1970

MTSU President Dr. M.G. Scarlett commissions a feasibility study done by Pulitzer Prize winner and University of Illinois professor Gene Graham, on the concept of a communication program at MTSU.

1971

Dr. Scarlett appoints Dr. Ed Kimbrell to establish and become the first chair of the Department of Mass Communication.

1972

Billboard Magazine Southern Editor, the late Bill Williams, and other music business professionals reinforce Dr. Scarlett's perception that MTSU should develop a much-needed educational program for the recording industry. Dr. Scarlett appoints a committee composed of Dr. Kimbrell, Dr. John Duke from the Music Dept., Dr. Furman Cunningham from the Business Dept., Dr. E.L.Gentry from the Education Dept., and solicits input from professionals in the recording industry, to develop a curriculum for a recording industry degree program.

1973

The Recording Industry Management program within the Department of Mass Communication is approved by the State Board of Regents.

1974

The first Bachelor of Science degree in Recording Industry Management is awarded.

1975

Six internships develop and the first interns begin work in the Nashville recording industry.

1977

Dr. Geoffrey Hull becomes the first full-time faculty member of the Recording Industry Management program, and is instrumental in developing and refining the curriculum.

1978

Christian Haseleu is recruited as the second full-time faculty member, develops the audio/technology curriculum, and is instrumental in securing the program's first recording studio facilities.

1980

The MTSU Haynes House is converted into a recording studio (see photos on right)

1983

The Recording Industry Management program at MTSU celebrates its 10th anniversary with 368 majors.

1985

The Recording Industry Management program releases a student CD, becoming the first school in the country to do so.

1986

The Center for Recording Arts and Sciences is established to work with the Recording Industry Management program. The Center builds an on campus digital audio recording studio and houses an archive of American popular recordings, videos, and publications.

1989

The Mass Communication Department becomes the College of Mass Communication at MTSU. The Recording Industry Management program becomes the Department of Recording Industry Management. Dr. Geoffrey Hull is appointed as Chairman of the department.

1991

The Recording Industry Management Department and the College of Mass Communication move into the $15.5 million state-of-the-art teaching and production complex dedicated as the John Bragg Mass Communication Building. Rich Barnet takes over the helm as Chair of the Recording Industry Management Department.

1992

The Recording Industry Management Department changes its name to become known as the Department of Recording Industry at MTSU. The curriculum is divided, with one emphasis in Music Business and the other in Production and Technology.

1993

Dr. Deryl Leaming succeeds Dr. Kimbrell as Dean of the College of Mass Communication. The Advisory Board to the Department of Recording Industry is created with some of music business' most prominent figures.

1994

The Department of Recording Industry at MTSU celebrates its 20th anniversary with over 14 full-time faculty members, over 900 majors from 35 states and 6 foreign countries, and over 150 interns per year actively working in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.

1998

Chris Haseleu succeeds Rich Barnet as Chairman for the Department of Recording Industy.

2002

Dr. Anantha S. Babbili begins as Dean of the College of Mass Communication. The Department of Recording Industry has 22 full-time faculty members, 1716 majors and over 200 interns and graduates per year.

2004

The Department of Recording Industry at MTSU celebrates its 30th anniversary. Studios D & E were completed and opened.

2005

Students are enrolled in the MFA in Recording Arts and Technology. The Department of Recording Industry has 25 full-time faculty members and 3 full-time audio maintenance staff.

2007

The Department of Recording Industry has 30 full-time faculty and over 1500 majors.

2008

The new concentration in Songwriting begins.