See what HARDY told MTSU's 2024 graduating class: 'Take a chance on yourself'
In the past six months, HARDY's artistic versatility of late has taken him onstage and on set with Post Malone, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Nickelback. It's also led him back to his college alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University and giving the school's commencement address on May 4, 2024.
Middle Tennessee State University's Murphy Center hosted a trio of Spring Commencement ceremonies where 2,440-plus members of the first class of 2024 graduated over the weekend.
Via social media, HARDY (born Michael Hardy) expressed his humility about the experience, which also saw him finally receive his graduation diploma in person, 11 years after not being present for graduation.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee welcomed students to the commencement ceremonies, offering pride that more than 70% of the university's graduates remain Tennessee residents "contributing to their communities."
MTSU Alumni Rep. Bob Freeman and Franklin County Schools Director Cary Holman were keynote speakers at the university's commencement event.
"Don't be afraid to say yes to an opportunity just because you don't think you will see an immediate result. You never know where your successes will come from. Take a chance on yourself," offered HARDY, who did just that as a songwriter eight years ago when presented with the opportunity to work with a then-little-known Morgan Wallen.
As proof of his advice working, on the same Saturday that he appeared at MTSU, HARDY appeared onstage with Wallen as he performed at Nissan Stadium in front of 50,000 people.
"If your gut is ever telling you to stand up for yourself, go with your gut every single time. And when you do that, you gain pride, and when you gain pride you gain self-confidence, and self-confidence is fuel for success," added HARDY.
Since his Middle Tennessee State University days, HARDY has written and/or appeared on 15 No. 1 singles, including platinum chart-toppers "One Beer" featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson, "Beers On Me" with Dierks Bentley and BRELAND and "Wait In The Truck" featuring Lainey Wilson.
A graduate of Philadelphia, Mississippi's Neshoba Central High School, HARDY attended Middle Tennessee State University, where he studied songwriting in the university's vaunted Recording Industry Management program and received a bachelor of science degree in 2013.
After initially meeting Florida Georgia Line while still in college, he, alongside Wallen, eventually joined Brad Clawson and CJ Solar to co-write (and appear on) their 2017 hit "Up Down." A year later, he was signed to Big Loud Records.
In 2024, he was also inducted into MTSU's College of Media and Entertainment Wall of Fame.
According to a statement, the achievement "recognizes outstanding alumni and community leaders who have made significant professional contributions to the industry or to the College."
MTSU's College of Media and Entertainment offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Animation, Journalism, Media and Entertainment, and Recording Industry; a Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts Technologies; and a Master of Science in Media and Communication.
The college also houses the Center for Innovation in Media, the Center for Popular Music, the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies and WMOT-FM, a 100,000-watt public radio station.
While attending the school, students have worked with the Grammys, Bonnaroo Music Festival and Americana Music Festival, among many other events.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: HARDY delivers speech to MTSU graduates. See what he told 2024 class
