Clips for April 2002

Administration
Cope Administration Building and the university post office were shut down after an envelope containing white powder was sent to MTSU President Sidney McPhee's office, reported the University Wire.
Athletics
Kermit Davis Jr. was named MTSU's new men's basketball coach, reported the Baton Rouge State-Times/Morning Advocate.
Business
Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, appeared on CNNfn to discuss Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's speech on the "State of the Economy."
Page Two
Education and Behavioral Science
Dr. Ronald Aday, sociology and anthropology, told the Rocky Mountain News (Denver, Co.) that Colorado's prison costs will rise as the prison population grows older.
Liberal Arts
Beverly Keel, associate professor, recording industry, was interviewed about the life of the late country music star Waylon Jennings on National Public Radio.
Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, told Cox News Service that there would be no bluegrass today without banjo picker Earl Scruggs.
Dr. Keith Taylor, English, was interviewed by L.A. Weekly, "Online Tonight with David Lawrence" (nationally syndicated), CNET, 99X (Atlanta) and the "Today" show (NBC) about www.modestneeds.org, Taylor's Web site designed to help people overcome small financial problems.
Dr. David Carleton, political science, told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press that the Gambling Free Tennessee Alliance's attacks on state Sen. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis), an advocate of a state lottery, could backfire.
Student Affairs
The University Wire reported that MTSU students Jason Hamill, Brandon Morgan and Mark Nicks perform collectively as the Christian band "Cool Hand Luke."
Alicia Collins, who plans to study communications at MTSU in the fall, won the English-Speaking Union's National Shakespeare Competition in New York, reported USA Today.
General Interest
The Washington Post listed www.mtsu.edu/kmiddlet/history/women.html as a Web site to access to learn more about women's history.

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METROPOLITAN NEWS
Administration
MTSU President Sidney McPhee said the new wordmark "has a crisp, contemporary look reflecting the changes we have seen in the university," reported The Tennessean.
McPhee told The Tennessean that, while cutting state funding for athletics should be considered, it's important not to "overreact in these difficult times."
McPhee said in his inaugural address that he would "continue to aggressively protect the best interests of this campus and our students," reported The Tennessean.
McPhee and University of Memphis President Dr. Shirley Raines were inaugurated in the same week, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
McPhee "has firmly put his mark on the state's fastest-growing and, some say, fastest-moving university," opined Doug Williams, executive director, marketing and communication, in an op-ed piece in The Tennessean.Page Three (Metro, Administration, cont'd.)
Dr. June McCash, foreign languges and literatures and co-chair of the inauguration committee, and committee member Susan Barnes, assistant vice president for development and university relations, spoke with WMOT-FM about McPhee's inauguration ceremonies
Dr. Carol Bader, chairwoman, developmental studies, said the Tennessee Board of Regents was planning to cut remedial programs, even as MTSU's developmental studies program wins advanced certification from the National Association for Developmental Education, reported WMOT-FM.
Athletics
Kermit Davis Jr. was named MTSU's new men's basketball coach, reported The Tennessean.
MTSU would stand to lose $4.8 million in state funding for athletics under a proposal before the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, reported the Knoxville News-Sentinel and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Basic and Applied Sciences
The cows at MTSU's dairy farm like to listen to the music of George Strait and Willie Nelson, according to The Tennessean.
WMOT-FM reported that Dr. Terry Collins of Carnegie Mellon University would deliver the 7th annual Golden Goggles Invitational Lecture, co-sponsored by the MTSU Chemistry Club.
The MTSU Chemistry Club is also co-sponsoring a speech by Dr. Harold Shuraga, professor emeritus, Cornell University, on RNA research, according to WMOT-FM.
Judy Campbell, nursing, told WMOT-FM she has high hopes for a conference on "creative caregiving" at Murfreesboro's St. Clair Street Senior Center.
The theme of this year's Volunteer Horse Fair at MTSU's Tennessee Livestock Center was "United in Diversity: Showcasing Equine History," reported The Tennessean.
The high-tech facilities and equipment of the State Farm Lecture Hall in the Business and Aerospace Building were spotlighted by The Tennessean.

Business
Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, told The Tennessean that highway and tobacco funds should be tapped to help relieve the state's budget crisis.
Ford told The Tennessean that putting a constitutional cap on the tax rate would keep income tax rates from being raised, but it wouldn't solve all of Tennessee's tax problems.
The latest quarterly consumer confidence survey by MTSU's Office of Consumer Research shows that consumers in Davidson, Williamson and Rutherford counties have mixed feelings about the economy, according to The Tennessean.
Dr. Al DePrince Jr., economics and director of MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center, told The Tennessean that the state's 5.6 percent March unemployment rate shows that Tennessee is still feeling the effects of the recession.
The Tennessean reported that DePrince said many people feel the "dog days" for the manufacturing sector could be coming to an end.
DePrince told The Tennessean that the strength of housing in the eight Midstate counties should cause a "spillover effect on sales tax collection because of the spending."
Page Four (Metro, Business, cont'd.)
DePrince told The Tennessean that "too large a number of taxpayers are excluded from paying any income tax at all."
Education and Behavioral Science
William L. Shulman, criminal justice administration, was interviewed about the death penalty by Tennessee Radio Network.
Dr. Janet Belsky, psychology, told WMOT-FM that too much emphasis is often placed on I.Q. test scores.
Liberal Arts
Dr. Carroll Van West, history, discussed his book Tennessee's New Deal Landscape in an interview with the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
The Nashville Business Journal reported that Dr. Robert Hunt, history, gathers information for pamphlets and kiosks for Frontier Interpretive Resource and Media, an interpretive history company that assists Middle Tennessee historical sites.
MTSU's Center for Historic Preservation is conducting a survey of slave housing in Tennessee, noted The Tennessean.
Dr. Bill Levine, English, interviewed jazz drummer Peter Erskine on WMOT-FM.
The Tennessean reported that Paul Allen, executive director, Country Radio Broadcasters, will resign to teach music full-time at MTSU.
Dr. Keith Taylor, English, was interviewed by WTVF-TV and WZTV-TV about www.modestneeds.org, Taylor's Web site designed to help people overcome small financial problems.
Mass Communication
WMOT-FM aired commentaries by Dr. Larry Burriss, acting dean, on the Murfreesboro municipal election, the perils of being a "trailblazer" and the need for the media to expand coverage of international cultures beyond wars and disasters.
Former Vice President Al Gore, a former newspaper reporter, delivered the John Seigenthaler Lecture on journalism at MTSU, according to The Tennessean.
Gore told his audience that journalists should use their power to solve problems in their communities, reported The Tennessean.
MTSU hosted the taping of the 30th anniversary edition of John Seigenthaler's public television program "A Word on Words," according to The Tennessean.
Student Affairs
MTSU senior George Powell, microbiology, and sophomore Lori Hallett, pre-pharmacy, expressed concerns about a proposal before the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to redirect state funding for athletics, reported The Tennessean.
MTSU graduate student Christina Rosato organized a day of crafts and activities for nursing home residents as part of a course taught by former Vice President Al Gore, according to The Tennessean.
Alicia Collins, who plans to study communications at MTSU in the fall, won the English-Speaking Union's National Shakespeare Competition in New York, reported The Tennessean.
Page Five
General Interest
The Tennessean noted that the Margaret Lindsley Warden collection of equine literature and reportage at MTSU's Albert Gore Sr. Research Center is one of the largest individual collections of its kind.
The Winter-Spring 2002 Nashville CARES Update noted that Dr. Candace Rosovsky, director, June Anderson Women's Center, was one of the "top 15 individual pledge walkers" at the Oct. 21, 2001 AIDS Walk.
The June Anderson Women's Center hosted a "Take Back the Night" rally to raise awareness of sexual assault and other acts of violence against women, noted WMOT-FM.
Hip-hop poet Jessica Care Moore recited her work at MTSU, according to The Tennessean.
Chattanooga's WGOW-AM interviewed Tom Tozer, director, media relations, about the Tobacco Summit at MTSU.
Centers of excellence at MTSU would lose $383,800 under a bare-bones budget being considered by the General Assembly, according to The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).LOCAL NEWS
Administration
MTSU President Sidney McPhee fielded questions on a wide range of issues on "Open Line with President Sidney McPhee," a call-in program on MTTV, reported the DNJ.
McPhee's inauguration ceremony featured actress Cicely Tyson, according to the Lewisburg Tribune, the Tullahoma News and the DNJ.
Tyson called young people "the renewal of life and the embodiment of our struggle" in her appearance at MTSU, according to the DNJ.
A DNJ editorial said McPhee's inauguration "is important to demonstrate the importance of higher education and the gravity of the position [of president] and the challenge."
In his inaugural address, McPhee called students the "sacred trust" of MTSU, noted the DNJ.
The DNJ printed five color photos of the inaugural ceremonies.
McPhee said the new wordmark "has a crisp, contemporary look reflecting the changes we have seen in the university," reported the DNJ.
McPhee is critical of a proposal to cut state appropriations for athletics and developmental studies, noted the DNJ.
The DNJ profiled Dr. Robert Eaker, interim executive vice president and provost.

Athletics
Associate Athletic Director Diane Turnham welcomed about 180 disabled athletes to the Special Olympics at MTSU, according to the DNJ.
Kermit Davis Jr. was named MTSU's new men's basketball coach, noted the DNJ.
MTSU would stand to lose $4.8 million in state funding for athletics under a proposal before the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, reported the DNJ.Page Six
Basic and Applied Sciences
Students in MTSU's Concrete Industry Management program entered a concrete canoe they built in a nationwide competition for civil engineering students, reported the DNJ.
The Murfreesboro City Council approved a lease revision with MTSU to park a Boeing 727 donated to the aerospace department by Federal Express at Murfreesboro Airport, according to the DNJ.
The theme of this year's Volunteer Horse Fair at MTSU's Tennessee Livestock Center was "United in Diversity: Showcasing Equine History," reported the Athens Post-Athenian, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Claiborne Progress, the Overton County News, the Lebanon Democrat, the Newport Plain Talk, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Ashland City Times, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Marshall Gazette, the Cookeville Herald-Citizen and the Lenoir City News-Herald.
Bill Allen, aerospace, told the DNJ and the Tullahoma News that a recent grant extension will fund research on the safety of jet engine emissions.
Judy Campbell, nursing, told the DNJ she has high hopes for a conference on "creative caregiving" at Murfreesboro's St. Clair Street Senior Center.
The DNJ reported that Campbell has been selected by the Research Committee of the National Institute of Senior Centers to receive its 2002 NISC Research Award.
A DNJ editorial praised Campbell for her honor.
The MTSU Center for Energy Efficiency, engineering technology and agribusiness/agriscience provided an alternative energy display for Nashville's Earth Day celebration, reported the DNJ.

Business
The 22 graduates of last year's Leadership Middle Tennessee class, which is headquartered at the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU, is recruiting new members from a 10-county area, according to the DNJ and the Columbia Daily Herald.
The Nashville Business Journal reported that 80 MTSU students were able to attend the 10th annual Financial Industry Outlook Conference because of contributions from Union Planters Bank and the Jennings A. Jones Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise.
The DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported that the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at MTSU is co-sponsoring a free seminar on obtaining financing for a small business.
Research papers from MTSU and other universities will be presented at the 25th Annual Area Collegiate Chemistry Meeting at the University of Tennessee at Martin, according to the Weakley County Press.
MTSU's Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies Department has used $300,000 in grants to obtain two machines that build working plastic models from computer-aided designs, reported the Jackson Sun.
Dr. Kenneth Hollman, Martin Chair of Insurance, has been voted Member of the Year for 2001 by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisers, according to the DNJ.

Page Seven (Local, Business, cont'd.)
MTSU's new Heart of Tennessee Business Resource Center will offer counseling in financing, cost analysis, regulatory standards, marketing and business planning assistance, reported the DNJ.
Dr. Tim Graeff, director, consumer research, told the DNJ that the April Middle Tennessee consumer confidence index remained relatively unchanged from February's survey.
Dr. Kathleen Vinlove, associate director, Business and Economic Research Center, told the DNJ that Rutherford County's relatively low unemployment rate is not an indication that the county is out of the recession.

Educational and Behavioral Science
The 10th annual Invention Convention, hosted by the Department of Elementary and Special Education, brought fourth- through sixth-graders together at MTSU to show off their creations, noted the Marshall Gazette.
Eight educators chosen by MTSU's College of Education and Behavioral Science were inducted into the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame, reported the DNJ.
The DNJ profiled one of those inductees, Myrtle Glanton Lord.
A DNJ editorial called the Hall of Fame "one of the greatest contributions MTSU makes to the state of Tennessee."
In a letter to the DNJ, Dr. Janet Belsky, psychology, wrote that she wants "to live in a county that has chosen to lovingly reach out to people of all faiths," a reference to a debate over whether the Ten Commandments should be posted in public buildings.
Dr. Bobbie Solley, elementary and special education, wrote that standardized tests are harmful to education in a guest editorial for the DNJ.
Liberal Arts
MTSU students wrote plays, designed sets, assembled props and presented their work to an audience of about 100 during "24-Hour Theatre," reported the Lebanon Democrat.
Dr. Carroll Van West, history, told the Cookeville Herald-Citizen that rock walls were built by slaves in Tennessee in the early 19th Century and should be preserved for their historic value.
The MTSU Wind Ensemble performed at Dickson Middle School, reported the Dickson Herald.
Dr. David Loucky, music, performed on seven low-brass instruments in a concert in Dickson, noted the Columbia Daily Herald.
Dr. Robert Hood, philosophy, was critical of the Bush Administration's decision not to seek legislation to tax polluters for cleanup insurance, according to the DNJ.
The DNJ profiled Walter Litaker Jr., a 73-year-old adjunct professor of history at MTSU.
MTSU School of Music students performed with the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra at "Celebration Under the Stars," Murfreesboro's Fourth of July celebration, noted the DNJ.
The Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra also will perform Russian music with Armenian pianist Arus Ajemian at MTSU's Tucker Theatre, according to the DNJ.
Dr. Michael Principe, philosophy, told the DNJ he participated in a demonstration to show solidarity with Palestinians because the U.S. media fail to give accurate accounts of their cause.
Page Eight (Local, Liberal Arts, cont'd.)
Dr. Larry Mapp, English, told the Rutherford Courier about Brainard and Frances Cheney, who were important to the Agrarian movement in Southern literature.
Former MTSU professor Luther Boutwell, for whom the university's Dramatic Arts Building is named, died at the age of 90, reported the DNJ.
The MTSU Jazz Ensemble performed at the sixth annual Main Street JazzFest in Murfreesboro, according to the DNJ.
Mass Communication
Electronic media communication professors at MTSU produced a series of radio and television public service announcements promoting energy efficiency loans for small businesses, reported the Trenton Herald-Gazette, the Lewisburg Tribune, the Fayette County Review and The Mountain View (Spencer).
The spring MT Poll showed that Tennesseans are willing to consider a state income tax under certain circumstances, according to the Tullahoma News, the Murfreesboro Sun and the Lewisburg Tribune.
Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, told the DNJ that MTSU's student-run Channel 10 (MTTV) has suspended some programming due to technical and policy issues.
The Murfreesboro Cable Commision has extended MTTV's service on local cable television for another year, according to the DNJ.
Former Vice President Al Gore spoke on "Civic Journalism" at a lecture at MTSU, according to the DNJ.
Gore told his audience that journalists should use their power to solve problems in their communities, reported the DNJ.
The Nashville Public Television program "A Word on Words" celebrated its 30th anniversary with a taping of two shows on First Amendment issues at MTSU, noted the DNJ.
Student Affairs
The DNJ profiled MTSU student Lola Hall Carvalho, who, at age 84, is working on her fifth college degree.
Dr. Carol Ann Baily, director, Division of Student Affairs, told the DNJ senior citizens should not be intimidated by the prospect of returning to college.
MTSU student Michael Cooper, who is studying manufacturing engineering technology, is running for the Tennessee House of Representatives' 49th District seat, reported the DNJ.
Mary Graves of Ripley was selected to receive the MTSU Scholastic Achievement Scholarship, according to the Ripley Enterprise.
The DNJ profiled MTSU student and cystic fibrosis sufferer Rachel Davis, who participated in Great Strides, a walk to raise money for cystic fibrosis research.
MTSU student David Uselton, plant and soils science major, helped the staff of the Stones River National Battlefield with a project to replace invasive exotic plants with native species, reported the DNJ.
MTSU sophomore Brooke Burns of Estill Springs was crowned Miss Middle Tennessee Blue Raider, according to the Tullahoma News.
MTSU student David Johnson, music major, played the violin at a meeting of the Frances Bohannon Music Club, reported the DNJ.
Page Nine (Local, Student Affairs, cont'd.)
Freshman Jenna McKee, electronic media major, was inducted into Alpha Delta Pi at MTSU, reported the Ashland City Times.
Freshman Stefanie Martinez, broadcast communications major, was inducted into Alpha Delta Pi at MTSU, reported the Dickson Herald.
Freshman Lori Beth Johns, marketing major, received a J.D. and Marge Vance Scholarship for the 2002-2003 academic year at MTSU, noted the Lewisburg Tribune.
MTSU student Erin Pauls, public relations and advertising major, was the queen of the Noon Exchange Club Charlie Daniels Twin Pines Ranch Rodeo, noted the DNJ.
The DNJ reported that MTSU student Erin Kuhn has been named a United States National Collegiate Award winner in nursing.
General Interest
The June Anderson Women's Center hosted a "Take Back the Night" rally to raise awareness of sexual assault and other acts of violence against women, noted the DNJ.
In conjunction with "Take Back the Night," the center sponsored "The Clothesline Project," a presentation of T-shirts displaying images and expressions about sexual assault and domestic abuse, according to the DNJ.
The DNJ printed photos of "Take Back the Night" and "The Clothesline Project."
MTSU will be among the presenters at career fairs on the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College, noted the Morgan County News, the Greeneville Sun and the Roane County News.
MTSU and the Tennessee Chapter of the March of Dimes have received a $100,000 grant to promote smoking cessation in pregnant women, according to the Columbia Daily Herald.
The deadline for the submission of nominations for Older, Wiser Learners awards was April 12, noted the DNJ, the Winchester Herald-Chronicle and the Tullahoma News.
Sixty-three MTSU students were named to the 2002 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, according to the DNJ, the Ashland City Times, the Lewisburg Tribune, the Roane County News, the Ripley Enterprise and the Tullahoma News.
Registration for summer and fall 2002 classes at MTSU is underway, noted the DNJ, the Gallatin News-Examiner, the Marshall Gazette and the Tullahoma News.
The Dnipro Ukrainian Dancers and the Serenatta Romantic Latin Ensemble performed at MTSU's 12th annual International Banquet, according to the DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.
The DNJ reported that the menu at the International Banquet featured tamale pie, chicken curry, sauerbraten and ratatouille, among other dishes.
The Albert Gore Sr. Research Center at MTSU mounted an exhibit of photos, documents and memorabilia to commemorate Women's History Month, reported the Franklin Review-Appeal.
Staffers at the Gore Center are documenting the stories of Americans who served in World War II, noted the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.
Dr. Lisa Pruitt, director of the Gore Center, told the Rutherford Courier that the late Walter King Hoover compiled a comprehensive history of the town of Smyrna, which is housed at the center.
An exhibit at MTSU's Baldwin Photographic Gallery, Jane Schreibman's "Astral Illusions," depicts life in India, according to the Franklin Review-Appeal.
Page Ten (Local, General Interest, cont'd.)
The Columbia Daily Herald noted that a 1992 MTSU study indicated that Mule Day generated $13 million for the local economy.
The Crossville Chronicle and the Elizabethton Star noted that prospective students applying for scholarships at MTSU must have their applications, transcripts and test scores postmarked by March 1.
Former MTSU baseball star Robert Edward "Eddie" Pye pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of possession of cocaine, reported the DNJ.
The official ribbon-cutting for the Quadrangle included a campus picnic, noted the Lewisburg Tribune.
Hundreds of faculty, staff and students attended the official opening of the Quadrangle, reported the DNJ.
Jennie Grace Walker Ragland, widow of Robert A. Ragland Sr., donated about 1,000 of his Civil War book collection to MTSU's James E. Walker Library, noted the Columbia Daily Herald.
The Rutherford Courier reported that MTSU will have a booth at the LaVergne Library's "Week of the Young Child" celebration.
The Murfreesboro Sun reported that the March of Dimes WalkAmerica will start from the MTSU campus.
Representatives from MTSU offered career counseling information at the Spring Women's Show in Pulaski, according to the Pulaski Citizen.
Students from Cannon County High School participated in a videoconference series on anger management at the MTSU Satellite Videoconferencing Center, noted the Cannon Courier.
MTSU Police Chief Jack Drugmand honored Officer Sean Garrison for making 32 of the department's 62 D.U.I. arrests last year, according to the DNJ.
Lucinda Lea, vice president, information technology and chief information officer, told the DNJ that PipelineMT links the student information system and the course management software package company under one umbrella.
This year's Neill-Sandler Scholars will be honored at a May 1 banquet, reported the Tullahoma News and the DNJ.
MTSU is a co-sponsor of this year's Tennessee Senior Games, noted the DNJ.
In a letter to the DNJ, J. Howard Young, M.D., wrote that local high schools and MTSU need seat belt monitors to improve traffic safety.
Fourteen retiring MTSU faculty and staff members were honored at a reception, according to the DNJ.
In a letter to the DNJ, Lucas Leverett stated that the new wordmark is "bland, unimaginative, uninspired and inappropriate."
A DNJ editorial opined that MTSU's new wordmark "is clean and modern and gives such an impression of the university."
A DNJ editorial cited a contingency plan to cut all state funding for MTSU's Center for Popular Music and Center for Historic Preservation as evidence that "our leaders love to talk a good education game, but never ever back it up."
Dr. Carol Bader, chairwoman, developmental studies, says the Tennessee Board of Regents is planning to cut remedial programs, even as MTSU's developmental studies program wins advanced certification from the National Association for Developmental Education, reported the Tullahoma News and the DNJ.
Page Eleven (Local, General Interest, cont'd.)
A DNJ editorial stated that MTSU's developmental studies program is "vital to the university's existence."
A DNJ editorial opined that, while MTSU is "poised at the edge of greatness," the state legislature is refusing to fund improvements in higher education.
The aforementioned DNJ editorial was reprinted in the Jackson Sun, the Union City Daily Messenger and the Maryville Daily Times.
The DNJ said in an editorial that "MTSU has been on the short end of the budget stick since it became a university nearly 40 years ago."
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is considering a plan that would limit enrollment at MTSU to 17,613 students for the 2002-2003 school year, reported the DNJ.