MTSU News Summary for September 2000

NATIONAL NEWS Administration The Associated Press announced "James E. Walker Day," a reception and dinner to bid farewell to Walker as he prepares to leave MTSU for the presidency of Southern Illinois University. Athletics Former head football coach Boots Donnelly has been named interim athletic director, as Lee Fowler departs to become AD at North Carolina State, The Associated Press reported. Student Affairs Joseph Dey, Neill-Sandler Scholarship winner, was featured on the SuperKid segment of The Rosie O'Donnell Show. General Interest Country Radio Broadcasters expanded its scholarship program by offering two $5,000 payments to MTSU to aid students interested in a career in radio, Billboard Magazine announced. Page 2 METROPOLITAN NEWS Administration The Tennessean reported MTSU will celebrate "James E. Walker Day," with a campus-wide reception in the afternoon, followed by a farewell dinner that evening. The Tennessean quoted Joe Mills, director of housing, in an article offering tips to parents to assist them in preparing children for college. Dr. R. Eugene Smith, vp for Business and Finance at the University of Memphis, has been named interim president at MTSU, reported the Chattanooga Free Press, Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Memphis Commercial Appeal. A Tennessee Tribune interview with President Walker noted his achievements and the universities accomplishments during his almost 10-year tenure. Walker discussed the years he spent at MTSU with WMOT-FM. Athletics The Raleigh Observer announced MTSU athletic director Lee Fowler would be named AD at North Carolina State University. Basic and Applied Sciences Marvin Runyon, holder of the Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence, participated in a two-part interview on WPLN-FM. Patricia Burlin, Nursing, was interviewed on WSM-FM about drug use. TR Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, Chemistry, discussed the "Expanding Your Horizons" conference on WMOT-FM. TR Dr. Austin Cheney, director of the Concrete Industry Management program, was interviewed on WMOT-FM regarding the grant awarded the department by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to study ultra-thin whitetopping. TR Dr. Preston MacDougal, Chemistry, discussed his Honors Lecture topic, "Structure of a Scientific Revolution," on WMOT-FM. Business The Economic Outlook Conference was announced in the Heart of Tennessee and on WMOT-FM. Dr. Jeff Clark, Computer Information Systems and Democratic candidate for Senate, has challenged Sen. Bill Frist to three televised debates before the general election, the Knoxville News-Sentinel reported . The Knoxville News-Sentinel published an article regarding Democratic Senate candidate Clark's denial of harassment charges. The Memphis Commercial Appeal noted that Clark's name is not well known, which could hurt his chances in the election. In the Chattanooga Free Press, Clark expressed his support for veterans in response to the Veterans for Good Government endorsement of Sen. Bill Frist. Clark was quoted in a Tennessean article regarding the controversy over party members donating money to opposing party candidates. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Clark proposed a campaign reform plan that could create a national endowment to help pay for federal office campaigns. Dr. Richard Hannah and Charles Baum II, Economics and Finance, were quoted in The Tennessean about the need for labor unions in the 21st century. Dr. Al DePrince, director, Business and Economic Research Center, was on Open Line with Chris Clark, News 5 Plus, discussing the national and state economic trends. TR Page 3 Education and Behavioral Science Dr. Belinda Traughber, Psychology, was interviewed on WLAC-FM regarding kids cheating. TR MTSU is one of three sponsors developing an "Education In Industry" program to begin Summer 2001, the Heart of Tennessee reported. Dr. Race Bergman, chair of Elementary & Special Education, was interviewed by The Tennessean regarding home schooling. TR Liberal Arts Dr. Mark Byrnes, Political Science, spoke on Odyssey Weekly, a weekly television program that generates thoughtful debate and discussion of current moral, ethical, spiritual, and cultural issues. Dr. Kevin Breault, Sociology, was interviewed by Dan Item on WLAC-AM regarding schools holding "a moment of silence." TR Dr. John Vile, Political Science, was quoted in an article in The Cleveland Plain Dealer regarding books he has written on the Constitution amendment process. Walt Litaker Jr., age 71, retired from the construction business in 1997, and then came back to school, graduating this past spring with a master's degree in history. He is now an adjunct professor teaching American history , reported the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Mass Communication WWTN-FM interviewed Dr. Larry Burriss, Journalism, concerning biased political coverage. In his weekly commentary on WMOT-FM, Burriss addressed the following topics: "Insensitivity in the potato patch," "Subliminal Ads," and "Presidential Debates." Gary Wolf was quoted in The Tennessean about the role the Green Party plays in the presidential election. Student Affairs Joseph Dey, Neill-Sandler Scholarship recipient, is scheduled to appear on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, announced The Tennessean and Memphis Commercial Appeal. Susan Wilson, finance major, expressed her appreciation for the money raised at the Jack O. Weatherford Chair of Finance Golf Tournament, which sponsored the scholarship she received, in the Heart of Tennessee. Lynn Hearn, junior, was interviewed on WMOT-FM regarding the recent visit of the Genocide Awareness Project at the university. Three students interviewed by WMOT-FM expressed their sentiments concerning Dr. Walker's departure. General Interest The Tennessean reported fall full-time enrollment makes MTSU the largest school in the Board of Regents system. "CALLING GROUND, American Camp Meeting," is the exhibit in the Baldwin Photographic Gallery, announced The Tennessean and Nashville Scene. According to the latest edition of the U.S. News & World Report, MTSU is ranked in the fourth tier, The Tennessean reported. The Tennessee Highland Games were announced on WMOT-FM and in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Two articles in The Tennessean announced Bruce Nemerov, Center for Popular Music, will perform in the 12th annual Southern Folklife Festival. Page 4 (General Interest, Metropolitan, con't.) Sen. Andy Womack wants to direct limited state funds to MTSU if the University of Memphis delays project plans for which the money was allotted, the Commercial Appeal reported. Sen. Womack was quoted in a Chattanooga Times article regarding a proposal that would allow Georgia students to attend Tennessee schools at in-state tuition costs. MTSU is one of two public universities in Tennessee to report enrollment increases this fall semester, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. A $116,000 grant provided by the U.S. Justice Department will allow the MTSU Police Department to hire an officer for the Campus School, WMOT-FM reported. The President's Ball was announced on WMOT-FM. Doug Williams, director of News & Public Affairs, discussed the events to be held during the "James E. Walker Day," with WMOT-FM. Two representatives from the Homecoming Committee discussed the activities of Homecoming Week on WMOT-FM to encourage all organizations to participate. LOCAL NEWS Administration Dr. R. Eugene Smith, vice president of Business and Finance at the University of Memphis, has been named interim president at MTSU, noted the Lebanon Democrat, Bristol Herald Courier, Wilson World, Southern Standard, Greeneville Sun, and Hickman Co. Times. Sidelines interviewed Smith about his upcoming interim duties. The DNJ featured Smith in its Viewpoint section. President Walker expressed his confidence in Smith to the DNJ. Carlene Henry, executive assistant to Walker, will take a year's leave of absence from MTSU to work with Walker at Southern Illinois, announced the DNJ. The DNJ and Tullahoma News announced the events scheduled at MTSU to pay tribute to Walker before his departure. A reception held to bid Walker and his wife Gwenn farewell was reported in the DNJ, Tullahoma News, and Lewisburg Tribune. A editorial appeared in the DNJ commending Walker for his character, leadership, and administrative abilities. Qualifications for a permanent president were approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents, and several board members were named to the search committee, noted the DNJ. Athletics Athletic Director Lee Fowler moves up on the list of prospects for athletic director at North Carolina State University, the DNJ reported. A subsequent DNJ article noted Fowler had accepted the position at North Carolina State. Fowler is expected to be named the Chairman of the NCAA men's basketball selection committee, noted the DNJ. Fowler was pictured, with his family, in the DNJ packing his belongings as he prepared to leave MTSU. Mark Owens, director, Sports Media Relations, expects MTSU to name an interim athletic director in "two to three weeks," the DNJ reported. Former football coach Boots Donnelly will act as interim athletic director, noted the DNJ. Page 5 (Athletics, Local, con't.) A editorial appeared in the DNJ commending Fowler for his character and administrative abilities. Graduate student Andrew Owusu, and three alumni students, will represent their home country, Ghana, in the Olympic Games in Sydney, reported the DNJ. In conjunction with MTSU and the Rutherford County Board of Education, the National HealthCare Sports Medicine group wants to keep county athletes healthy by having an MTSU graduate assistant trainer on site for practices and sporting events, noted the Rutherford Courier. Basic and Applied Sciences MTSU's Miller Horse Coliseum will have only 4,500 fixed seats, 1,500 less than originally expected, to stay within the construction budget, the DNJ reported. Dr. Harley Foutch, director, Agribusiness and Agriscience, offered some suggestions in a DNJ article for maintaining lawns during changing seasons. TR The DNJ featured an article on two robots donated to MTSU's engineering, technology and industrial studies department by Saturn Corp. Students and staff from the School of Nursing will participate in the Fall Health Fair at St. Clair Street Senior Center, the DNJ announced. Nursing student Andrea Primm was pictured in the DNJ taking a participant's blood pressure at the St. Clair Street Senior Center Health Fair, which was co-sponsored by MTSU. Aviation Specialists, Inc., strictly operated by MTSU graduates and students, is a new flight instruction business at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport that offers courses to the public, reported the DNJ. The Concrete Industry Management department received a grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to evaluate ultra-thin whitetopping, a new form of concrete used for repairing and reconditioning asphalt, reported the DNJ. The Computer Science Department was the recipient of a monetary donation from the Square D Co., reported the Rutherford Courier. Business The Economic Outlook Conference will feature several speakers, including Dr. Albert DePrince Business and Economic Research Center, and present the Jennings A. Jones Champion of Free Enterprise Award, announced in the DNJ. Dr. Bill Ford, holder of the Weatherford Chair of Finance, and Dr. Ken Hollman, Martin Chair of Insurance, were quoted in the DNJ about retirement savings. The Tommy T. Martin Chair of Insurance endowment is over a $1 million, and a goal of $1,250,000 has been set for the year 2005, according to Hollman, the DNJ reported. The Lebanon Democrat announced local resident Jim Lancaster is one of four insurance professionals to be inducted into the Robert E. Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame. The topics to be discussed during the first session meeting of Leadership Middle Tennessee were listed in the DNJ. MTSU's Mid-State Economic Indicator newsletter was noted in the Franklin Review-Appeal. TR Dr. Jeff Clark, Computer Information Systems, has challenged Sen. Bill Frist to three televised debates before the general election, the Cleveland Daily Banner reported . The DNJ interviewed Clark on his campaign finance reform plan. Lee Martin, president of Tennessee Technology Development Corp., told those attending the Economic Outlook Conference that the "best and brightest (students) leave" the state instead of staying here to develop and start up their own companies, reported the DNJ. Page 6 Education and Behavioral Science Dr. Bob Womack, Education, expressed his gratitude for being honored with an award named in memory of Dr. Joe Nunley, his best friend, noted the DNJ. Dr. Bill Whitehill, HPERS, will again serve as a trainer in this summer's Olympic games, the DNJ reported. Dr. Patrick McCarthy, industrial organizational psychology, talked to the DNJ about his class on employee motivation. Liberal Arts Dr. Doug Heffington, Geography and Geology, will present a seminar entitled "Landscape Archaeology: Civil War Example," during the Archaeology Awareness Week at Stones River National Battlefield, the DNJ noted. The DNJ announced Heffington has been named the recipient of the 2000 Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy, a $2,500 award used to provide 50 state educators with hands-on, geography-based activities. Dr. Robert Hood, Philosophy, offered tips on business ethics in the DNJ. A six-week long workshop, "Family Caregiving: Across the Life Span," will be presented by Dr. James E. Taylor, Social Work, at the St. Clair Street Senior Center, the DNJ announced. Tanya Tewell, Art, was pictured, with sophomore Natasha Knight, in the DNJ holding her class outdoors. The University Wire (Sidelines) featured an article on Dr. Allen Hibbard, English, and his five-year project of translating an Arabic novel, "A Banquet for Seaweed," into English. Dr. Kevin Smith, Sociology and Anthropology, will present a program on the states newest state park, Sellars Farm, at Old Stone Park during Tennessee Archaeological Awareness Week, reported the Tullahoma News. The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, will have an Archaeology Day during that same week, noted the Sparta Expositor and Lewisburg Tribune. Two free concerts, one featuring a program of music composed entirely by American composers, and a jazz concert featuring the Aliquo/Landry Quartet will be presented in the Wright Music Hall, reported the DNJ. The MTSU Concert Chorale, the MTSU Wind Ensemble, two harps, two pianos, and organ will combine musical power to perform an inspirational tribute to MTSU music pioneers Neil and Margaret Wright, announced the DNJ. Walt Litaker Jr., age 71, retired from the construction business in 1997, and then came back to school, graduating this past spring with a master's degree in history. He is now an adjunct professor teaching American history, reported the Jackson Sun, Greeneville Sun, Paris Post-Intelligencer, Bristol Herald Courier, and Johnson City Press. Student Affairs The Rutherford Courier and DNJ announced the names of county high school students who were awarded scholarships from MTSU. The DNJ recognized two students from Cannon County who received Presidential Scholarships from MTSU. Two students from Cannon County were among 83 MTSU Provost scholarship recipients, the Cannon Courier reported. Nichole Maraschiello and Caron Lovvorn were awarded scholarships through funds raised at the President's Ball, the Rutherford Courier and DNJ reported. Ron Akins, Stephen Watkins, and James Peoples, MTSU freshmen, discussed their new clothing line venture with the DNJ. Page 7 (Student Affairs, Local, con't.) The DNJ, Morristown Citizen Tribune, Athens Post-Athenian, Cookeville Herald-Citizen, Oak Ridger, Johnson City Press, Rutherford Courier, and Columbia Daily Herald announced the appearance of Joseph Dey, Neill-Sandler Scholarship winner, on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. Dey will also receive a full scholarship from one of the shows sponsors, Kellogg's. Betsy Thompson, color guard member, was pictured in the DNJ practicing her routine in the shade of the Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium. The Tennessee Farm Bureau News announced Jessica Williams was named a state runner-up in the Collegiate Discussion Meet at the annual Young Farmer Conference. The Cannon Courier and the Trenton Herald-Gazette recognized local students who participated in the first MTSU McNair Scholars Program consisting of 14 undergraduates. The Southern Standard announced the graduation of Heather Janel Johnson. Kurt Regester and Nidza Castillo, graduate students, will participate in the Arnold Engineering Development Center Summer Intern Program, the DNJ announced. Police are searching for MTSU student Audra Nicole Sheppard, who was reported missing, according to the DNJ. Kimberly Nicole Cooper was pictured in the Columbia Daily Herald as she received her diploma from President Walker during the spring commencement ceremony. Leslie Burton received the Schoenbaum Scholarship, named for Joseph Schoenbaum, co-founder of Shoney's, noted the Rutherford Courier. Students in the summer graduating class were noted in the Jefferson City Standard Banner, Dunlap Tribune, Brownsville States-Graphic, Jasper Journal, Manchester Times, Henderson Independent, Humbolt Courier Chronicle, Lenior City News-Herald, Crossville Chronicle, Milan Mirror Exchange, Southern Standard, Paris Post Intelligencer, Franklin Review-Appeal, and Roane Co. News. The summer Dean's List was noted in the Southern Standard, Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Dickson Herald, Tullahoma News, Carthage Courier, Springfield Times, and Henderson Independent. Three horse science students are pictured in the DNJ riding their horses through the James Union Building parking lot. Geology student Jessica Cook has started a curbside re-cycling program in Murfreesboro, noted the DNJ. Several students were pictured painting during their art class in the DNJ General Interest The DNJ announced MTSU's Founders' Day and the unveiling of the new official class ring. President's Ball co-chairs Jean Moser and Liz Rhea were pictured in the DNJ and Lebanon Democrat announcing the annual scholarship fundraising event. The recent visit of Spitfire, a grassroots forum for political, social, and issue-oriented discussion, to MTSU appeared in the DNJ. The September 2000 issue of Main Street announced the annual "Rally in the Alley," which MTSU co-sponsors. Proposed qualifications for the next university president will be presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents, the DNJ reported. Compared to last year, MTSU gained more than 200 first-time freshmen while UT-Knoxville lost about that same number, reported the DNJ. The Division of Continuing Studies and Public Service is offering a financial services course entitled "Maximizing Your Income for Later Years," an AutoCAD course for technical training and certification, and two CPS courses, announced the DNJ, Lebanon Page 8 (General Interest, Local, con't.) Democrat, and Shelbyville Times-Gazette. The Rutherford Courier published an article regarding the search for an interim president. A editorial appeared in the DNJ commending President James Walker and Athletic Director Lee Fowler for their character and administrative abilities. The Tullahoma News published an article about the involvement of MTSU in the Elderhostel program. Murfreesboro Magazine announced the President's Ball, and the theme for homecoming, "Rockin and Rollin with the Raiders." New officers were named at the Fall Reception of the Dames Club. The meeting was Gwenn Walker's last time to open her home to the club before she leaves with her husband for Southern Illinois. Janet Estes, from Development and University and Relations, will be president for the 2000-2001 year. The Tennessee Highland Games will be celebrated on campus Oct. 7, a day of dancing, music, and games, noted the DNJ, Oak Ridger, and Newport Plain Talk. MTSU's fall enrollment makes it the second largest of the six universities in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, noted the Tullahoma News, Cookeville Herald-Citizen, and Jackson Sun. "CALLING GROUND, American Camp Meeting," is an exhibit in the Baldwin Photographic Gallery, was announced in the DNJ. Qualifications for a permanent president were approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents, and several board members were named to the search committee, noted the DNJ.