You are exactly right! The university you are thinking of is Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the book preserves the witty axioms of Dr. Marshall Gunselman (affectionately known to many as “Uncle Bub”). [1, 2, 3]

Who was Dr. Marshall Gunselman?

Dr. Gunselman was a prominent educator who served as the Director of the Learning Resources Center (LRC) at MTSU during the late 1960s and 1970s. He was highly regarded in his field, holding a Doctor of Education from George Peabody College and editing academic texts regarding educational technology and learning centers. [1, 3, 4, 5]

Aside from his academic career, he was widely beloved for his sharp wit, down-to-earth wisdom, and unforgettable colloquial axioms—often referred to by his colleagues and students as “Gunselmanisms.”

The Book of Sayings

Because his colorful aphorisms became legendary across the campus, they were compiled into a booklet to preserve his unique humor and advice. Some of his most famous “Uncle Bub” sayings include:

• “I brung you some blooms.” (A classic phrase he famously used to cheer people up, which he even used as the title for a keynote speech).
• “You can’t make a whistle out of a pig’s tail.”
• “Even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then.” [3]

The physical copy of this booklet is preserved in the MTSU University Archives and special collections housed within the university’s main library—the James E. Walker Library.

Are you looking to find a copy of the booklet or trace down a specific quote or “Gunselmanism”? I can help you figure out how to contact the library’s special collections archive!

[1] https://digital.mtsu.edu

[2] https://www.therestorationmovement.com

[3] https://texashistory.unt.edu

[4] https://digital.mtsu.edu

[5] https://search.lib.uiowa.edu