above photo by Jimmy Hart
MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Rutherford County played host to some of the nation’s brightest young minds this summer as almost 60 Civil Air Patrol cadets from 31 states arrived at Middle Tennessee State University for the National Cadet Engineering Technology Academy. The weeklong program, organized by MTSU’s Colleges of Basic and Applied Sciences and Behavioral and Health Sciences, gave cadets a deep dive into everything from aerospace and mechatronics to public health and criminal justice.
Fifty‑four cadets earned their spot through a competitive national application process, and once on campus, they were immersed in classroom lectures, hands‑on labs, academic projects, and computer simulations. They also enjoyed bonus experiences provided by the College of Media and Entertainment and the College of Education, including time in MTSU’s television production studio.
Maj. Christina Ragain of the Missouri Wing, who directed the academy, said the university’s facilities make the program stand out year after year. She pointed to MakerSpace projects, aviation simulations, BAJA rovers, and the annual visit with retired Lt. Gen. Keith Huber as highlights that cadets always remember.
The week’s activities spanned an impressive list of disciplines: aerospace, agriculture, physics, astronomy, engineering technology, horse science, biology, chemistry, fashion studies, social work, criminal justice, athletics training, and more. Cadets even learned about the recording industry and conducted video interviews in professional studios.
During opening ceremonies, MTSU Vice President Andrew Oppmann — also a CAP lieutenant colonel — encouraged cadets to soak up every opportunity. Cadet Lt. Col. Ava Zendejas, the academy’s commander, echoed that sentiment, noting that faculty had “carefully curated every facet of this week” to showcase the full scope of MTSU’s academic strengths.
CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Regena Aye praised MTSU’s commitment, especially impressive given the university was simultaneously deployed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the massive EAA AirVenture aviation event. She told Flying Magazine that experiences like the academy help cadets envision themselves in future aviation careers.
Civil Air Patrol, founded in 1941 and now boasting more than 60,000 volunteers, has partnered with MTSU on aerospace education since 2014 — and even earlier, dating back to the 1940s and ’50s. Ragain said plans are already underway for next year’s academy, adding that CAP looks forward to continuing its strong relationship with MTSU.
