The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

Carlton named interim dean of graduate school

by Doug Williams

Dr. Robert F. Carlton is a persistent man in pursuit of excellence. For more than three decades, while excelling in his teaching duties, he has pursued a research program in nuclear astrophysics aimed at better understanding the forces that govern the nucleus of an atom. His enthusiasm, for teaching and for a basic research program that has been funded continuously by the U.S. Department of Energy for 23 years, is as fresh today as the day he started in 1968.

On July 1, Carlton brought the traits of enthusiasm and persistence to the College of Graduate Studies, as he was named interim vice provost of research and dean.

Carlton had served as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy since 1995. He also spent two years as chair of the Applied Research Task Force, considering ways MTSU could create a vibrant, universitywide research and creative activity environment that would strengthen the academic program. A part of Carlton’s work this next year will be to seek ways and implement strategies for creating such a "research-across-the-curriculum" culture at MTSU.

"If you distill the qualities of a good researcher down to the basics, you will find a person with a deep curiosity that is very persistent," Carlton said. "Doing research is very time intensive and can be expensive and very competitive in some disciplines where funding success rates, of very good proposals, may be only 30 percent.

"The time and energy required for outstanding research can come in conflict with a professor’s teaching load if we fail to intentionally blur the distinction between the two, recognizing that the best learning takes place when students are involved in the "practice" of the discipline. Learning ceases to be theoretical at that point and becomes a way to look at the real world."

During the past academic year, MTSU received about $10 million from externally sponsored research grants. This isn’t a huge total compared to large, established research institutions. But the growth curve is a significant jump from just over $6 million the previous year. Carlton thinks this growth curve at MTSU can continue, but it will take many factors falling into place and persistence.

"Some schools have the wherewithal to ‘purchase’ world class researchers, offering them large budgets, state-of-the-art labs and little or no teaching responsibilities," Carlton said. "MTSU cannot afford to do that. We have to recruit the right faculty who bring or can develop a niche area of research and who, more importantly, love to teach and involve students in their research.”

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has been doing that since 1995, "with laudable success," said Carlton. One physics major, Jeremy Munday, who started his academic career as a recording industry major, was mentored by one of the department researcher-teachers. This student-professor research team published three papers in prestigious physics journals in one year, with the student as the lead author. Munday was awarded a full fellowship to Harvard University after graduation this past May.

"Getting creative researchers working one-on-one with outstanding students will eventually pay off by drawing more attention, respect, and hopefully, external grant dollars to MTSU," Carlton said.

"I hope to lay a foundation for greater excellence during this interim, a foundation that the next vice provost and dean can build upon that will mark MTSU as a student-centered research and creative activity ‘learning incubator’ with a personal touch."

Carlton will fill the void left by the retirement of Dr. Don Curry, vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Carlton earned his bachelor’s from MTSU in 1964 and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 1970.

He joined the MTSU faculty in 1968.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS PROVIDES ARTISTIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES—Students watch a dance by Blair Monroe from Johnson City during ballet class at Governor's School for the Arts, right. Dolly Herciuk of Hendersonville, above, works on a Cheshire Cat during sculpture class. More than 200 talented high school students from across the state are attending the monthlong program, which continues at MTSU through July 12.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

Tuition hike doesn’t keep students away

Board of Regents OKs 14 percent increase

by Angela Cannon Hayes

Even though the cost of attending MTSU continues to increase each year, enrollment keeps growing, and another record number of students is expected this fall, with between 21,500 and 22,300 students, a university official said.

In fall 2002, MTSU had a record 21,163 students, which made it the second largest university in Tennessee.

Significant population growth in the immediate area, growth in the college-age demographics and, most importantly, MTSU’s outstanding academic programs are responsible for the enrollment growth, said Dr. Robert Glenn, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment management.

MTSU is well known for programs in aerospace, mass communication, agribusiness, business and education, among others, Glenn said.

"Why would anyone living close by want to go anywhere else?" he said.

The cost to attend MTSU is still a bargain compared to other states and even other universities in Tennessee, Glenn said.

The Tennessee Board of Regents has approved a 14 percent tuition increase for the 2003-2004 academic year.

MTSU’s in-state, full-time undergraduate tuition was $1,374 per semester or $2,748 per academic year for 2002-2003, and in-state full-time undergraduate tuition will increase about $380 for the 2003-2004 academic year.

So, in-state, full-time undergraduates will pay about $3,128 in tuition to attend MTSU in the 2003-2004 academic year. Tuition doesn’t include other fees or books.

So far, tuition increases haven’t affected registration at MTSU for the fall 2003 semester, according to statistics.

At the end of June, more than 17,000 students had registered for fall 2003 classes, which is about a 10 percent increase over the comparable time last year, said Sherian Huddleston, assistant vice provost, enrollment services. However, the final fall 2003 enrollment increase isn’t expected to be as high as 10 percent.

In April, students who were enrolled in the spring term were encouraged to register early and new student orientation, CUSTOMS, is scheduled differently this year. The enrollment increase reported at census is expected to be 3-5 percent.

The Board of Regents continues to discuss management of higher education enrollment growth in Tennessee, Glenn said.

The Atlanta-based Southern Regional Education Board anticipates a 30 percent growth in the number of graduating high school seniors over the next five years in Tennessee, he said.

Nationwide, 2009 will have the largest high school graduating class in history, Glenn said.

"There’s going to be a large bulge of traditional-age students looking to go to college," Glenn said.

"We’re going to be forced to be increasingly selective in who we admit to the institution," he said.

MTSU isn’t at the point of capping overall enrollment, but if the growing enrollment trend continues, at some point, a cap may be unavoidable, Glenn said.

So far, the only cap that MTSU has established is on freshmen enrollment, which is capped at 150 students, or 5 percent, over last fall’s freshmen class, he said. Caps haven’t been placed on transfer students or returning students.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

MTSU PARTNERS WITH SOUNDS TO PRODUCE TELEVISED GAMES

The Department of Electronic Media Communication is partnering with the Nashville Sounds in the use of the department’s Mobile Production Laboratory.

MTSU students, engineering staff, and EMC faculty member Michael Johnson are producing and televising two Sounds games for PAX-TV.

The first MTSU-produced Sounds game from Nashville’s Greer Stadium was expected to air on July 4, said Dr. Bob Spires, department chairman. Mass Communication Dean Anantha Babbili threw out the ceremonial first pitch to what was expected to be the largest home crowd of the Sounds season.

The next MTSU-produced televised game will air July 9. The game will begin at noon that day, and there will be a one-hour tape delay of the broadcast, Spires said.

PAX-TV is on Comcast Cable Channel 17 on the Murfreesboro cable system, he said.

WMOT-JAZZ89 RAISES FUNDS THROUGH BENEFITS, MEMBERS

WMOT-JAZZ89, the nonprofit, public broadcasting radio station of MTSU, continues its fund-raising efforts with a goal of $30,000.

Currently, $22,000 has been raised. WMOT will also include in its fund-raising total the amount raised from the “Jazz in Cookeville” benefit, which was held in June.

To make a pledge or to renew a membership, go online to www.wmot.org or call 615-898-2800 or 615-255-9071.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

Weiler

“Impressive” describes educational Keys trip

Randy Weiler covers the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and various other areas from the MTSU Office of News and Public Affairs.

KEY LARGO AND KEY WEST, Fla. — “Wow” and “wonderful” are the first two adjectives to describe my first snorkeling experiences.

Then you can add “impressive,” which totally describes the feeling you have as you view all forms of sea life and creatures in the Florida Keys. It’s like swimming inside the Tennessee Aquarium with the fish, and you think you can reach out and touch them with your hand.

Then, you realize it is a monster aquarium, and because of the location of the keys, it can be either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. The water is remarkably clear as you watch all types of fish swim about. They are all colors, shapes and sizes. Even large schools of 1-inch-long fish are impressive.

Visiting the Everglades National Park and Florida Keys turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 11 students taking the biome analysis class taught by Dr. Padgett Kelly, professor, biology.

While the students, most of whom are teachers working on graduate degrees or will become classroom instructors in the next few years, may have sampled seafood during meals, they also received a real taste of sea life and ecology that they will remember for years to come.

Kelly and the NASA-sponsored Tennessee Center for the Advancement of Math, Science and Technology want the educators and education majors to take their new knowledge to the classrooms and fellow teachers in their respective county public school systems.

Their interest in marine biology and ecology of the Florida Keys region may impact and influence their students and fellow teachers, who, in turn, will influence others for decades to come.

While all of it is impressive, you quickly learn how fragile the environment can be. Our snorkeling trip leaders had the same major request: Do not stand on or touch the coral. Touching the coral kills the coral.

Each day got better and better with the planned snorkeling trips and educational activities. The students would read their textbook, "Reef Fish Identification in Florida, the Caribbean and the Bahamas," by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach. Later, they would witness first-hand what they had read.

On a travel day, we fed tarpon. On Big Pine Key, we drove our vans through a residential area where Key Deer, a miniature form of white-tailed deer, roam wild.

Kelly, who was taking his 10th class to the Keys, organized several wonderful snorkeling trips on larger boats. One was to the Dry Tortugas, an area 70 miles southwest of Key West.

The group had plenty of fun. But the memories and educational experiences will last for years to come.



The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

GETTING A TICKET—Rutherford County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Griswold issues a warrant to MTSU Administrative Services team member Linda Puckett for “Talking Too Much” as part of the recent Relay For Life fund raiser on campus recently. The MTSU Administrative Services team passed its $12,000 goal with $12,116. She is putting on an orange jumpsuit.

Fund-raising fun, MTSU team exceeds $12K goal

by Randy Weiler

Some day, Charles Treece will have quite a tale to tell to his grandchildren.

Treece, manager, parking services, can describe in detail how he won the Miss Hairy Universe pageant that was part of the Rutherford County Relay for Life activities June 14-15 on the MTSU intramural fields.

"It was all done for a very worthy cause," Treece said. "My bio that they read said ‘it takes a real man to wear his wife’s clothes.’ When I found out I won, my skirt jumped up (from Treece’s excitement) and everything flew south. I enjoyed it, and hope to win it again next year."

A former college football player, Treece credited Pam Randolph and Jamie Hicks, who were part of the MTSU Administrative Services team, for turning him into a 6-foot-6 Tina Turner for the competition.

Randolph also did much of the Australian theme signage for the Administrative Services campsite, which was named Outstanding Campsite multi-platinum ($9,000-plus funds raised).

"It was very successful," said Deborah Roberts, director, Administrative Services, Office of the Vice President for Business and Finance. "Our team really pulled together to, obviously, reach our goal."

The team passed its $12,000 goal with $12,116. The entire relay grand total was $105,634 raised for the American Cancer Society.

"We really tried to focus on survivors this year," Roberts added. "We will incorporate our team theme — Together We Will Turn Cancer Patients into Survivors — for future relays."

Roberts received the individual fund- raiser award for raising $1,770. She said MTSU received a Gold Sponsor plaque "in kind for all the services we provide for the relay."

Brenda Wunder and Ed DeBoer, coordinators, event coordination, served as co-chairwoman and logistics coordinator, respectively.

Sigma Alpha Iota also participated. It is a service fraternity on campus.

The Administrative Services team’s next fund raiser will be the Fall Arts and Crafts Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1.

For information, contact Tonna Bowie at 615-898-2536.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

MTSU STAR—Former MTSU All-American Fred Niemeyer, shown at left when he played for the Blue Raiders, was the first Blue Raider tennis player to ever qualify for championships at Wimbledon, England. He won the first round but was defeated in the second round. photo from MTSU Athletics

Wimbledon qualifier Former student wins 1st round

from Blue Raider Athletics

Former MTSU All-American Fred Niemeyer jumped out to an early lead and held on to defeat 17th-ranked and 22nd-seeded Felix Mantilla on June 24 in first-round action at The Championships in Wimbledon, England.

Niemeyer won the opening set 6-4 before winning the second set tiebreaker, 8-6. But Mantilla fought back to take the third set 6-4 before forcing a fourth-set tiebreaker.

Niemeyer started quickly in the breaker and won 7-3 to advance to the second round to take on Wesley Moodie.

However, two days later, Niemeyer was defeated as Moodie won in the second round.

Niemeyer, from Canada, is the first Blue Raider tennis player to ever play at Wimbledon. He played at MTSU from 1994 to 1997.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

Hudson

Graduate now works with Titans

Russ Hudson serves as director of information systems

by Tom Tozer

Russ Hudson graduated from MTSU summa cum laude in 1997 with a B.S. degree in computer science and is now plying his skills with the Tennessee Titans as director of information systems.

Hudson's year-round job includes creating electronic playbooks for the coaches and maintaining the team's computer network. Now in his third year with the Titans, Hudson's attention has turned to the NFL draft during the off-season. In April, he worked with the scouting staff to create electronic reports, and from May to August, he will install new servers and work stations and make general upgrades on the network and computer systems at both Baptist Sports Park and the Coliseum. Hudson and his assistant, Bryan McGuire, will also assist with the ticket office and its databases, help the medical staff with special-injury programs and maintain the elaborate telephone system

On game days, Hudson oversees a staff of statisticians that call the official game statistics after each play.

He enters them into a computer and makes sure the information is sent back to Elias Sport Bureau, the official gatekeeper of NFL statistics based in New York City. From there, the stats are sent to affiliates around the country, including major sports outlets like ESPN.

"I was very excited when I got the position here," Hudson said.

"There are so many people who would love to be working for an NFL team, and there are only 31 other people in my position across the league,” he said.

“I feel extremely fortunate and blessed. I wouldn't trade it for anything,” Hudson said.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

Students can still finish their files for fall

by Randy Weiler

Students may complete their files for undergraduate admission or re-admission to MTSU for the fall 2003 term after July 1, said Dr. Sherian Huddleston, assistant vice provost, enrollment services.

July 1 is the date by which undergraduate students must file the application to inform the admissions office they wish to attend for the upcoming term, Huddleston said.

"Once the application for admission is on file, prospective students have additional time to complete their files by submitting transcripts from previous schools attended or other documentation in support of their application," Huddleston said. "MTSU will continue to process all undergraduate applications received by the July 1 deadline and approve for admission those who meet the university admission standards and for whom the university can responsibly provide services."

Applications for undergraduate admission or readmission may be obtained from the MTSU Web site at www.mtsu.edu or by visiting the admissions office in the Cope Administration Building, Room 208. Call 615-898-2111 for questions regarding undergraduate admission.

The July 1 date for application does not apply to those who wish to make application to the College of Graduate Studies for enrollment in master’s and doctoral level courses. For inquiries regarding admission to the College of Graduate Studies, call 615-898-2840.

Classes for the fall term will begin Aug. 18.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

HALL OF FAME BEGINS—Attending the June 19 groundbreaking ceremony for a new Blue Raider Hall of Fame facility are, from left, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, Emmett Kennon Jr., Rose Kennon, James "Boots" Donnelly, James Kennon and Jamie Jamison, Varsity Club president. The new building was made possible by a $1 million gift from Emmett and Rose Kennon. photo by Jack Ross

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CROSSES ROPE BRIDGE—Right, Charles Roshing Jr. encourages his Pearl-Cohn High School classmate Travis O. Williams as he crosses the “One Rope Bridge” as part of camp Gear Up activities at the MTSU campus. Through a grant, Tennessee State and Vanderbilt universities also held activities to introduce inner city high school students to higher education.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

What a way to learn ! MTSU students attend classes in Florida Keys by Randy Weiler News and Public Affairs staff member Randy Weiler accompanied the group on the trip. FLORIDA KEYS—Marine biology knowledge gained by public school teachers Rebekah Barrett, Brenda Pless, Jackie Smith and Doris Stephens here this summer will have an impact on their students and fellow teachers for generations. And the same holds true for future teachers Courtney Cunningham, Megan Davis, Jennifer Riggins and Deanna Smith. They plan to graduate by May 2004 and enter the classroom, where they hope their new sea-life practical experience will have far-reaching implications.
	REAL EXPERIENCE— Rebekah Barrett, top foreground, laughs as fellow public school teacher Jackie Smith feeds a fish to a tarpon near Key West, Fla. Above, Dr. Padgett Kelly, professor, biology, leads teachers and students down a ladder as they head for a snorkeling experience in the Gulf of Mexico west of Key West. MTSU alumnus Dave Moore, left, explains a historical marker at Fort Jefferson during a trip to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson. photos by Randy Weiler

They were part of a group of 12 — 11 students and instructor Dr. Padgett Kelly, professor, biology — who viewed alligators in the Everglades National Park, endangered coral and coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, studied seagrass and mangrove ecology, and snorkeled in order to identify colorful reef fish based on their shape, size and behavior. Candace Cude and Robby Nellums also participated.

"They are here for one reason," Kelly said of the students’ trip. "They are participating in a program sponsored by the Tennessee Center for the Advancement of Math, Science and Technology, which is a NASA-funded program. They are here to learn about the ecology of this unique area and incorporate it into their classroom teaching, with the whole idea that they will take this information and export it back to at least 25 other teachers in their school systems."

"We were immersed literally in the learning process," said McMinnville resident Jackie Smith, a teacher at Hickory Creek Elementary School in Warren County. “We don’t need TV or video games. We should be outside exploring, because it is so fascinating and enjoyable."

Part of the weeklong class was taught by Florida International University doctoral student Dave Moore, a MTSU alumnus (B.S., ’93, master’s, ’95), who was a member of Kelly’s first biome analysis class to come here to study the ecology of the Keys in 1994.

"I am trying to give them a basic overview of the ecological systems and communities of the Keys and how those communities and ecological systems relate to one another," Moore said. "The reefs are affected by the mangroves and vice versa. The Everglades are affected. All systems, as diverse as they are, are all connected and they impact each other. I try to show them the impact humans have on these systems."

"This has been a thrill and a lifelong dream for me, to study underwater systems — reefs, fishes, animals, whatever creatures there are," said Pless, a Shelbyville resident, physical science teacher at Blackman High School and MTSU alumna (B.S., ’81, master’s, ’95). "I want to take the information I get and pictures, cull through them and make a PowerPoint presentation, and make it available for all teachers in Rutherford County."

Kelly said the elementary education majors will gain "a tremendous amount of content material … to help them feel more comfortable teaching math, science and technology."

"We saw a lot we have never seen. It’s easier to teach things you see rather than reading it in a book," said Davis, a Columbia resident and elementary education major, who plans to graduate in May 2004 .

"I benefited from the whole experience," said Cunningham, a Pelham resident, who plans to graduate in fall 2004. "It was hands on seeing things in their natural habitat as opposed to film or slides."

"This will help me in training," she added. "Experience is the best teacher. You can have somebody teach about science and never experience ocean life. I can take this experience and become a more effective teacher."

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

Beautiful music Piano concert series begins Aug. 15

by Lisa L. Rollins

One year after a $1.5 million donation and subsequent purchase of 54 new Steinway pianos for MTSU’s music school, the university will sponsor a three-concert series to commemorate the Steinway gifts and its designation as the first "All-Steinway School" in the state of Tennessee.

Three of Steinway’s top artists—Mac Frampton Trio, Peter Serkin and the Beaux Arts Trio—will join MTSU for three performances to mark the celebration. Frampton will kick off the series with a 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 performance in Tucker Theatre on the MTSU campus. Next, Serkin will perform at 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Music Hall of the Wright Music Building (WMB), while the Beaux Arts Trio will deliver the final performance of the series at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 in the WMB’s Music Hall.

"We are delighted to have artists of such distinction as part of this celebration," said Dr. Raphael Bundage, MTSU professor of choral music and event chairman for the series. "Our goal was to bring artists of international rank to our campus, and we are very pleased that these particular artists have agreed to come fulfill—and even exceed—our expectations."

Bundage said the Frampton concert has been designated as the Presidential Concert/Opening Gala. Hence, the president of Steinway & Sons, Bruce Stevens, has been invited to make the "All-Steinway" plaque presentation to the university during this event. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and other local dignitaries also will be in attendance.

Regarding the newly named Robert W. McLean School of Music, with last fall’s purchase of 54 vertical and grand pianos manufactured by Steinway & Sons of New York, MTSU joined the prestigious ranks of other "All-Steinway Schools" such as The Juilliard School, Oberlin College Conservatory, Vassar College, Beijing's China Conservatory of Music, the Yale School of Music, the University of Melbourne Faculty of Music and the Cranbrook School in Sydney, Australia, among others.

To be designated as an official "All-Steinway School," a college or university's music program must 1) have Steinway pianos in all of its performance spaces and teaching studios; 2) Steinway-designed pianos must be found in all the school's other music classrooms and practice rooms; 3) at least 90 percent of the school's acoustic pianos must be Steinway products; 4) the school can’t participate in "loaner" programs from another piano manufacturer; and 5) a defined service/maintenance program for the pianos must be in place.

"When students practice on a Steinway, they are being prepared to play on the pianos they are most likely to encounter after they graduate," Sally Coveleskie, director of institutional sales for Steinway & Sons, New York, has said.

"It is important to note that Steinway & Sons produces fewer than 1 percent of all concert instruments being manufactured in the world today," she added. "Yet 98 percent of all pianists performing with orchestras last year chose the Steinway exclusively."

General admission tickets for each of the three events are $20 each and available through TicketMaster outlets, said Tim Musselman, coordinator of facilities and publicity for the music school. For more information on the Steinway dedication concert series at MTSU, contact Bundage at 615-898-2849.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

READY TO PLAY — Hiromitsu Rokuya, the rock ’n’ roll stage name of Hiromitsu Kineya, will perform on the shamisen at MTSU on July 14. He is one of Asia’s most innovative musicians. submitted photo

Asian Artist Rokuya performs variety of sounds

by Gina Logue

One of Asia's most innovative, cutting-edge musicians is bringing his blend of traditional Japanese music, rock and rap to MTSU. Hiromitsu Rokuya will demonstrate his unique compositions in a concert and workshop 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 14 at Keathley University Center.

Rokuya (the rock ’n’ roll stage name of Hiromitsu Kineya) was born into a family known for its preservation of classical Japanese performing arts, but he adds his individual style to the traditional experience. When performing classical music, he dresses accordingly. For his rock ’n’ roll appearances, however, Rokuya plays in a futuristic silver costume and headdress.

The founder of his own school, Rokuya plays the shamisen, a three-stringed lute that dates back at least to the 16th century. Its predecessors originated in China and the Ryukyu Islands. The tone of the instrument varies according to string gauges, body sizes and fingerboard thicknesses.

"Originally, this (music) went with kabuki (theater) and also bunraku (puppet shows)," said Dr. Kiyoshi Kawahito, director, Japan-U.S. Program. "But also it can be played independently."

Kawahito attributes Rokuya's popularity to a revival of interest in classical Japanese music among young people over the last 10 years prompted by the economic recession.

Since inventing rock shamisen in 1999, Rokuya's recordings for the Nippon Columbia label have featured the instrument in styles as varied as hip-hop, New Age and Spanish flamenco.

"He plays this contemporary music at major theaters equivalent to Carnegie Hall and the like. Obviously, that means he has quite an audience," Kawahito said.

Three kimono-clad women from the Hanayagi School will dance to some of Rokuya's shamisen songs.

Following the performance, the Japan-U.S. Program will hold a reception and potluck dinner for the performers from 6-8 p.m. at the MTSU Foundation Reception House, 324 West Thompson Lane.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 615-898-2229.

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Surprise reception reveals creation of Rust scholarship

by Lisa L. Rollins

It wasn’t a retirement reception that brought nearly 100 people together to honor Dr. James "Jim" Over Rust—it was even better.

A professor of psychology at MTSU for three decades and counting, Rust recently was honored by colleagues, co-workers, friends, students and family with a surprise reception in the university’s Alumni Center and the creation of a graduate scholarship in his name.

Dr. Susan Sobel, assistant professor, psychology, and graduate student Aimee Holt served as hosts for the reception, where it was announced that a graduate scholarship named for Rust had been created. The scholarship, formally known as the James O. Rust School Psychology Endowed Scholarship, will be awarded to a student enrolled in the school psychology program beginning in the 2003-04 academic year.

During the celebration, "Testimonials were shared by those in attendance (regarding) … the important impact Dr. Rust has had on their lives and the lives of children affected by the services of the school psychologists he has trained for over 30 years," said Holt, who has worked with Rust in MTSU’s school psychology program.

"Having known Jim Rust for five years, I can say he consistently performs his job with grace and good humor and seems to love what he does," Sobel remarked. "It would be hard to find a better colleague, mentor and friend. (And) in spite of the time investment with his job, he has maintained an active family and social life, and the reception gave a great indication of how loved he is by a lot of friends and family."

Although organizers worked hard to keep the appreciation reception and scholarship honor a secret from Rust until the event, he said he definitely knew "something was up" when out-of-state family members began arriving.

"First my sister and brother and their spouses scheduled visits from Pittsburgh, then my folks showed up unexpectedly at the airport," he said.

"My brother said that if I had not sensed that something was about to happen, I would not have deserved the honor," Rust said.

Nevertheless, many are convinced that Rust is more than worthy of the praises that came his way during the recent reception. After all, if it weren’t for Rust, said Sobel, MTSU’s school psychology program "wouldn’t exist without him.

"He created it, started out with two students and has built it into a well-respected graduate program with a regular enrollment of 30-40 students," she said. "The program is recognized as a high-quality one, having received approval from the National Association of School Psychologists in 1991—and largely due to his and (former faculty member) Dr. Jane Brissie's efforts.

"Our graduates are highly sought after in the Middle Tennessee area. The general consensus is, if you made it past Jim Rust, you know what you're doing as a school psychologist."

Thus, because of Rust’s far-reaching impact on MTSU’s psychology program, as well as his contributions to the field of psychology, his "fans" joined forces to create the James O. Rust School Psychology Endowed Scholarship.

"It is more than I could have even imagined," said Rust, referring to the scholarship’s creation. "I feel as if the stars were all in the right order.

"First Randy Floyd, a former MTSU school psychology faculty member who transferred to the University of Memphis, had the idea," he said. "Then Susan Sobel and Aimee Holt, from our current faculty, had to do all of the organizing. Then it took our current 39 students to keep the secret … (and) it took (Dr.) Larry Morris, the chairman of psychology, to support the idea and Kippy Todd from the MTSU Foundation to help with the scholarship paperwork."

And last but not least, "It took Jane Rust, my wife, to organize the family visits. It was a huge effort, and I remain deeply touched by it," James Rust said.

A member of the MTSU faculty since 1973, Rust earned his bachelor’s degree at Lehigh University, his M.A. at the University of Richmond and his Ph.D. at the University of Virginia. During his 30 years at MTSU, he has published more than 36 articles in scholarly publications within his field.

For more information on the Rust scholarship, call 615-898-2706.

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Rigby

Rock music camp for girls to begin

by Gina Logue

The inaugural Southern Girls Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp will be held July 28-Aug. 2 at MTSU.

Sponsored by the June Anderson Women's Center and Women for Women, the day camp will offer girls ages 12-18 instruction in guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and vocals. Participants will also attend workshops and discussions on the music business, including production, composing, lighting, publicity and music journalism. At the conclusion of the camp, the girls will perform at Wright Music Hall.

Tuition is $100 per girl, and girls are encouraged to enroll soon. Participants are urged to bring their own instruments, but there will be a limited number of donated instruments on site.

Guest speakers and performers include: songwriting instructor Amy Rigby, a Nashville musician whose solo CD, "Diary of a Mod Housewife," was ranked eighth in the 1997 Village Voice critics' poll; Magdalen Hsu-Li, a Seattle-based musician and founder of Chickpop Records, who will speak on "Smashing the Ceiling: A Girl's Guide to the Music Industry"; and Beth Cameron of the Nashville-based independent duo Forget Cassettes, who will teach guitar.

For information, call 615-898-2193.

The Record, July, 2003, V11.25>>Top of Page

PAUL W. MARTIN SR. HONORS COLLEGE CONSTRUCTION TAKES SHAPE ON THE MTSU CAMPUS— Construction tile setter Ricardo Aguilar puts the finishing touches on a sidewalk of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors College Building. The new building is currently under construction on the university campus. The new facilities will feature an amphitheater, seminar rooms, science lab and student lounge, among many amenities. The building possibly may be completed and ready for use for classes in spring 2004. A $2 million matching gift by Paul and Lee Martin, the second largest ever given to the university, is being used at MTSU to build a permanent home for the university’s honors college, a tribute to the memory of Paul W. Martin Sr., Paul and Lee’s father. Paul Martin Jr. was the first graduate of MTSU’s honors program in 1975.