Clips for August 2003

MTSU News Summary for August 2003

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 NEWSBasic and Applied Sciences

Governor Bredesen led 25 new student airplanes into the Murfreesboro Airport to commemorate the aerospace department's new fleet, reported USA Today.Page Two

Business

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, discussed the Federal Reserve Board's latest decision on interest rates on CNBC.



Liberal Arts

Dr. John Vile, political science, analyzed eight proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution, authored by U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), for Playboy magazine and the Chicago Tribune.

Dr. Ron Aday, sociology and anthropology, has written Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections, a book about the aging prison population, noted USA Today and XM Satellite Radio.

Aday said senior citizen centers will realize an influx of "hip baby boomers" in the coming years, according to the Hartford (Conn.) Courant.

Dr. David Lavery, English, said television has an ongoing love affair with gay culture, reported Florida Today (Brevard County, FL).

Student Affairs

Jenny Gill, daughter of country music singers Vince Gill and Janis Oliver Cummins, is a student at MTSU, reported People magazine.

General Interest

Eloise R. Hitchcock, university library, reviewed "Songs of Life and Grace" by Linda Scott DeRosier for Library Journal Reviews.

Operations Cmdr. Roy Brewer and Administrative Lt. Jim Fanguy, public safety, took part in the Defeating Protest Devices camp in June in Nashville, noted the University Wire.

Judy Shepard, mother of slain University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, delivered a speech at MTSU against anti-gay hate crimes, according to The Record of Bergen County (N.J.).





METROPOLITAN NEWS

Administration

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, noted the Nashville Business Journal and WMOT-FM.

McPhee told The Tennessean that the Tennessee Board of Regents' audits of state-supported institutions are "appropriate."

The Tennessean reported that McPhee makes a total of $194,510 per year.



Basic and Applied Sciences

Governor Bredesen led 25 new student airplanes into the Murfreesboro Airport to commemorate the aerospace department's new fleet, reported The Tennessean, The Tennessean's Rutherford section, WMOT-FM, WKRN-TV, WTVF-TV and WSMV-TV.

Page Three (Metro, Basic and Applied Sciences, cont'd.)

Dr. Eric Klumpe, physics and astronomy, told The Tennessean and NewsChannel5+ that a new "naked-eye observatory" is in the works at MTSU.

WPLN-FM and The Tennessean interviewed Klumpe about why Mars came more closely to Earth than it has in some 60,000 years.

MTSU officials want to establish a center to study and protect cedar glades, noted WMOT-FM.

Dr. Pam Holder, associate dean of research and outreach, former dean of nursing, told the Nashville Business Journal that the retirement of existing nursing faculty will result in a "critical shortage" over the next three to five years.

Business

The Memphis Business Journal, The Commercial Appeal (Memphis) and The Tennessean listed the most recent inductees into MTSU's Musto Insurance Hall of Fame.

WPLN-FM interviewed Dr. Susan Harmon, management and marketing, about consumers' changing shopping patterns.

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, talked about "fiscal magic" on NewsChannel5+.

Dr. David Penn, director, Business and Economic Research Center, told The Tennessean that the national business climate is improving.

Penn told The Tennessean that the national downslide in manufacturing started shortly after World War II.

A migration report by the BERC shows that Williamson County has the highest median income for new residents in an eight-county region of Middle Tennessee, reported The Tennessean.

Dr. David Foote, management and marketing, told The Tennessean that Metropolitan Nashville Schools Director Pedro Garcia is setting a "dangerous precedent" by refusing to fire an administrator who lied about his credentials.

Dr. Barbara Haskew, economics and finance, has been named interim director of the Tennessee Center for Labor-Management Relations, reported the Nashville Business Journal.

Registrations and sponsorships are being accepted for this year's 15th annual Jack O. Weatherford Chair of Finance Invitational Scramble Golf Tournament, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Janet Colson, human sciences, said some people are obsessed with dieting and exercise to an unhealthy extreme, according to The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).

The university library's Curriculum Collection was named to honor Dr. Bob Womack, educational leadership, and his late wife, Elizabeth, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. Dorothy Craig, associate dean, was interviewed by WLAC-AM and WMOT-FM about how the prevalence of computers among youngsters has affected their learning patterns.

Page Four



Liberal Arts

Dr. John Vile, political science, told The Tennessean that God has a sense of humor.

Vile praised Governor Bredesen for reversing his decision to hire a law firm with which he was politically connected to work for the Tennessee Education Lottery Board, reported The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).

MTSU is hosting a three-concert series to celebrate the renaming of the School of Music for Robert W. McLean, according to The Tennessean's Life section and the Tennessean's Rutherford section.

An exhibit of artwork by MTSU faculty members is on display at the Art Barn, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section and WPLN-FM.

Dr. Andrei Korobkov, political science, said broadening the military coalition in Iraq to include the international community could keep Iraq from becoming another Vietnam-like quagmire, according to WMOT-FM.

In a letter to The Tennessean's Williamson A.M. section, Dr. David Carleton, political science, wrote "the idea of converting one or more of the existing traditional calendar schools to a year-round format ought to be seriously considered" in Franklin.

Dr. Moses Tesi, political science, appeared on NewsChannel5+ to discuss the departure of President Charles Taylor from Liberia.

The Center for Historic Preservation co-sponsored a series of concerts honoring former First Lady Sarah Childress Polk, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. Carroll Van West, director, CHP, is a member of a committee helping to determine what to do with the so-called "green house," which is believed to be the oldest African American home in downtown Franklin, noted The Tennessean's Williamson A.M. section.

West said the "green house" is "a great example of how it was a new world for race relations between whites and blacks after the Civil War," according to The Tennessean's Williamson A.M. section.

An exhibit of the works of artist Rob Matthews will open Sept. 8 at MTSU's Art Barn Gallery, reported The Tennessean's Life section.

Peter Serkin, son of the late Rudolf Serkin, will present a solo piano recital at MTSU Sept. 14, noted The Tennessean's Life section.

Dr. Steven Livingston, political science, wrote about Tennessee exports in a guest column in the Nashville Business Journal.

Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science, told The Tennessean that the Internet has become more important each election year.

Drs. Lynn Nelson and Robert Hunt, history, provided The Tennessean with information about what schools were like in the 1800s.



Mass Communication

WMOT-FM aired commentaries by Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, on a free speech question regarding Microsoft software.

Beverly Keel, recording industry management, penned articles on Bekka Bramlett and Deana Carter for Nashville Lifestyles magazine.

Page Five (Metro, Mass Communication, cont'd.)

Dr. Anantha Babbili, dean, told WMOT-FM he hopes the aggressive news coverage of the University of Tennessee scandal heralds a rebirth of ethical investigative journalism.

WMOT-FM aired commentaries by Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, on the Internet's lack of reach into underdeveloped areas and retaliation by Microsoft against opponents who voice their opinions.

Burriss was interviewed by WZTV-TV about the causes and effects of the SoBig computer virus.

Student Affairs

MTSU student Julie Madewell of Hixson spent the summer studying abroad, according to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

MTSU senior Edwin Vargas told The Tennessean that he wants to apply what he learned at a 10-week technology camp to a career in biotechnology.

WTVF-TV covered students moving into their dormitories the weekend before classes started for the fall semester.

WSMV-TV interviewed MTSU students about the university's policy on downloading files from the Internet.

WSMV-TV interviewed MTSU student Johnathon Moss about another student who was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning.

MTSU senior Jared White is one of five interns working with the Tennessee Titans' training staff, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

WZTV-TV interviewed MTSU students who are concerned about how they are going to pay the rising costs of their higher education.

MTSU student Jason Spray became a graduate assistant to strength and conditioning coaches Robb Rogers and Matt Reilly after he injured his knee as a football player, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.



General Interest

Outgoing Faculty Senate President Dr. Jennifer Dooley was the featured speaker at Summer 2003 commencement, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

MTSU hosted a luncheon for interns who participated in INROADS, a program that provides career development opportunities for minority students, noted the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

MTSU has reserved a $2,800 van from the state for the purpose of restarting a bookmobile, according to The Tennessean.

MTSU hosted the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp, where 70 girls attended musical workshops and jam sessions, reported The Tennessean, WPLN-FM and the Nashville Scene.

In a letter to the Nashville Scene, Nancy Potter wrote about how much her daughter liked the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp.

The Tri-State Defender (Memphis) and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press printed the names of MTSU scholarship recipients.

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

The Tennessean reported that the University of Tennessee spent $9,090.92 for a reception for MTSU personnel prior to the UT-MTSU football game Sept. 7, 2002.

Author and former New York Times reporter Rick Bragg was the fall convocation speaker at MTSU, according to The Tennessean and The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU offers the Rape Aggression Defense Systems program to students to help improve safety on campus, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The "Week of Welcome" is designed to help students make the transition from summer vacation to college classwork, noted WMOT-FM.

WMOT-FM interviewed Sarah Johnson, director, women's outreach, Middle Tennessee Christian Student Center, on her efforts to help new students adjust to MTSU.

David Davenport, director, university recreation, Austin Peay State University, said APSU's recreation facilities are "behind the curve" compared to MTSU and ETSU's "state-of-the-art facilities," reported The Tennessean.

The Nashville Scene printed an "insider's guide" to MTSU.

Gina Logue, News and Public Affairs, wrote an article about a veteran Murfreesboro businessman for The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Tennessee Radio Network, WREC-AM (Memphis) and WSGC-FM (Chattanooga) interviewed Logue about the Japan-U.S. Center's bon odori dance to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the two nations' relationship.

Dr. Susan Trentham has been named director of the June Anderson Women's Center, reported The Tennesean's Rutherford section.

MTSU's ROTC arranged for an Apache attack helicopter to fly onto the campus to help the U.S. Army's recruiting efforts, according to WSMV-TV.

Enrollment at MTSU is up by about 600 more students this year over last year, reported The Commercial Appeal (Memphis), WZTV-TV, WTVF-TV, WKRN-TV, The Tennessean and WSMV-TV.

Two free sessions in "mind mapping" were offered to MTSU students in the James Union Building, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former New York Times reporter Rick Bragg spoke at the fall convocation for incoming freshmen, reported the Nashville Scene.

David Hutton, director, financial aid, told the Nashville Business Journal that the student loan default rate at MTSU in 2001 was down to 7.6 percent from 10.8 percent in 1997.

MTSU celebrated its 92nd birthday and the 75th anniversary of Homer Pittard Campus School Aug. 28, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Two former MTSU football players were arrested and charged in the robbery of a drug store, reported WSMV-TV.

Page Seven

LOCAL NEWS

Administration

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee was named to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, according to the DNJ Business Pulse.

An editorial in the Franklin Review-Appeal hailed McPhee's NCAA appointment.

DNJ columnist Greg Pogue wrote that the John Shumaker scandal at the University of Tennessee points out how fortunate MTSU is to have McPhee as president.

McPhee spoke in Gallatin and Murfreesboro at "Lunch with the President" events sponsored by the MTSU National Alumni Association, reported the Gallatin News-Examiner, the Murfreesboro Sun and the DNJ.

McPhee is a member of a committee helping to determine what to do with the so-called "green house," which is believed to be the oldest African American home in downtown Franklin, noted the Franklin Review-Appeal.



Athletics

Kermit Davis, men's basketball coach, co-chaired the 2003 American Heart Association Rutherford County Heart Walk, reported the DNJ.

Bill Lansden, associate athletic director for marketing and fundraising, told the DNJ he hopes MTSU's opening home game will have one of the largest crowds ever.



Basic and Applied Sciences

In a letter to the DNJ, David Grubbs wrote that the MTSU recycling program has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships.

Governor Bredesen led 25 new student airplanes into the Murfreesboro Airport to commemorate the aerospace department's new fleet, reported the DNJ, the Jackson Sun, the Lewisburg Tribune, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle and the Moore County News.

A DNJ editorial reprinted in the Maryville Daily Times, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Union City Daily Messenger, the Crossville Chronicle and the Southern Standard hailed Bredesen's support for MTSU's aerospace program.

The DNJ printed photos of Bredesen's arrival at the airport.

The Blue Max Flight Simulator is the result of a partnership between MTSU and the Adventure Science Center, noted the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle and the Brentwood Journal.

Dr. Padgett Kelly, biology, and 11 students studied the ecology of the Florida Keys on a trip funded by a NASA-sponsored grant, reported the Marshall Gazette.

At least 40 horse shows are scheduled at Tennessee Miller Coliseum in the next year, according to the DNJ.

Dr. Paul Lee, physics and astronomy, taught teachers from Cannon County how to set up and use their planetarium, noted the Cannon Courier.

Dr. Jessica Gentry, agribusiness and agriscience, served as a judge in the animal competitions at the Henry County Fair, according to the Paris Post-Intelligencer.

Page Eight (Metro, Basic and Applied Sciences, cont'd.)

Dr. Donald Nelson, mathematical sciences, talked about applying curricula to practical examples at the inaugural Business, Community and Classroom Connections Academy for the Advancement of Math and Science Study, reported the DNJ Business Pulse.

MTSU is attempting to establish a new Center for Cedar Glade Studies with federal money, noted the DNJ.

Business

MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center is scheduled to produce a study on the "Impact of Continuing Growth on Revenues and Services" to Rutherford County officials on Nov. 21, reported the DNJ.

The BERC produced a report on the economic impact of nursing home Medicaid payments on communities throughout Tennessee, noted the Crossville Chronicle.

Dr. David Penn, director, BERC, told the DNJ Business Pulse that the first economic quarter of 2003 was "entirely forgettable."

According to a BERC report, cotton exports from Tennessee are booming, noted the Tullahoma News.

MTSU economic researchers are creating a "community audit" for the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board, reported the Dyersburg State Gazette.

MTSU's Small Business Development Center co-sponsored a seminar titled "Business Continuity Planning--Now That I Have It, What Do I Do With It?," noted the DNJ and the DNJ Business Pulse.

The SBDC co-sponsored a workshop for people interested in securing government contracts, reported the DNJ Business Pulse, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Columbia Daily Herald and the DNJ.

MTSU co-sponsored the State Farm Summer Business Camp, according to the DNJ Business Pulse and the DNJ.

A golf tournament sponsored by the Cumberland Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society raised $9,570 for scholarships for MTSU's insurance program, noted the Lebanon Democrat.

Leadership Middle Tennessee, which operates through the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, honored its most recent graduates at the Country Music Hall of Fame, reported the DNJ and the Columbia Daily Herald.

Dr. Barbara Haskew, economics and finance, was named interim director of the Tennessee Center for Labor-Management Relations, according to the DNJ and the Marshall Gazette.

A survey co-sponsored by MTSU shows that nonprofit arts organizations contributed $143.5 million to the Tennessee economy in the 2001-02 fiscal year, reported the Hendersonville Star News.

Dr. Reuben Kyle, economics and finance, said there is a nationwide trend of shifting the costs of higher education from taxpayers to students, noted the Lewisburg Tribune.



Page Nine

Education and Behavioral Science

More than 45 teachers from across the state attended The Academy for Teachers of the Gifted at MTSU, reported the Tullahoma News, the Lenoir City News-Herald, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Lewis County Herald, the Alamo Times and the Covington Leader.

The university library's curriculum collection was named for Dr. Bob Womack, educational leadership, and his late wife, Elizabeth, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the Marshall Gazette.

Dr. Janet Colson, human sciences, said some people are obsessed with dieting and exercise to an unhealthy extreme, reported the DNJ, the Sevierville Mountain Press and the Johnson City Press.

The DNJ interviewed Colson on what kind of lunches to pack for their children as the youngsters return to school.

The Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia at MTSU is on track to receive a $2.5 million appropriation from Congress, reported the Cannon Courier.

Dr. Belinda Traughber, psychology, tried to get her son into a school outside their school zone by renting an apartment in another zone, according to the DNJ.

Dr. Stuart Bernstein, psychology, wrote a letter to the DNJ calling for Americans to respect religious diversity.

Liberal Arts

Dr. John Vile, political science, praised Governor Bredesen for reversing his decision to hire a law firm with which he was politically connected to work for the Tennessee Education Lottery Board, according to the Union City Daily Messenger, the Dyersburg State Gazette, the Jackson Sun, the Athens Post-Athenian, the Greeneville Sun, the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, the Sevierville Mountain Press, the Johnson City Press, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Kingsport Times-News and the Cookeville Herald-Citizen.

Vile told the DNJ that cell phones equipped with cameras raise interesting new legal issues regarding privacy.

The Fox Run Farm in Bedford County was designated a Tennessee Century Farm by the Center for Historic Preservation, noted the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Dr. Carroll Van West, director, CHP, delivered a presentation on MTSU historical programs to the Van Buren County Historical Society, according to The Mountain View (Spencer).

West endorses preservation of the so-called "green house" an important African-American landmark in Franklin, noted the Franklin Review-Appeal.

The MTSU Concert Chorale and Women's Choir will join the Middle Tennessee Choral Society in October for a performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Serenade to Music," reported the DNJ and the Tullahoma News.

MTSU is hosting a three-concert series to celebrate the renaming of the School of Music for Robert W. McLean, according to the DNJ.

The DNJ printed photos from the first concert by pianist Mac Frampton.

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

An exhibit of artwork by MTSU faculty members is on display at the Art Barn, noted the Rutherford Courier, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Lewisburg Tribune and the DNJ Extra.

Dr. Ron Aday, sociology and anthropology, has written Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections, a book about the aging prison population, noted the DNJ.

The Polk County News printed a photo of Dr. Dale MacGilliard, speech and theatre, at the Governor's School for the Arts at MTSU.

Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" will be the first show of the MTSU Theatre season, reported the Murfreesboro Sun.

The DNJ profiled Dr. June McCash, foreign languages and literatures.

Dr. Andrei Korobkov, political science, is conducting research on migration patterns among the former Soviet republics, according to the Lewisburg Tribune.



Mass Communication

Drs. Larry Burriss and John Bodle, journalism, completed a study on the public perception of the meaning of the phrase "God Bless America," according to the Murfreesboro Sun.



Student Affairs

MTSU student William R. Eimicke was presented with the "Outstanding Business Administration Senior" award," noted the Columbia Daily Herald.

The Cumberland County Farm Bureau awarded a scholarship to MTSU sophomore animal science major Amanda Jernigan, according to the Crossville Chronicle.

MTSU student Stuart Rymer spent the summer in a study abroad program in Japan, reported the Cleveland Daily Banner.

MTSU student Chris Robison ran for an aldermanic position in Manchester, noted the Tullahoma News.

MTSU student Matthew Chapman was appointed as the student representative to the Tennessee Board of Regents, according to the Lebanon Democrat.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU student Lindsay Farnow trying out for the Nashville Dream.

MTSU student Brandon Parker tutored kindergarten children during the summer, reported the DNJ.

MTSU student Glenn Suggs won a $4,000 scholarship from TVA and Middle Tennessee Electric, noted the DNJ.

MTSU student Janna L. Wood has graduated from the Army ROTC National Advanced Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash, reported the Tullahoma News.

MTSU student Laura Jones of Columbia interned with the Better Business Bureau of Murfreesboro during the summer, reported the Cannon Courier.

Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost, enrollment management, told the DNJ that MTSU students bring a lot of money into Murfreesboro.



Page Eleven

General Interest

Murfreesboro City Planner Robert Lewis told the DNJ he doesn't think officials adequately counted MTSU students who live off campus for the most recent census.

MTSU is the second largest and fastest growing university in Tennessee with more than 21,000 students, reported the DNJ.

The DNJ profiled MTSU Foundation president Donna Hastings.

A DNJ editorial noted that MTSU brings anywhere from 12,000 to 20,000 more cars into Rutherford County each day.

In a letter to DNJ, Dawn White and Brenda Wunder, co-chairs, 2003 Relay for Life, thanked MTSU for its support for the charity fundraiser.

The Tullahoma News, the Cannon Courier, the Trenton Herald-Gazette, the Pulaski Citizen, the Portland Leader, the Carthage Courier, the Lebanon Democrat, the Lewisburg Tribune, the Gallatin News-Examiner, the Collierville Herald, the Bolivar Bulletin-Times, the DNJ, the Brownsville States-Graphic, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Fairview Observer, the Mount Juliet News, the Bartlett Express, the Winchester Herald-Chronicle and the Jasper Journal printed the names of MTSU scholarship recipients.

Dr. Susan Trentham has been named director of the June Anderson Women's Center, reported the Tullahoma News and the Lewisburg Tribune.

In a letter to the DNJ, Nancy Potter wrote about how much her daughter liked the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp co-sponsored by the June Anderson Women's Center.

The DNJ printed photos of participants in the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp.

The Morgan County News, the Fayette County Review, the Clinton Courier-News, the Lawrenceburg Advocate, the Lauderdale Voice and the Bartlett Express printed the names of students who made the Spring 2003 dean's list.

The Franklin Review-Appeal, the Pulaski Citizen, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Manchester Times, the Columbia Daily Herald and the Clinton Courier-News printed the names of students who graduated following the Spring 2003 semester.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former New York Times reporter Rick Bragg spoke at the fall convocation for incoming freshmen, noted the DNJ, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Marshall Gazette and the Tullahoma News.

Outgoing Faculty Senate President Dr. Jennifer Dooley was the featured speaker at Summer 2003 commencement, reported the DNJ and the Marshall Gazette.

State Rep. Kent Coleman (D-Murfreesboro) said the number of quality students attending MTSU is going to increase because of lottery scholarships, according to the DNJ.

The Division of Continuing Services and Public Service offered "The Writer's Loft," a low-residency, 18-month certificate in creative writing, noted the Lewisburg Tribune and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Sherian Huddleston, assistant vice president, enrollment services, told the DNJ, the Franklin Review-Appeal and the Tullahoma News that enrollment is expected to increase two percent in the fall semester.

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

A DNJ editorial advised Murfreesboro residents to treat returning MTSU students kindly.

The Albert Gore Senior Research Center provided historic photos and documents for an exhibit at Rutherford County's bicentennial celebration, according to the Main Street Downtowner.

Two free sessions in "mind mapping" were offered to MTSU students in the James Union Building, noted the DNJ.

MTSU celebrated its 92nd birthday and the 75th anniversary of Homer Pittard Campus School Aug. 28, according to the DNJ and the Murfreesboro Sun.

The Japan-U.S. Center of MTSU co-sponsored a bon odori dance festival to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the two nations' relationship, reported the DNJ and the Murfreesboro Sun.

The Japan-U.S. Center also hosted a party to honor new students from Asia and new non-Asian students enrolled in Asia-related courses, noted the DNJ.

Officer Leroy Carter, MTSU Department of Public Safety, was honored by Crime Stoppers of Rutherford County for his commitment to community policing, according to the Rutherford Courier.

Alumni Don and Hanna Witherspoon plan to make a challenge gift of $25,000 to MTSU to help raise more money for scholarships, noted the Murfreesboro Sun.

MTSU police arrested a Tennessee State University student for allegedly possessing a 9 mm handgun on campus, according to the DNJ.

MTSU has drafted a plan to deal with parking for multiple events, reported the DNJ.

The DNJ printed a photo of a youngster at MTSU's "Meet Murfreesboro" event to inform students about local businesses.

Enrollment at MTSU is up by about 600 more students this year over last year, according to the DNJ.

Rutherford County schools have endorsed contracts with MTSU to provide the schools with athletic training services, scuba diving classes and nursing services, noted the DNJ.

MTSU's enrollment hit an all-time high of 21,734 in the fall semester, reported the DNJ.

Motlow State Community College is teaching some of its students on the MTSU campus, according to the DNJ and the Rutherford Courier.

Several retired and active MTSU professors are teaching senior citizens in the "Adventures in Learning" adult education classes, noted the DNJ.

The DNJ interviewed Momolu Massaquoi , university library, and Jeanne Massaquoi, director, student athletic enhancement center, about the death of their son, Alhaj, a former MTSU student who was killed Aug. 12 in the civil war in Liberia.