Clips for August 2002


NATIONAL NEWS


Administration


"Business Officer" reported on a panel discussion featuring insights on management of campus energy costs from Dr. Duane Stucky, vice president, business and finance, and Joseph Whitefield, assistant director, facilities services.

Business

Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, spoke about the Federal Reserve Board's latest moves on CNBC.

Dr. Aubrey Harwell, Jennings A. Jones Chair of Excellence, was elected to the board of directors of Piedmont Natural Gas company, according to the PR Newswire. Page Two

Liberal Arts

Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, was interviewed by National Public Radio about the "Bristol Sessions," the first recordings of country music.

Wolfe was interviewed by "USA Today" about the impact of Elvis Presley on the current generation.

Wolfe said Steve Earle's controversial song, "John Walker's Blues," is an attempt to understand an unpopular person, which is what songwriters have been doing for decades, reported the Bergen County (N.J.) News.

The South Bend (Ind.) Tribune interviewed Dr. Michael Dunne, English, on the significance of popular culture.



Mass Communication

Marc Barr, electronic media communication, told the San Antonio Express-News that "computers and technology can be very viable and interactive learning tools for children and their parents alike."

Dr. Anantha Babbili has been named dean of the College of Mass Communication, noted the India Tribune.

General Interest

The University Wire reported that former Vice President Al Gore will teach his Family-Centered Community Building course at MTSU in the Fall 2002 semester.

The University Wire reported that seven students from France are studying at MTSU this academic year.

James McBride, author of "The Color of Water," failed to appear as scheduled for the Fall 2002 Convocation at MTSU, noted the University Wire.

A revised master plan approved by MTSU is awaiting approval by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Board of Regents, according to the University Wire.



METROPOLITAN NEWS

Administration

MTSU President Sidney McPhee told WMOT-FM that MTSU is the top choice of valedictorians and salutatorians from Tennessee high schools for the sixth consecutive year.

McPhee told sportswriters and sportscasters that athletics are important to MTSU's mission, reported WMOT-FM.

The Commercial Appeal (Memphis) noted that McPhee said he was "surprised" to hear members of Knoxville's Downtown Rotary Club sing "Dixie" before he delivered a speech.

Page Three (Metro, Administration, cont'd.)

William J. "Joe" Bales, former assistant vice president for corporate and foundation relations at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, will become MTSU's new vice president for development and university relations effective Oct. 1, reported The Tennessean.

Athletics

Athletic Director Boots Donnelly told sportswriters and sportscasters that MTSU is working for success in all sports, noted WMOT-FM.



Basic and Applied Sciences

WMOT-FM interviewed Dr. Stephen Wright, biology, about emerging pathogens.

WSMV-TV interviewed Dr. Pam Holder, chair, nursing, about the critical shortage in the nursing industry.

Part of retired MTSU professor N. Omri Rawlins' collection of farm toys is on display at the Stark Agribusiness and Agriscience Center, according to The Tennessean.

Dr. Mari Weller, physics and astronomy, is a candidate for the Williamson County School Board, reported The Tennessean.



Business

Dr. Kathleen Vinlove, associate director, Business and Economic Research Center, told The Tennessean that CSL International's economic impact study of the Tennessee Titans is one of the better studies she has read.

Jim Holland ended his two-year term as chair of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business Advisory Council, reported the Nashville Business Journal.

Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, was appointed to gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary's Budget and Finance Advisory Council, according to The Tennessean.

The Tennessee Radio Network interviewed Ford about the relationship between obesity and individual income.

Ford and Dr. Charles Baum, economics and finance, were interviewed on NewsChannel5+ about the relationship between obesity and earning power.

There are 500 students in MTSU's MBA program, which costs an average of $181 per credit hour and requires 36 credits to graduate, reported The Tennessean.

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Edward Kick, chairman, sociology and anthropology, spoke at a conference on neighborhoods in Chattanooga, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Dr. Pat Nation, sociology and anthropology, told WMOT-FM that she doesn't think the celibate lifestyle of the Catholic priesthood contributes to pedophilia.

Nation spoke with WZTV-TV and WSMV-TV about a Maury County murder suspect who allegedly studied serial killers.

The Tennessean interviewed Dr. Bella Higdon, elementary and special education, about the lack of funding for programs for intellectually gifted students.

Page Four

Liberal Arts

WMOT-FM interviewed Glen Gough, president, Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville, about the designation of MTSU as an "All-Steinway School."

Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science, told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press that political campaigns often battle each other for fundraising bragging rights.

Byrnes also told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press that candidates who choose not to run political ads on Sept. 11 are taking a "reasonable approach."

The Chattanooga Times-Free Press quoted Byrnes as saying it is "dangerous for nonveterans to criticize veterans on military matters."

Byrnes told The Tennessean that he doesn't think a state income tax will be such a hot issue in the 2002 Tennessee gubernatorial campaign.

Dr. John Vile, chair, political science, told the Knoxville News-Sentinel that negative political ads can be true and usually get attention.

Vile spoke about the relationship between religion and government at a forum titled "The U.S. Constitution and the Quran: Can They Co-exist?," noted The Tennessean.

The MTSU Performing Arts Company is hosting the inaugural Summer Dance Intensive, featuring instruction in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical and African dance, as well as yoga, reported The Tennessean.

Dr. Philippa Holloway, history, told The Tennessean she believes Bishop Edward Kmiec's assertion that there are no priests in the Catholic Diocese of Nashville who have credible allegations of sexual abuse against them.

Mass Communication

WMOT-FM aired commentaries by Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, about media coverage of the recent rash of child abductions, reporting negative stories about public figures and/or their families, an upcoming out-of-state trial and the creation of an HIV-positive Muppet on "Sesame Street."

Burriss appeared on NewsChannel5+ to discuss a gubernatorial debate between Republican Van Hilleary and Democrat Phil Bredesen.

Gary Wolf, journalism, told The Tennessean he attended a fair celebrating India's independence from Great Britain to "put people behind the headlines about what is happening in the world."



Student Affairs

WLAC-AM interviewed Dr. Robert Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost for enrollment management, about enrollment for the Fall 2002 semester.

In a letter to The Tennessean, MTSU student Jason Rowlett of Smyrna wrote, "Reparations for slavery would set this country's civil rights movement back 150 years."

General Interest

Laurie Witherow, associate dean, residential education, told The Tennessean that MTSU's summer reading program for incoming freshmen "is an enriching new activity we hope will be a unifying experience."

Page Five (Metro, General Interest, cont'd.)

About 850 degree candidates will receive their diplomas during the Summer 2002 commencement ceremony at MTSU, reported the Nashville Business Journal.

WZTV-TV reported that MTSU student Matthew Holt was killed in a plane crash.

WMOT-FM interviewed Gina Poff, director, and Becca Wilson, coordinator, student development, about MTSU's Week of Welcome.

The MTSU ROTC will sponsor a salute to military veterans on Sept. 28 during the Blue Raiders' first home football game of the season, according to Nashville Westview.

MTSU is one of the Tennessee colleges that benefited from $1 million in taxpayer funding for remedial education last year, noted the Knoxville News-Sentinel, the Commercial Appeal (Memphis) and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Laura Dunn, coordinator, WMOT-FM, told The Tennessean that WMOT is "the only jazz source in Middle Tennessee."

The Tennessean invited students to visit MTSU's study skills help page at http://www.mtsu.edu/~studski.

WZTV-TV interviewed David Hutton, director, financial aid, about how students can pay for their college education.

The Tennessean printed the names of Summer 2002 honor graduates at MTSU.

WTVF-TV interviewed Jack Drugmand, director, public safety, on campus security following an apparent anthrax hoax at the Nashville office of former Vice President and MTSU instructor Al Gore.

WZTV-TV interviewed Debbie Bauder, director, Project HELP.LOCAL NEWS

Administration

DNJ columnist Greg Pogue opined that MTSU President Sidney McPhee "is just as committed to athletics as the previous" president.

McPhee said he was "surprised" to hear members of Knoxville's Downtown Rotary Club sing "Dixie" before he delivered a speech, reported the Jackson Sun, the Newport Plain Talk, the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Johnson City Press and the Southern Standard.

McPhee told the Bedford County MTSU Alumni that he wants the school to offer "an Ivy League education without an Ivy League cost," noted the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

McPhee will deliver the welcome address at a roast of former Murfreesboro mayor Richard Reeves to benefit the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts, noted the DNJ.

McPhee and his wife, Elizabeth, attended the Richard Reeves roast, reported the Murfreesboro Sun.

McPhee told the DNJ that MTSU's "Week of Welcome 2002" is aimed at making sure the school doesn't "lose that caring environment and personal touch that separate us from some of the other universities."

Page Six (Local, Administration, cont'd.)

McPhee said perhaps the most important item to be discussed at the next Tennessee Board of Regents meeting will be the approval of next year's faculty salaries, noted the DNJ.

McPhee is scheduled to be among the featured speakers at this year's "Adventures in Learning" classes, according to the DNJ.

William J. "Joe" Bales will become MTSU's vice president for development and university relations effective Oct. 1, reported the DNJ and the Franklin Review-Appeal.

Dr. Duane Stucky, vice president, business and finance, said that "MTSU will seek approval from the state Building Commission for a right-of-way across MTSU property to enable utility and road access to Rutherford Boulevard," according to the DNJ.



Basic and Applied Sciences

Drs. Stephen Wright, biology; William Robertson, physics; and Andrienne Friedli, chemistry, are the principal investigators on a project titled "The Development and Applications of a Novel Biosensor," reported the DNJ.

Dr. Ron Ferrara, aerospace, said MTSU's feeder agreement with Northeast State Technical Community College will allow NSTCC students to transfer seamlessly into the MTSU program, according to the Johnson City Press, the Kingsport Times-News and the Greeneville Sun.

Part of retired MTSU professor N. Omri Rawlins' collection of farm toys is on display at the Stark Agribusiness and Agriscience Center, noted the DNJ.

Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration CEO Ron Thomas told the Shelbyville Times-Gazette that the new equestrian center at MTSU, scheduled to open in fall 2003, will be "very strong competition" for the Celebration.

Karen Hargrove, outreach coordinator, biology, spoke to the Optimistic Gardeners Garden Club of Murfreesboro about recycling and other environmental issues, noted the DNJ.

Drs. Rebecca Zijlstra, Jan Zijlstra and Xiaoya Zha, mathematical sciences, conducted a math workshop for 25 sixth-grade students, reported the DNJ.

Steve Ennis of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees told the Tullahoma News that UT President John Shumaker believes the UTSI-MTSU partnership could become the model for similar deals in the future.

Dr. Kevin Downs, agribusiness and agriscience, served as the camp director of the annual Tennessee Youth Block & Bridle Beef Camp at MTSU, noted the Sevierville Mountain Press.

Dr. Pamela Taylor, adjunct professor, nursing, has been appointed director of nursing for critical care at Middle Tennessee Medical Center, noted the Murfreesboro Sun.

Dr. W. Jeff Clark, computer information systems, was the featured speaker at Bethel College's convocation, according to the Weakley County Press and the McKenzie Banner. Page Seven

Business

The DNJ Business Pulse reported that MTSU's Midstate Leading Index, an indicator of future regional growth, increased to 105.6 from 103.8 in the fourth quarter of 2001.

Jim Holland ended his two-year term as chair of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business Advisory Council, noted the DNJ.

The DNJ Business Pulse reported that Dr. Larry Howard, management and marketing, said it's unrealistic to expect a CEO to know about everything an employee does.

Dr. Jill Austin, chair, management and marketing, told the DNJ Business Pulse that most American employees incorrectly assume they have the same rights at work they have as U.S. citizens.

Drs. Richard Hannah, economics and finance, and Jun Da, foreign languages and literatures, and four MTSU students went to the southwest region of China to study the local economy, culture and history, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the DNJ.

The MTSU/Tennessee Small Business Development Center co-sponsored a taxpayer information workshop, noted the DNJ and the Columbia Daily Herald.

Dr. David Penn will replace Dr. Al DePrince as director of the Business and Economic Research Center, reported the DNJ.

Penn told the DNJ that the national economy is still giving off "mixed signals."

Dr. William Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, was appointed to gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary's Budget and Finance Advisory Council, according to the Murfreesboro Sun, the Kingsport Times-News and the Johnson City Press.

Dr. Timothy Graeff, management and marketing, told the DNJ that a recent poll sponsored by MTSU's Office of Consumer Research showed that respondents believe the national economy will not improve anytime soon.

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Douglas Winborn, HPERS, has been appointed to the newly approved position of assistant dean for program planning, assessment and accreditation, according to the DNJ.

The Tullahoma News reported that 43 Middle Tennessee teachers have been nominated for the "Apple for the Teacher" award, co-sponsored by MTSU.

Dr. Ann Campbell, elementary and special education, is a co-principal investigator for a project to provide children from 15 Middle Tennessee counties with speech therapy and early screening for learning disabilities, according to the DNJ.

Liberal Arts

Dr. Carroll Van West is replacing Dr. Jim Huhta as the director of MTSU's Center for Historic Preservation, according to the DNJ.

West said the Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area's management plan should be completed in 2003, noted the Overton County News and the Celina Citizen-Statesman.

Page Eight (Local, Liberal Arts, cont'd.)

Dr. Theresa Rosenhagen, foreign languages and literatures, will teach a conversational Spanish class, including medical/health care terminology, in Tullahoma, according to the Tullahoma News.

In October, MTSU will co-sponsor a symposium on the Civil War in Tennessee, reported the Tullahoma News, the Rutherford Courier and the Rutherford County Spotlight.

A nearly $1.5 million donation enabled MTSU's School of Music to become an "All-Steinway School," noted the Giles Free Press and the Columbia Daily Herald.

Dr. David Carleton, political science, said candidates who cut into each other's party base make it easier to win the general election, according to the Jackson Sun, the Kingsport Times-News and the Johnson City Press.

The DNJ interviewed Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science, about his book, "James K. Polk: A Biographical Companion."

Byrnes told the DNJ he thinks post-9/11 patriotism is still high.

The MTSU Chamber Choir will perform with the Middle Tennessee Choral Society in the MTCS's season opener Sept. 17, reported the Tullahoma News.

The MTSU Faculty Art Show continued through Sept. 3 in the Art Barn Gallery, noted the Columbia Daily Herald.



Student Affairs

MTSU art education major Mike Novak creates colored glass jewelry in his Volkswagen van, according to the DNJ.

The Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the Alamo Times printed names of students who received degrees from MTSU during the Spring 2002 commencement.

The Humboldt Courier Chronicle and the Gallatin News-Examiner printed photos of MTSU students Russell White of Unionville and Kate Arndt of Hendersonville being congratulated by Dr. Tom Cheatham, dean, basic and applied sciences, for being two of the college's top students in the 2001-02 academic year.

The Tullahoma News printed a photo of MTSU students Paula Lansford, Connie Gowder, Jennifer Perkins and Karla Wright at an aerospace education workshop.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU student athletic trainer Christina Mascaro at work during football practice.

MTSU student Susan Shemwell of Manchester won the adult equitation competition at the International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show in Murfreesboro, noted the DNJ.

The Lebanon Democrat printed a photo of MTSU student and Burgess Award winner David Dedman of Mt. Juliet.

The McKenzie Banner profiled MTSU freshman Alicia Walker, who won three individual awards during the American Mock Trial Association National Tournament.

The DNJ interviewed MTSU students Michael Taylor, Amy Guyot and Jason Blair about the start of the Fall 2002 semester.

The Murfreesboro Sun printed a photo of MTSU student RaChelle Bennett, winner of the National Collegiate Nursing Award.

Page Nine (Local, Student Affairs, cont'd.)

MTSU art education major Helen Johnson is teaching children at the Boys and Girls Club in Murfreesboro, reported the Murfreesboro Sun.

MTSU student Katie Jones was named one of the top students in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences during the 2001-02 academic year, according to the Southern Standard.

Angela Marketa Redwine of Bonair Mountain, an MTSU graduate student pursuing a master's degree in psychology, has been given the Albert L. and Ethel Carver Smith Memorial Scholarship for a second time, noted the Sparta Expositor and the Crossville Chronicle.

MTSU junior and textiles merchandising and design major Tiffany Gaines has received a 2002 A.O. Smith Merit Scholarship, according to the DNJ.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU freshman Christina Pisanello studying American history.

MTSU student Mark Petty's essay provided the information for a Main Street Downtowner article on Murfreesboro's historic district.

MTSU senior Cheryl King interned with Country Music Television in Nashville this past summer, noted the McKenzie Banner.

The Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported that MTSU sophomore and mass communication major Angela Hicks performed missionary work in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over the summer.

Denise Coley, an elementary education major at MTSU, was named the Wilson County Livestock Association's 2002 scholarship recipient, noted the Gallatin News-Examiner and the Lebanon Democrat.

Cheryl Bean, a sixth-grade teacher in Shelbyville, was awarded the Warren Graduate Scholarship, which provides assistance to Tennessee public school teachers who are pursuing graduate work at MTSU, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Dr. Robert Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost for enrollment management, told the DNJ that most of the 11,532 students enrolled in college or graduate school in Murfreesboro have chosen to establish residence in Murfreesboro.

The DNJ interviewed Glenn about why cafeterias on campus were closed during a Thursday night pep rally.

The DNJ asked MTSU student Catherine Miller of Memphis for her perspective on the state of the economy.

The episode of "Wheel of Fortune" featuring MTSU senior Jonathan Boylan of Manchester will air in late September or early October, reported the Manchester Times.

General Interest

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to help MTSU help disadvantaged students graduate high school and pursue college careers, reported the DNJ, the Grundy County Herald and the Tullahoma News.

The DNJ Business Pulse noted that Barbara Draude, manager, information technology, said that 40 percent of managers say they must leave their itinerary or contact numbers with their boss while on vacation, according to an American Management Association survey.

Page Ten (Local, General Interest, cont'd.)

MTSU is the top choice for valedictorians and salutatorians from Tennessee high schools for the sixth year in a row, reported the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

The Lebanon Democrat printed names of students who graduated from MTSU May 11.

The Bristol Herald Courier, the Kingsport Times-News, the Johnson City Press and the Roane County News printed names of students who made the dean's list at MTSU in the Spring 2002 semester.

A summer session record of 9,025 students attended MTSU in the Summer 2002 semester, noted the Marshall Gazette.

More than 800 students graduated during the Summer 2002 commencement at MTSU, noted the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the Rutherford Courier.

The Tullahoma News, the Trenton Herald-Gazette, the Humboldt Courier-Chronicle and the Milan Mirror-Exchange printed the names of students who graduated in the Summer 2002 semester.

The DNJ reported that MTSU is one of the locations for Murfreesboro's annual observance of "National Night Out."

Dr. Dennis Oneal, president, faculty senate, delivered the Summer 2002 commencement address at MTSU, reported the Tullahoma News and the DNJ.

Jack Drugmand, director, public safety, told the DNJ that women who feel uncomfortable stopping for a uniformed officer for fear he might be a rapist in disguise should go to a convenience store or other place where people are likely to be.

The deadline for acceptance of undergraduate applications at MTSU was Aug. 9, according to the Lebanon Democrat, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Marshall Gazette and the Gallatin News-Examiner.

The DNJ reported that MTSU student Matthew Holt was killed in a plane crash.

MTSU employees helped commuting students with parking issues as the Fall 2002 semester began, noted the Tullahoma News and the Marshall Gazette.

Lynn Palmer, director, admissions, told the DNJ that 12,661 potential students filed admissions applications for the Fall 2002 semester.

MTSU is one of the Tennessee colleges that benefited from $1 million in taxpayer funding for remedial education last year, according to the DNJ, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Paris Post-Intelligencer, the Crossville Chronicle, the Kingsport Times-News, the Union City Daily Messenger, the Oak Ridger and the Tullahoma News.

The Jackson Sun reported that the Governor's School at MTSU, as well as the six other Governor's Schools around the state, has received state funding for next summer.

"Our Shrinking Planet" is the theme of the fall honors lecture series at MTSU, noted the DNJ.

Alpha Omega helped students move into their dormitories during the Week of Welcome, reported the Murfreesboro Sun.

MTSU will co-sponsor the "Rally on Maple," a business mixer, in downtown Murfreesboro on Oct. 15, according to the DNJ Downtowner.

The DNJ reported the MTSU basketball players volunteered to help clean up the Patterson Park area of Murfreesboro.

Page Eleven (Local, General Interest, cont'd.)

Enrollment at MTSU for the Fall 2002 semester was expected to surpass 21,000 students, noted the Rutherford County Spotlight.

MTSU and its June Anderson Women's Center will celebrate their respective origins at Sept. 4 festivities on campus, noted the DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

The DNJ printed a photo of Sgt. 1st Class Mark Dodson preparing a static display vehicle for Career Day at MTSU.

The DNJ printed a photo of Hannah Fitch, daughter of Dr. Gene Fitch, associate dean, student life, who donated $175 she had saved to MTSU's Project HELP.

MTSU students who researched the property where Lewis-Jones Appliance Co. is located in Murfreesboro found out that it once belonged to President James K. Polk, noted the Main Street Downtowner.

The Bristol Herald Courier reported that MTSU will have a non-voting representative on Tennessee's new Independent Tax Structure Study Commission.

The Jack O. Weatherford Chair of Finance Invitational Golf Scramble Tournament, scheduled for Oct. 8, is expected to raise thousands of dollars for scholarships for MTSU students, noted the Murfreesboro Sun and the DNJ.

Steve Benefield, president, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, told the DNJ that Murfreesboro's 2000 Census figures are skewed because of the number of students attending MTSU.

The Lewisburg Tribune and the Lebanon Democrat reported that MTSU will again offer former Vice President Al Gore's "Family Centered Community Building" class in the Fall 2002 semester.