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The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
William J. "Joe" Bales, who has served as assistant vice president for corporate and foundation relations at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will become the new vice president for development and university relations at MTSU effective Oct. 1, announced MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee. "This is an exciting time at MTSU, and I am pleased that Joe Bales has accepted the position as vice president of this highly important division within the university," McPhee said. "The university is moving forward in many areas and is building a national reputation as one of the major comprehensive universities in the nation. I am confident that Joe will provide the outstanding leadership necessary to advance MTSU in significant ways." Bales brings 14 years experience in fund raising and institutional advancement, having served in his most recent role for more than five years. In that role, he was responsible for developing cultivation and solicitation plans for more than 30 major corporations—and providing leadership to all appropriate colleges and constituent development offices. His accomplishments included the creation of a formal corporate partnership plan, the development of an annual-giving blueprint and the launching of an "executive briefing" newsletter for the campus. Earlier, from 1993 to 1997, Bales was director of development for the university's College of Engineering. During that time, he directed the college's 21st Century Campaign that raised more than $34 million in gifts and pledges from alumni, friends and corporations. The annual average for total giving increased from $2 million to $4.5 million. He also developed a tracking/management system for the college's gift funds composed of more than 200 gift accounts and a $15 million endowment. Before that, Bales served for four years as associate director of institutional advancement for the university's Institute of Agriculture, then later became director of development. He earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in agriculture from UT-Knoxville and served as a graduate teaching assistant and as an instructor in the Department of Animal Science. "As a native of this state, I strongly believe
in the value of higher education and am committed to working to strengthen
our educational system," Bales said. "The chance to assist MTSU
in meeting the future needs of Tennessee is an exciting challenge. My
wife, Valerie, and I are excited to be joining the MTSU family and look
forward to working with Dr. McPhee, the university community and MTSU’s
students and alumni in moving MTSU to the top tier of America’s comprehensive
universities." Bales added that he has developed an interactive management
style that supports the collaborative advancement process, promotes individual
accountability and encourages a high standard of productivity for all
involved.
The Record, August 19,
2002, V11.03
New Dean Dr. Anantha S. Babbili, a specialist in international
communication, wants to bring a global distinction to all divisions of
the College of Mass Communication. He discussed some of his future plans for the college
and how those plans relate to the general public. Media’s sensitivity to ethnic diversity issues needs to expand, and this sensitivity can begin with future journalists who are attending MTSU, Babbili said. The media can bring issues in international politics to the forefront of the American public, he said. Such issues include terrorism. Babbili not only has intellectual expertise as a specialist in international communication, but he has experience on an emotional level to address certain issues as well. Babbili is from India, and he said his appearance leads to stereotyping by some. Babbili was stopped by Texas police at random three times after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Police told Babbili he was stopped for speeding when
he was actually driving the speed limit. Police asked him whether the
car he was driving was his. He would like to educate people to be sensitive to other cultures. Media can be responsible for raising that sensitivity, he said. "It’s my personal agenda to bring out that
invisible segment," Babbili said. "The day after Sept. 11, I was on PBS live nationally with Bill Moyers," said Babbili, who discussed the fear that American minorities were feeling after Sept. 11. But even after the high-profile broadcast and being a well-known educator in Texas, Babbili still faced stereotyping by law enforcement-not one but three times. "It could happen there. It could happen anywhere else," he said. In another incident, Babbili was giving a presentation at an Islamic mosque on how American media stereotype Muslims. As he was nearing the mosque, he observed a law enforcement officer driving slowly behind him. "Being a Christian, that bothers me. I like to be secular minded and respect other traditions and faiths," Babbili said. Babbili plans a faculty and staff retreat to discuss
ideas for the future of the college. "Enrollment management is one area to explore,"
Babbili said. Babbili has connections with the BBC and newspapers in locations like London, Moscow, Japan and Bombay. International partnerships can provide faculty and students with an opportunity to understand other cultures, he said. "All of these things have that interplay," Babbili said. "If we don’t facilitate that understanding, we’ll be in a less than desirable situation." Babbili sees his leadership role as an advocate for the college. He sees himself as a team player with other deans at the university. He does believe the college needs an associate dean. "It allows the dean to dream, to reach out to the community and nurture funding possibilities," Babbili said. Additional advanced degree programs for the college will also be considered, and he does acknowledge the college needs more space, faculty and other resources. He was attracted to MTSU for several reasons. The College of Mass Communication is large in terms of size, has had good leadership and has excellent facilities, Babbili said. Its proximity to Nashville and the entertainment industry is a benefit to the college. He’s impressed with the faculty members, many of whom have written and edited textbooks. Before arriving at MTSU officially on Aug. 1, Babbili was professor in the TCU Department of Journalism. He also served as chairman of the Journalism Department at TCU for 11 years. Babbili has presented papers at various conferences worldwide and also served as head of TCU’s International Communication Sequence in Fort Worth. He completed his undergraduate studies at Osmania University in India, and received a master of arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He’s married and has two daughters. Babbili is also a writer, editor and reporter and wants to continue to write columns. He’s also a percussionist, particularly playing
the Congo drums. "Time permitting, I like to jam with students or
faculty who have similar interests," he said. PHOTO
The Record,
August 19, 2002, V11.03
An historical marker commemorating the acquisition of the original land for the MTSU campus will be dedicated at a Founders Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Alumni Center. Descendants of the Harrison and Black families, who owned the original land, will be special guests. A free breakfast reception will follow the ceremony. The campus community and the general public are invited. No reservations are required. The 25th anniversary of the June Anderson Women's Center also will be observed that day with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. State Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, will be the luncheon speaker. Harper was the recipient of the first Woman of Achievement Community Service Award presented by the JAWC's Women's Leadership Conference in 1996. The founders of the women's center also will be feted. The luncheon costs $15 for faculty, staff and community,
and $10 for students with ID. To make reservations, call 615-898-5015
no later than Aug. 30.
The Record, August 19,
2002, V11.03
For the first time, Augusto! will be open to
all full-time university employees. Parking is limited. Carpooling is encouraged. Dress is casual. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Letters for Augusto! have been distributed to
all full-time employees from the Office of the President. Letters should
be returned by Aug. 19 to campus mail Box 130, or call Brenda Wunder at
615-898-5002, or e-mail her at bwunder@mtsu.edu.
The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
VSA arts is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting artistic excellence and providing educational opportunities through the arts for children and adults with disabilities. Each year, VSA arts brings the power of the arts into the lives of more than 5.5 million people with disabilities. Founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith as an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the organization offers comprehensive programs in music, dance, drama, creative writing and visual arts. These programs are implemented through a network of affiliates across the United States and in 83 countries worldwide. However, there was one state where VSA was not represented by an affiliate, and that state was Tennessee. Tennessee has a population of 5.7 million people, according to the 2001 census report. Twenty percent of those individuals or (1,148,004) have some sort of disability, according to the Disability Information Office. Disabilities are not restricted to gender, ethnicity, age or social class. No one is exempt from the possibility of a disability striking his or her life or the life of a loved one. This is an issue that affects us all. In fall 2001, VSA International contacted me and asked me if I would consider forming an affiliate for Tennessee in order for its citizens to begin receiving some of the programs and services that other states have been enjoying for 20 years. I had served as executive director for a regional arts council in Indiana for more than 11 years—and as a musician trained by VSA to work in educational settings, so I agreed to the challenge and contacted MTSU to act as the organization’s fiscal agent. By January 2002, the organization was ready to take shape. The first step was to conduct a needs assessment of statewide agencies that serve people with disabilities, arts organizations and schools to determine current programming for people with disabilities and areas where programming is most needed. After this process was completed, the organization’s foundation was developed, including the bylaws, board recruitment, long-range plan and budget. This summer, I was privileged to attend a national VSA arts conference in Washington, D.C. While there, I had the opportunity to meet with some of the state’s representatives and senators. VSA arts also participated in a conference presented by the Tennessee Arts Commission. We provided a music activity day for children involved with Project HELP at MTSU and supplied art supplies for a project at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. VSA arts of Tennessee will begin to offer programs and services this fall with the development of a Ticket Bank. Through the Ticket Bank, VSA arts will work with art agencies in offering free admission tickets to selected organizations that serve people with disabilities. In 2003, VSA arts will offer mini-grants for art projects that directly impact people with disabilities. In addition, the organization plans to offer an art exhibition aimed at increasing awareness of disabilities, in-service training opportunities for educators, a quarterly newsletter and a festival. Most of the activities in 2003 will focus on Middle Tennessee as the organization continues to grow. The organization plans to offer programs and services throughout the entire state beginning in 2004. To find out more about VSA arts of Tennessee or to become involved, contact Kissinger at 615-826-5252 or at userk7706@aol.com. Lori Kissinger is an adjunct instructor in
the Department of Speech and Theatre at MTSU.
The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
Honors lecture series to begin Last fall, new MTSU President Sidney McPhee made a point to visit the University Honors College lecture series. This fall, instead of being a visitor, he will be a presenter. In the new series on "Our Shrinking Planet," McPhee will address "What Does it Mean to Be Educated in a Global Community?" McPhee's lecture will take place at 3 p.m. Oct. 21 in Peck Hall 109-A. The honors lectures are open and free to the public, all in the same room at the same time. "Dr. McPhee has traveled all around the planet," said Dr. John Paul Montgomery, dean, honors college. "He has been to China earlier this year. He has been about the planet making speeches." "'Our Shrinking Planet' would have dynamic implications on the whole educational system," added Montgomery. "We have to all learn more about technology. Dr. McPhee is very qualified to talk about this. … The whole concept of education would be altered as this process (shrinkage) takes place. … How will we ensure that our students will meet the challenges facing us? I'm guessing he will look at these issues." Montgomery has lined up a wide range of topics and MTSU faculty to address current hot topics. University Honors College Fall 2002 Lecture Series "Our Shrinking Planet" titles and presenters follow.
A photography exhibit titled "Fifty Houses," featuring the works of Sandy Sorlien, will be the next headline event for the MTSU Baldwin Photographic Gallery. The announcement of the upcoming exhibit was made by Tom Jimison, professor, electronic media communication, and gallery director. This exhibit, comprised of 50 16-inch x 20-inch silver gelatin black-and-white prints, will be on display from Sept. 5 until Oct. 10 in the McWherter Learning Resources Center, Jimison said. Sorlien will also give a slide/lecture presentation at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in LRC 221. A reception will be held in the gallery after the lecture. Sorlien teaches photography at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she holds the rank of Master Lecturer, and has also taught at Moore College of Art, Philadelphia University, Swarthmore College and Peters Valley Craft Center. She was trained as a painter and printmaker at the Putney School and Bennington College in Vermont; otherwise, she has been a lifelong Philadelphia resident, Jimison said. Her personal photography projects include "Fifty Houses," a series of house portraits shot in every state in the country; "Imagining Antarctica," plastic camera pictures taken in the Northeastern states; "Beyond the Tree Line," panoramic landscapes of the plains, desert, ocean and tundra; "Manayunk: A Neighborhood Journal," a collaboration with writer Elizabeth Kostova; and (in progress) "The Heart of Town: Main Streets in America." Her book, "Fifty Houses: Images From the American Road," will be published in September by Johns Hopkins University Press, Jimison said. Sorlien's photographs are in the collections of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Smart Museum at the University of Chicago and the Center for American Places in Virginia. Sorlien has exhibited throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally since 1984, with one-person shows at The Print Center, Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, Swarthmore College, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, AIA Headquarters in Washington, the Virginia Foundation for Architecture and many other venues, Jimison said. Her work was included in the 2000 Delaware Art Museum Biennial. She has received several grants, including two fellowships in Photography from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, in 1999 and 1990, and a Pennsylvania S.O.S. Project Grant in 2000. Sorlien recently was elected to the National Board of Directors of the Society for Photographic Education and will chair the 2004 SPE National Conference in Newport, R.I. The conference theme will be "Photography and Place." Additionally, she is a member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, a professional coalition working toward better placemaking in America. Exhibit hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturdays and from 6 to 9:45 p.m. Sundays. Exhibit and lecture are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jimison at 615-898-2085.
The Record, August 19,
2002, V11.03
The MTSU Alumni Association and the Alumni Relations Office will be distributing royal blue and silver Mardi Gras beads this fall to promote school spirit. To further increase Blue Raider spirit, alumni, staff, students and supporters are invited to attend pregame rallies sponsored by the alumni association and the alumni office. Look for the blue alumni tents and cheer on the Blue Raiders in a quest for the Sun Belt Bowl in New Orleans. Bring your lawn chairs and other tailgating items and support the Blue Raiders. Stop by the alumni tent at all home games to receive your Blue Raider beads. Pregame rallies are scheduled before the following away games:
(A special Blue Raider event will be held Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Country Music Hall of Fame. This special event is co-sponsored by the MTSU National Alumni Association, Blue Raider Athletic Association and MTSU Foundation.) For information, contact the alumni office at 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) or www.mtalumni.com. For game tickets, call 1-888-YES-MTSU (937-6878).
The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
The Record, August 19,
2002, V11.03
Get to campus early, carry your campus map, look for signs, heed the speed limit and head to the east side for the best parking. That's the message in a nutshell to all commuters during the first week of school. Exercising patience, showing kindness and adhering to all parking regulations also will be keys to finding relative happiness as the campus population multiplies overnight. Department of Parking and Transportation Services officials are preparing to provide help and directions, distribute campus maps, post signs, set up sawhorses, point out available parking, and, when necessary, place citations on windshields. It's a tough but necessary job in order to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. Officials urge everyone to heed the campus speed limit of 15 mph. During the first week, orange-vested parking attendants will be on duty from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to indicate when lots are full and to direct drivers to alternative parking sites. Attendants will be stationed at Murphy Center, Bell Street, the gravel lot adjacent to the Recreation Center and the Tennessee Livestock Center. The best advice from administration is to head to the east side of the campus. A new gravel student lot with 500 spaces has been constructed at the northwest corner of Rutherford and MTSU boulevards on the east side of campus. Other lots on the east side include the livestock center, Recreation Center, and lots adjacent to Abernathy and Ezell halls and the library, the lots along Blue Raider Drive, and the large lots directly across from Scarlett Commons. All commuters are encouraged to park in perimeter
lots and take the Raider Xpress shuttle to the campus core. There are
three distinct bus routes. Please heed all yellow curbs and emergency
parking zones as well as disabled parking spaces. Bicyclists are reminded
that bike racks will be located throughout the campus. Bikes should not
be locked to trees, stair railings, fences, signposts or disability ramps.
The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
MTSU has been awarded a five-year, $1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education to help disadvantaged students graduate from high school and pursue college degrees. U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, MTSU alumnus, made the announcement July 11. "A good education is a crucial component to a person's success," Gordon said in a news release. "Today's high-tech job market demands skills that require a higher level of learning. And because they are this nation's greatest asset, our children deserve an education second to none. "The grant will allow MTSU to put more resources into helping young Middle Tennessee students with disadvantaged backgrounds understand the necessity of getting a quality education," Gordon added. "We cannot afford to scrimp on their educations or this nation's ability to remain the world's most productive and innovative society." MTSU will work with school systems in Grundy, Warren and Coffee counties, said Dr. Tom Cheatham, dean, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, and project director. "This is actually in (Congressman) Van Hilleary's district," Cheatham said. "But these are three counties closest to us with a great need. The grant will help us provide services to disadvantaged students and their families and to try to reduce dropout rates." The grant, which will be funded with $190,000 for the first year, primarily will be for middle and high school students, he said. "All total, it will serve about 600 students,"
Cheatham said. "This will help keep them in school and graduate,
and get them to think about college. … We want to expose them to
educational opportunities outside of Grundy, Warren and Coffee counties." Academic, financial, career or personal counseling, including advice on entry or re-entry to secondary or post-secondary programs;
"We want to provide information on how to go to college free," Cheatham said. "Most of these students don't know how to get financial aid." The grant will provide funding for a full-time person to live and work in each of the three counties plus a coordinator and a secretary at MTSU, said Cheatham. He added that he and the MTSU staff will work with middle school and high school staff and guidance counselors to organize the activities in a way that will benefit the students. For more information, call Cheatham at 615-898-2613.
The Record, August 19,
2002, V11.03
Eighteen MTSU faculty members and one staff member were recognized by the MTSU Foundation and university community for their outstanding achievements and contributions during MTSU's annual Fall Faculty Meeting on Aug. 16. "It's an honor to be able to acknowledge and reward the professional and public contributions of those within MTSU's higher education community," said Mark Pirtle, current foundation president. "These individuals' respective contributions to our community are invaluable—many benefit from all that they do." Receiving the Outstanding Public Service Award were faculty members Dr. Catherine D. Stogner, assistant professor, human sciences; Dr. Paula B. Thomas, professor, accounting; and Dr. Timothy R. Graeff, associate professor, management and marketing; as well as staff member Deborah Roberts, director, finance and administration. This year's four Outstanding Public Service Award recipients were selected from 32 nominees. Each winner of the PSA honor will receive $3,000, funded by the foundation and the Office of the President. A member of the MTSU biology faculty since 1964, Dr. Marion R. Wells, professor, was presented with the 2002 Career Achievement Award, which includes a $5,000 stipend from the foundation. This honor is presented to a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated profound, sustained and high-quality contributions in the areas of teaching, innovation, publication and research/creative activity, as well as service to the university, the community and the profession. Pirtle also presented the Distinguished Research Award to MTSU's Dr. Emily N. Zietz, associate professor, economics and finance; Dr. Stephen Schmidt, professor, psychology; and Dr. Gary P. Wulfsberg, professor, chemistry, as well as the Creative Activity Award to John P.J. Hill, professor, recording industry. The Outstanding Achievement In Instructional Technology Award was bestowed upon three MTSU faculty—Dr. Patricia A. O'Leary, associate professor, nursing; Dr. Mary C. Enderson, associate professor, mathematical sciences; and Dr. Jacqueline Gilbert, assistant professor, management and marketing. Five members of MTSU's teaching community were given the Outstanding Teacher Award. Those honored with this award were Mary Jane Lavender, assistant professor, nursing; Dr. Margaret A. Fontanesi-Seime, associate professor, social work; Dr. Patricia M. Patterson, assistant professor, chemistry; and Drs. Kathleen M. Therrien, assistant professor, and Robert Petersen, associate professor, both members of the English faculty. Each recipient of the Distinguished Research Award, Outstanding Achievement In Instructional Technology Award, Outstanding Teacher Award and the Creative Activity Award also received $3,000 as part of the award. Dr. Rebekah Alexander, assistant professor, elementary and special education, and Dr. Troy Festervand, associate dean of graduate and executive education and professor of marketing, were this year's winners of the Foundation's Special Projects Awards. Festervand was awarded $9,000 to begin the Institute
for Diversity Training and Executive Education, while Alexander was awarded
$1,000 to expand the Reach Out & Read of Middle Tennessee program
to the Rutherford County Health Department in Murfreesboro. The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
YOUNGSTER BUYS TOYS FOR PROJECT HELP—Hannah Fitch, 9, daughter of Dr. Gene Fitch, associate dean of student life, saved her pennies for 13 months and collected $175. She wanted to use her money to do something for others. Her father suggested MTSU's Project HELP program, and Hannah liked the idea. Here Hannah is helping Project HELP children Rory, left, and Nathan open another box of toys that she personally selected and purchased. Rory has already claimed the engineer's seat on the brand new Thomas the Tank Engine. Hannah is a fourth-grade student at Cason Lane Academy.
The Record, August 19, 2002,
V11.03
Accelerated cadet program looking for candidates The Army ROTC isn't for everyone, and that's just the way Lt. Col. Todd Overby wants it, as the military science department rolls out a new program geared to exceptional juniors and seniors. "We are looking for exceptional junior and senior candidates with no formal military experience for a new program called the Accelerated Cadet Commissioning Training (ACCT)," Overby said. "In the past, the focus for ROTC was a four-year program. But we have found that many students take a year or two before beginning to make firm decisions about their college career. "That eliminated many good candidates, who might have developed an interest in military science, but did not want to enter and be two years behind in the program. This new ACCT program accelerates military training and leadership development, enabling a student to complete all pre-commissioning requirements within two years." The program isn’t open to all upperclassmen, but reserved for only those students meeting the "scholar, athlete and leader criteria," Overby said. Candidates should be in good physical condition, have proven leadership abilities and have at least a 3.0 grade point average. "The department is looking for high caliber Student, Athlete, Leader (SAL) candidates," Overby said. "Good students, who have been involved in a wide range of activities, and have participated in some intensive physical activity generally make the best leaders." Students meeting the SAL criteria will be extremely competitive for a two-year scholarship, up to $600 a year for books and a monthly allowance of $350, said Maj. Bryon Deel, who, with Maj. Chuck Giles, will be active recruiters for the new program. "In addition to the financial benefits while in school, students who successfully complete the program are guaranteed active duty, National Guard or Army Reserve commissions as second lieutenants. For those commissioned in May 2002, pay and allowances for a second lieutenant without prior experience started at $33,000 per year. Within three years, ROTC commissioned officers are making close to $50,000 per year. "This, plus candidates will be entering one of
the top leadership programs for young people, regardless of their future
career choice." For more information about the program, students should contact Deel or Giles at 615-898-2470. or email cgiles@mtsu.edu. |
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