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 Athletics The MTSU Blue Raiders are mentioned in the Chronicle of Higher Education as "one of the Division I-A independent teams looking for a new conference." Basic and Applied Sciences Dr. William Robertson, Physics and Astronomy, was mentioned in a story on BBC Radio regarding his research on the sound properties of the Australian musical instrument, the didjeridu. Business Dr. William Ford, chairman of the Weatherford Chair of Finance at MTSU, discussed the Federal Reserve Policy meeting on CNBC. Page 2 (Liberal Arts, National News) Liberal Arts A picture from the John W. Wok 3d Field Collection at MTSU's Center for Popular Music was featured in The New York Times. The picture was entitled "In the Beginning of the Blues, There Was a Violin." Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment are fighting to make the amendment law, but MTSU political science chairman Dr. John Vile questions the likelihood of it occurring in a recent article printed in The Detroit News. Mass Communication The MTSU Poll appeared in USA Today. Despite the upcoming execution of two men, the MTSU Poll shows over 70 percent of residents surveyed in Middle Tennessee don't favor the death penalty, reported The Associated Press. MTSU Poll results on the death penalty were published in an article in The Houston Chronicle that focused on the postponed execution of Robert Glen Coe. Dr. Richard Barnet, Recording Industry Management, was quoted in the Los Angeles Times in an article offering advice on how to do a "career make-over." Student Affairs MTSU graduate student Michael Kearney was featured in an article entitled "The Whiz Kids," which appeared in a recent edition of People magazine. General Interest Molly McClaran, a graduate student at MTSU, was quoted in an article appearing in the Los Angeles Times concerning Gore's move to Tennessee. "...it's a great move. He's coming home. These are the people who care about him the most, and want him to win the most." The Associated Press revealed the popularity of Governor Don Sundquist has dropped ten percentage points - from 65 percent to 55 percent - since March, according to a poll conducted by MTSU. The state legislature's democratic leadership had an approval rate of 56 percent in March, but dropped to 43 percent. SCT Athena was revealed at the EDUCAUSE '99 higher education conference, reported the PR Newswire. SCT Athena is an information solution that will enhance critical relationships with students, alumni, faculty, and other institutions. MTSU, which represents the Tennessee Board of Regents System, has been instrumental in formulating and advancing SCT Athena. METROPOLITAN NEWS Administration In an article appearing in The Tennessean, MTSU's director of News and Public Affairs, Doug Williams, compared the university's quality education with Vanderbilt, Duke, and Georgia Tech based on a recent rating from U.S. News & World Report. Bill Smotherman, director, Construction Administration, was interviewed by the Tennessee Radio Network on the new tornado warning system at MTSU. Page 3 (Basic and Applied Sciences, Metropolitan News) Basic and Applied Sciences Dr. Patrick Doyle, Biology, is recognized for starting a recycling program with the Biology Club in 1972 that has produced almost $400,000 in scholarships, reported The Tennessee Conservationist. Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, Chemistry, was interviewed by WPLN Radio concerning the "Expand Your Horizons" conference. Allison Brannon, a 20-year-old student at MTSU, graduated from the West Tennessee Pony Club with an HA-level rating -- the second highest rating bestowed on a Pony Club member, announced The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Business Joe Lancaster, retired CEO of Tennessee Farmers Insurance Companies, was one of five recently inducted into the Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame at MTSU, reported the Tennessee Farm Bureau News. Earl Swensson has been named holder of the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Chair of Excellence in Urban and Regional Planning at MTSU, announced The Tennessee Tribune. MTSU President Dr. James Walker and MTSU provost Dr. Barbara Haskew expressed pleasure in the naming of the new chair, who is also founder and chairman of the board of Earl Swensson Associates, an architectural, master planning, and interior design firm in Nashville. Dr. Albert E. DePrince Jr., Economics and Finance, has been named director of the Business and Economic Research Center, the Nashville Business Journal announced. Education and Behavioral Sciences MTSU professors will speak to 200 principals, teachers, counselors, and school board members at the "Children at Risk" conference announced WMOT Radio. Project help director Dr. Ann Campbell, who is also one of the conference's organizers, says "one of the most difficult things is making sure teachers don't jump to conclusions." The "Children at Risk" conference was on WSMV-TV, Channel 4. Dr. Phillip Waldrop, Elementary and Special Education, told WMOT Radio there are different reasons why children are identified as "at risk." The earlier the problems are addressed, Waldrop believes, "the greater the chances you'll head off major difficulties." Liberal Arts Dr. Kevin Breault, Sociology, was interviewed on WLAC Radio about Halloween being on a Sunday this year. Tyson King-Meadows, Political Science, appeared on "Open Line" on Channel 5+, to discuss the campaign finance reform. WLAC Radio interviewed Dr. John Vile on the relocating of Gore's campaign headquarters to Nashville. WSM Radio spoke with Dr. John Vile about the reconvening of the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. Patricia Nation, Sociology and Anthropology, discussed the death penalty on WLAC Radio. During his regular Wednesday WMOT Radio feature, "What does history have to do with it?", Dr. Fred Rolater discussed tax collection that "fits the economic situation of the day;" baseball; New York City Mayor Rudy Guliani and city-funded museums, and the history of sports in the United States. Dr. Kevin Breault, Sociology, was interviewed on WTVF-TV, Channel 5 by Rob Manning concerning church-oriented "hell houses" this time of the year. Page 4 (Liberal Arts, Metropolitan News, cont’d.) MTSU graduate student Jonathan Lampley, co-author of a new book entitled The Amazing Colossal Book of Horror Trivia, was interviewed on WSMV-TV, WTVF, and the John Grayson Show on WWTN Radio. Dr. Kevin Breault, Sociology and Anthropology, was interviewed on WMOT Radio on the effects of churches sponsoring "haunted houses" or "hell houses." Drs. John Vile and Mark Byrnes, Political Science, discussed the remote possibility of Al Gore and Bill Bradley becoming running mates, on WMOT Radio. Dr. Fred Rolater, History, spoke about tax reform on a WMOT Radio show. Caneta Hankins, of MTSU's Center of Historic Preservation, says cemeteries are tangible links with the past and should be preserved, on a recent WMOT Radio airing. Mass Communication Dr. Bob Wyatt, Journalism, was interviewed by Dave Anthony at WSM Radio concerning the MTSU Poll results. Dr. Teresa Mastin, Journalism, was interviewed by WMOT Radio on the death penalty, and the lack of money saved for retirement. The discussion was based on results from the MT Poll. Chris Haseleu, chairperson of Recording Industry, was interviewed about digital radios by Jim Ellis at WSM Radio. Dr. Larry Burriss, Journalism, discussed the overturned verdict in the high profile ABC/Food Lion libel, and the media admitting their mistakes to the public on WMOT Radio. Residents of Nashville and Middle Tennessee area, also referred to as the "buckle of the bible belt," have a high tolerance according to the MTSU Poll results discussed on WMOT Radio with Dr. Teresa Mastin, MTSU journalism professor. Mid-staters are tolerant of atheists, homosexuals, and racists, the poll revealed. Wendell Rawls, Pulitzer Prize winner and holder of the John Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies at MTSU, accused the media of not giving the consumer information they needed, on a recent WMOT Radio show. A physician at MTSU's Health Services, Shandora Dorse, discussed bacterial meningitis-its causes, effects and treatment with WMOT Radio, after a recent case at Tennessee Tech. Student Affairs The Lambda Gay and Lesbian Student Union at MTSU was recognized by The Tennessean for seeking university support in efforts to protect homosexual students from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Dr. Candace Rosovsky, director of the June Anderson Women's Center at MTSU, was recently quoted in a special edition of The Tennessean-Women on the deep and lasting friendships of women. Susan Groleau, an interior design major at MTSU, is one of the first class of interns at the Tennessee Repertory Theatre announced the Tennessee Tribune. The Tennessee Repertory Theatre is the largest professional theatre in the state. General Interest Tom Tozer, News and Public Affairs, was interviewed by Rob Taylor on WSM Radio about the Scarlett Commons naming ceremony at MTSU. MTSU students Selena Ellis, Kelly Lovell, and Lindsey Keen are pictured in The Tennessean as they explore the Internet at the CyberCafe. Gov. Don Sundquist presented his "four and four" proposal to MTSU President Dr. James Walker and other business and education leaders at the university, reported The Page 5 (General Interest, Metropolitan News, cont’d.) Tennessean. Sundquist's "four and four" tax plan is a suggested flat-rate state income tax of approximately four percent, coupled with a reduction in the state sales tax rate from six to four percent. The Tennessean reported on the Sports Illustrated Campus Fest arrival to the MTSU campus. The Campus Fest is a traveling promotional event featuring entertainment, games, hands-on activities, and chances to win big prizes. Several corporations participated, including Pantene, Hershey's, Listerine, Nokia, Vivarin, and Pacific Sunwear. The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that MTSU has seen tuition increases of more than 18 percent over the last three years. Free-lance writer, Theotis Robinson Jr., submitted an article to the Knoxville News-Sentinel on the increase of "student activism" on college campuses where tuition fees are rapidly increasing, including MTSU who has had a hike of more then 18%. WMOT Radio interviewed local best selling author, John Ronner, about his writing seminar, "Get Published.... How to Research, Write, Publish and Sell Your Own Book, " to be held at MTSU. Award winning poet, Sharon Olds, spoke with WMOT Radio about her career and her appearance at "Writers in the Round," to be held on the MTSU campus. Others scheduled to speak are Novelist Bobbie Ann Mason and singer-songwriter, Kate Campbell. LOCAL NEWS Administration Doug Williams, director, News and Public Affairs, submitted an article to the DNJ regarding the university's rating in the latest U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Ron Aday, director of the aging studies program at MTSU, expressed the need for society to improve the quality of life for the growing elderly population in the Viewpoint section of the DNJ. Athletics Former MTSU baseball coach and athletic director John Stanford, along with Steve "Pete" Peterson, the boss of Blue Raider baseball, prepare for the annual Grand Slam Fish Fry and Cajun Gumbo announced the DNJ. The fundraiser benefits the MTSU baseball program. The DNJ noted the death of Stan "Ramrod" Simpson, one of the most successful basketball coaches in MTSU sports history. The DNJ quoted Mark Owens, director, Athletic Media Relations, and John Lynch, News and Public Affairs, on the Web cam that captures live shots of MTSU football games and broadcasts them over the Internet. Basic and Applied Sciences The DNJ and M'boro Sun reported on the success of this year's "Expanding Your Horizons" conference, a number of workshops that provide hands-on experience and promote interest in math and science among young girls, held at MTSU. Dr. Gloria Hamilton, Psychology, and Dr. Larry Burriss, Journalism, were featured in the DNJ commenting on the existence of Internet addiction. Pam Rowlett, an agribusiness/agriscience major from MTSU, won the Tennessee Farm Bureau's annual Collegiate Discussion Meet and will have an opportunity to compete in the December state competition, reported the DNJ. The previous winner Mary Irby, Page 6 (Basic and Applied Sciences, Local News, cont’d.) MTSU graduate, was the first Tennessean and woman to win the national competition -- the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. Marvin Runyon has been named the new holder of MTSU's Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence, announced the DNJ. A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will give MTSU the ability to provide educational material to middle and high school programs via a video teleconferencing satellite network, the DNJ announced. Business The Midstate Economic Indicators, published quarterly by the Business and Economic Research Center, shows a 15 percent rise in automobile production during the second quarter -- an achievement that has not been made since the summer of 1995, reported the DNJ. Dr. Albert E. DePrince Jr., director of the Business and Economic Research Center, spoke with the DNJ concerning the recent issue of Tennessee Business that cities the state's inelastic tax system as the cause of underfunding and deficit in Tennessee's Basic Education Program. MTSU's "Resolving Conflicts" is a series of workshops that analyzes strategies, tactics, and insights needed to be in firm control of conflict situations in the business environment, the DNJ reported. The five- session course offered this fall is part of the MTSU/American Management Association Certification in Management Program. The expertise and guidance from the Business Advisory Council was welcomed by Dr. Jim Burton, dean of the College of Business at MTSU, during a recent meeting discussing future objectives for the college, reported the DNJ. Dr. Albert E. DePrince Jr., told the DNJ that despite the half a percent rise in unemployment during August, the outlook remains good, although "low employment is a double-edged sword" reported the Midstate Economic Indicator, an MTSU quarterly publication. Discussion of the state budget crisis and higher education funding is expected to dominate the annual MTSU Economic Outlook Conference to be held on campus, reported the DNJ. Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Jim Burton, says the event will provide attendees an opportunity to hear from the experts and ask questions. Dr. William Ford, MTSU economist and former Federal Reserves board member, expressed his views on the Federal Reserve's decision to stand on the interest rates, and possibly increase the rate in the future, on WMOT Radio. Gene Osekowsky of the business development center at MTSU, will promote small business development during two sessions of a small business class held at Tennessee Technology Center in Shelbyville, reported The Tullahoma News. In the business section of The Tullahoma News, MTSU's Economic Outlook Conference was announced. The program will focus on the state's budget crisis and funding for higher education. An agreement on the severe state of the budget was reached during the Economic Outlook Conference at MTSU, announced the DNJ, but no solution was made. Education and Behavioral Sciences The support and contribution of nearly 25 educators, school counselors, psychologists, and administrators, in the establishment of the Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia, was recognized at a recent gathering at MTSU, reported the DNJ. Page 7 (Liberal Arts, Local News) Liberal Arts Dr. Pat Nation, a specialist in criminology, will speak about the problem of serial homicide in our society at the Unitarian Church in Tullahoma, reported The Tullahoma News. Dr. Nation is also a counselor, sociologist, and therapist in the department of Sociology and Anthropology. Firstar Bank donated $5,000 to the MTSU debate team, helping guarantee continued success, announced the DNJ. The DNJ announced a new major, Organizational Communication, being offered at MTSU, emphasizing critical thinking and communication in the workplace. Benjamin Shapira, a new addition to the music faculty at MTSU, will have a debut performance as a violincello soloist on the MTSU campus, announced The Winchester Herald-Chronicle. The Art Barn at MTSU is filled with an exhibit called " Opus and Installation," the works of Marina Kuchinski and Jan Hatleberg, the DNJ announced. MTSU sociology professor, Dr. Kevin Breault, was quoted in the DNJ on the Saturday observance of Halloween. Breault says, "It's a holiday for young children, and I think we should chill out about it." Mass Communication Dr. Paul Fischer, assistant professor in MTSU's Recording Industry Management Program, organized a majority of activities held during the annual conference of the U.S. chapter of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music on campus, the DNJ reported. Student Affairs The DNJ and Tullahoma News announced MTSU senior Jeanne Parker is a recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society for accredited business programs. Kappa Alpha Fraternity is pictured in the DNJ preparing a float for the Homecoming parade. MTSU students Chris Feagans and his mother Linda Gail Feagans were two of four students recently inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon, an honor society for students who started college in an academic assistance program and have maintained a 3.0 G.P.A. for at least two semesters, announced the DNJ. Chi Alpha Epsilon was founded in 1990 in Pennsylvania and the MTSU chapter was established in 1998. Delores Brazzel, a 1999 MTSU graduate, was recently one of eight students to receive a Minority Graduate Scholarship, the DNJ announced. MTSU graduate assistant Danny Gourley proposed to his girlfriend, Sarah Wooten, at Adelphia Coliseum during the fourth quarter of a Tennessee-Baltimore game, announced the DNJ. A life sentence of murder has been changed to a lesser homicide charge for James Clayton Young Jr., a Murfreesboro resident accused of killing Joey Ladd, an MTSU student, in 1995, reported the DNJ. James Clayton Young Jr. will soon be released after receiving a $5,000 fine and a maximum sentence of four years for a reckless homicide conviction in the death of Joey Ladd, an MTSU student, the DNJ reported. An MTSU student was pictured in the DNJ walking in the rain sporting the latest rain gear -- a plastic bag covering her hair to keep dry. Page 8 (General Interest, Local News) General Interest MTSU's June Anderson Women Center will hold a fundraiser to benefit the 1999 Nashville Cares AIDS Walk announced the DNJ. A total of ten bands will perform during the two-night event to be held at Sebastian's on Murfreesboro Public Square. The DNJ featured a recap of the exciting events held during MTSU's Homecoming Week. Glenn Hanley, director of Campus Recreation at MTSU, is pictured in the DNJ drenching wet after being "dunked" at the recent Heart Walk kickoff. A photo in the DNJ shows MTSU cheerleader Mark Warrick as he peps up the crowd attending the annual Rally in the Alley. MTSU will host "Walking for the Children Horse Show" and a fall bazaar called "Artisans for the Children," only two of the series of fundraisers held to benefit Christmas for the Children, announced the DNJ. A celebration of the Scottish heritage at MTSU held a sense of a family reunion filled with hugs, food, and games, the DNJ reported. Ted Sheldon of Sheldon Pewter is pictured in the DNJ as he prepares necklaces for the Scottish celebration attendees to purchase. The Tullahoma News listed the festivities to be held during MTSU's "Football Fiesta" Homecoming celebration, the first as a Division I-A school. In a DNJ editorial, MTSU was commended for plans to install a $34,000 emergency warning system on campus this month in an effort to warn students, faculty, and staff of an imminent tornado or other emergencies. Dot Harrison, along with friends and former colleagues, expressed approval in a recent DNJ article on the dedication of Scarlett Commons during Homecoming weekend. MTSU researchers assisted students at Riverdale, LaVergne, and Eagleville high schools in conducting a survey on teen smokers in an effort to promote the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) anti-smoking campaign, reported the DNJ. Owner Hunter Shankle of Chapel Hill is pictured in the DNJ preparing his cow for the Tennessee Dairy Expo at MTSU's Tennessee Livestock Center. Management consultant Glenn Shepard will present his one day seminar "The Manager's Guide to Supervising People and Leading a Team" at MTSU, reported The Tullahoma News and Lebanon Democrat. The Tennessee Board of Regents is requesting increases in faculty salaries and tuition funding to remain competitive, encourage student attendance, and faculty employment at institutions in Tennessee, reported the DNJ. Twenty-seven bands from Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky performed at MTSU's Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium during the annual Contest of Champions competition, announced the DNJ. Gov. Don Sundquist appealed to the MTSU President's Advisory Council in an effort to gain support for a reform of Tennessee's tax system, possibly including a flat-rate income tax, announced the DNJ. MTSU student loan defaults dropped to 10.8 percent, the lowest since the 1987 fiscal year, reported the DNJ. MTSU interim financial aid director, David Hutton, cited a strong economy as the reason for the default decline. MTSU was mentioned in an DNJ article, written by Angela Cannon, urging students to seek financial assistance to attend college as tuition rates continually increase. Best selling author John Ronner will lead a seminar entitled "Get Published! How to Research, Write, Publish and Sell Your Own Book" at MTSU, reported the DNJ and Lebanon Democrat. An exhibit, "Hymn Books to Hit Songs: 150 Years of the Tennessee Music Business" will be on showcase in the Special Collections Exhibits Room, located in the Page 9 (General Interest, Local News, cont’d.) new University Library, announced the DNJ. The exhibit will be open to the public through March 2000. The Marshall Gazette featured an article on the Middle Tennessee Symphony, a group of professional musicians that performs classical music at Tucker Theatre on the campus of MTSU. The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle pictured a man playing bagpipes in honor of Murfreesboro's Heart of Scottish Celebration. Kenny McCaughey, father of the world's first surviving sextuplets, will speak at the Pregnancy Support Center's 14th annual fundraiser banquet, held at MTSU, announced the DNJ. The Lebanon-Democrat announced the 38th annual "Contest of Champions" to be hosted by the Band of Blue at MTSU. Dr. James Walker, president of MTSU, was quoted in the article. Three professors from Fukushima University in Japan are studying school violence with MTSU staff, reported the DNJ. The three-year joint study will include surveys for teachers, students, and parents that will help compare violence "as far as nature, degree, and severity...[and] frequency," said Jane Williams, MTSU professor of educational leadership and American coordinator for this project. MTSU NEWS STORIES COUNT FOR FISCAL YEAR 99-00 OCT. 1999 YEAR TO DATE WEB HITS National 13 25 Oct—3,360 Metropolitan 45 164 As of July 1—8,713 Local 66 323 *Excluded 62 191 All 186 703 *"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 October 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.