MTSU News Summary for December 1999

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, Liberal Arts, Mass Communication, and Student Affairs. The last category is General Interest and may include a broad spectrum of programs and people at MTSU, encompassing such areas as alumni, public safety, graduate programs, human interest, special celebrations, concerts, etc. NATIONAL NEWS Business Dr. William Ford discussed retail sales trends during the holiday shopping period with Fox News Network's Neal Cavuto Show. Mass Communication Verite, a magazine of the Society of Professional Journalists, announced Lisa Rollins, MTSU journalism professor, has been named director of Region 12 at the SPJ National Convention. Rollins is a recent addition to the News and Public Affairs Office. Page 2 (Metropolitan News) METROPOLITAN NEWS Administration The Chattanooga Times, Memphis Commercial Appeal, and Knoxville News-Sentinel announced MTSU expects to top 20,000 by the year 2004, though a lack of state funding could hamper efforts. Dr. Duane Stucky, vp, Finance and Administration, and Dr. Cliff Gillespie, associate vice president, Enrollment Management, were both quoted in the article. MTSU President James Walker talked with WSM Radio about the Capital Campaign. Dr. James Walker was pictured in the Tennessee Tribune as being a member of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee. Basic and Applied Sciences Dr. Barbara Draude, associate professor, Nursing, discussed the notion of reducing stress with laughter on WSM Radio. Business Dr. William Ford discussed retail sales trends during the holiday shopping period with The Tennessean. It was noted in The Tennessean that Joe Rodgers has resigned from his post as Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise. Rodgers stated he did not need "any more stress" in his life. Susan Harmon, assistant professor of marketing, was quoted in The Tennessean regarding holiday shopping. Dr. Albert DePrince Jr, newly named director of the Business and Economic Research Center, told The Tennessean that after the impact study of Dell coming to the area, the center will add a cost-of-growth component to future analyses. In a separate Tennessean article, DePrince said that the economy in year 2000 will be crucial to the tax debate. Liberal Arts Raphael Bundage, Music, and director of the Middle Tennessee Choral Society, was featured in an article in The Tennessean entitled, "Musicians Bring Home Their Own Style of Holiday Magic." Dr. Kevin Breault, Sociology, was interviewed on WLAC Radio regarding religion and spirituality, and on WPLN-Radio on the subject of divorce. Mass Communication Dr. Richard Campbell, director, Journalism, was quoted in a Tennessean article discussing the identification of two freelance writers who are also political advocates. Campbell said, "Any newspaper worth its salt has to be up front about who's telling these stories. That's just common sense about how you treat your reader and your audience." Dr. Paul Fischer, Recording Industry, was interviewed by Tennessean columnist Catherine Darnell. Page 3 (Student Affairs, Metropolitan News) Student Affairs Dr. Candace Rosovsky, director of the June Anderson Women's Center, spoke with Steve Sullivan of WLAC-Radio concerning appropriate behavior to be displayed at Christmas parties. A blurb in The Tennessean announced the new editor of Flash, the entertainment section of Sidelines, wants to totally revolutionize it and make it competitive with Nashville magazines. An article in The Tennessean noted that although UT has an admissions capping deadline, Sharon Thomas, MTSU Admissions Office, said that MTSU does not have an admissions capping deadline. Liz Johnson, coordinator of distance learning, and Dr. Larry Burriss, Journalism, were quoted in The Tennessean about on-line classes. Chris Andrews, senior, was pictured using his laptop to go on-line. General Interest The Tennessean announced the New Century/New Visions Campaign at MTSU has received more than $30 million in donations, with expectations of $33 million by July. President Walker said the money will help increase scholarships, improve laboratories and equipment, and build a permanent home for the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. The campaign, expected to take up to five years, concluded in three. The new CyberCafe@Woodmore was featured in The Tennessean, displaying how coffee, college, and computers have come together in a pleasant environment. The Tennessean interviewed Sonia Fernandez, an MTSU student who also baby-sits, in an article on the lack of babysitters available for the holiday season, especially New Year's Eve. LOCAL NEWS Administration MTSU President James Walker told the DNJ the university is "actively and aggressively recruiting students" despite urges by the Tennessee Board of Regents Finance Committee to possibly enforce enrollment caps, higher tuition, and cuts in staff, faculty, and programs due to budget shortfalls. Athletics The Blue Raiders sponsored a canned food drive to help replenish the Rutherford County Food Bank at a recent basketball game against Kansas, the DNJ announced. The DNJ and Kroger food stores were co-sponsors in this event. MTSU's Blue Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams will tip off the fifth annual Coaches vs. Cancer program of the American Cancer Society at their next game against the Kansas Jayhawks, reported the DNJ. Fans make pledges for every 3-point shot made by the Raiders and/or Lady Raiders during a regular season. MTSU and city officials are once again trying to get the Clinic Bowl moved to campus for this year's game, noted the DNJ. Page 4 (Basic and Applied Sciences, Local News) Basic and Applied Sciences Dr. Suzanne Prevost, NHC Chair of Excellence in Nursing at MTSU, submitted an article to the DNJ editor on guidelines parents should follow in teaching children gun safety. Dr. Ken Sergeant Jr., Engineering Technology/Industrial Studies, will assist technology students from Smyrna High in designing and building a three-wheeled, solar-powered vehicle, the DNJ reported. Two DNJ articles call the AHead program, a joint venture between MTSU and St. Clair Street Senior Center, a success. For eleven weeks, MTSU students have met with senior citizens on Saturday mornings to "work as intergenerational mentors for each other," said Dr. Catherine Stogner, program director. MTSU nursing professor, Dr. Barbara Draude, discussed healthy methods to reducing stress, including laughter, in two DNJ articles. Marvin Runyon, holder of the Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence, has been named chairman of the Board of Directors for the inaugural year of Leadership Middle Tennessee, announced the DNJ in two separate articles. The DNJ stated the program is designed to educate community, business and political leaders, and enhance understanding of the issues that face this region. Former MTSU development officer Susan Taylor will serve as executive director. The M'boro Sun reported on the third annual "Baby Boomers Preparing for Caregiving" workshop sponsored by MTSU, St. Clair Street Senior Center, and the VA Medical Center. Dr. Marion Wells, Biology, has become the first person to be awarded the Distinguished College/University Scientist Award from the Tennessee Academy of Sciences, reported the DNJ. Wells has been with the university since 1964. Business Dr. William Ford, MTSU's Weatherford Chair of Finance, told the DNJ the holiday shopping season is "off to a roaring start," with a 4.2 percent increase in the Greater Nashville area, including Rutherford County. Dr. Ford was also quoted in a DNJ article concerning the Federal Reserve's choice to wait until their Feb. meeting to decide about raising the interest rate. If they raise the rate it will be the fourth time in 12 months. Joe Rodgers, chairholder of MTSU's Jennings Jones Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise, resigned from the university, the DNJ and Tullahoma News announced. "We're all saddened by this," said Dr. James E. Burton, dean of college of business at MTSU. MTSU economics professor Dr. Richard Hannah "suggests potential employees take advantage" of employment opportunities after data implies 24 percent of companies in Nashville are planning to hire more people, the DNJ reported. Dr. Albert DePrince Jr, Director, Business and Economic Research Center, told the DNJ that after the impact study of Dell coming to the area the center will add a cost-growth to further analyses. Liberal Arts MTSU speech and theatre professor Dr. Ralph Hillman and his wife Sue were recently recognized as Volunteers of the Year by Catholic Charities Caring Choices, a foster care service, reported The Tennessee Register. The Hillmans have cared for 55 babies in the last ten years. Page 5 (Liberal Arts, Local News, cont’d.) Dr. David Lavery, English, was quoted in the DNJ in an article about Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, retiring in 2000. Lavery stated "Nobody ever looked to the comics for wisdom." The DNJ reported the Middle Tennessee Symphony will ring in the holidays with a performance directed by Laurence Harvin. MTSU's Opera Workshop students will present "Opera Madness" at Wright Music Hall. All singers and actors will portray mental patients who perform scenes from various operas, noted the DNJ. Education Dr. Bob Womack, Education, was a Newsmaker in the DNJ. Womack, whose field is education, is a historian by avocation, with a special interest in Tennessee Walking horses. Mass Communication The Quill, published by the Society of Professional Journalists, pictured Kevin Koelling, MTSU student representative, and recently named Region 12 director, Lisa Rollins, Office of News and Public Affairs, who will serve at the National Convention. The Lewis County Herald commented on the MT Poll, noting over 60 percent of Middle Tennesseans oppose a state income tax. Dr. Paul Fischer, Recording Industry, noted in the DNJ that "Americans expect their heroes to be perfect," but that doesn't last for long. He also called the 90s the decade of "better living through chemistry." Student Affairs The office of student development is accepting applications for the 2000 MTSU Recognition Awards, announced the DNJ. Project HELP is accepting applications from "typically developing children" to attend regular classes, providing an opportunity for students with special needs to "observe, interact, and learn right along with new friends," said Executive Director Ann Campbell, in a recent DNJ article. Dr. Cathy Crooks, associate director for Residential Education, Housing and Residential Life, and the new First-Year Experience Hall, was featured in the The Winchester Herald-Chronicle, Lawrenceburg Democrat Union, and DNJ. Two floors of Cummings Hall have been designated for freshmen students, where they receive extra help in adjusting to college life. The Cannon Courier noted MTSU and Westside Elementary students will work together to help the Cannon County Emergency Food Bank. Lori Bruce of Paris, and Nicki Russell of Union City were named recipients of a Leadership/Performance Scholarship, noted the Paris Post-Intelligencer, and Union City Daily Messenger. The Tullahoma News announced Kristia Holden, senior biology major, was among "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities." Approximately 1,130 students received their degrees during the fall commencement ceremony, with Rita Davenport as guest speaker, reported the DNJ in two separate articles. The DNJ noted two students were initiated into Alpha Omicron Pi. The international women's fraternity promotes friendship for a lifetime. The fall graduation list appeared in theTullahoma News. Page 6 (General Interest, Local News) General Interest In a DNJ editorial discussing the decline in funding for growing Rutherford County schools, MTSU was mentioned as an educational institution experiencing trouble holding and attracting quality educators. MTSU's New Century/New Visions fundraising campaign has surpassed more than $30 million to help increase funding for student scholarships, to upgrade facilities and equipment, strengthen athletic support and scholarships, and create an "Open Window Fund" to finance unforeseen opportunities at MTSU, reported the DNJ. The campaign, which began three years ago, is expected to exceed $33 million in July. Music will fill the air as Middle Tennessee Symphony celebrates the holidays at Tucker Theatre with guest artist Kathryn Eberle, a 17-year-old violinist, announced the DNJ. Students and faculty at MTSU were recognized for their support in the Nashville Cares AIDS Walk, raising more than $3,700, reported the DNJ. The DNJ announced the first test of MTSU's new tornado warning system. Speculation that MTSU's enrollment could exceed 20,000 in the next five years was noted in the Johnson City Press, Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, Columbia Daily Herald, Jackson Sun, Cookeville Herald-Citizen, Morristown Citizen-Tribune, and Maryville Daily Times. A writer to the editor of the DNJ wrote concerning universities that use athletic events to promote the sale of alcohol. MTSU was one of the schools listed that does not participate in this practice. Lucinda Lee and Jerry Gentry, both of Information Technology, were pictured in the DNJ looking over the university's computer programs making sure they were Y2K ready. The DNJ ended the 1999 year looking back at some of the county leaders who have come through MTSU either as a student or a teacher. The Lebanon Democrat noted that MTSU will again be offering off-campus continuing studies classes. The new CyberCafe@Woodmore was mentioned in the Tullahoma News as "good place to grab decent coffee and watch the news." Mary Glantz, June Anderson Women's Center, was quoted in the Rutherford Courier about domestic violence, which she says either soars or decreases during the holiday season. MTSU NEWS STORIES COUNT FOR FISCAL YEAR 99-00 DEC. 1999 YEAR TO DATE WEB HITS National 2 37 Dec.—3,119 Metropolitan 21 241 As of July—14,742 Local 59 465 *Excluded 32 263 All 114 1,006 *"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. Page 7 (December 1999, cont’d.) A complete book of news clippings for December 1999 is available in the News and Public Affairs Office and in the campus library. "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.