MTSU News Summary for June 2000

NATIONAL NEWS Business Dr. Bill Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, and Telecheck's senior economic advisor, was quoted in PR Newswire about same-store retail sales going up 4 percent. Dr. Reuben Kyle, Economics and Finance, talked to the Atlanta Journal Constitution regarding Tennessee's state budget. In the Chicago Sun-Times Dr. Doug Timmons, Economics and Finance, noted that efforts by municipalities to help create economic development by handing over private property to private enterprises is a growing trend across the country. Liberal Arts Dr. John Vile, Political Science, was interviewed by USA Today on unratified amendments. Mass Communication In an article about media academies adding DVD to their curriculum, the Phillips Business Information, Inc. noted that Tascam, a pro audio manufacturer, provides equipment to a digital audio lab on the MTSU campus in exchange for branding and marketing opportunities. Verite' Magazine featured several articles quoting MTSU Journalism professors about the SPJ Convention, which was hosted by MTSU. Student Affairs Rebekah Ridge of Chattanooga, and a senior journalism major, wrote an article for The Atlanta Constitution about suppressing prayer at school functions. General Interest Dot Harrison, Development, was noted in CURRENTS magazine for working on rebuilding ties with retired professors and helping them feel closer to the university. PR Newswire noted that 35 leading colleges and universities, MTSU among them, have chosen to use iPIX (TM) visual content for admissions, recruiting, teaching, and for internal purposes on their Intranet sites. METROPOLITAN NEWS Administration MTSU President James Walker was mentioned in the Nashville Record as having received the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America. Basic and Applied Sciences WMOT-FM's Shawn Jacobs talked to Ken Sergeant, Engineering Technology/Industrial Studies, about the Solar BikeRayce teams championship win at the Sun Solar BikeRayce in Topeka, Kan. The Tennessean and WMOT-FM noted Dr. Patrick Doyle, Biology, is slated to receive the President's Service Award, presented by President Bill Clinton, for his recycling program on campus. The award is the highest honor given for volunteer service. WSMV- TV Channel 4 and WTVF- TV Channel 5 aired Doyle's award presentation. Dr. Ngee Sing Chong, Chemistry, has developed a mobile air-quality lab, using a grant from the MTSU Foundation, that he will use to test air quality at several of the state's industries, reported The Tennessean. Biology professor Wayne Rosing wrote in a letter to the editor of The Tennessean that he doesn't feel high school students are being challenged enough to be prepared for college. Business Dr. Bill Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, told WMOT-FM that the Federal Reserve Board will likely hike interest rates in the very near future. Ford also told The Tennessean that rising mortgage rates are slowing the Nashville real estate market, pushing sales down 3.5% in May from year-ago levels. Ford also talked to CNBC about the Federal Reserve monetary policy. Management and Marketing chair Dr. Jill Austin talked to WMOT-FM's Shawn Jacobs about the fact that companies could do themselves and their employees a favor by providing more ethics training. The Tennessean noted Dell Computer Co. will be hiring for its Lebanon and Nashville facilities, and Dr. Al DePrince, Business and Economic Research Center, said, "The danger in this is if they end up eating each other's lunch." DePrince also talked to The Tennessean about the PaineWebber take over of J.C. Bradford & Co. He said downsizing could be a problem for those at the upper end of the pay scale. MTSU researchers wrote in The Tennessean about the midstate economy that "Depending on one's perspective the employment situation is either the jewel in the crown or a ball and chain that may inhibit future growth in the Midstate economy." A blurb in the Nashville Business Journal noted the College of Business has been renamed the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. Dr. Earl Thomas, Management and Marketing, spoke at the Institute for Organizational Development about leadership skills, noted WMOT-FM. Education and Behavioral Science Dr. Janet Belsky, Psychology, was quoted in the Tennessee Tribune about African-Americans having fewer emotional problems than white people, although Blacks do have a propensity for high blood pressure. WMOT-FM talked to Dr. Michelle Boyer-Pennington, Psychology, about her research on children with Down Syndrome. Dr. Patrick McCarthy told WMOT-FM that consistency and fairness are the ways to avoiding workplace favoritism. HPERS professor Doug Winborn told WMOT-FM that the drug "Ecstacy" has become more popular, especially with teenagers. Mass Communication Dr. Larry Burriss, Journalism, in his weekly commentary, talked to WMOT-FM about Helen Thomas leaving her AP post, religion breaking into mainstream media, if you don't like what is on TV... change the channel, if no one can do anything about the weather... then why is everyone talking about it, and parents having no clue about the Internet V-chip. Burriss was also interviewed by WSM-FM's Larry Ellis about the Internet economy and its effect on retail stores. Wendall Rawls, Journalism, and another veteran author, have formed a new venture to publish works by individual authors, corporations and nonprofit organizations, reported The Tennessean. Beverly Keel, Recording Industry, discussed the arrest of country music stars Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in New York on WKRN-TV Channel 2. Liberal Arts Political Science chair Dr. John Vile told WMOT-FM that school violence needs to be reported , but he's afraid the media are exploiting it for ratings and sales. Dr. Fred Rolater, History, is retiring from his weekly WMOT-FM series "What does history have to do with it?" His last program discussed "why we should care about the economic history of Tennessee," "progress and race relations sometimes go hand-and-hand,"and the "short history of retirement in America." Paul Fischer, Music, shared air time on Channel 5 "Open Line with Chris Clark" with Matt O'Brien, David Miser, and the editor of Editor and Publisher Music Row Magazine. Fischer was discussing music copyright issues and www.napster.com Dr. Russell Church, Speech and Theatre, was interviewed by Jim Ellis of WWTN-FM about the changes in the Gore campaign. A workshop, held in Cleveland, Tenn., was attended by Dr. James Huhta, Center for Historic Preservation, as part of the development of a National Heritage Area on the Civil War, reported the Chattanooga Times. Dr. Charles Wolfe, English, talked to Dwight Lewis at The Tennessean about his efforts to get Deford Bailey (deceased), an African-American harmonica player, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wolfe also did an interview with Tennessee Radio Network about his new book, "Country Music Annual." Vile was interviewed on TRN's "Tennessee Matters" about the Fourth of July. Dr. Mark Byrnes, Political Science, talked to WSM-FM and WWTN-FM about challenges that Al Gore's presidential campaign faces regarding political fund raising. Shawn Jacobs, WMOT-FM, interviewed Dr. Jim Brooks, director of Governor's School for the Arts. WMOT-FM noted the Center for Historic Preservation will be hosting a public information-gathering in Cookeville to collect information on events that happened during the Civil War. Dr. Allen Hibbard, English, is having a hard time believing the book "A Banquet for Seaweed" is causing riots in Cairo. Muslims believe the book to be sacrilegious, reported The Tennessean. Hibbard is translating the book into English. Dr. Bill Levine, English professor and jazz journalist, recently talked to Australian keyboardist Michael Nock about playing with older and younger jazz musicians, noted WMOT-FM. WMOT-FM talked to Dr. Ron Kates, English, about his Jefferson Springs project. Student Affairs Six students were pictured in the Tennessee Tribune as having been inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. The Tennessean noted Karen Foster of Brentwood was named an All-American Collegiate Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy. The crowning of the new Miss Tennessee, Beth Hood, public relations and communications major, was mentioned twice in The Tennessean. A memorial poem written for his mother won Brian Kissack, criminal justice major, a spot in the International Poet's Society poetry competition in Washington D.C., reported The Tennessean. Ugar Barut, graduate student, said the American public is becoming more knowledgeable about the Kurd's history, but there is still more work to be done in publicizing their plight, reported The Tennessean. General Interest The Tennessean noted Caneta Hankins, director, Center for Historic Preservation, will discuss the state registry of "century farms" at the Maury County Historical Society. Tom Tozer, News and Public Affairs, was interviewed by WMOT-FM about "Celebration Under the Stars." Their seems to be concern about smaller community colleges losing students to four- year universities in the mid-state area, reported The Tennessean. Dr. Jim Brooks, director of Governors School, and two Governors School students were interviewed by Diane Long of The Tennessean Frances Weaver's latest book "I'm Not As Old As I Used To Be," in which she discusses growing old gracefully, was discussed on WMOT-FM. MTSU has decided to have an auction to get rid of surplus furniture and equipment, noted WMOT-FM. The Tennessean carried Martha Hampton's obituary. She was a retired Dean of Women at MTSU. The Tennessean did a survey of high school valedictorians and salutatorians and found that 65 percent of them planned to go to college in Tennessee. The choice of10 percent of those surveyed (247) said they would attend MTSU. WMOT-FM noted the million-dollar grant given by the Christy Houston Foundation to the Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. The Memphis Commercial Appeal noted a bill passed by the state Senate will allow most courses offered at Tennessee public universities to be transferred among each other. Anton Glowacky swam the length of Tennessee, not in a river, but in MTSU's Recreation Center pool as part of the Swim Across Tennessee program, noted the Knoxville News-Sentinel. LOCAL NEWS Administration Dr. Cliff Gillespie, vp, Enrollment Management, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. Two students who have benefited from the Dyslexia Center are pictured in the DNJ along with Doug Williams, director, News and Public Affairs, Dr. Diane Sawyer, director of the center, and James E. Walker, president, MTSU, looking at a large-scale check for $1 million, a grant from the Christy-Houston Foundation, to construct a new facility. Dr. Robert Glenn, vp, Student Affairs, talked to the M'boro Sun about technical knowledge doubling approximately every three years, and the need to have a discussion of values, especially for new students. Dr. Walker received the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America, noted the M'boro Sun. Athletics An article and an editorial in the DNJ stated Frank Cochran, East-West Shrine Game chairman, is very happy with the support the game has received from MTSU and the City of Murfreesboro. Basic and Applied Sciences Dr. Ngee Sing Chong, Chemistry, has developed a mobile air pollution lab that can monitor air pollutants in the air at just about any site, reported the DNJ. The Tullahoma News pictured several sixth-graders who participated in a math contest sponsored by MTSU. The M'boro Sun noted Dr. Patrick Doyle, Biology, is slated to receive the Presidents Service Award, presented by President Bill Clinton, for his recycling program. The award is the highest honor given for volunteer service. Doyle was featured in the Newsmaker section and in a separate article of the DNJ after having received the award. Dr. Ron Ferrara, Aerospace, talked to the M'boro Sun about a new landing rule concerning cross runways. TR Dr. Preston MacDougall, Chemistry, wrote the editor of the DNJ about Nancy DeGennaro's Lifestyles column which concerned a loving tribute to a former teacher. Biology professor Dr. Stephen Howard is serving as academic dean of the NASA Academy at Goddard Space Flight Center in Washington DC. He is doing his part to see that NASA is equipped with the right technology to help them detect life on Mars, reported the DNJ. The MTSU Solar BikeRayce Team is ranked number one in their division in the nation, having won first place in the adult S-Class at the Formula Sun Solar BikeRayce, noted the M'boro Sun. Thanks to a $215,000 gift from Nellie Trible, deceased, a new scholarship fund has been established in the School of Nursing, reported the M'boro Sun. Business Marketing and Management professor Dr. Jackie Gilbert talked to the M'boro Sun about how managers can recognize stress on the job and do something about it. TR Dr. Jill Austin, Marketing and Management, told the M'boro Sun that developing an approach to ethics decision making is essential for employees. TR Being a technology whiz may not be the answer for 21st century management said Dr. David Foote, Marketing and Management, in the M'boro Sun. TR The DNJ noted, according to a study done by the Business and Economic Research Center, that foreign trade has begun to be felt at the county level. Dr. Albert DePrince, Business and Economic Research Center, talked to the Gallatin News-Examiner about the PaineWebber take over of J.C. Bradford & Co. He said downsizing could be a problem for those at the upper end of the pay scale. DePrince also talked to the DNJ about Middle Tennessee being an attractive location, and controlled growth would be the key to keeping that success from getting out of hand. Dr. Bill Ford, holder of Weatherford Chair of Finance, told the DNJ that the Federal Reserve Board's intent to raise interest rates might not affect Middle Tennessee as much as it would other areas because of the low employment rate and labor shortage. The Business Advisory Council for the Jennings A. Jones College of Business held a meeting to review its efforts to be more responsive to employment needs throughout the region, reported the Tullahoma News. Several MTSU alumni, Woody Miller '66, Hubert McCullough '51, Pam Wright '73, and Andy Adams '68, were awarded the College of Business Exemplar Award, announced the M'boro Sun. As America's trade relations with China continue to improve Dr. Steven Livingston, BERC, says exports from Tennessee companies and companies with facilities in Tennessee should increase about $90 million over the next several years, reported the Gallatin News-Examiner. Two business professors, Drs. Donna Mayo and Ken Tillery, will speak at the Business Development Week kickoff picnic in Smithville, noted the Smithville Review. Education and Behavioral Science Dr. Charles Babb, Elementary and Special Education, writes a weekly column for the DNJ. This month he has covered the following subjects; U.S. waste could rise dramatically, food being packaged for 'dashboard dining,' and "baby boom workers will be competitive." Psychology professor Dr. Janet Belsky says there is a correlation between isolation and dementia in the elderly, reported the M'boro Sun. TR Dr. Doug Winborn, HPERS, discussed scare tactics used around high school prom time to make students take responsibility for their actions, reported the M'boro Sun. TR Winborn also talked to WSM-FM and WWTN-FM regarding research findings on smoking among black and white youths. Alzheimer's is diagnosed through the process of elimination of other diseases, noted Dr. Dawn Shelar, HPERS, in the M'boro Sun. TR The DNJ announced the retirement of Jane Poole, a longtime education professor at MTSU, and founder of the Murfreesboro Literacy Association. Elementary and Special Education professor Dr. Race Bergman told the M'boro Sun about a proposed school code of conduct in Ontario, Canada, that would hold parents responsible for property damage done by their children. TR Dr. Michelle Boyer-Pennington, Psychology, has received two faculty research grants to study the memory capabilities of children with Down's Syndrome, noted the M'boro Sun. Liberal Arts Dr. Mark Byrnes, Political Science, will be a guest on "Inside This Week" with Chris Clark on News 5 Plus. (TR) The Center for Historic Preservation is tracking Century Farms, which are farms that have been in one families possession for over 100 years, noted The Tennessee Farm Bureau News. The Center is holding public information-gathering meetings in seven regional counties as part of a long range $23 million program to further record and enhance the state's already rich Civil War heritage, reported the Weakley Co. Press, Cleveland Daily Banner, Fayette Co. Review, Greeneville Sun, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, and Dresden Enterprise. Dr. Sara Dunne, English, told the DNJ that humor has changed quite a bit over the years, but one fact remains the same, "You can't live without it." Stones River Battlefield will present programs, some by Dr. Robert Hunt, History, about the Western Theater of the Civil War, reported the DNJ and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. Church attacks occur more frequently in Middle Tennessee and the upper South where membership averages between 44-60 percent versus very high or very low memberships, noted Dr. Kevin Breault, Sociology and Anthropology, reported the M'boro Sun. TR Dr. J. Brandon Wallace, Sociology and Anthropology, told the M'boro Sun that elderly people who live alone, have had a bad relationship with their children, or have few friends are more likely to develop dementia. TR Political Science professor Dr. Steven Livingston discussed workers being able to invest payroll taxes into the stock market, reported the M'boro Sun. TR Political Science chair Dr. John Vile told the M'boro Sun that school violence needs to be reported , but he's afraid the media are exploiting it for ratings and sales. TR Dr. Pat Nation, Sociology and Anthropology, says to new movie "Gone in Sixty Seconds "will cause an increase in the number of amateur car thefts, and she also discussed the need to regulate the sanitation of tattoo parlors, with the M'boro Sun. TR MTSU music instructor and saxophonist Don Aliquo has earned a spot on the syndicated radio program "JazzSouth Radio," reported the DNJ. Dr. James Brooks, executive director, Governor's School for the Arts, and associate dean, College of Liberal Arts, was featured in the Newsmaker section of the DNJ. Brooks has been in charge of Governor's School for the past 16 years. Dr. Kevin Smith's, Sociology and Anthropology, archaeology class was pictured in the Gallatin News-Examiner at their summer "dig" at the Wynnewood Stagecoach Inn in Castalian Springs. Mass Communication Dr. Larry Burriss, Journalism, warns parents about the dangers of the Internet and cyber safety in the DNJ. Dr. Ed Kimbrell, Journalism, writes a weekly column for the DNJ and the Franklin Review Appeal. His topics included "Rocker made life hell on own," "Greed helped to kill the Banner," and "Religion deserves coverage." Student Affairs These students were pictured in the Winchester Herald-Chronicle for receiving the following awards; Carrie Hawk, the Marian Clark Scholarship (Liberal Arts), and William Thrasher, the Concrete Industry Management Award (Basic and Applied Sciences). Hawk was also pictured in The Manchester Times, and Thrasher was pictured in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. Amanda Hartley is shown in the Franklin Review Appeal being congratulated by Dr. J.P. Montgomery, dean, Honors College, for receiving the Bart McCash Scholarship, as well as Neill-Sandler scholar, Teron Butler, who is receiving congrats from Mike Sandler. MTSU's Dean's List for this past spring appeared in the Winchester Herald-Chronicle, Gallatin News-Examiner, McKenzie Banner, Tullahoma News, Wilson World, Huntingdon News-Leader, Maryville Daily Times, Bolivar Bulletin-Times, Lexington Progress, Millington Star, Cleveland Daily Banner, Manchester Times, Carthage Courier, Livingston Enterprise, Hickman County Times, Hardin Courier, Dayton Herald-News, Parsons News Leader, Jonesborough Herald and Tribune, Trenton Herald-Gazette, Morristown Citizen Tribune, Lewisburg Tribune, Humboldt Courier Chronicle, Camden Chronicle, Lewis Co. Herald, Waverly News-Democrat, Ashland City Times, Union City Daily Messenger, and Milan Mirror Exchange. Presidential Scholarship winners were listed in the DNJ. The DNJ noted senior Alysa Cannon will be the first MTSU student to ever participate in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Several Rutherford County students were inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society, reported the DNJ and M'boro Sun. Shirley Williams, a 40 year-old spring graduate, was awarded the Ernest Hooper History Award, noted the Jackson County Sentinel. The Shelbyville Times-Gazette pictured three students receiving awards; Jason Long of Wilson County is being congratulated by Dr. Ray Phillips, dean, Basic and Applied Sciences, for receiving the Albert L. and Ethel C. Smith Pre-Pharmacy Scholarship; Amanda Smith also of Wilson County received one of the10 Neill-Sandler Scholarships; and Army ROTC cadet Robert J. Redmon for the American Legion Award for Military Excellence. An additional article about Long was in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. Several MTSU students were quoted in a DNJ article about food servers and the misconception about how much money they earn. The Tullahoma News pictured Antonio Sheffield being presented the Dr. Stanley Hall Memorial Scholarship, and the Franklin Review Appeal shows Stacey Robinson being congratulated for receiving the William A. Kerr Award by Dr. Gloria Bonner, dean, College of Education. Honor graduate Jennifer Tarpley, of Wilson County, is shown being congratulated by President Walker in the Wilson World. Student vocalist Alice Matlock has received a spot in the Prestigious Aspen Music Festival and School, noted the DNJ and M'boro Sun. Students were named in the Grundy County Herald, Lewisburg Tribune, Jefferson City Standard-Banner, Franklin Review-Appeal, Shelbyville Times-Gazette, and Ashland City Times as having received honors at the annual Academic Awards ceremony. Amanda Jenkins is pictured in the Carthage Courier being congratulated by Dr. Harley Foutch, director, School of Agribusiness and Agriscience. Krystal Ferguson graduated with honors and was pictured in the Macon County Times, as did Inga Steinhoff who is pictured with President James Walker in the Winchester Herald-Chronicle. The graduation lists for spring commencement have been listed in the Winchester Herald-Chronicle, M'boro Sun, Fentress Courier, Crossville Chronicle, Oak Ridger, Trenton Herald-Gazette, Hardin Courier, Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Lebanon Democrat, Macon Co. Times, Bolivar Bulletin-Times, McKenzie Banner, Lewis Co. Herald, Camden Chronicle, Lewisburg Tribune, Cleveland Daily Banner, Gainesboro Sentinel, Maryville Daily Times, Kingsport Times-News, Lexington Progress, Smithville Review, Carthage Courier, Franklin Review-Appeal, Covington Leader, Oneida Independent-Herald, Weakley County Press, Grundy Co. Herald, Tullahoma News, and Hickman County Times. The M'boro Sun ran Tom Tozer's "Simply the Best" featuring nursing student Christini Carey, who came upon an accident and helped one of the victims; Maria Weir being accepted by West Virginia University's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program; Frances Henslee being named the recipient of the MTSU Tennessee Education Association Scholarship; and Dewey Hewitt, a electrical/mechanical engineering major who invented "The Dewey Sock." Janna Hargis and Christy Sudberry, honor graduates, are pictured being congratulated by President Walker in the M'boro Sun and Shelbyville Times-Gazette, respectively. Three members of Alpha Omicron Pi brought Easter fun to the children at Project HELP, noted the M'boro Sun and Hendersonville Star News. The MTSU team took top honors in the National Sales Competition, noted the M'boro Sun. Two students were inducted into the Hampton Society, an honor society that recognizes seniors for outstanding academic achievement and service to the university and community, noted the M'boro Sun. Linda Feagans was awarded the Chi Alpha Epsilon Diamond Pin Award, reported the M'boro Sun. The Robert C. LaLance Jr. Achievement Award was given to Judith McIntosh, announced the M'boro Sun and Cannon Courier. Four ROTC Army cadets from Rutherford County were recognized at the annual awards ceremony and pictured in the Rutherford Courier. Luke Barker, Biology major, was noted in the Cannon Courier as having received the Albert L. & Ethel C. Smith Pre-Medicine Scholarship. Laurie Carr, Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies major, received the Outstanding Management Technology Student award, noted the Macon Co. Times. Ten students from Williamson County were honored at the annual Academic Awards Ceremony, reported the Franklin Review-Appeal. Cleveland native and public relations and communications major Beth Hood was named Miss Tennessee, reported the DNJ. Three MTSU students will be studying abroad this summer with the Kentucky Institute for International Studies program, noted the DNJ. Two female students, 1999-2000 school year, were charged with a hit-run fatality, reported the DNJ. Kerry Lane was noted in the Gallatin News-Examiner as being selected the 2000 Greek Woman of the Year, Greek Ambassador of the Greek Community, and earning the Dean Judy Smith Award, The Middle Tennessee Retired Teachers Scholarship, and the MTSU Enrichment Scholarship. Christy Fonville, outstanding advertising major, is shown being congratulated by Dr. Deryl Leaming, dean, College of Mass Communications, in the Humboldt Courier Chronicle. The Parsons News Leader pictured Kristy Pate, who has been accepted into the MTSU Nursing program. Three Williamson County students were inducted in Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society, noted the Franklin Review-Appeal. Several art students, along with the Department of Art took home Addy Awards from the Nashville Advertising Federation annual awards ceremony, reported the Franklin Review-Appeal. The Southern Standard noted Matthew Wallace had been awarded a three-year Advance Designee ROTC Scholarship, and Kathyrn Patterson received the Albert L. and Ethel C. Smith Pre-Pharmacy Scholarship, and Marne y Sherrill was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. The M'boro Sun noted Amanda Daniel, who recently graduated with degrees in English and Chemistry, will now attend medical school. Senior Alicia Moore was one of six finalists in the third annual "Tell Us Who You Are" photo contest, sponsored by Tamron/Bronica, noted the M'boro Sun. The recipients of the June Anderson Foundation Scholarships were pictured in the M'boro Sun. TR Dan Whittle noted in his Rutherford Courier column that Allison Hatcher had parlayed her recent degree into an assistant producer's job at WKRN-TV Channel 2. Kristin Jackson, education major, and summer camp assistant at Cason Lane Academy, brought an Oceanography camp to her classroom so her students could learn about the ocean while having fun, reported the DNJ. A Winchester resident and MTSU student, Susan Finger, gave her impression of a recent trip to Cuba, along with 19 other students and faculty members, to the Winchester Herald-Chronicle. General Interest The "Governance Alternatives for Rutherford County" seminar was noted in the Rutherford Courier. An editorial in the DNJ, and an article in the Winchester Herald-Chronicle noted the new Dyslexia Center will improve the treatment of dyslexia statewide. A $1 million gift from the Christy-Houston Foundation will help make building a new center a reality. A subsequent DNJ article reported on two families whose sons benefited from their treatment at the Dyslexia Center. Carolyn Moss of Hickman County received the Renaissance Woman of the 21st Century Award from the Women's Institute of MTSU, reported the Hickman County Times. The annual "Celebration Under the Stars" Fourth of July extravaganza was noted in the Heart of Tennessee, M'boro Sun, and twice in the DNJ. The VOICES art institute, sponsored by Continuing Studies, will be held this summer for children ages 7-18, noted the DNJ. The Relay for Life, a cancer prevention event held on the MTSU campus, involved Riverdale High School students in helping to raise money, reported the DNJ. A schedule of events and, subsequently, the amount raised, $138.000, for the Relay was noted in the DNJ. The Relay for Life, and the grant given by the Christy-Houston Foundation to the Dyslexia Center to help build a new facility were mentioned in a DNJ editorial. Continuing Studies is offering three seminars titled "The Multicultural Educational Enrichment and Training Institute," "Institute of Organizational Development 2000," and "2000 Tennessee Business Tax Seminar and Workshop," reported the Heart of Tennessee, DNJ, Rutherford Courier, Lewisburg Marshall Gazette, Cookeville Herald-Citizen, and Shelbyville Times-Gazette. Construction of the Miller Horse Coliseum could begin this summer after long delays, noted the DNJ, and subsequently in a DNJ editorial. An additional article in the DNJ and Rutherford Courier noted that the coliseum might have to be redesigned. The DNJ reported construction bids came in higher than the budget allows to construct the long-delayed horse coliseum. Charlie Myatt, project chairman, called it a disappointment. The MTSU campus reported 32 alcohol offenses in '98, much fewer than large universities, reported the DNJ. One past and one present MTSU security officers were saluted by Crimestoppers as "Officers of the Year," reported the DNJ and the M'boro Sun. An editorial in the DNJ discussed the rapid growth, since 1980, of Murfreesboro and noted that the enrollment of MTSU had nearly doubled. Linnell Gentry, former and first affirmative action officer at MTSU, and also the author of A History and Encyclopedia of Country, Western, and Gospel Music, passed away recently, reported the DNJ. The DNJ noted the theft of five projectors, valued at $40,000, from the Business and Aerospace Building. The MTSU Department of Public Safety has received the Edward Byrne Memorial Grant, worth $56,250, which will be used to install a comprehensive electronic-controlled system to monitor which doors on campus have been propped open, reported the DNJ, M'boro Sun, and Rutherford Courier. Martha Hampton, former dean of women and later principal of Campus School, passed away at age 83, noted the DNJ. The Tennessee Writers Alliance and MTSU will co-sponsor a fiction-writing workshop, noted the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, DNJ,Tullahoma News, and Rutherford Courier. "Movies Under the Stars" will begin again this summer showing movies on Friday evenings on the MTSU campus, noted the DNJ. Dot Harrison, Development, received the Otis Floyd Award, one of the state's top public relations awards, announced the DNJ. Dr. Bob Glenn, vp, Student Affairs, presented Vena Stuart Elementary School in Gallatin with three Harry Potter books for their outstanding entry in the "Readers are Leaders" contest, which was judged by MTSU staff, noted the Gallatin News-Examiner. The M'boro Sun noted a new MTSU public service award has been established for a non-faculty employee. Eight staff members have been nominated. Several Jones Elementary School students won awards at the recent Mary Tom Berry Reading Council District Celebrate Literacy program, sponsored by MTSU, reported the Tullahoma News.