MTSU News Summary for October 2001
The following is a summary of major news activities at MTSU divided into National, Metropolitan, and Local, and further broken down as follows: Administrative, Athletics, Basic and Applied Sciences, Business, Education and Behavioral Science, Liberal Arts, Mass Communication, and Student Affairs.
The last category is General Interest and may include a broad spectrum of programs and people, encompassing such areas as alumni, public safety, graduate programs, human interest, special celebrations, concerts, etc.NATIONAL NEWS
Administration
The Chronicle of Higher Education talked with several college administrators, including MTSU President Sidney McPhee, about their inauguration ceremonies.
Basic and Applied Sciences
The Boston Globe and the Washington Post noted that the FBI asked MTSU for a list of flight students following the Sept. 11th attacks on America.
The Journal of Technological Horizons in Education reported that MTSU’s radio/TV/photography students use state-of-the-art facilities.
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Business
Dr. Richard Hannah, economics, was quoted by the Detroit Free Press about the vote to unionize workers at the Nissan plant in Smyrna.
P.R. Newswire quoted Dr. Bill Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance and TeleCheck senior analyst, on a slight increase in same-store retail sales in September.

Education and Behavioral Science
The P.R. Newswire ran a story about the five nominees for the N.E.A. Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, including Dr. Jan Hayes, educational leadership.
KTRS-AM in St. Louis interviewed Dr. James Calder, elementary and special education, about a class in which he blindfolds students to help them learn what happens to the other senses when one sense is taken away.
Liberal Arts
The Los Angeles Times interviewed Dr. Ted Sherman, English, about the popularity of the Harry Potter books and J.R.R. Tolkien’s "Lord of the Rings" and the upcoming films based on those books.
C-SPAN televised Dr. John Vile, chairman, political science, as he introduced the author of "Democracy Headed South" at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville.
WSPD Radio in Toledo, Ohio, interviewed Vile about President Bush’s speaking style following the terrorist attacks on America.
The Washington Post talked to students of Dr. Clyde Willis, political science, about their increasing feelings of vulnerability following the Sept. 11th attacks. METROPOLITAN NEWS
Administration
MTSU President Sidney McPhee and his wife, Elizabeth, will be feted at an exhibit at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, according to The Tennessean.
McPhee expressed mixed emotions prior to a three-day Tennessee Board of Regents workshop about the possibility of capping enrollment, reported The Tennessean.
Basic and Applied Sciences
Lucinda Lea, assistant vice president, information technology, spoke to The Tennessean about e-mail tapping.
WSM-AM interviewed Dr. Stephen Wright, biology, on the use of chemical and biological warfare.
The Tennessean reported that the Tennessee Dairy Expo will be held Oct. 11-13 at the Tennessee Livestock Center at MTSU.
WSM-AM interviewed Dr. Paul Craig, chairman, aerospace, on travelers’ fear of commercial airlines since the Sept. 11th attacks on America and security measures implemented by the airlines.

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WZTV-TV interviewed Dr. Stephen Wright, biology, about the biochemical threat terrorists pose to America.
WSM-AM interviewed Dr. Harley Foutch, director, agribusiness/agriscience, about the increasing number of women enrolling in agriculture courses at colleges and universities.
Dr. Don Beard, engineering technology/industrial studies, was interviewed by WSMV-TV and WKRN-TV about the threat of anthrax.
The Tennessean reported that federal officials are hailing MTSU’s concrete industry management program for displaying cooperation between higher education and the private sector.

Business
The Tennessean quoted Dr. Richard Hannah, economics, on how workers at the Nissan plant in Smyrna can pull together after employees voted 2-to-1 against the United Auto Workers’ attempt to organize them.
Dr. Donald Ratajczak, professor emeritus of Georgia State University, said at MTSU’s annual Economic OutlookConference that he expects the American economy to have negative growth until the first quarter of 2002, reported the Nashville Business Journal.
Dr. Al DePrince, economics, said Ratajczak’s comments reflect the views of most forecasters, reported The Tennessean.
The Tennessean also reported that DePrince said declining growth rates converge in an economic slowdown, leaving Tennessee as vulnerable as any other state to hard economic times.
DePrince noted in The Tennessean that MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center might place the starting date of a recession in the late spring or summer.
DePrince told The Commercial Appeal that he predicts an economic upturn in the first few months of 2002.
The Tennessean quoted DePrince as saying the stabilization of the unemployment rate in the Nashville area shows that "…the economy is not spiraling downward as the nation is as a whole."
An analysis of the Business and Economic Research Center’s report on the economy in the Middle Tennessee area was published in The City Paper.
The Chattanooga Times-Free Press quoted Dr. Bill Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, as saying the Sept. 11th attacks on America could hurt the economy.
Ford also told the Times-Free Press and The Tennessean that it would be a bad idea to implement a state income tax during a recession.
Education and Behavioral Science
Dr. Joyce Harrison, human sciences, was interviewed onWTVF-TV about locating family documents.
Dr. Jan Hayes, educational leadership, is one of five finalists for the N.E.A. Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, reported The Tennessean. .
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Liberal Arts
WLAC-AM interviewed Dr. John Vile, chairman, political science, about isolationism.
WSMV-TV interviewed Vile about anti-terrorist legislation and civil rights.
Vile was interviewed by Tennessee Radio Network about the crash of a Russian plane en route from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Siberia.
TRN also interviewed Vile later about President Bush’s rhetorical style following the Sept. 11th attacks on America.
The Tennessean reported that Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, authored the script for "Roots of Country," a six-part special scheduled to reair on Country Music Television. It originally aired on The Nashville Network in 1995.
Dr. Andrei Korobkov, political science, was interviewed on NewsChannel5+ about the upcoming appearance at MTSU of Dr. Sergei Khrushchev, son of former Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev and an expert on Cold War politics.
The Tennessean previewed Khrushchev’s arrival at MTSU with a one-on-one interview.
The Tennessean noted that double bassist Erik Applegate would perform classical music and jazz standards with pianist Dana Landry at MTSU.
WSMV-TV interviewed Dr. Pat Nation, sociology and anthropology, about the "mind of a terrorist."
Dr. Keith Carlson, psychology, was interviewed by Tennessee Radio Network about "trick or treating."
The Oakland Press newspaper of Pontiac, Michigan, interviewed Dr. Ted Sherman, English, about the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy by author J.R.R. Tolkien.
Mass Communication
Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, told WWTN-FM’s listeners that terrorists probably will strike next in cyberspace, but he added that the federal government’s computers are well-protected.
Burriss told The Tennessean that news-gathering organizations probably will have to hire more people to keep up with public demand for information on the war on terrorism.
Student Affairs
Misty Banner, a teacher who is earning her master’s degree in education at MTSU, was quoted in The Tennessean on the expansion of State Route 840 connecting Rutherford County to Williamson County, where she lives.
Pub owner Mike Skordallos, who is working towards a master’s degree in business management at MTSU, was profiled in the Nashville Business Journal.
General Interest
The University Wire reported that Middle Tennessee Solidarity and MTSU students for Environmental Action held a rally for peace on campus.

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WZTV-TV featured MTSU students and health services staff in its coverage of a meningitis clinic held on campus.
The Tennessean previewed a speech at MTSU by Crystal Heinz, regional director of an Alpha Omicron Pi chapter, on sexual assault prevention.
The Tennessean mentioned MTSU’s second forum on religion and terrorism since the Sept. 11th attacks alongside a story about increasing interest in Islam by people of other faiths.
MTSU was one of 12 schools which participated in a College Fair at Belmont Church in Nashville.
The City Paper reported that Dr. Candace Rosovsky, women’s studies and director of MTSU’s June Anderson Women’s Center, helped organize the 10th annual AIDS Walk to benefit Nashville CARES.LOCAL NEWS
Administration
The MTSU Foundation honored l6 faculty members for outstanding performance with awards during the fall convocation, reported the DNJ.
The Greeneville Sun, the Cookeville Herald-Citizen, the Johnson City Press, and the Cleveland Daily Banner mentioned MTSU in stories about universities where enrollment is growing, despite economic cutbacks.
The Jackson Sun mentioned MTSU as one of the schools in the Tennessee Board of Regents system that could face more budget cuts.
The DNJ lamented the departure of Angela Cannon Hayes, who joined the News and Public Affairs Department at MTSU.
MTSU President Sidney McPhee says one budget-cutting move being considered by the T.B.R. is the elimination of duplicate programs, reported the DNJ.
The Rutherford Courier noted that the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville hosted a reception for McPhee at what was billed as an "MTSU Evening of Art."
A DNJ editorial said McPhee recently told regents and university leaders at a three-day retreat that "diminishing duplication" of courses is becoming a priority.
The DNJ reported that a ceremony formally naming the library in honor of former MTSU president James E. Walker would be held November 3rd.
Cingular Wireless donated $100,000 to MTSU towards the construction of an Honors College building on campus, reported the DNJ.
Athletics
The Tennessee Livestock Center will host the Grand Slam Fish Fry to benefit MTSU baseball Oct. 16th, reported the M’boro Sun.
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Basic and Applied Sciences
Dr. Preston MacDougal, chemistry, commented on the public popularity of herbal remedies in an interview on WMOT-FM.
Gail Zlotky, aerospace, hailed the Blue Angels’ scheduled visit to MTSU as a great opportunity for students to interact with skilled pilots.
The M’boro Sun published a story about plans for an astronomical observatory on the MTSU campus.
A team of MTSU ROTC cadets will defend their national championship title in a military "Super Bowl," according to the M’boro Sun.
Dr. Matt Elrod-Erickson, biology, discussed stem cell research and genetic engineering at the Fall 2001 Honors Lecture Series in Peck Hall, reported the DNJ.
The DNJ and the Hendersonville Star News previewed MTSU’s Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics conference for young girls in grades six through eight.
The MTSU School of Nursing’s free fall Health, Fitness and Education Fair received an advance write-up in the DNJ.
The DNJ printed a story about a local health clinic’s Nurse on Duty program and its co-creator, MTSU’s M. Judy Campbell, associate professor, nursing.
Dr. Matt Elrod-Erickson, assistant professor, biology, told students it will be only 5 to 10 years before doctors routinely begin testing to determine patients’ genetic predisposition to diseases, according to the DNJ.
WMOT-FM interviewed Dr. Stephen Wright, biology, about the anthrax infections in New York, Washington, and Florida.
The DNJ previewed the University Aviation Association Fall Educational Conference in Nashville, sponsored by the MTSU aerospace department.
Dr. Stephen Krau, nursing, was scheduled to speak at a public forum in Murfreesboro on the business of aging, reported the DNJ.
Dr. Chuck Higgins, astronomy, told the DNJ that there will be a full moon on Halloween night for the first time since 1955.

Business
State and local government officials in Rutherford County discussed an economic forecast for the county prepared by MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center , reported the DNJ.
The DNJ also noted that the MTSU report on Rutherford County’s economy is being used by candidates for mayor of Murfreesboro as a justification for political change.
A DNJ editorial opined that Rutherford County must redirect its economy based on a report by the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center.
The DNJ, the DNJ Business Pulse, and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported on a leadership training workshop co-sponsored by the MTSU Small Business Development Center and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
Andy Bailey, president and CEO of NationLink Wireless, was honored with the Jennings A. Jones Champion of Free Enterprise Award at MTSU, reported the DNJ.
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The Marshall Gazette profiled Jennings A. Jones, calling him a "champion of free enterprise."
The Lebanon Democrat and the Marshall Gazette previewed this year’s MTSU Economic Outlook Conference, featuring economist Dr. Donald Ratajczak, professor emeritus of Georgia State University.
Ratajczak stated at the Economic Outlook Conference that U.S. banks will not fail during the economic downturn, according to the DNJ.
The Columbia Daily Herald and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette combined their advance stories about the Economic Outlook Conference and a course on how small businesses can secure government contracts.
The Paris Post-Intelligencer and the Oak Ridger quoted Dr. Bill Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, as saying the Sept. 11th attacks on America could hurt the economy.
Ford, who is also a senior economic advisor for TeleCheck, analyzed a 1.9% increase in area retail sales in September for the DNJ.
The DNJ reported that MTSU President Sidney McPhee met with U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick Paige in Washington to discuss the D.O.E.’s plans to study MTSU’s concrete industry management program.

Education and Behavioral Science
The DNJ quoted Dr. Ron Aday, director, aging studies, as saying the Internet is a perfect medium for the elderly.
WMOT-FM interviewed Dr. Carol Michler-Detmer, director of MTSU’s Child Development Center and associate professor, human sciences, on how to help children deal with what they hear about terrorism.
Detmer was also interviewed on the cable T-V program "MT Scene" about the MTSU Pre-K Center.
Dr. Bob Womack, educational leadership, spoke at the annual banquet of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities of Rutherford County, reported the DNJ.
The DNJ interviewed Dr. Jan Hayes, educational leadership, about being a finalist for the N.E.A. Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.
Liberal Arts
The DNJ, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Tullahoma News, and the M’boro Sun reported that Sergei Khrushchev, son of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, would speak at MTSU on Cold War politics and Russia under President Vladimir Putin.
Khrushchev told an audience at MTSU that the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. "found common ground threatening each other" during the Cold War, reported the DNJ.
Dr. Elyce Helford, English and women’s studies, spoke to MTSU students and the public about societal restrictions on women, reported WMOT-FM.
WMOT-FM interviewed Dr. Janet Belsky and Dr. Susan Sobel, psychology, on whether it helps one’s mental health to talk about the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.

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Dr. Pat Nation, sociology, talked on WMOT-FM about whether children should participate in beauty pageants.
Robert Rucker, associate professor, social work, interviewed with the Jackson Sun about the Blue Ribbon Program and his MTSU-funded children’s health care research.
MTSU’s band department sponsored the 40th annual Contest of Champions for high school band students, reported the DNJ Business Pulse.
The Middle Tennessee Choral Society’s 2001-02 season will begin with a performance of Verdi’s "Requiem" on Oct. 8th, according to the DNJ.
The Rutherford Courier mentioned that MTSU music professor Valerie Trujillo would perform with lyric soprano Carmen Diaz Walker in the Wright Music Building.
The Greeneville Sun noted that MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation is helping preservationists try to gain a place for the Earnest Farms Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
The MTSU Women’s Chorale and the University Dance Theatre performed to the music of Franz Schubert, reported the DNJ.
The DNJ previewed a performance of African-American spirituals by Dina Cancryn, voice, at Central Christian Church in Murfreesboro.
The DNJ interviewed Dr. Ron Messier, history, about Muslims’ perspectives on the events of Sept. 11th.
The Tullahoma News and the Lewisburg Tribune previewed the MTSU Theatre players’ season opener, "The Real Inspector Hound," by Tom Stoppard.
Dr. John Vile, chairman, political science, told the Noon Exchange Club of McMinnville that the U.S. should not violate the rights of its own citizens in its zeal to stop terrorism, reported the Southern Standard.
The DNJ printed a photo of a high school band drum major performing during the 40th annual Contest of Champions at MTSU.
Dr. Angela Hague, English, will teach an honors interdisciplinary seminar on "The UFO Debate" during the spring semester, reported the DNJ.
Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, wrote the script for a four-part PBS documentary series entitled "American Roots Music," according to the DNJ.

Mass Communication
Dr. Larry Burris, journalism, gave the mass media high marks for its coverage of the Sept. 11th attacks on America, according to the DNJ.
WMOT-FM aired Burris’ weekly commentaries on the possible loss of domestic freedom following the Sept. 11th attacks; how new technology has aided the mass media in reporting about terrorism; what Burris considers to be a disturbing trend in fiction writing; and the controversy surrounding the new movie "Bubble Boy."
An editorial by Dr. Ed Kimbrell, journalism, in the DNJ, the Rutherford Courier and the Southern Standard noted MTSU’s efforts to increase understanding of the world’s religions and chastised the news media for not doing more to cover religious issues.

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Student Affairs
Jeffrey Hanshaw, an MTSU senior majoring in mass communication, has won a $2,500 scholarship from the International Card Manufacturers Association, according to the DNJ.
The DNJ followed Tennessee rescue workers in New York City, including MTSU nursing major Charles Matheson, as they worked to find bodies in the wreckage of the World Trade Center towers.
Matheson was among those hailed as heroes in a DNJ column by Dan Whittle.
The DNJ Business Pulse noted that MTSU students have access to a customized BellSouth Web site through which they can order telephone services.
The DNJ printed the names of 10 MTSU students who were honored for their leadership abilities at the 23rd annual INROADS/Nashville Inc. Awards Reception.
MTSU freshman Laura Beth Jackson won a $3,000 scholarship from the National Rifle Association for her essay "The Bill of Rights Since Pearl Harbor," reported the M’boro Sun.
The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU student Morgan Dyer trying to catch a punt during a contest at halftime of the Tennessee Titans’ football game against Tampa Bay.
The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the plane crash that killed MTSU aerospace major Patrick Michael Couch occurred because the aircraft was carrying more than its maximum allowable weight, according to the DNJ.
Members of MTSU student government participated in National Make a Difference Day in Murfreesboro, along with civic leaders and church groups, reported the DNJ.
General Interest
Emergency rescue workers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers will be saluted prior to the MTSU-Idaho football game, according to the DNJ.
The MTSU Dance team won numerous awards at the UDA Collegiate Dance Camp in Knoxville, reported the DNJ.
MTSU alumnus and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Gailbreath spoke with WMOT-FM about the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported MTSU organized a public forum on "Living With Our Religious Differences," featuring a Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim.
MTSU’s Dr. Ginny Dansby, psychology, spoke about how to cope with the events of Sept. 11th at a town hall meeting held by Tennessee Congressman Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro) in LaVergne.
The DNJ printed photos of a ceremony honoring emergency workers prior to MTSU’s football game against Idaho.
Several MTSU educators and administrators were quoted in a compilation of interviews for the DNJ’s "Newsmaker" stories over the past year.
A class in "Walking for the Children," a Tennessee Walking Horse show, has been named for the late MTSU administrator Dr. Cliff Gillespie, noted the DNJ.
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A DNJ editorial praised the special tribute to emergency workers prior to the MTSU-Idaho football game.
The M’boro Sun and the Rutherford Courier reported that the division of continuing studies is offering a course to help students prepare for the ACT college entrance exam.
The first Holiday Fest sponsored by Finance and Administration will benefit the American Cancer Society, reported the M’boro Sun.
The DNJ printed photos of the first Holiday Fest Crafts Fair at MTSU.
Doug Williams, director, News and Public Affairs, was quoted in the DNJ about procedures to follow at MTSU when receiving a suspicious package or letter.
MTSU was mentioned by the DNJ as a co-host of the "Rally on Maple," an after-hours mixer featuring the food of Murfreesboro-area restaurants.
The DNJ reported that first responders from MTSU would participate in a mock disaster drill along with city, county, and hospital personnel.
The Cannon Courier noted that Dr. Mary Nichols, electronic media communication, and MTSU student Greg Maupin have returned to their usual lifestyles after Nichols donated a kidney to Maupin.
The DNJ covered an emergency drill on campus that included MTSU police and students.
A DNJ editorial hailed area first responders, including MTSU police, for holding the emergency drill.
The DNJ listed the MTSU Homecoming activities in Rutherford and Cannon counties.
A DNJ editorial said that the Homecoming, which also marks MTSU’s 90th birthday, shows how poor the community would be, "in mind and spirit and wealth, without MTSU."
MTSU will participate in a job fair at the Tennessee Technology Center in Murfreesboro, reported the DNJ.