, these are the students most likely to stay in school and to graduate in a timely fashion.

"Don and Carolyn have stepped forward to set an example of university support that is a tribute not only to them but to the university that has been inspiring students and alumni for 100 years.";

Over the years, the Midgett family has established the E.W. "Wink"; Midgett Accounting Scholarship and the Dan E. Midgett Memorial Golf Scholarship, the latter for Don's late brother. The Midgett Business Building, which adjoins Kirksey Old Main, and a conference room in the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame both are named in Wink Midgett's honor.

"We've given Dean Vile free reign in how he would like to use the (Gwaltney) scholarship,"; Midgett noted. "It's not designated for a specific purpose; it's for him to use at his discretion.";

The Centennial Scholarship Program aims to establish 100 such endowments, which, when fully funded, will provide perpetual funds for scholarships for 20 to 25 students each year. When added to the existing Buchanan Fellows and Presidential Scholars programs, the new Gwaltney Scholarship will give MTSU even greater clout to attract the best students to Tennessee's fastest-growing university.

Each Centennial endowment, when fully funded, will be renewable for a maximum of five years while a student pursues his or her degree and remains academically eligible. Recipients also may use funds to pursue an international-study experience related to their degree programs.

"We are seeing more and more people who really understand the importance of education and want to help the next generation of students,"; Bales said. "The award will truly make a difference. Our current economy really brings into focus the importance of a college degree. Don and Carolyn understand the importance of helping our young people achieve their potential. It is an investment in the future for all of us.";

Gale and Jonelle Prince kicked off the Centennial Scholarship Program in spring 2010 when they established the Gale and Jonelle Prince Centennial Scholarship to celebrate MTSU's upcoming 100th anniversary.

Students who are selected as Centennial Scholars will represent the upper 10 to 15 percent of their high-school graduating class and earned a minimum ACT score of 29 (SAT 1300). Criteria will include academic performance, leadership, athletic or extracurricular involvement and recommendations from teachers, faculty and community leaders. A Centennial Scholar at MTSU will have to maintain a 3.5 GPA to continue receiving his or her annual award, officials said.