Clips for May 2002


NATIONAL NEWS
Business
Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, appeared on CNBC to discuss actions by the Federal Reserve Board.
"Billboard" magazine noted that Paul Allen will leave his job as executive director of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., in August to teach and pursue a doctorate in economics at MTSU.
Dr. Thomas Tang, management and marketing, told CBS Marketwatch that money compromises our ethics and provides us with a sense of power, as well as self-esteem.

Education and Behavioral Science
The Freeburg (Ill.) Tribune reported that Dr. Malissa Martin, HPERS, has been named the 2002 Outstanding Educator/Administrator for the Southeast Athletic Trainer's Association.
Liberal Arts
Dr. Keith Taylor, English, has developed a Web site (www.modestneeds.org) to help people who need small amounts of money for unexpected expenses, reported CNN and "USA Today."
Page Two (National, Liberal Arts, cont'd.)
Dr. Kristine McCusker, history, will speak on "Lily May Ledford and constructing tradition on stage, 1936-1945," at the 12th Berkshire Conference on the History of Women at the University of Connecticut June 6-9, according to U.S. Newswire.
Dr. Keith Lavery, English, believes "The X-Files" "fed into that sense we had during the Clinton years that we were being lied to, including by the president," reported the Hartford (Conn.) Courant.
Student Affairs
The Ledger (Lakeland, FL) reported that Kirk Loring Dodson, a summa cum laude graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University, will pursue a graduate degree in school psychology at MTSU.
U.S. Newswire noted that MTSU senior Charlene Callier has been named a Chips Quinn Scholar for summer 2002 by the Freedom Forum and is working a 10- to 12-week paid internship at The Tennessean.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Billy Hickey, who runs a recording studio from his parents' basement in Clarksville, Md., will put his business on hold to study the recording industry this fall at MTSU.
Elizabeth McFadyen-Ketchum earned first place in the In-Depth Reporting category at the Society of Professional Journalism's Region 12 Mark of Excellence competition, reported Verite, the SPJ magazine at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
General Interest
Disability Compliance for Higher Education reported that the Office for Civil Rights found no merit in a complaint filed by an MTSU student's mother, stating that the university failed to notify her and her son's doctors of his educational progress.
Former Vice President Al Gore will again teach a course in "Family-Centered Community Building" at MTSU in fall 2002, noted the National Journal.
Dr. Barbara Haskew, former provost and vice president of academic affairs, is a finalist for the presidency of Southwest Texas State University, reported the Austin American Statesman and the San Antonio Express-News.


METROPOLITAN NEWS
Administration
MTSU President Sidney McPhee was inaugurated as the university's 10th president April 19, noted WMOT-FM.
McPhee is concerned about what a budget-cutting proposal before the Tennessee Higher Education Commission would do to MTSU, according to The Tennessean.

Basic and Applied Sciences
The Tennessean reported that a Boeing 727 donated by FedEx Express for aerospace classes at MTSU landed at Murfreesboro Airport.
WSMV-TV, WTVF-TV, and WLAC-AM covered the landing.
Nashville Westview columnist John Furgess called LTC Todd Overby, director of MTSU's Army ROTC program, a "solid officer and a proven leader."
Page Three
Business
Susan Taylor, executive director, Leadership Middle Tennessee, was interviewed about the program on NewsChannel5+.
WMOT-FM and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press noted that Paul Allen will leave his job as executive director of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., in August to teach and pursue a doctorate in economics at MTSU.
Dr. Susan Harmon, management and marketing, told WMOT-FM that consumers seem to by shying away from huge stores.
MTSU hosted the International Economic Summit, where more than 200 high school students played the role of economic adviser to various countries, noted The Tennessean.
Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, told The Tennessean that the 6 percent cap in House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's (D-Covington) flat-rate income tax proposal would translate into a nearly 25 percent increase in Tennessee taxes.
Ford believes that what legislators are calling tax reform is actually a big tax increase, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
Ford also told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press that Tennessee would not be in the fiscal mess it is in if Governor Don Sundquist had held down spending.
Ford told The Tennessean that only 40 percent of Tennesseans would be paying for the $1.1 billion in revenues that would be raised by the Naifeh plan.
Ford criticized the Naifeh plan in two interviews with WZTV-TV.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported Ford's reaction to Tennessee Citizen Action's analysis of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's (D-Covington) flat tax proposal.
Dr. Tim Graeff, director, office of consumer research, says Middle Tennessee consumers have mixed feelings about the economy, reported WMOT-FM.
Dr. Albert DePrince, director, Business and Economic Research Center, told The Tennessean that the recent recession does not discredit new U.S. Census Bureau figures indicating that the Nashville area has the highest median income in Tennessee.

Education and Behavioral Science
Tennessee Radio Network interviewed Lisa L. Rollins, assistant director, News and Public Affairs, about the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by MTSU.
Eight educators were inducted into the TTHOF this year, reported The Tennessean and WMOT-FM.
Dr. Doug Winborn, HPERS, told WMOT-FM that "huffing," the sniffing of household chemicals, has taken on a new popularity with young people.
Lisa Sheehan-Smith, human sciences, was interviewed on NewsChannel5+ about obesity, nutrition and diet.
NewsChannel5+ interviewed Dr. Janet Belsky, human services, about aging.
Liberal Arts
Laurie Witherow, associate dean for residential education, told WMOT-FM all incoming MTSU freshmen are being required to read The Color of Water by James McBride before they arrive on campus in the fall.
Margaret Ordoubadian, English, says the Children's Book Collection at MTSU's James E. Walker Library will be of great interest to students, reported WMOT-FM.
Dr. Pat Nation, sociology and anthropology, told The Tennessean that shoplifting is often a cry for help.Page Four (Metro, Liberal Arts, cont'd.)
Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, told The Tennessean that African-American harmonica player DeFord Bailey belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Dwight Lewis, a columnist for The Tennessean, cited Wolfe as a source in an editorial hailing Bailey's musical legacy.
Wolfe edited the memoirs of country composer Alton Delmore, noted The Tennessean.
Dr. Roger Kugler, chairman, music, and president of the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Association, told The Tennessean that the symphony would not play at MTSU's annual Fourth of July celebration.
WPLN-FM, The Commercial Appeal (Memphis), the Knoxville News-Sentinel and The Tennessean reported that an anonymous donor has made it possible for MTSU to purchase 54 pianos from Steinway and Sons.
The Tennessean reported that Miriam Drennan, adjunct English professor, has written a book about office politics titled "Soar Above the Madness."
The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that the MTSU Jazz Ensemble would perform at JazzFest in Murfreesboro.
Dr. Alan Boehm, assistant professor, James A. Walker Library, told WMOT-FM that the study of books can tell researchers a lot about people.
Gretchen Campbell, education director, Discovery Center, told WMOT-FM that MTSU is co-sponsoring a collaborative month-long day arts camp for children called "Voices."
Dr. Keith Taylor, English, has developed a Web site (www.modestneeds.org) to help people who need small amounts of money for unexpected expenses, reported The Tennessean and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
A survey done by MTSU for the Tennessee Historic Commission found that 85 percent of respondents believe historic buildings are assets to a community, according to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
Mass Communication
Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, aired commentaries on virtual child pornography, the emergence of Ozzy Osbourne as a television star, how the media report technological disasters and maintaining civil liberties in a post-9/11 society on WMOT-FM.
Burriss discussed privacy issues and the installation of cameras in the state capitol complex on NewsChannel5+.
The Tennessean reported that Burriss said television Nielsen ratings don't take channel surfing and taping programs into consideration.
Former Vice President Al Gore, a former reporter, made the case for "civic journalism" in a speech at MTSU, according to WMOT-FM.
Dr. Paul Fischer, recording industry, told The Tennessean that Internet access and MP3 technology are making it easier for young people to find the music they want to hear.

Student Affairs
WKRN-TV aired a profile of 16-year-old Maeghan Kearney, who graduated from MTSU in May 2002.
The Williamson A.M. section of The Tennessean reported that Franklin High School student Daniel Kut is one of this year's 10 Neill-Sandler scholars.
The band "Popular Genius," which includes MTSU students Andrew Bissell and Scott Van Dusen, performed on WZTV-TV and WZPC-FM.
Page Five (Metro, Student Affairs, cont'd.)
MTSU music major Amanda Bradley lamented the loss of the Governor's School for the Arts in a letter to The Tennessean.
MTSU student Ginilia Lowman says interning at the Tennessee General Assembly was a great learning experience, noted Tennessee Town and City.
MTSU students Bethany Smith and Carla Hillhouse, both of whom graduated in May 2002, admit the job market is extremely competitive for new college grads, reported The Tennessean.
Landon Sessoms has been inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society, noted the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
General Interest
State Sen. Larry Trail (D-Murfreesboro) says the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's proposals would unfairly punish MTSU, noted The Tennessean and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
An editorial in The Tennessean opined, "Of course, Middle Tennessee State University shouldn't be talking about capping its enrollment at 3 percent above current levels; it should be planning for all the students who want to come to the state's fastest growing school."
State Rep. John Hood (D-Murfreesboro) says he's worried that financial constraints will harm MTSU, according to The Tennessean.
House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) blasted lawmakers from university towns, including Murfreesboro, who refuse to support more funding for higher education, reported The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).
Tuition would go up 13.6 percent at MTSU under a budget proposal before the state legislature, according to The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).
Ten Middle Tennessee high school seniors were honored at the Neill-Sandler Strive for Excellence Banquet at MTSU, reported The Tennessean.
Former Vice President Al Gore will again teach a class titled "Family-Centered Community Building" at MTSU in fall 2002, according to The Tennessean, the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and WMOT-FM.
Information about MTSU was a large part of a special focus section on Rutherford County in the Nashville Post.
A photo of an MTSU class accompanied an article in The Tennessean on a proposal to add social sciences to students' core classes at universities governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
MTSU's new Mini-University offers junior high and high school students a chance to explore career choices in a college environment, noted the Tennessee Radio Network.
MTSU was among the Tennessee colleges visited by 37 South African college professors and administrators on a learning tour, reported The Tennessean.

LOCAL NEWS
Administration
MTSU President Sidney McPhee was inaugurated as the university's 10th president April 19, according to the Maryville Daily Times and the Johnson City Press.
McPhee spoke to fifth- and sixth-graders at Bellwood Elementary School in Murfreesboro in observance of National Library Week, noted the Murfreesboro Sun.
McPhee told the Tennessee Board of Regents that cutting MTSU's budget by 14 percent would be "devastating," reported the DNJ.
Page Six (Local, Administration, cont'd.)
The DNJ also noted that McPhee argued against the elimination of remedial and developmental programs at the Board of Regents meeting.
The DNJ printed photos of McPhee at a reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame and following a performance by the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra.
The DNJ profiled Mark Pirtle, president, MTSU Foundation.
Basic and Applied Sciences
Franklin County High School's team won third place at the 21st annual MTSU High School Computer Contest, noted the Winchester Herald-Chronicle.
Dr. Eric Klumpe, physics and astronomy, held a lecture/star party for a viewing of the alignment of the planets, according to the DNJ.
MTSU is offering its annual Aerospace Teacher Workshop this June, noted the Tullahoma News.
Dr. Suzanne Prevost, National HealthCare Chair of Excellence in Nursing, says there are about 125,000 open jobs for nurses in hospitals across the country, reported the DNJ.
Judy Campbell, nursing, helped conduct a study of whether resistance training in senior citizens' centers would improve the residents' overall health, according to the DNJ.
Kim Sadler, biology, and other MTSU educators met with elementary school teachers as part of the GLOBE program, which aims to train teachers in gathering information about atmosphere, soil, water and land cover, noted the DNJ.
A Boeing 727 jet donated by FedEx Express to MTSU's aerospace department touched down safely at Murfreesboro Airport, reported the DNJ and the Murfreesboro Sun.
A DNJ editorial heralded the plane's arrival.
The Murfreesboro Sun reported that MTSU's Center for Environmental Education took part in a celebration of "green power."
The MTSU Youth Horse Judging Contest is the largest such event east of the Mississippi River, according to the Mountain City Tomahawk and the Dayton Herald-News.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation gave MTSU's Center for Environmental Education its 2002 Environmental and Conservation Stewardship Award, reported the DNJ.

Business
MTSU students competed in the TVA Investment Challenge, according to the Cookeville Herald-Citizen and the Overton County News.
MTSU's economics department co-sponsored the Spring Student Stock Market Game for high school students, according to the Fayette County Review.
Dr. Patrick Geho, chairman, Tennessee Small Business Development Center at MTSU, is working with Congressman Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro) to lay the groundwork for new manufacturing in Middle Tennessee, noted the DNJ Business Pulse.
Dr. Patrick Doyle, biology, the creator of MTSU's recycling program, is retiring in May, reported the DNJ.
Dr. Tim Graeff, director, office of consumer research, says Middle Tennessee consumers have mixed feelings about the economy, reported the Gallatin News-Examiner.Page Seven (Local, Business, cont'd.)
The Jennings A. Jones College of Business and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house for the Heart of Tennessee Business Resource Center, according to the DNJ Business Pulse.
A study by MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center finds that the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce is "a very cost-effective economic development organization," according to the DNJ Business Pulse.
E.W. "Bud" Wendell, retired president and C.E.O. of Gaylord Entertainment, received the Joe M. Rodgers Spirit of America Award during the Executives-in-Residence program at MTSU, noted the DNJ.
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at MTSU is co-sponsoring a free seminar on obtaining financing for a small business, according to the DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.
The center is also sponsoring a full-day workshop titled "Monopolize Your Marketplace," noted the DNJ.
Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, believes that what legislators are calling tax reform is actually a big tax increase, reported the Bristol Herald Courier, the Jackson Sun, the Union City Daily Messenger, the Maryville Daily Times, the Greeneville Sun, the Johnson City Press, the Kingsport Times-News, the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, the Oak Ridger, the Athens Post-Athenian and the Morristown Citizen Tribune.
The Johnson City Press, the Maryville Daily Times, the Bristol Herald Courier, the Sevierville Mountain Press and the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reported Ford's reaction to Tennessee Citizen Action's analysis of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's (D-Covington) flat tax proposal.
The Columbia Daily Herald printed a photo of Dr. Heather Brown, concrete industry management, and students who built a concrete canoe for a contest in Tallahassee, Fla.

Educational and Behavioral Science
Dr. Tracey Ring, elementary and special education, told the Shelbyville Times-Gazette she was inspired to create the Invention Convention by her mother.
The Murfreesboro Sun reported that Dr. Malissa Martin, HPERS, has been named the 2002 Outstanding Educator/Administrator for the Southeast Athletic Trainer's Association.
The Murfreesboro Sun interviewed Dr. Nancy Crews, elementary and special education, about the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Reading Academy.

Liberal Arts
Margaret Ordoubadian, English, says the Children's Book Collection at MTSU's James E. Walker Library will be of great interest to students, reported the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the Columbia Daily Herald.
The work of students from MTSU's Books Arts Program was displayed at the Arts Center of Cannon County, noted the Southern Standard, the Columbia Daily Herald, the DNJ and the Cannon Courier.
The MTSU Jazz Ensemble will perform at Murfreesboro's Main Street JazzFest, according to the Murfreesboro Sun and the DNJ.
The DNJ reported that MTSU sponsored a clinic by jazz drummer Roy Haynes.
Dr. John Vile, political science, told the DNJ that a federal judge's ruling on the posting of the Ten Commandments in Hamilton County will not necessarily affect a similar case in Rutherford County.
Page Eight (Local, Liberal Arts, cont'd.)
Dr. Aleka Blackwell, English, offered her opinions on everything from her favorite movie to what she values most in her friends for the Murfreesboro Sun.
The DNJ printed a photo of a dance group from MTSU's Performing Arts performing at the 2002 Teen Health Workshop at Murphy Center.
The DNJ also printed a photo of actors in MTSU's children theater rehearsing a scene from "Tales from the Arabian Nights."
The play's director, Dr. Jette Halladay, speech and theatre, told the Murfreesboro Sun that "Tales from the Arabian Nights" is about "the power of stories."
Dr. Keith Taylor, English, has developed a Web site (www.modestneeds.org) to help people who need small amounts of money for unexpected expenses, reported the DNJ.
The DNJ, the Jackson Sun, the Johnson City Press, the Elizabethton Star and the Cleveland Daily Banner reported that an anonymous donor has made it possible for MTSU to purchase 54 pianos from Steinway and Sons.
MTSU will co-host a symposium to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Stones River and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Stones River National Battlefield, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.
According to an MTSU study, 85 percent of respondents believe historic buildings are assets to a community and 77 percent believe historic preservation should receive government support, reported the Polk County News.
Twelve-year-old Savanna Speakman was honored at MTSU's Young Authors Conference for a short story she wrote, according to the Smithville Review.
Christie Nuell, art, wrote in a letter to the DNJ that taxpayers get more for their tax dollars from MTSU faculty "than most other states do from their higher education faculty."
Mass Communication
Former Vice President Al Gore, a former reporter, made the case for "civic journalism" in a speech at MTSU, according to the Marshall Gazette and the Paris Post-Intelligencer.
Student Affairs
The DNJ and the Murfreesboro Sun profiled 16-year-old Maeghan Kearney, who graduated from MTSU in May 2002.
MTSU junior Corinne Gould, an electronic media journalism major, was crowned the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Queen at the 2001 Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, noted the Dayton Herald-News.
Accounting major Kelly Shrum has accepted membership in Golden Key International Honor Society, reported the Grundy County Herald.
MTSU student Aspen Leigh Stewart has also accepted membership in Golden Key, according to the Dunlap Tribune and the South Pittsburg Hustler.
The Tullahoma News reported that Jacqueline Lamb has accepted membership in Golden Key.
The Hendersonville Star News noted that Samantha Kay Cherry has been inducted into Golden Key and Gamma Beta Phi.
The Columbia Daily Herald noted that April Tarkington has accepted membership in Golden Key.
Alisha Fuqua and Emily Johnson have been inducted into the Epsilon Tau chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, reported the Fairview Observer.
Angela Bransby, a business management major, ran for Rutherford County Trustee in the Republican primary, according to the DNJ.
Page Nine (Local, Student Affairs, cont'd.)
Psychology major Tiffani Johnson volunteers for Project AFFIRM, a program designed to help parents or caregivers of special needs children, reported the DNJ.
The Wilson World printed a photo of Neill-Sandler scholar Justin Floyd.
The DNJ profiled MTSU student and comedienne/ventriloquist Carla Rhodes.
This year's recipient of the Frances Bohannon Music Club scholarship at MTSU is jazz studies major David Johnson, a violinist, according to the Murfreesboro Sun.
The DNJ, the Cleveland Daily Banner and the Kingsport Times-News profiled Janet Nance and her daughter, Leslie Dean, who are pre-med students at MTSU.
The band "Popular Genius," which includes MTSU students Andrew Bissell and Scott Van Dusen, performed at the Franklin Main Street Festival, reported the Franklin Review-Appeal.
Dawn Hix, an MTSU freshman and animal science major, is the first recipient of the Future Farmers of America's William H. Coley Scholarship, according to the Lebanon Democrat.
Andrea Perry is this year's recipient of the Barbara S. Haskew Provost's Award, reported the Tullahoma News.
MTSU student Kristi Forbes trained with the Estill Springs Volunteer Fire Department as part of the U.S. Navy's Delayed Entry Program, according to the Tullahoma News.
MTSU student Matt Kriesky is a recipient of a Nancy Rowlett Scholarship, according to the Paris Post-Intelligencer.
Necole Shepherd, a student teacher from MTSU, completed a unit on the Mayan Indian tribe in a seventh grade class in Hohenwald, reported the Lewis County Herald.
The Union City Daily Messenger printed a photo of MTSU student escort Nicki Russell of Union City welcoming Dan Keen, assistant vice president of ASCAP, to campus during the annual Executives-in-Residence program.
The Columbia Daily Herald printed a photo of MTSU student Rachel Sharp with Governor Don Sundquist and state Representative John Hood (D-Murfreesboro) during her internship with the Tennessee House of Representatives.

General Interest
Former Vice President Al Gore will again teach a course in "Family-Centered Community Building" at MTSU in fall 2002, reported WJHL-TV (Johnson City), the Morristown Citizen Tribune, the Athens Post-Athenian, the Maryville Daily Times, the Paris Post-Intelligencer and the Tullahoma News.
The DNJ reported that the Gore course will be held on Mondays from 6-8 p.m.
Registration for summer and fall is now underway at MTSU, noted the Lebanon Democrat.
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges listed 63 MTSU students this year, according the Winchester Herald-Chronicle, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Lebanon Democrat and the Lenoir City News-Herald.
MTSU provided Kingsport native Dr. Judith Bailey Slagle with a research grant for work on biographies of Scottish playwright Joanna Baillie, according to the Johnson City Press.
Actress Cicely Tyson spoke at MTSU as part of inaugration ceremonies, noted the Marshall Gazette and the Lebanon Democrat.
MTSU would lose $1.5 million for its remedial and developmental instruction under a proposal before the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, reported the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the Dyersburg State Gazette.
State Sen. Larry Trail (D-Murfreesboro) says THEC's proposal would unfairly punish MTSU, noted the DNJ and the Columbia Daily Herald.
Page Ten (Local, General Interest, cont'd.)
State Rep. John Hood (D-Murfreesboro) says he's worried that financial constraints will harm MTSU, according to the Gallatin News-Examiner.
The DNJ reported that the Rutherford County delegation is split over the THEC proposal.
A DNJ editorial slammed state lawmakers who support the THEC proposal.
Another DNJ editorial asked, "…if MTSU caps its enrollment growth at 3 percent, who tells the 2 percent left out they don't get to go to college here?"
DNJ columnist Tom Larimer opined that the THEC proposal sends the wrong message on education.
In a letter to the DNJ, George Erdel wrote that MTSU is a "white elephant" and taxpayers have "spent enough money" on it.
The Lewisburg Tribune reported that the 30th anniversary taping of "A Word on Words," a public television program hosted by John Seigenthaler, took place in MTSU's State Farm Lecture Hall.
MTSU faculty, students, staff, alumni and administrators provided support for the March of Dimes' WalkAmerica, according to the Lewisburg Tribune.
The history of Smyrna, as compiled by the late Walter King Hoover, is stored at MTSU's Albert Gore Research Center, according to the Rutherford Courier.
The student apartment market will become more competitive as MTSU grows, noted the DNJ Business Pulse.
Ten Middle Tennessee high school seniors were honored at the Neill-Sandler Strive for Excellence Banquet at MTSU, reported the Murfreesboro Sun, the Wilson World, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Gallatin News-Examiner, the Southern Standard, the Middle Tennessee Times (Smithville), the Lebanon Democrat, the Manchester Times, the Tullahoma News, the Smithville Review and the DNJ.
The first six graduates of MTSU's graduate studies program will be honored at commencement, noted the DNJ.
DNJ columnist Monte Hale Jr. took aim at state Rep. Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro), who questioned whether MTSU really needs doctoral programs.
In letters to the DNJ, Anne T. Sloan and Donald L. Enss criticized Rowland and state Rep. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) for disregarding the wishes of MTSU constitutents.
Melanie Ewaldson and Tim Rudd defended Rowland's and Beavers' support of MTSU in two other letters to the DNJ.
Rowland and Beavers defended their support of MTSU in guest columns printed in the DNJ.
DNJ Executive Editor Mike Pirtle wrote in a column that Beavers told him she had not even read THEC's cost-cutting recommendations.
Lucian Reed, in a letter to the DNJ, wrote of MTSU, "Why destroy the one public university, other than the University of Tennessee, that is doing the job well of promoting itself and educating the state's youth?"
Dr. Carol Ann Baily, director, Adult Services Center, told Rutherford Parent that adults who intend to return to college should "shop around."
The DNJ and the Lewisburg Tribune noted that MTSU alumnus Paul Martin would deliver the spring 2002 commencement address.
A record number of graduates--1,375--received their diplomas at the spring 2002 commencement, reported the DNJ.
The DNJ printed a photo of a graduate wearing a mortarboard sporting the message "I'm done."
Mark S. Womack of Chattanooga noted with sadness the passing of Dr. Lane Boutwell, former speech and dramatic arts professor at MTSU, in a letter to the DNJ.
Page Eleven (Local, General Interest, cont'd.)
Youths from throughout Tennessee learned about tobacco laws and tobacco use prevention activities at the Tennessee Tobacco Youth Summit at MTSU, reported the Giles Free Press.
The 2002 MTSU Photography Student Show is on display at the Baldwin Photographic Gallery, noted the DNJ Extra and the Tullahoma News.
Nearly 9,000 students are expected to register for summer sessions at MTSU this year, reported the DNJ.
The library at Homer Pittard Campus School has been named for retired MTSU educator Mary Tom Berry, according to the DNJ.
MTSU is a co-sponsor of the Tennessee Senior Games, reported the Lebanon Democrat.
More than 12,000 MTSU students borrowed nearly $38.6 million in Stafford loans and 388 MTSU parents borrowed nearly $1.9 million in Stafford loans during the 2000-2001 academic year, according to the Gallatin News-Examiner.
MTSU is one of several colleges offering tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, reported the Southern Standard.
The Smithville Review noted that MTSU presented $12,000 Academic Service Scholarships to Breanna Randolph and Leah Hale.
David Yoest, who teaches Continuing Education classes at MTSU, received his third "Excellence in Teaching Award" from Trevecca Nazarene University, where he is also an adjunct professor, according to the Tullahoma News.
MTSU's new Mini-University offers junior high and high school students a chance to explore career choices in a college environment, noted the DNJ.
MTSU's public safety office now has a new building, reported the DNJ.
The Wayne County News noted that MTSU offers a master's degree in education at the Clifton branch of Columbia State Community College.