Clips for December 2004

NATIONAL NEWS

Basic and Applied Sciences

The School of Nursing received $750,000 in federal funds for training and facilities, according to Gannett News Service.

Aerospace students will conduct research for NASA next year using a state-of-the-art flight simulator, reported the University Wire.

Business

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, reported on the National Association for Business Economics outlook for Market News International.

Dr. Barbara Haskew, economics and finance, co-wrote “Ring a Tiny Bell at Christmas” and recorded it with proceeds to benefit the Rutherford County Boys and Girls Club, noted www.see-tennessee.com .

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Janet Belsky, psychology, commented on cruise ship care as an alternative to assisted living facilities for SAGE Crossroads.

Dr. Mark Anshel, HPERS, was interviewed by People magazine about the Boston Red Sox and how their World Series championship will affect future performance after so many years of futility.

Liberal Arts

Collage, the MTSU student arts and writing magazine, will resume publication next semester, according to the University Wire.

Dr. Stephen Shearon, music, used music to help a woman find the father she never knew, noted www.newswise.com .

Dr. Steven Livingston, political science, described the ordeal he endured when he discovered that an article of his had been plagiarized by an author for the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Mass Communication

Former Vice President Al Gore, an occasional lecturer at MTSU, launched Generation Investment Management, a London-based firm, reported Investment News.

Student Affairs

Sigma Chi fraternity will have to meet several demands if its members expect to stay in its house, noted the University Wire.

Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost, student enrollment, said MTSU is not likely to adopt an academic honor code anytime soon, according to the University Wire.

Members of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity raised money for Farm Safety 4 Just Kids in their third annual Hay Daze, noted the University Wire.

Student John Salaway is a partner in an independent music recording/promotions company, according to the Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune.

General Interest

The land and building formerly occupied by St. Mark's United Methodist Church will be used for a parking lot, reported the University Wire.

Roy Brewer, interim police chief, said a lack of courtesy could be contributing to tensions between pedestrians and motorists on campus, noted the University Wire.

Isaac Hayes was the featured speaker at the Fall 2004 commencement, according to www.alltennessee.us .

METROPOLITAN NEWS

Administration

A Sumner County Chancellor dismissed a sexual harassment lawsuit against MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, reported The Tennessean, WSMV-TV, WKRN-TV, WZTV-TV and WTVF-TV.

Athletics

MTSU officials say discussions are underway to remove the current playing surface at Floyd Stadium and replace it with state-of-the-art artificial turf, reported The City Paper (Nashville).

Basic and Applied Sciences

Dr. Preston MacDougall, chemistry, commented on immigration and universal health care on WMOT-FM.

Dr. Stephen Wright, biology, said there are plenty of safeguards to keep mad cow disease out of the food supply, reported WMOT-FM.

Wright said on WMOT-FM he thinks there will be increasing pressure on pharmaceutical companies to start making flu vaccine.

Dr. Charles McGhee, biology, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has tried several times without much success to introduce the Japanese lady beetle into the U.S. in the last century, according to The City Paper (Nashville).

The School of Nursing worked on a Health Care Career Map for Middle Tennesseans looking for careers in health care, reported the Nashville Pride.

Enrollment in MTSU's aerospace program has grown to between 50 and 60 participants, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section and The City Paper (Nashville).

Business

Dr. Jim Burton, dean, discussed the possibility of a partnership between MTSU and Youth About Business, a nonprofit organization that teaches youngsters about the corporate world, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. Barbara Haskew, economics and finance, and her husband, Jerre, co-wrote a song to raise money for the Rutherford County Boys and Girls Club, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, The Tennessean and The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, discussed the economy, consumer spending and confidence, and the stock market on NewsChannel5+.

Dr. Al DePrince, economics and finance, is a non-voting member of the Tennessee Tax Structure Study Commission, according to The Tennessean.

Tennessee's Business, a publication produced by the Business and Economic Research Center, received the 2004 AUBER Award, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Maria Edlin, assistant director, Center for Economic Education, said the junior division winners of the Fall 2004 Stock Market game had a nicely balanced portfolio, according to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

An MTSU survey found that 23 percent of Williamson County families intended to spend more than $1,000 in gifts during the Christmas season, noted The Tennessean.

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Kathy Burriss, elementary and special education, suffers from cone-rod dystrophy, a genetic condition that impairs sight, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Dr. Linda Richey, human sciences, said a student's surroundings can affect his or her behavior, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU's curriculum library was dedicated to Dr. Bob Womack, educational leadership, and his late wife, Elizabeth, according to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Dr. Gloria Bonner, dean, received the Viola Tyler Goings Award from Zeta Phi Beta sorority, reported The Tennessean.

Liberal Arts

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward P. Jones spoke at MTSU, according to WMOT-FM.

Dr. Allen Hibbard, English, traveled to Morocco to study American expatriate novelist Paul Bowles, reported The Tennessean's Life section.

The City Paper (Nashville) reviewed “A Boy Named Sue: Gender and Country Music,” a book co-edited by Dr. Kris McKusker, history.

Dr. George Riordan, dean, played oboe with the St. George's Episcopal Church Choir, reported The Tennessean's Life section.

Dr. Andrei Korobkov, political science, discussed the turmoil in Ukraine on NewsChannel5+.

Members of the Bridgestone Symphonic Band thanked MTSU for allowing them to perform in the Dramatic Arts Building on WNPT-TV.

In a letter to The Tennessean, Dr. Christie Nuell, art, encouraged readers to donate to tsunami relief.

Mass Communication

WMOT-FM aired commentaries by Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, on the Tennessee Open Records Law; beauty contests; and a reporter who filtered his question to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld through a soldier.

Burriss discussed the changes in network television news anchors on NewsChannel5+.

Wendell Rawls, journalism, answered questions about the Tennessee Open Records Law for The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The Nashville Scene reported that former Tennessean editor Frank Sutherland claimed that MTSU had promised to outbid Belmont University for his services.

The MT Poll conducted in October found 59 percent of Tennesseans support tax reform, reported The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).

Student Affairs

MTSU students lost a valued hangout when the Red Rose Coffee House and Bistro shut down, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section and the Nashville Scene.

Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president, student affairs, and vice provost, student enrollment, said MTSU can work with a student who has no transcript as long as the student is not at fault, reported The Tennessean.

WLAC-AM and The City Paper (Nashville) interviewed MTSU student Jenny King about her charity, Candle Wishes.

The Tennessean's Life section did an update on an earlier article about King.

Sophomore Katie Pittenger competed for the title of Miss Tennessee USA, noted The Commercial Appeal (Memphis).

Caroline Coleman Foster was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, reported the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

About 25 MTSU students contributed to designs for La Vergne's Lake Forest Park, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section and The Tennessean.

Students Jessica Creager and Katie Hunter work at Cookies by Design in Rutherford County, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

MTSU students conducted a study for the Linebaugh Library Board, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

A firebomb was thrown at Sigma Chi fraternity, according to WTVF-TV and WSMV-TV.

MTSU student Josh Tannehill won the top honor in Tennessee 's Music Teachers National Association Guitar Competition, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

General Interest

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

In a letter to the Nashville Scene, Bill Fisher, publications and graphics, corrected the newspaper's identification of the “Messiah” by Handel.

A sign at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department stated that MTSU students would be charged $25 per public document, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Isaac Hayes was the featured speaker at the Fall 2004 commencement, according to The Tennessean.

The Tennessean reported that there are 3,747 HOPE scholars enrolled at MTSU.

Dr. Lisa Pruitt, director, Albert Gore Sr. Research Center, works on the Middle Tennessee Oral History Project to chronicle stories of the World War II era, according to The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Bertha Chrietzberg shared her World War II stories with the Gore Center, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Jamima Abegg, an alumna of the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp at MTSU, held a fundraiser for the event, according to the Nashville Scene.

A reward was offered for information on burglaries that occurred on campus over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to WTVF-TV.

MTSU received the Spirit of Geier Award from the Tennessee Board of Regents in recognition of its efforts to create a diverse student body, reported The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

Federal funding totaling $800,000 has been approved for three projects at MTSU, noted The Tennessean's Rutherford section.

The Nashville Scene gave MTSU Boner Awards for the pornography debate, the dispute between Sidelines and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department, and the Big Boi concert.

David Senior, assistant director, telecommunications, makes nutcrackers, reported The Tennessean's Life section.

About 60 percent of MTSU students with lottery scholarships should retain them, according to WZTV-TV and WSMV-TV.

LOCAL NEWS

Administration

A second former assistant accused MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee of improper conduct, reported the Dyersburg State Gazette, the Cookeville Herald-Citizen, the Oak Ridger, the Paris Post-Intelligencer, the Southern Standard, the Morristown Citizen-Tribune and the Lebanon Democrat.

A Sumner County Chancellor dismissed a sexual harassment lawsuit against McPhee, reported the DNJ and the Rutherford Courier.

An editorial in the DNJ opined that it is time to put the complaint against McPhee to rest.

The DNJ named McPhee its top newsmaker of 2004.

The Tennessee Board of Regents revised its policy to allow for the awarding of honorary degrees at MTSU, noted the DNJ.

In a letter to the Bolivar Bulletin-Times, Warren David Taylor of Middleton noted that GPA requirements for lottery scholarships at MTSU range from 3.5 to 3.75.

Athletics

In a letter to the DNJ, Helen Marrone, the daughter of Boots Donnelly, athletic director, took Greg Pogue to task for a column critical of her father.

Basic and Applied Sciences

NASA opened an Education Resource Center at MTSU, reported the DNJ.

MTSU's School of Nursing received $750,000 in federal funding for training and facilities, according to the Jackson Sun, the Lewis County Herald and the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.

MTSU researchers received grants from the National Science Foundation, noted the Marshall Gazette.

Graduates of Northeast State Community College's aerospace program may transfer to MTSU's aerospace program with junior standing with no loss of academic credit, reported the Kingsport Times-News.

Dr. Ralph Butler, computer science, discussed scalable process management in high performance computer clusters at a two-day conference sponsored by a National Science Foundation grant, according to the Tullahoma News.

Dr. Thomas Hemmerly, biology, said mistletoe appears in Middle Tennessee on different types of trees, reported the Rutherford Courier and the DNJ.

Dr. Padgett Kelly, biology, lectured about humpback whales at Carroll-Oakland Elementary School in Lebanon, noted the Lebanon Democrat.

Business

A new job-focused master's degree program combines business management skills and advanced sciences, noted the DNJ.

MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center found that Rutherford County's private sector payroll grew 9.5 percent over the past year, according to the DNJ Business Pulse.

Dr. David Penn, director, BERC, said an extra $100 spent in Rutherford County would have a ripple effect in the local economy, reported the DNJ Business Pulse.

Penn said employment in the South is looking up, according to the DNJ.

A study by Penn presented a comprehensive analysis of the labor force in northwest Tennessee reported the Milan Mirror-Exchange.

A study by the BERC shows that Latin America has had almost unbroken export growth for the past 15 years, according to the Tullahoma News.

Dr. William Ford, economics and finance, provided a post-election economic outlook to the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, noted the DNJ Business Pulse.

The DNJ Business Pulse reprinted a Sidelines commentary about Murfreesboro's plans to build a hotel and conference center.

Mark Herbison, economic development director, Rutherford County Chamber of Comemrce, credited MTSU with helping to lure prospective employers, according to the DNJ Business Pulse.

The College of Business co-sponsored a Lean Manufacturing Principles seminar, noted the DNJ Business Pulse and the Manchester Times.

Dr. Al DePrince, economics and finance, presented his economic forecast for state tax collections to the Tennessee State Funding Board, according to the DNJ.

DePrince said the advantage of having a state income tax in Tennessee is in having a better distribution of taxes, noted the DNJ.

Dr. Tim Graeff, director, Office of Consumer Research, said 31 percent of respondents to a survey indicated they would spend less on holiday gifts than they spent last year, according to the DNJ.

MTSU co-sponsored seminars on change and negative emotions in the workplace, noted the Gallatin News-Examiner.

Education and Behavioral Science

Dr. Patrick McCarthy, psychology, supports a proposal for a partnership between the Arts Center of Cannon County and Bradley Elementary, reported the DNJ.

Karen Blooding, Homer Pittard Campus School, was named Middle Tennessee's 2005 Teacher of the Year, according to Rutherford Parent magazine.

Campus School students participated in a three-day field trip that provided hands-on science experience in the outdoors, reported the DNJ.

Stan Baskin, principal, Campus School, explained why some teachers have to prove their qualifications to comply with the “No Child Left Behind Act,” noted the DNJ.

Campus School children decorated their classrooms for the holidays, reported the Rutherford Courier.

Dr. Janet Belsky, psychology, suggested several ways for making the holidays more enjoyable for lonely people in the Tullahoma News.

Dr. Bob Eaker, educational leadership, said the removal of Dr. Gloria Bonner, dean, from the list of candidates for the presidency of Tennessee State University is a plus for MTSU, reported the DNJ.

The DNJ printed photos of a fashion show conducted by MTSU fashion students.

MTSU has a partnership with General Mills to improve health and fitness offerings in public schools, according to the Cannon Courier.

Liberal Arts

Dr. Lon Nuell, art, suggested that Murfreesboro City Schools embark on a partnership with the Frist Center in Nashville, noted the DNJ.

Nuell explained Hanukkah for the DNJ.

Dr. Reed Thomas, band director, served as guest conductor for the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra's “The Spirit of the Season” concert, according to the DNJ.

The MTSU Dance Theatre held auditions for the company's spring season, noted the Bell Buckle Echo and the Rutherford Courier.

Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science, was praised for his work on the Rutherford County School Board in a column in the DNJ.

Byrnes said the return of former state senator Andy Womack to Democratic Party politics is an interesting move, noted the DNJ and the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.

Byrnes said it's hard to fix the socioeconomic imbalance in Rutherford County schools without rezoning or expanded busing, according to the DNJ.

Byrnes assured those gathered at a public hearing that the Rutherford County School Board is concerned about Central Middle School 's socioeconomic status, noted the DNJ.

Byrnes maintained a gentle minimalist disposition with the news media during the school board election, according to the DNJ.

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce concluded the Small Business Leadership Seminar Series with “Understanding Gender Communication Barriers” by Lisa Moore, speech and theatre, reported the DNJ Business Pulse.

In a letter to the DNJ, Dr. Christine Isley-Farmer, music, wrote that Americans have been sidetracked from dealing with the real issues facing the country.

MTSU Performing Arts Co. produced its semi-annual dance show “Soul Xpressions” at Tucker Theatre, reported the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward P. Jones addressed an audience at MTSU, noted the Rutherford Courier.

The Center for Historic Preservation embarked on a “Pulaski Heritage Survey,” reported the Pulaski Citizen.

The CHP developed the Tennessee Century Farms Program in 1975, according to the Hartsville Vidette.

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro) secured $400,000 in federal funding for the Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area, which is administered by the CHP, noted the Lewisburg Tribune, the Middle Tennessee Times, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Cannon Courier and the Livingston Enterprise.

The Center for Popular Music used music to help a woman learn more about her father, according to the DNJ.

Derek Frisby, history, said that it's important to see people connect with the past, reported the DNJ.

Mass Communication

Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, said nothing should be written in an e-mail that would be said in a crowded elevator, according to the Tullahoma News.

Burriss said he was glad the sexual harassment case against MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee was dismissed, reported the DNJ.

MTSU's Department of Recording Industry collaborated with musicians from Blackman High School 's jazz band on a CD, noted the Rutherford Courier.

Wendell Rawls, journalism, had difficulty getting public records in Warren County, reported the Southern Standard.

In a letter to the DNJ, Graham Baker criticized Dr. Ed Kimbrell, journalism, for defending Dan Rather of CBS News.

An MTSU poll shows public support for a state income tax increasing, according to the Paris Post-Intelligencer.

Student Affairs

MTSU students Kristin Hall and Chris Nichols participated in a statewide audit of public record accessibility organized by the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, reported the DNJ.

Gene Fitch, assistant vice president, student life, said the Division of Student Life has not received any official maintenance requests for the Sigma Chi house, noted the DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Rutherford County Commissioner Allen McAdoo said the biggest complaint among his constituents is that the wheel tax is not sufficiently enforced among MTSU students who stay in Rutherford County after graduation, according to the DNJ.

Ashley Moses and Matthew Moses received the Naomi H. Wood Memorial Scholarship, reported the Wilson Post.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the African American Student Organization promoted “Java and Jazz,” noted the DNJ.

MTSU Solidarity, a group committed to workers' rights, petitioned university officials to allow cashiers to sit down while they work, according to the DNJ.

Kara Haynes, Michelle Sacco, Vanessa M. Askland, Caralee Culbertson, Chris George, Danielle Huston and Jessica Walker were named to the National Dean's List, reported the Ashland City Times and the Lebanon Democrat.

Alex Ingalls, Rebecca Thorn, Vanessa Askland, Kearstin Chaffin, Chris George, Natalie Jean George and Danielle Huston were inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, noted the Germantown News, the Cannon Courier and the Lebanon Democrat.

Some students use Study Day to study, while others do other things, according to the DNJ.

Senior Brijesh Patel died in a car crash, reported the Cleveland Daily Banner.

Junior Kelly Sikes has been chosen as the university representative for the Tennessee Recreation Therapy Association, noted the Humboldt Chronicle.

The DNJ printed a photo of MTSU sophomore Julie Johnson waiting for the Raider Xpress.

About 25 MTSU students contributed to designs for La Vergne's Lake Forest Park, according to the DNJ and the Rutherford Courier.

Junior Nik Mabry said she would donate a kidney to a 22-year-old Alabama man, reported the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.

Student Jenny King uses her Candle Wishes charity to bring joy to children, noted the DNJ.

A DNJ editorial praised King for her work with Candle Wishes.

Agribusiness major Tim Farrar received the Outstanding Young Dairy Leader Award from Southeast Milk, Inc., reported the Moore County News and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Senior Blake Bivens has been named a recipient of the James E. Ward Student Honor Award by the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, according to the Athens Post-Athenian.

Student Chandra Bouland has joined the software support team at SCSI Business Solutions, LLC in Brentwood, reported the Columbia Daily-Herald.

After she was laid off from Eaton Corporation, student Tammy Adkins enrolled in the 2+2 program offered by MTSU in cooperation with Columbia State Community College, according to the Lewis County Herald.

Student Georgette Seay wrote and recorded “The Brain Rap” as a final project for a “Creative Learning Environments” class, reported the DNJ.

A firebomb was thrown at Sigma Chi fraternity, according to the DNJ.

MTSU sophomore Tyler Andal played his violin at Carnegie Hall, noted the DNJ.

Sophomore Erin Woolard said an increase in lottery scholarship awards would be a good idea, reported the DNJ.

Student William Kowalsky helped raise money for his brother, Nick, who is suffering from leukemia, according to the Columbia Daily Herald.

General Interest

Each of the 1,560 graduates at Fall 2004 commencement was limited to eight tickets, noted the DNJ and the Rutherford Courier.

Isaac Hayes was the featured speaker at Fall 2004 commencement, reported the DNJ and the Rutherford Courier.

The Wilson Post and the Lexington Progress printed the names of students who graduated at Fall 2004 commencement.

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro) secured $800,000 in federal funding for three MTSU projects, according to the DNJ.

The University Honors College resurrected Collage, MTSU's literary and art magazine, noted the DNJ.

The DNJ printed photos of MTSU's homecoming parade.

The DNJ printed photos of MTSU's homecoming band.

The DNJ printed photos of MTSU's Fall 2004 commencement.

The Albert Gore Sr. Research Center provided the DNJ with a photo of merchant Sam DeGeorge.

The Gore Center provided the DNJ with a vintage photo of the Busy Bee Café in Murfreesboro.

The Gore Center provided the DNJ with a photo of Kirksey Old Main circa 1963.

MTSU was represented at Cumberland Gap High School 's Junior Senior College Night, noted the Claiborne Progress.

The deadline for early admission for scholarships at MTSU was Dec. 1, reported the Morristown Citizen Tribune.

Suma Clark, director, publications and graphics, said there is a possibility that the MTSU yearbook might be salvaged, noted the DNJ.

The DNJ printed photos of Lightning, the MTSU mascot, with a group of third-graders and with a five-year-old girl.

A reward was offered for information on burglaries that occurred on campus over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the DNJ.

MTSU has 3,747 HOPE scholarship recipients, noted the Elizabethton Star, the Sevierville Mountain Press, the Dyersburg State Gazette, the Jackson Sun, the Johnson City Press, the Buffalo River Review, the Athens Post-Athenian and the Bristol Herald Courier.

About 60 percent of MTSU's freshman lottery scholarship recipients are on track to keep them, according to the DNJ.

David Hutton, director, financial aid, said MTSU students will not be drastically affected if the formula to determine eligibility for Pell Grants is changed, reported the DNJ and the Marshall Gazette.

“Images from Appalachia,” a photographic exhibit featuring the works of Shelby Lee Adams, was held over at the Baldwin Photographic Gallery, according to the DNJ MTSU received the Spirit of Geier Award from the Tennessee Board of Regents in recognition of its efforts to create a diverse student body, reported the Rutherford Courier and the DNJ.