Clips for January 2004

NATIONAL NEWS

Business

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, spoke about interest rates and Federal Reserve action on CNNfn and CNBC.

Mass Communication

Issues tackled in the latest MT Poll included a statewide lottery and gay rights, according to the University Wire.

Beverly Keel, recording industry management, interviewed CBS News "Sunday Morning" host Charles Osgood for American Profile.

General Interest

Lisa L. Rollins, news and public affairs, has garnered a Special Merit Award in the feature article or series category of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III Awards, according to the Capella Times.





METROPOLITAN NEWS

Administration

The Tennessee Board of Regents released documents detailing the sexual harassment allegations against MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

WTVF-TV interviewed McPhee about his plans for 2004.

McPhee, a member of the 18-member NCAA Division I Board of Directors, said he hoped the NCAA Convention in Nashville would give gender and diversity issues high priority, reported The Tennessean.

Dr. Martha Jo Edwards, Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services, was presented the American Heart Association's Tennessee Outstanding Volunteer Advocate of the Year award, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU and O'More College of Design in Franklin are involved in discussions that could lead to a merger, reported The Tennessean and WTVF-TV.

Athletics

The Blue Ribbon Athletic Association launched a campaign to boost attendance at home football games, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.



Basic and Applied Sciences

Tennessee Cooperator featured MTSU's dairy in its January edition.

Dr. Dennis Walsh, mathematical sciences, explained the odds of winning the lottery for The Tennessean.

In a guest column in The Tennessean, Dr. Preston MacDougall, chemistry, praised "Galileo's Finger," a recent book by Peter Atkins.

MTSU will sponsor the 10th annual Dynamics of Elderly Caregiving Conference April 1-2, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.



Business

In a letter to The Tennessean, Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, called TennCare an "out-of-control and grossly mismanaged program."

Page Three (Metro, Business, cont’d.)

Ford discussed taxes on NewsChannel5+.

Ford said Tennessee's rising unemployment rate is a reflection of the growing labor force, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Ford received the Academic Excellence Award from the Tennessee Board of Regents, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Ford said the highly paid leaders of the Tennessee Lottery should be given a chance to show what they can do, noted WMOT-FM.

Dr. David Penn, director, Business and Economic Research Center, recommended that Rutherford County officials implement a local realty transfer tax and an adequate facilities tax, reported The Tennessean.

The Tennessean printed a correction of its mischaracterization of Penn's comments.

Penn said the trucking industry is too competitive for truckers to request more pay, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Penn said the nursing shortage is the most common job shortage in the state and in the nation, according to The Tennessean.

Dr. Al DePrince, economics and finance, said state officials should examine the "draining effect" of TennCare before considering a state income tax, reported The Tennessean.

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Janet Colson, human sciences, advised cooking meats thoroughly and washing one's hands thoroughly after handling meats, reported The Tennessean.



Liberal Arts

Dr. John Vile, political science, said he has difficulty convincing his friends that the primary process is more important than the electoral college, according to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Vile said TennCare is "the big unknown" in the Bredesen Administration, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Vile discussed his book, "Great American Judges," in an interview aired on WMOT-FM.

Vile was interviewed by Tennessee Radio Network, WLAC-AM (Nashville), WREC-AM (Memphis), and WSGC-FM (Chattanooga) about dirty tricks in political campaigning.

The artwork of MTSU alumnus Wayne White was displayed in an exhibit titled "Twenty Years in the Jungle," noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section, WSMV-TV and WPLN-FM.

Dr. Carroll Van West, director, Center for Historic Preservation, discussed new projects for the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area at a meeting of the Middle Tennessee Civil War Round Table, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU will co-sponsor a conference titled "The Legacy of Stones River: Slavery and the Civil War in Tennessee," reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Page Four (Metro, Liberal Arts, cont’d.)

Michael Linton, music, wrote a composition for the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

A $149,000 federal grant to the Department of History will be used for workshops for K-through-12 teachers this summer, noted WMOT-FM.

Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science, told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press that differing opinions among area Republicans on President Bush's plan to give undocumented workers temporary legal status might reflect a similar national divide.

Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, discussed "The Women of Country Music" on NewsChannel5+.

Jazz pianist Kenny Werner and his trio performed in concert as part of the MTSU Jazz Series, reported WMOT-FM and The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. David Carleton, political science, said Tennessee is underidentifying gifted students, according to The Tennessean.



Mass Communication

An MT Poll found that 52 percent of respondents believe their weight is just right for them, according to The Tennessean.

An editorial in The Tennessean referred to the MT Poll in praising the Metro Health Department's survey on weight.

An MT Poll found that 63 percent of respondents said they planned to play the Tennessee lottery, but about half of those said they planned to play only rarely, reported The Tennessean.

WMOT-FM aired commentaries by Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, about the lack of discussion of issues in political coverage, the public's fascination with pseudoscience and the paranormal, and the impact of special effects in selling a movie.

Dr. John David Hays, assistant vice president, student affairs, and Dr. Richard Barnet, recording industry management, were interviewed by WTVF-TV about the legal and technical aspects of digital music swapping

Dr. Richard Campbell, journalism, said national media coverage of a Ku Klux Klan recruiting rally during a Democratic Party pep rally in Nashville won’t have much impact on the country’s view of Nashville, the Democratic Party or the South, reported The Tennessean.



Student Affairs

MTSU sophomore Dale Meier is a competitive unicyclist, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost, enrollment management, participated in a panel discussion on vocational scholarships and other financial aid sources on NewsChannel5+.

Glenn said guidebooks and Web sites are not decision-making tools for helping young people pick a college, noted The Tennessean.

Glenn authored a guest column on lottery scholarships for The Tennessean.

Glenn said the lottery will result in more administrative expenses for MTSU, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Page Five (Metro, Student Affairs, cont’d.)

Sixteen members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon were punished for hazing pledges last fall, according to The Tennessean, WSMV-TV and WTVF-TV.

MTSU student Nishtiman Tayip fled Iraq as a child and lived in a refugee camp in Turkey before coming to the U.S., reported WMOT-FM and The Tennessean.

Student Scott Naples of Knoxville helped gather items for the homeless as part of his University 1010 work, according to WMOT-FM.

A drunk driver pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication in the death of MTSU student Andrea August, noted WTVF-TV.

MTSU student Kim Easter commented on the food at the New York Cafe for The Tennessean's Rutherford section.



General Interest

The MTSU branch of the NAACP co-sponsored a memorial brunch for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Gina Logue, news and public affairs, penned feature stories for The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Randy Weiler, news and public affairs, wrote sports stories for The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

WZTV-TV interviewed David Hutton, director, financial aid, and Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost, enrollment management, about Tennessee lottery scholarships.

WTVF-TV interviewed MTSU students on their impressions of a can opener and a cheese grater for a consumer report.

Sherian Huddleston, assistant vice provost, enrollment services, said enrollment is up 38 percent at MTSU, according to WLAC-AM.

Atsuko Kuratsuji, special coordinator, Japan-U.S. Center, folded origami peace cranes as part of ceremonies commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The Japan-U.S. Center sponsored its annual Japanese New Year party at the MTSU Foundation Reception House, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The June Anderson Women's Center sponsored the "Best Gown You'll Ever Wear" contest to promote cervical health awareness, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Tuition at MTSU costs $13,444 a year, reported The Tennessean.

Groups at MTSU recruited people to attend the March for Women's Lives, according to The Tennessean.

Real estate agents told The Tennessean that many MTSU students choose to remain in Middle Tennessee after graduation.

Dr. John Paul Montgomery, dean, Honors College, gave WMOT-FM's Randy O'Brien a tour of the new Honors Building.

Former TBI chief Larry Wallace told the Chattanooga City Council it was wrong for a TBI agent to gather information at an anti-war rally at MTSU last March, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

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

The International Education and Exchange Office sponsored a Study Abroad Fair, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU's African American History Month Committee sponsored a Gospel Extravaganza, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The Campus Freethought Alliance sponsored a debate on UFOs at MTSU, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The participants in the UFO debate at MTSU were featured in the "Five Questions" segment of The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Lisa L. Rollins, news and public affairs, won a special merit award in the feature article or series category of the 2003 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education District III Awards, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU honored its police department in an annual awards ceremony, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.



LOCAL NEWS

Administration

The Tennessee Board of Regents released documents detailing the sexual harassment allegations against MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Oak Ridger, the Cleveland Daily Banner and the Columbia Daily Herald.

An editorial reprinted in the Jackson Sun, the Lebanon Democrat, the Winchester Herald-Chronicle and the Oak Ridger commended McPhee for "(taking) responsibility for his actions."

In a letter to the DNJ, Pete Adams opined, "If McPhee was as well known as Michael Jackson or Kobe Bryant, he would be a national disgrace instead of a regional disgrace like former (Rutherford) County Clerk Ed Elam."

McPhee said he plans to continue his vision for furthering MTSU, according to the DNJ and the Franklin Review-Appeal.

McPhee lobbied at the NCAA Convention in Nashville to relax the NCAA attendance mandate for Division I-A universities, noted the DNJ.

MTSU and O'More College of Design in Franklin are involved in discussions that could lead to a merger, reported the DNJ and the Franklin Review-Appeal.

Several instructors expressed concern about the architectural integrity of Ezell Hall, which has been converted into an office building, noted the DNJ.

McPhee lectured on how national and local economic issues have impacted MTSU, according to the DNJ.

McPhee said MTSU is one of only two universities in Tennessee with a majority of its budget funded by student tuition and fees due to inadequate state appropriations, reported the DNJ.

A DNJ editorial opined that “it’s time for the state legislature, Board of Regents and Tennessee Higher Education Commission to reward MTSU for its success, instead of continuing to penalize it.”

Page Seven

Athletics

MTSU's annual Groundhog Day luncheon was slated for Feb. 2, noted the Murfreesboro Sun.



Basic and Applied Sciences

Karen Hargrove, coordinator, biology, presented Lewis County Stream Savers $300 for work they have done to clean up area streams as part of the Center for Environmental Education's "WaterWorks!" program, noted the Lewis County Herald.

Dr. Steve Howard, biology, co-authored a study on virus mutations, reported the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the DNJ.

Dr. Eric Klumpe, physics and astronomy, said the star of Bethlehem probably was a nova, a star that brightens very quickly but is dimmer than a supernova, according to the DNJ.

Klumpe and Dr. Charles Higgins, physics and astronomy, support President Bush’s goal of expanding the space program, but they wonder how it will happen, reported the DNJ.

MTSU and the Univerity of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service are co-sponsoring a course for horse owners, noted the DNJ and the Murfreesboro Sun.

MTSU's Center for Environmental Education is slated to become the home of the Tennessee Amphibian Monitoring Program, reported the DNJ.

MTSU will co-sponsor the 10th annual Dynamics of Elderly Caregiving Conference on campus, according to the DNJ.

MTSU awaits approval of a $1 million federal appropriation for expanding the Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building, noted the DNJ.

An editorial in the DNJ opined that MTSU needs to expand its nursing program.

Dr. John Bertrand, aerospace, has co-written a book titled "The Safe and Effective Use of Fog Nozzles: Research and Practice," according to the DNJ.

Dr. Bill Day, agribusiness and agriscience, will lead a session on foaling issues at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Horse Council Feb. 21, reported the Tullahoma News.



Business

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, said Tennessee's rising unemployment rate is a reflection of the growing labor force, reported the DNJ, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Johnson City Press, the Bristol Herald Courier, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Dyersburg State Gazette, the Morristown Citizen Tribune, the Kingsport Times-News, the Greeneville Sun and the Parsons News Leader.

Dr. Tim Graeff, director, Office of Consumer Research, said the December Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index shows that consumers are increasingly optimistic about the economy, according to the DNJ and the Franklin Review-Appeal.

Dr. David Penn, director, Business and Economic Research Center, presented a report on property tax alternatives to the Rutherford County Commission's Steering Committee, noted the DNJ and the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.

Page Eight (Local, Business, cont’d.)

An editorial in the DNJ noted that Penn's report focused on potential revenue and the pros and cons of several types of taxes.

Penn said an increase in the local option sales tax's single article cap on purchasable items would be one way for Rutherford County to increase sales tax revenue, according to the DNJ.

Penn said it would be difficult to sift through a variety of options for raising new revenue for Rutherford County, noted the DNJ.

In a column in the DNJ, Mike Pirtle wrote that Penn presented "a strong argument that, with current revenue streams and expense, in a few years the county would be spending more than it was collecting."

Rutherford County Mayor Nancy Allen said a media article suggesting that Penn's report stated the county could go broke by 2007 "is totally inaccurate," noted the DNJ.

Penn said Rutherford County's economic growth could cause many people needing a job to move to the county seeking work, reported the DNJ.

Penn and Drs. Al DePrince and Reuben Kyle, economics and finance, provided their views on the local and regional economy and the housing market to the DNJ.

Kyle said high gasoline costs can be attributed to an increase in crude oil prices and low oil inventories due to severe weather in the north, according to the DNJ.

Members of Leadership Rutherford attended lectures on MTSU's impact on the local agriculture industry, reported the DNJ Extra.

Dr. Barbara Haskew, economics and finance, coordinated a conference on labor and management in Tennessee as interim director of the Tennessee Center for Labor-Management Relations, noted the Marshall Gazette.



Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Doug Winborn, HPERS, explained the effects of nicotine withdrawal for the DNJ.

MTSU is helping administer the "Smart Moms" program to educate pregnant women about the dangers of smoking, noted the Jefferson City Standard-Banner.

Dr. Nancy Crews, elementary and special education, said, "Listening to stories and hearing (storyteller Donald) Davis explain the importance of learning who we are through writing and storytelling supports the curriculum I teach my undergraduate and graduate students, which will, in turn, impact many more elementary school students in the future," reported the Wilson Post.

Dr. Steve Jones, psychology, said Ingram Book Co. collaborated with graduate students in industrial/organizational psychology to create an online training and reference program for the Millennium mainframe program, according to the Rutherford Courier.

Liberal Arts

Dr. John Vile, political science, said he has difficulty convincing his friends that the primary process is more important than the electoral college, according to the DNJ, the Greeneville Sun, the Union City Daily Messenger, the Sevierville Mountain Press, the Morristown Citizen Tribune, the Oak Ridger, the Columbia Daily Herald, the Cleveland Daily Banner and the Cookeville Herald-Citizen.

Page Nine (Local, Liberal Arts, cont’d.)

Vile said TennCare is "the big unknown" in the Bredesen Administration, reported the DNJ, the Kingsport Times-News, the Maryville Daily Times, the Southern Standard, the Greeneville Sun, the Dyersburg State Gazette, the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, the Morristown Citizen Tribune, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Johnson City Press, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Paris Post-Intelligencer, the Union City Daily Messenger, the Crossville Chronicle and the Cookeville Herald-Citizen.

Vile said, "America is an attractive place to live," according to the DNJ.

The artwork of MTSU alumnus Wayne White was displayed in an exhibit titled "Twenty Years in the Jungle," noted the DNJ, the DNJ Extra, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Jackson Sun, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the Tullahoma News.

MTSU art students will learn how to better present their artwork with a new art conservation course being offered for the first time in the spring semester, according to the DNJ.

The MTSU Department of History will co-sponsor the second annual Legacy of Stones River Symposium Mar. 6, reported the DNJ Extra, the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Tullahoma News and the Murfreesboro Sun.

Young pianists from around the state will compete in MTSU's eighth annual ClavierFest, according to Rutherford Parent.

Lori Kissinger, speech and theatre, presented "Traditions of Christmas" in story and song at a meeting of the Highland Rim Historic Society, reported the Gallatin News-Examiner.

The MTSU Jazz Combo performed at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, noted the DNJ.

The MTSU Center for Historic Preservation named the Pin Hook Farm a Tennessee Century Farm, according to the Buffalo River Review.

The CHP says there are nine Tennessee Century Farms in Dickson County, noted the Dickson Herald.

Kenny Werner and his trio performed in concert as part of the MTSU Jazz Artist Series, reported the DNJ and the DNJ Extra.

The DNJ and the Murfreesboro Sun printed photos of the MTSU Flute Festival.



Mass Communication

According to an MT Poll, 71 percent of respondents said state funding of elementary and secondary education in Tennessee is too low, noted Rutherford Parent.

In a column printed in the Franklin Review-Appeal, Dr. Ed Kimbrell, journalism, said MTSU is trying to teach students how to gather, write and report news for all media.

In a column in the DNJ, Kimbrell took The Tennessean to task for misrepresenting the words of Dr. David Penn, director, Business and Economic Research Center, on Rutherford County's economic future.

In a column in the Franklin Review-Appeal, the Southern Standard and the Smithville Review, Kimbrell explained MTSU's procedures for hearing student complaints about grades.Page Ten (Local, Mass Communication, cont’d.)

Dr. Dennis Oneal, electronic media communication, said "Hometown Christmas," a program for public television, was videotaped in MTSU's broadcast facilities, according to the Cookeville Herald-Citizen.

The recording industry management program will have its own student-run record label starting this spring, noted the DNJ.



Student Affairs

MTSU student Amerson Pegram is one of five finalists for the Tennessee Titans Parade/NFL Community Quarterback Award, according to the DNJ.

Pegram received an award for his volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, noted the DNJ.

MTSU student Kate Shipp is an assistant manager in training at Plato's Closet, a gently used clothing store for teens in Franklin, reported the Franklin Review-Appeal.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU Sigma Kappa chapter member Craig Nguyen cleaning up the front yard of the fraternity house.

The Tullahoma News profiled MTSU student Nishtiman Tayip, who fled her native Iraq for a better life in the U.S.

Lance Cpl. Timothy E. Butler, an MTSU business major, was called for duty and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, noted the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Sixteen members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon were punished for hazing pledges last fall, according to the DNJ.

Shaun Bures, a 23-year-old St. Clair Street Senior Center intern from MTSU, played Chicken Foot with the elderly, reported the DNJ.

MTSU junior Lou Goins is the treasurer of the Cannon County Chamber of Commerce, according to the DNJ and the Cannon Courier.

Aaron Wiggins, a junior at MTSU and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, participated in Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremonies at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, noted the DNJ.

Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost, enrollment management, said students' increasing electricity requirements are taxing college dormitories, reported the Jackson Sun.

MTSU student Brandon Carter was honored as a 21st Century Scholar by the 100 Black Men of West Tennessee, according to the Jackson Metro Forum.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU basketball player Tommy Gunn petting an animal at the World Outreach Church petting zoo.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU Jazz Ensemble members Chris West and Kevin Wakefield performing at the Discovery Center.

MTSU drama student Jon Royal narrated Robert W. Smith's "The Great Locomotive Chase" in concert with the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra, reported the DNJ.

A drunk driver pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide of MTSU junior Andrea August of Lewisburg, according to the DNJ.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU student April Taylor passing out flyers on behalf of Baptist Collegiate Ministries.

Page Eleven (Local, Student Affairs, cont’d.)

The Winchester Herald-Chronicle printed a photo of MTSU student Tia Stovall at a Franklin County High School alumni function.

Deborah Bailiff Parks, Faye Shores Ralston and Albert DuMont Smith were inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, noted the Cannon Courier and the Winchester Herald-Chronicle.

MTSU junior Cassie Moody is employed by the National American Miss Pageant System as a producer and photographer, reported the Paris Post-Intelligencer.

MTSU student J. Hickerson of Trenton is featured in the Winter/Spring 2004 issue of Romantic Destinations, published by Southern Bride, according to the Trenton Herald-Gazette.

Graduate students at MTSU have been working to obtain historic district status for the neighborhood around Cumberland University, noted the Lebanon Democrat.

General Interest

MTSU's Japan-U.S. Center sponsored a workshop designed to show middle school and high school teachers how to use origami to teach math, noted Rutherford Parent.

Atsuko Kuratsuji, special coordinator, Japan-U.S. Center, folded origami peace cranes as part of ceremonies commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, reported the DNJ.

The Japan-U.S. Center sponsored its annual Japanese New Year party at the MTSU Foundation Reception House, noted the DNJ, the DNJ Extra and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

OKI and Ma Rewrew performed "Music of the Ainu" in a concert sponsored by the Japan-U.S. Center, reported the DNJ and the DNJ Extra.

The Albert Gore Sr. Research Center performed research for "Rutherford County: 200 Years of Our County," an educational video, according to the Rutherford Courier.

The June Anderson Women's Center co-sponsored the "Best Gown You'll Ever Wear" contest to promote Cervical Health Awareness Month, reported the DNJ.

Dr. Susan Trentham, director, JAWC, is on the board of the Rape Recovery and Prevention Center, which serves Rutherford and Cannon Counties, according to the DNJ.

The MTSU branch of the NAACP co-sponsored a memorial brunch for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, reported the DNJ Extra and the Murfreesboro Sun.

As of the first day of the Spring 2003 semester, 19,650 students were enrolled at MTSU, noted the DNJ.

The Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City schools' TEEN SAFE program uses a traffic safety DVD produced by MTSU, according to the DNJ.

The Tullahoma News, the Southern Standard, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Elk Valley Times, the Portland Leader, the Parsons News Leader, the Cordova Beacon, the Cookeville Herald-Citizen, the Oak Ridger, the Roane County News, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Cannon Courier, the Lebanon Democrat, the Manchester Times, the Wayne County News, the Bristol Herald Courier, the Pikeville Bledsonian-Banner, the Bartlett Express, the South Pittsburg Hustler, the Lewisburg Tribune, the Lauderdale Voice, the Dickson Herald, the Cannon Courier, the Middle Tennessee Times, the

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

Jefferson City Standard-Banner, the Winchester Herald-Chronicle, the Oak Ridger and the Athens Post-Athenian printed the names of MTSU students who graduated following the Fall 2003 commencement.

The Camden Chronicle, the Rutherford Courier, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the LaFollette Press, the McKenzie Banner and the Tullahoma News printed the names of MTSU students who made the dean's list.

The Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building opened its doors to MTSU students for the first time, noted the Tullahoma News, the Jackson Sun and the Franklin Review-Appeal.

Homer Pittard Campus School will hold a Homecoming Reception to celebrate the facility's 75th anniversary Feb. 12, according to the DNJ.

Since July, MTSU has raised $4.5 million in private donations, reported the DNJ.

The Albert Gore Sr. Research Center is expanding its Veterans History Project to include stories from the home front during World War II, according to the DNJ.

An editorial in the DNJ hailed the Gore Center's work on the Veterans History Project.

The International Education and Exchange Office sponsored a Study Abroad Fair, noted the Tullahoma News.

MTSU's final enrollment for the spring semester was 20,229, reported the DNJ.

The Campus Freethought Alliance sponsored a debate titled "Are Flying Saucers Real?," according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

The Franklin Review-Appeal and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette printed photos of Jack Drugmand, director, public safety, presenting awards to municipal police officers.

MTSU is one of the educational institutions eligible to accept Tennessee Lottery scholarships, according to the Mountain City Tomahawk.

The Jackson Sun listed the topics on the latest MTSU Audio Bites Web page.

David Hutton, director, financial aid, told the DNJ his office is receiving a lot of calls about lottery scholarships.

Richard Chapman, director, health services, said the Campus Recreation Center will add 50,000 square feet at a cost of $17 million, noted the DNJ.

The annual Unity Luncheon was sponsored by the African American History Month Committee, according to the DNJ.

Jerry Gentry, assistant vice president, information technology, said the “MyDoom” virus is among the worst computer viruses ever, reported the DNJ.

The average faculty salary at MTSU is $53,637, but the average for peer institutions is $57,935, noted the DNJ.

At nearly 23,000 students, MTSU is near capacity, according to the DNJ.

Page Thirteen

Jan. 2004 ENTIRE YEAR 03-04 WEB HITS January

National 5 25 35,008

Metropolitan 85 302

Local 215 644

*Excluded 151 344

All 456 1315

*"Excluded" indicates those stories that mention MTSU but do not focus on the university.

Since MTSU's Office of Sports Information handles much of the sports publicity, this report also excludes most sports stories except those that have additional news significance beyond athletic events and contests.

A complete book of news clippings for January 2004 is available in the News and Public Affairs Office and in the campus library. Summaries of all news clippings since June 1997 may be found on the Web at http://www.mtsu.edu/~proffice/clips.html.

"MTSU IN THE NEWS" includes the news for an entire month and is distributed monthly. Please feel free to share copies of this report with faculty, staff and students.