MTSU Mondays: Concrete workshop empowers girls; Center joins Opry for Army's 250th

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26-05-2025

Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University:
Middle Tennessee State University's Concrete Industry Management program recently hosted more than 320 area middle and high school girls at the second annual Ladies in Concrete Workshop to expose them to a variety of potential careers in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.
Following last year's successful inaugural event at the School of Concrete and Construction Management Building, this year's event drew even more girls and young women to campus to get an up close view of different parts of the concrete industry through hands-on workshops demonstrating common things seen on a jobsite.
The event provided eight workstations — heavy equipment, hand tools, mix design, pre-casting, finishing, masonry, 3D printing and welding — for the girls to have immersive experiences with professional equipment, all hosted by 17 different alumni and local industry partners.
CIM Patron Board President Natalie Martin, a CIM program alum, created and organized the event for the purpose of letting young girls know that there is a much-needed place for women within this industry working with the most used building material in the world.
'I want to give middle and high school girls experience in this industry from a young age, so when they get to college, they're more on an equal playing field,' Martin explained, her emphasis based on her own experience as a nontraditional student, having graduated from the CIM program at 38 years old in 2016.
Hannah Neal, a rising CIM junior from Murfreesboro, was a part of the group of female students and alumni that acted as tour guides for the day, sharing with the group their job titles and experiences within the concrete business and their unique degree.
Paired with students from Central Magnet High School in Murfreesboro, Neal detailed just how grateful she was for being a part of this experience, and how she wished for an opportunity like this when she was much younger.
'We have so many amazing women and men who have decided to spend their time away from their companies to show these hands-on experiences for these young girls, and that is something I'm so thankful to be involved with since I'm still learning, too,' she said.
Alongside a nearly 100-student increase from last year, the event hosted even more schools, bumping the total up to 12 combined middle and high schools from the Midstate. The CIM program aims to increase these numbers even more next year.
Rising Smyrna High School senior Zoie Tubbs was one of the many participants who had the opportunity to participate in the event alongside her peers, finding the day to not only be enjoyable, but also expanded her horizons on what she perhaps would want to pursue after graduation.
'I think this is a really good opportunity for us as girls to learn about the concrete industry, and to actually feel invited to this career. Being here maybe changed my mind for what I want to do,' she said.
Middle Tennessee State University's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center on May 20 helped the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville celebrate the Army's 250th birthday.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, who serves as MTSU's senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, was the Opry's guest announcer at the annual Salute the Troops show.
Huber, along with Army Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia, commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, helped welcome country music stars and Opry members Craig Morgan, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sal Gonzalez and more, along with the 100th Army Band.
Huber used his time on the Opry stage to talk about the work by the Daniels Center, saying the facility not only serves MTSU's more than 1,000 military-connected students, but any veteran seeking assistance — regardless of their affiliation with the university.
Morgan, an MTSU alumnus, also serves as a warrant officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Just before his performance, Morgan thanked 'my friend' Huber, then sitting with the sold-out crowd, and asked him to stand so the audience could applaud his service to veterans and active-duty troops.
The Army is celebrating its birthday with several events across the nation, all leading up to its 250th on June 14.
MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Concrete workshop empowers girls; Center joins Opry for Army's 250th