|
TEXT ONLY
>>Top of Page
Project seeks young voters
by Lisa L. Rollins
MTSU will participate again this fall in the American Democracy Project, a multi-campus initiative designed to create a heightened understanding of civic engagement among undergraduates, according to Dr. Mark Byrnes, professor, political science.
The nationwide project, which is being conducted at some 80 colleges and universities in 30 states and sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, asks school administrators and students to help register young voters using a mix of peer-to-peer outreach, encouragement from professors, e-mail and direct mail.
The non-partisan project's national organizers said they hope to register 350,000 young voters in 2006.
"Although young people still voted at lower rates than other age groups, the youth vote improved significantly in 2004," remarked Byrnes, who serves as chairman of MTSU's student registration drive.
"Major registration and mobilization efforts in 2004 helped spur an increase in young voter turnout by 11 percentage points over (the year) 2000 levels-an increase of more than 4 million more voters," he added.
The AASCU's sign-up campaign is coordinated by Younger Voter Strategies, a Washington, D.C.-based project of the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University. It provides parties, candidates and consultants with data on the youth vote and advice on how to effectively mobilize this electorate for upcoming elections. The project is funded by a $3 million grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Additionally, according to organizers, the goal of the campaign is "to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in democracy."
Heather Smith, director of Young Voter Strategies, said, "State colleges and universities could be gold mines for nonprofits and political campaigns reaching out to register young voters." That's because more than 6 million students currently are enrolled at colleges and universities in the United States.
"Coming out of this project, we'll have data to help create a comprehensive tool kit for future state college registration projects," she added.
As for this year's voter registration efforts at MTSU, Byrnes said, "In 2006, we will continue to register students and hope to further increase young voter turnout."
According to information from the AASCU, two of the nation's leading voter mobilization researchers will work with the American Democracy Project in 2006 to help track and evaluate which techniques register the most college students and which of these techniques is most likely to result in a vote at election time.
The AASCU represents 430 state colleges and universities that enroll more than 3.7 million students. For a complete list of the groups involved in the American Democracy Project's registration efforts, contact Kathleen Barr via e-mail at katbarr@gwu.edu or by phone at 202-994-9528.
For more information about MTSU's efforts on behalf of the young-voter registration effort, visit the Web site at www.mtsu.edu/~amerdem/ or contact Byrnes at mbyrnes@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2351.
Honors College names new seminars for Nobel Laureate
by Randy Weiler
Recruiting will begin this fall for the first class of University Honors College Buchanan Fellows.
The Honors College and Office of Admissions will "welcome applications from everywhere and from everybody," said Dr. Jill Hague, interim associate dean. "We want students in all areas-all majors and all interests. We're seeking diversity in every sense."
The Buchanan Fellows, named for alumnus and Nobel Laureate Dr. James M. Buchanan Jr. (B.S. '40), will consist of a special group of honors students selected for participation in a six-course cohort curriculum to be known as the Buchanan Seminars, said Dr. Phil Mathis, dean of the Honors College.
Buchanan, a native of Murfreesboro, received the Nobel Prize for Economic Science in 1986 for his development of the contractual and constitutional bases for the "public choice" theory of economic and political decision-making.
"The courses-six hours in the humanities, eight hours in the natural sciences and six hours in the social sciences-have been developed for the Fellows to take as a cohort group during their first two years in the Honors College at MTSU," Mathis said.
The dean added that each Buchanan Seminar was individually designed by its instructor for the Buchanan Fellows Cohort Group, with an emphasis on the epistemological, philosophical and interdisciplinary connections among the various disciplines.
"Faculty members involved are award-winning teachers and scholars who are experienced in honors education and plan to provide a unique learning experience for these students," Mathis said.
Plans call for 20 fellows to be chosen annually from a pool of applicants who show high academic promise and who meet grade-point average and American College Testing criteria for guaranteed admission, Mathis said. In time, the number of Buchanan Fellows is expected to grow to as many as 80.
Hague said chosen recipients will receive full-tuition scholarships and $1,000 per year for books. The scholarship will be renewable for up to four years, provided the student maintains good academic standing and acceptable progress toward graduation with university honors.
"When tuition increases, the scholarship (for Buchanan Fellows) will, too," she said, adding that the college hopes to offer an incentive for students to study abroad either for a semester or a summer.
"The caliber of students enrolled in the Honors College is pretty high, and the caliber of student we're turning out is pretty good," Mathis said, adding that the average ACT for Honors College students is 29-the same as Vanderbilt.
Mathis, who proposed the program, also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president for student affairs; David Hutton, financial aid director; and Dr. Kaylene Gebert, executive vice president and provost, for their roles in convincing MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee to provide the resources necessary for the program.
Girls rock
DON'T FRET-Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp instructor Doug Payne shows camper Austin Dietz the proper finger positioning on the fretboard of her guitar during practice. The weeklong camp was capped off Aug. 5 with a showcase featuring 16 all-girl bands.
photo by J. Intintoli
Convocation set Aug. 27
from Staff Reports
Author Greg Critser will be the keynote speaker at the annual University Convocation, which will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in Murphy Center.
Critser is the writer of Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, which explores obesity in America as a health, business and psychological issue.
Fat Land also is the featured text for the 2006 summer reading program.
After Convocation, Critser will attend the President's Picnic at Walnut Grove. On Monday, Aug. 28, he will speak to Dr. Bob Pondillo's Understanding Mass Media class.
Critser is also the author of Generation Rx: How Prescription Drugs Are Altering American Lives, Minds, and Bodies.
IN BRIEF
Learn more about learning at LT&ITC open house Aug. 25
Find out more about the Learning, Teaching and Innovative Technologies Center's services and upcoming seminars at an open house on Friday, Aug. 25. The LT&ITC is inviting faculty, department chairs and deans to the event in its new space in Peck Hall 106 from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The LT&TIC is a partnership between Academic Affairs and the Information Technology Division to promote faculty development in the practice and scholarship of teaching and learning. To learn more about the center, visit its Web site at www.mtsu.edu/~ltanditc.
Country concert, Appaloosas coming to Livestock Center
"The Music City Extravaganza Horse Show" is going country this year with a Saturday Night Opry and Appaloosa-style concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. Appaloosa fans of all ages are invited. Sponsored by The Tennessee State Appaloosa Horse Club, the concert will feature T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely, Jimmy C. Newman, Cody & Chance and "Wild West." Concert tickets are $20 each in advance and may be purchased at www.spurpromotions.com or in person at Woodbury's Farmer's Co-op, Curves (also in Woodbury), and Tennessee Title Loan in Jackson Heights Plaza in Murfreesboro. The horse show will take place Aug. 26 and 27, and admission to the horse show only will be free. For more information, call 615-464-4130 or 615-785-2738.
Polish up your resume, dust off your interview suit
MTSU'S fall Career Fair for students is set Thursday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the Murphy Center track. All students are invited to visit with employers and graduate/professional school representatives to obtain career and employment information. Business casual attire is recommended; no shorts or flip-flops. Approximately 150 employers and 20 graduate/professional schools will be represented at the Career Fair this semester. For more information, visit http://career.web.mtsu.edu/.
AES student team takes 1st place, gets advice
from Staff Reports
A team of three recording industry students representing MTSU took first place in the Third Annual Spring Mixer competition organized by the Nashville section of the Audio Engineering Society.
Jeff Hayes, Billy Hickey and Ben Koffman each received an Audio Technica microphone during the awards presentation at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville.
Members of the judging panel, which included Chuck Ainlay, Gary Paczosa and Richard Dodd, commented that the MTSU team's mix stood "head and shoulders above the others" and was "clearly the favorite mix."
After wins by Belmont University teams in the first two years of the contest, MTSU has now taken custody of a ceremonial trophy that features a gold-painted kitchen mixer on a wooden base.
During the competition, teams from MTSU, Belmont, the University of North Alabama and SAE-Nashville mixed the same track from new Universal South country artist Rockie Lynne. They used identical audio suites at CMT/MTV Nashville, with MTV Nashville engineer Tom Edwards proctoring the mix sessions.
The students were given the tracks cold and had equal studio time to complete their mixes, competing for prizes from Audio-Technica and Digidesign.
The judges provided honest evaluations based on criteria ranging from creativity to balance. Moderator Mike Poston also served as a surrogate panelist, reading the written comments of veteran engineer Billy Sherrill, along with Poston's own grades of the team's documentation.
The judging and playback event was held in the main hall of Belmont Studios Studio A (formerly Oceanway Nashville). The judging panel received the team mixes on CD and had no advance knowledge of which team produced a given mix. The panel also gave guidance on the kind of questions that they would want answered before mixing previously unknown tracks.
Given a totally blind entry into a mix project, Ainlay advised that "you can't ignore any moment (in a four-minute song)," and that for a country record like the provided track, the "vocal has to be like God," something he felt none of the teams quite accomplished.
Paczoza suggested that critical attention be paid to the intro: "Am I interested in listening any further?" is a question engineers should ask, he said.
In a successful mix, Dodd added, each of the elements would sound "like they are part of the same fantasy . . . when the part sucks, change it or hang your hat on something else."
The judges used a scale of 10 for their voting in each of eight categories, with humorous exceptions: Ainlay revealed that he had used a scale of eight, but then applied a 1.25 dB offset, while Dodd said that since the project was digital, he only used the values zero and one, reserving non-zero grades for the top two mixes.
Dodd's approach was echoed in one topic of discussion by the panelists, providing justification for their sometimes strong criticisms-their own mixes are judged daily on a strict scale of success or failure.
"Until it's great, it sucks," explained Paczosa.
Ainlay, the mix engineer on the released version of the track, gave himself a C-plus.
Though the student mixers received no advance insight into the artist's or the track producer's preferences, Poston reminded that the main job of an engineer is to "please the producer and artist."
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS-Nashville AES chairman Bil VornDick (left) holds the golden mixer trophy awarded to MTSU, represented by recording industry professor Michael Fleming (second from left) and winning team members Billy Hickey, Ben Koffman and Jeff Hayes.
photo submitted
TBR approves Green Power fee
from Staff Reports
The Tennessee Board of Regents has unanimously approved student-led energy sustainability initiatives for MTSU and Tennessee Tech University.
The student initiatives call for an $8 per-student per-semester fee, effective with the fall 2006 semester, to fund on-campus energy efficiency and conservation projects, as well as the purchase of renewable energy through TVA's Green Power Switch program.
Together, the two schools will use around 10 million kWh of renewable energy every year, becoming the largest users of renewable energy in Tennessee and second in the Southeast.
Once the initiatives are enacted, MTSU will offset 10 percent of its total energy consumption with renewable energy, surpassing the University of Tennessee-Knoxville to become the largest user of renewable energy in the state.
MTSU currently generates most of its energy needs with a turbine, two boilers and a chilling system, creating heat, cold water and electricity for campuswide usage. Any additional energy required is purchased from the Murfreesboro Electric Department.
Attending the meeting in support of the vote were members of Tennessee Alumni & Students for Sustainable Campuses. TASSC was created to connect students and alumni across the state that are making their campuses more sustainable.
Last fall, the student bodies at MTSU and TTU voted on the fees with an 89 percent approval rate and record-breaking voter turnouts.
"People think it is too difficult to make a difference in public policy," said MTSU student and TASSC member Anna Fitzgerald. "When we localized the problems and solutions, we saw that our vote can actually make a difference. We jumped at the chance to take action regarding university policy, especially how our tuition dollars are spent!"
"This is definitely progress to be proud of," added Charlee Tidrick, MTSU alumna and member of TASSC. "Our generation is taking responsibility for our energy resources.
"Students are voting in record numbers to raise their own tuition in the name of sustainable energy."
MTSU and TTU are joining more than 200 schools around the nation that are purchasing renewable energy.
MT Sports Medicine receives 4 defibrillators from hospital
from MT Media Relations
Middle Tennessee Medical Center and President/CEO Gordon Ferguson have donated four Automated External Defibrillators to the sports medicine department at MTSU, allowing the athletic department to have necessary coverage for its athletes at all practices and events.
"MTMC and especially Gordon Ferguson have been a dedicated part of this community and good friends to the Middle Tennessee athletic department for many years," said Joe-Joe Petrone, head of sports medicine at MTSU.
"The donation of the AEDs allows us to cover every practice and event along NCAA guidelines to protect all of our student-athletes."
Middle Tennessee Director of Athletics Chris Massaro says having the AEDs available at practices and games is a must for peace of mind.
"We've all seen the importance of the machines with the student-athlete at Vanderbilt a couple of months ago," Massaro said.
"It's something you never want to have to use, but it's reassuring as an administrator and parent, as well as for our athletes, to know it's available."
This is not the first time MTMC and Ferguson have been involved in furnishing equipment for the athletic training room at MTSU.
In 2001 MTMC donated a portable X-ray unit and X-ray view box, outfitting the doctor's office in the Murphy Center Training Room.
"Working with MTMC is a valuable asset for our university and athletic department," Petrone said.
"Their help and generosity has greatly enhanced our athletic training room to one of the best in the Sun Belt Conference."
Ferguson said MTMC always wants to be in the lead in assisting with the care and well-being of young people in the community.
"We're glad to make the donation. It fits in with our interests and continuing commitment not only to the university but with the Murfreesboro and Rutherford County community," Ferguson said.
"We look to continue building that relationship with Middle Tennessee in the years to come."
Insurance professionals inducted into Hall of Fame
by Tom Tozer
Three insurance professionals from across the state who have made outstanding contributions to Tennessee's insurance industry were inducted into MTSU's Robert E. Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame July 31 at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs.
Including the current slate of inductees, a total of 31 Tennesseans have been so honored.
This year's inductees were Jack K. Westbrook of Knoxville, William Seaton Phillips of Memphis and Roy K. McDonald of Chattanooga. McDonald was honored posthumously; his son-in-law Lee Anderson, also of Chattanooga, accepted the award.
"The Musto Insurance Hall of Fame was created to identify and honor those insurance professionals whose names will be mentioned most prominently when a history of the insurance industry in Tennessee is written," said Dr. Ken Hollman, holder of the Martin Chair of Insurance.
Westbrook, who holds the industry's Chartered Life Underwriter, Registered Health Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations, is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the American Society of Financial Service Professionals and the Knoxville Estate Planning Council. He qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table in 1957 and became a Life Member of MDRT in 1960, the first Knoxville agent to do so.
Westbrook has served as president of the Knoxville Association of Life Underwriters and the Knoxville Chapter of the Society of CLU and ChFC. During his tenure as vice president of the Tennessee Association of Life Underwriters (1979-1980), the membership reached its highest point in history at 4,460 members. He was elected president of TALU in 1980 and was named TALU "Man of the Year" in 1985.
Phillips, who holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Associate in Risk Management, Certified Professional Insurance Agent and CLU designations, enjoyed a distinguished career at what was then Memphis State University and also created his own successful agency. He served twice as president of The Memphis Chapter of the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriters Society. He was a member of the Society of CLU, Memphis Chapter, from 1972 to 2004 and has been a member of the Professional Insurance Agents of Tennessee for most of his professional life.
Early in his career, Phillips worked for the City of Memphis's Vocational Department, where he developed and taught courses on business office skills at city high schools. He opened his agency in 1958 and sold it to Mid-South Insurance Agency in 2004.
McDonald dropped out of school to manage some of his father's grocery stores in South Carolina and Florida. He moved to Chattanooga in 1924 to open his first Home Store, growing his business to encompass 70 Home Stores throughout the city and surrounding areas. He began publishing a modest weekly paper in 1933 to promote store specials; 73 years later, that little weekly is the largest newspaper in the city, the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, with a daily circulation exceeding 80,000.
McDonald served as a member and chairman of the board of Baroness Erlanger and T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital for more than 20 years. He set up the Erlanger Plan for prepaid hospitalization that was later expanded to become Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Tennessee. Until his death, McDonald was BCBS's only board chairman.
HONORING THE BEST-Martin Chair of Insurance chairholder Dr. Ken Hollman joins the 2006 inductees into the Robert E. Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame. From left are Hollman, Lee Anderson of Chattanooga (accepting for his late father-in-law, inductee Roy McDonald), inductees Bill Phillips of Memphis and Jack Westbrook of Knoxville, and John Major, chair of the selection committee.
photo by Jake Emery
Prevost chosen as post-doctoral scholar
from Staff Reports
Dr. Suzanne Prevost of MTSU's School of Nursing has been chosen as a post-doctoral scholar in the 2006 Geriatric Nursing Research Scholars Program at The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, part of the New York University College of Nursing.
Program officials said Prevost, who is the chairholder for the NHC Chair of Nursing Excellence at MTSU, was selected for her significant research in gerontologic nursing and for her strong leadership potential. She is one of 14 nurses selected for the program from a national pool of outstanding applicants.
The Hartford Institute program, now in its ninth year and cosponsored by the American Journal of Nursing, is designed to foster new gerontological nursing researchers. Its long-term goal is to augment the contributions of nurse researchers toward enhancing evidence-based practice and improving the quality of health care for older adults.
Prevost is developing and testing interventions to improve end-of-life care in nursing homes.
"Our program aims to bring together outstanding new scholars who are conducting significant research in gerontologic nursing and to give them an opportunity to interact with leading experts in the field," said Dr. Elizabeth Capezuti, co-director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. "This unique opportunity to hone research skills helps these individuals to gain the competitive edge they need to attract research funding and publish the results."
The 14 scholars attended a weeklong seminar led by Capezuti at New York University's College of Nursing in mid-July. During the seminar, they were brought together with teaching faculty-all nationally recognized nursing researchers-for an intensive and interactive experience in which they gained critical analysis and research skills.
Carlton remains interim research, grad dean
from Staff Reports
Dr. Robert Carlton, chairman of MTSU's Department of Physics and Astronomy, will continue in his appointment as interim vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
"Having served previously as an interim in this position, Dr. Carlton brings a broad understanding and extensive experience to move the university's commitment to research and graduate education forward," Faye Johnson, assistant to the executive vice president and provost for special initiatives, said in making the announcement.
"We are grateful to Dr. Carlton for his willingness to continue in this position and appreciate his leadership."
Johnson said a search committee for the new vice provost and dean position would be appointed at the beginning of the fall semester.
Carlton also served as interim vice provost for research and dean of graduate studies from July 1, 2003, until 2004. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from MTSU in 1964 and '66, respectively, and his doctorate from the University of Georgia in 1970. He joined the MTSU faculty in 1968 and became chairman in 1995.
Summer '06 enrollment report 'flat'
by Randy Weiler
MTSU reported a summer enrollment head count of 9,080 students to the Tennessee Board of Regents, 16 students less than 2005, according to Dr. Sherian Huddleston, associate vice provost for enrollment services.
"Enrollment for the summer is flat (a small decrease)," Huddleston said of the less than 1 percent decrease in enrollment.
The number is compared to summer '05, when the head count totaled 9,096 students-a 0.76 percent increase from 2004 summer sessions.
Huddleston said this summer's increase of 75 first-time freshmen was "holding steady" with 2005's 77 first-time freshmen. There were 229 new transfers this summer-31 fewer than the 260 who attended last year.
MTSU did observe an increase in graduate students of 274 this summer compared with 201 a year ago, Huddleston said.
"Even though overall we were flat, we are showing an increase in graduate students," she said.
'Nashville Star' tour rolls into Murphy Center
from Staff Reports
Murfreesboro's own Chris Young, winner of USA Network's 2006 "Nashville Star" competition, will be among the performers in the Nashville Star Tour concert at 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28, in MTSU's Murphy Center.
Other performers will include "Nashville Star" contestants Casey Rivers, Nicole Jamrose and Matt Mason.
The event will be part of the university's "Week of Welcome," which offers a series of programs and activities for returning students.
Young, a graduate of Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, attended both MTSU and Belmont University. After moving to Texas, he entered the competition along with 20,000 other hopefuls across the country and emerged as a semi-finalist and ultimately the big winner. Today, he is an RCA recording artist.
"That wasn't on the books originally," Young said, referring to the tour stop at Murphy Center. "I'm very excited about that. There are a lot of my friends who have never seen me play. ... I'd really like to sell out Murphy Center. I would love to do that. It's been forever since someone has done that."
With the performers appearing in reverse order of their contest results, Young will close the show with a few new songs and his first RCA single "Drinkin' Me Lonely." The performers will be backed up by John Bohlinger and the Nashville Star Band.
The concert will be free for MTSU students with IDs. MTSU faculty and staff also may pick up one free ticket at the box office with an MTSU ID. Tickets will be $10 per person for the general public.
Advance tickets can be purchased through the MTSU Box Office located next to Floyd Stadium or by calling 615-898-2103. Those who obtain free tickets are reminded also to bring their MTSU IDs to the door the evening of the concert.
For more information about the Aug. 28 event, call MTSU Student Programming at 615-898-2551 or visit www.2006NashvilleStarTour.com.
$220K grant will teach life skills to disadvantaged
from Staff Reports
A $220,000 U.S. Department of Education grant will enable MTSU to teach educational and life skills to disadvantaged individuals, officials say.
The grant is for the MTSU Educational Talent Search program, which has been serving students in Coffee, Grundy and Warren counties for four years, said Dr. Thomas Cheatham, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
"We provide educational and life-skills support to help students graduate and pursue a college education," Cheatham said.
"Students receive encouragement and other support to navigate the financial aid options, to visit college campuses and enroll in a college or university of their choice."
In announcing the grant, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon noted that the Talent Search Program "identifies and helps individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education.
"The goal of the program is to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and go on to enroll in college."
MTSU has three full-time professionals who serve the students in the three counties.
Debbie Frisby is the coordinator for the entire project and the adviser for Warren County students. Lana Duke is the adviser for Coffee County and Megan Benton is the Grundy County adviser. Together they serve more than 600 students each year.
"They are having wonderful success getting students enrolled in college," Cheatham said.
The national Talent Search Program also serves high school dropouts by encouraging them to re-enter the educational system and complete their education.
Other services provided by the program include career exploration and aptitude assessment, tutorial services, assistance in preparing for college entrance exams, mentoring programs, special activities for middle-school students and workshops for families of participants.
New faculty gathering offers chance to share
from Staff Reports
More than 90 new MTSU faculty members will convene Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 21 and 22, for a crash course in navigating their new place of employment, featuring seminars and briefings on information technology, student affairs and library services.
"We have an outstanding group of new faculty joining the MTSU family this year," said Dr. Kaylene Gebert, executive vice president and provost. "The orientation will not only help them become more familiar with resources and services on campus, but, most importantly, it will be the first step in welcoming them to the MTSU learning community."
Events are set to begin each day at 8 a.m. in the Business and Aerospace Building and will include lunches provided by SunTrust and MidSouth Banks. A schedule is at right.
"The orientation highlights MTSU's commitment to student-centered learning and teaching excellence which are integral to our Academic Master Plan," Gebert noted. "Faculty are also made aware of the faculty development and research opportunities available to them as they start the academic year."
New faculty also are invited to showcase their knowledge by joining the Office of News and Public Affairs' roster of experts with research background, training and experience in specific areas of interest to the media.
"Today's Response" is a media tip sheet that NPA sends out every weekday to more than 170 print and electronic media members, offering expert commentary on timely news topics.
Recent "TR" items have quoted faculty and staff experts on topics ranging from the latest Middle East conflict to the potential impact of high gas prices on midterm Congressional elections. (To get a feel for TR, check out its blog at http://todays-response-from-mtsu. blogspot.com.)
To ensure the success of TR-and, most importantly, to keep MTSU's wealth of expertise at the forefront when local media need commentary-NPA needs to continually replenish the pool of experts on campus.
New faculty members, as well as those who've never volunteered their expertise before, can visit the NPA Web site at www.mtsunews.com and click on "Experts List." The form provided there can be filled out and sent to NPA.
There's also much more for everyone, including new faculty, on the Web site. Check out "Successful Events: How NPA Can Help," which includes a list of colleges and departments on campus that each NPA staff member covers. In whatever list your area appears, that public information officer is your initial point of contact for public relations and publicity needs.
Also on the Web site, check out the links to "MTSU News Releases," the "MT Record" TV program, the "MTSU On the Record" radio program podcasts and "MTSU Audio Clips." They're just a sample of the ways MTSU is in the news. For more information, call Tom Tozer, director, News and Public Affairs, at 615-898-5131 or e-mail him at ttozer@ mtsu.edu.
"Our new faculty are diverse and exceptionally qualified, and their expertise will enrich both our classrooms and the community at large," added Gebert. "We are looking forward to a very productive year. "
Orientation schedule Aug. 21-22
Monday, Aug. 21
8-9 a.m.: Refreshments and Booth/Tables Set-Up, BAS N127 (SunTrust Room)-Information on Photographic Services, Internet/e-mail forms, parking permits, Human Resource Services benefits table, telecommunications/voice mail
8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Faculty photos, LRC 239
9-10 a.m.: Meeting with President Sidney McPhee and selected administrators, BAS S102 (State Farm Room), Executive Vice President and Provost Kaylene Gebert, presiding
10-10:30 a.m.: Research and Graduate Education, BAS S102-Drs. Robert Carlton, interim vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and Myra Norman, director of research and sponsored programs
10:30-10:45 a.m.: Break
10:45-11:30 a.m.: "Building a Faculty Community at MTSU," BAS S102-Drs. Tony Johnston, president, Faculty Senate; Charles Higgins, assistant professor, physics and astronomy; Marva Lucas, MTSU Education Association; Carol Ann Baily, Association of Faculty and Administrative Women; Jim Williams, American Association of University Professors; and Ayne Cantrell, American Association of University Women
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: "Student Affairs Collaboration with New Faculty," BAS S102-Drs. Bob Glenn, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services, and Gene Fitch, assistant VP and dean of student life
12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch
1:30-2 p.m.: BAS S102
¥ Learning, Teaching & Innovative Technologies Center, Faye Johnson and Barbara Draude, co-directors
¥ Disabled Student Services and American Disabilities Act, Dr. Watson Harris, director of academic planning and projects and ADA campus coordinator
¥ Travel Rules and Regulations, Tamala Pincheon, travel coordinator
¥ Athletics, Chris Massaro, director of athletics
2-3:30 p.m.: "What the Best College Teachers Do," BAS S126-Dr. Jan Hayes, professor emeritus, educational leadership and National Education Association Teacher of the Year finalist
2-3:30 p.m.: "Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Teaching? Teaching the Way the Brain Learns," BAS S102-Dr. Carolyn Hopper, professor of academic enrichment and a CASE Teacher of the Year award recipient
Tuesday, Aug. 22
8-8:30 a.m.: Refreshments and Booth/ Tables Set-Up, BAS N127 (SunTrust Room)-Human Resource Services benefits table
8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Faculty photos, LRC 239
8:30 a.m.-noon: Breakout sessions
¥ Session I, "ITD Faculty Services," BAS S137E (Computer Lab)-Barbara Draude, director, Academic and Instructional Technology Services, Information Technology Division, and assistant professor, School of Nursing
¥ Session II, "Master Classroom Support," BAS S128-Steve Brooks, assistant director of classroom technology/micro support, ITD
¥ Session III, "Overall Review of Library Resources and Services," Walker Library-Sharon Parente, assistant professor, University Library
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Session I, II, III
9:30-9:45 a.m.: Break
9:45-10:45 a.m.: Session I, II, III
10:45-11 a.m.: Break
11 a.m.-noon: Session I, II, III
12:15- 1:15 p.m.: Lunch
1:30 p.m.: College Orientation Meetings
¥ College of Basic and Applied Sciences, BAS S128-Dr. Tom Cheatham, dean
¥ College of Business, BAS N219-Dr. Jim Burton, dean
¥ College of Education and Behavioral Science, BAS S118-Dr. Gloria Bonner, dean
¥ College of Liberal Arts, BAS S126-Dr. John McDaniel, dean
¥ College of Mass Communication, COMM 241-Dr. Anantha Babbili, dean
¥ University Library, Walker Library Conference Room-Don Craig, dean.
Accident claims adjunct's life
from Staff Reports
Murfreesboro Police Capt. Byron Motley, an MTSU alumnus and an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Administration, died July 22 in an accident at his family reunion in Brentwood. Funeral services were conducted July 28.
Capt. Motley, 58, successfully saved a young relative from drowning in a swimming pool but lost his own life in the process.
A veteran of 28 years with the Murfreesboro Police Department, the captain is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Hattie Gail Motley; children Stefanie Motley, Princess Peebles, Michael (Chrissi) Caruthers and Joseph (Candace) Peebles Jr.; mother, Bessie P. Black; siblings Elma B. (James) McKnight, Beryl Y. (Walter) Harris, Pamela D. (Samuel) Lyons, Zona B. (Henry) Frazier, Berdette B. (David) Roper, Helen B. (Greg) McKnight, Bridgette L. Black-Kertchaval, William L. (Carla) Black Jr., Charles W. (Teresa) Motley III, Carlos W. Motley and Michael Lawrence; grandchildren Kaliyah Peebles, Joseph Peebles III, Braxton Caruthers and Joshua Peebles; aunt Virginia P. Suggs and other aunts and uncles; many McFerrin Family members; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and fellow Murfreesboro police officers.
His fathers, Charles Motley and William Lee Black, and his brother, Darryl R. Motley, preceded Capt. Motley in death.
Capt. Motley, a graduate of Murfreesboro's Holloway High School and a supervisor in the police department's training division, also was a longtime member of First Baptist Church.
Board of Visitors loses member
from Staff Reports
The College of Mass Communication is joining Nashville's entertainment and financial industry in mourning the loss of Brian Williams, a charter member of the College's Board of Visitors known as Music Row's respected "banker to the stars."
Mr. Williams, 45, was a senior vice president and director of SunTrust Bank Inc.'s Entertainment Banking, a group comprising various units specializing in music and motorsports private banking. In that position, he directed the Nashville, Atlanta, and Miami private banking units dedicated to the music industry and the Daytona Beach and Charlotte Motorsports units and used those efforts to create Music Row fund-raisers.
He died July 8 from injuries sustained while swimming with family and friends at Center Hill Lake in Smithville. Funeral services were conducted July 12.
Dean Anantha Babbili expressed deep sorrow in losing a pioneer who forged effective partnerships between the mass communication program, music industry and banking.
"Brian was an extraordinarily warm and kind man," the dean said.
"He was always supportive of students in mass communication and used his influence in helping us financially and professionally."
Babbili added that the SunTrust Bank sponsorship of the speakers' series in the Department of Recording Industry was partly a result of Mr. Williams' persuasion.
Alumni events filling up fall calendar
Pigskin Pregame planned Aug. 26
by Patience Long
The MTSU Rutherford County Alumni Chapter's annual Pigskin Pregame will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, to kick off the football season.
Judy Smith (B.S. '60), former associate dean of students at MTSU, and her husband, Tommy (B.S. '59), hosted the event last year and have again graciously offered their home, which is located at 710 E. Main St.
"I think everyone last year had a great time," said Ginger Freeman, director of the Office of Alumni Relations at MTSU. "More than 300 people were there last year, and we are hoping even more want to share in this year's festivities."
Tickets for the event, which will run from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m., will be $20 if purchased by Tuesday, Aug. 22, or $25 at the door.
The ticket price includes an exclusive preview of Murfreesboro's newest restaurant, Kirkenburt's Smokehouse Grill, as well as wine, beer, soft drinks, music, door prizes and more. Parking will be available at Central Middle School.
All proceeds from Pigskin Pregame will benefit the Rutherford County Alumni Chapter Scholarship Fund.
For more information about this event or to reserve tickets, please call 800-533-6878 or visit www.mtalumni.com. You also can mail your payment to the Office of Alumni Relations, MTSU Box 104, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132.
Patience Long is an assistant director in alumni relations.
Trip on tap for Maryland game
from Staff Reports
The Middle Tennessee Alumni Association is planning a weekend trip to the nation's capitol in September that will culminate in the Blue Raiders' football game against Maryland at College Park.
Reservations are now being accepted for the Sept. 7-10 trip.
The weekend getaway includes round-trip air transportation from Nashville to Baltimore, three nights' hotel accommodations and motor coach transportation.
It also features breakfast on Friday morning, lunch with congressman Bart Gordon at the library of Congress, a tour of both the White House and U.S. Capitol and a Washington, D.C., Memorial tour.
There will also be a reception for alumni in the Washington area, a tour of Arlington National Cemetery and a Blue Raider rally and send-off.
Tickets for the Middle Tennessee-Maryland football game are not included in the package.
A full list of activities, pricing and a trip agreement form may be found at www.mtalumni.com.
For more information, please contact Allison Payne in the Alumni Relations Office at 615-904-8199.
Textile students rise early to help in CBS production
by Jamil Price
Several MTSU students worked behind the scenes on the June 9 "CBS Early Show" in Johnson City, Tenn., which was one stop on the program's Summer Vacation Giveaway series.
"During May, as part of the annual textile, merchandising and design study tour to New York City," said Dr. Teresa Robinson, professor of human sciences, "the students received the opportunity to meet Steve Cohen, producer of the 'CBS Early Show.'"
The students attended a typical live morning segment of the show, followed by a personal tour of the studios and meetings with Cohen and other CBS staff members.
Cohen said he was so impressed by the professional interest and work ethic of the students that he decided to involve them in an experiential learning opportunity.
The show traveled to Johnson City to reward Assistant Fire Chief Mark Finucane for his hard work and dedication. He received a seven-night cruise through Alaska thanks to a letter written by his wife, Mary.
"The show was on Friday," said MTSU student Shavon Ward. "We went to Johnson City on Thursday to start the recruiting process.
"We were in charge of generating interest and attendance at the show. We called individuals, visited door-to-door and posted flyers around town and local businesses to help promote the Early Show coming to town."
The students wanted to have 300 to 500 people present at the show, and they accomplished that goal, Ward said. The show started at 6 a.m. and ended around 10.
Not only did the students recruit people to come to the show, they also helped with pre-show production as well. They were assigned different tasks to complete on the day of the show, which aired live.
"Working with the 'Early Show' helped the students a great deal with their major," said Robinson. "Fashion involves public events, especially media events that deal with large numbers of people. The students were able to utilize organizational and communication skills as well as publicity-related activities."
After the show, Cohen remarked that he was so impressed, he invited the MTSU students to accompany the show on any of the additional summer on-site locations as well. Those stops included Austin, Texas; Little Rock, Ark.; Baton Rouge, La.; Portland, Oregon; and 11 other U.S. cities.
"It was a great experience to see how a show can be filmed on location," said Ward. "It is not all about fashion. Marketing is my minor. I also learned that I can promote other things-it's all about the end product."
HITTING THE BIG TIME-Students pose with meteorologist Tom Wachs of the Johnson City CBS affiliate WJHL-TV during a break in filming the "CBS Early Show." On the front row are MTSU students Tamara Madison and Emily Bias; in the back are (left to right) an unidentified East Tennessee State University student, MTSU's Angela Smith, WJHL's Wachs and MTSU's Megan Christian, Shavon Ward and Rachel Thomas.
photo submitted
Ford included in select group of economists, receives NABE Fellow designation
from Staff Reports
Dr. William F. Ford, Weatherford Chair of Finance, recently was elected as a Fellow of the National Association for Business Economics based on his outstanding service as a professional business economist, his articles and presentations and his contributions to the field of business economics.
Since 1959, only a few economists have received the coveted NABE designation. Ford was this year's single honoree, joining the company of such notables as Alan Greenspan and Milton Friedman.
"The NABE provides so many opportunities to meet and work with the brightest people in our profession, including the younger ones who make the elders of the group, myself included, pedal faster just to keep up," Ford said. "I am extremely grateful to be among their company."
"Dr. Ford continues to represent his profession and Middle Tennessee State University with integrity and acumen in the field of economics and finance," said Dr. Jim Burton, dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. "I congratulate him on yet another fine accomplishment."
The NABE is composed of professionals who have an interest in business economics and who want to use the latest economic data and trends to enhance their ability to make sound business decisions. Its mission is to provide leadership in the use and understanding of economics. There are approximately 2,500 NABE members representing 1,500 businesses and organizations around the world.
Ford's formal NABE induction will take place at the association's annual meeting in Boston Sept. 9-12.
People Around Campus: Prof's Belgian trip includes classes in castle
by Randy Weiler
Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross's show-and-tell for the summer includes teaching chemistry and sleeping in a Kruibeke castle, digesting true Belgium waffles and chocolate, seeing and photographing the 1958 World's Fair (Expo) nine-atom iron crystal magnified 165 billion times, and learning to detest roosters that crow at 4 a.m.
Iriarte-Gross, an associate professor of chemistry, spent 18 days in Belgium, including 10 days teaching "Chemistry in Everyday Life" (introductory chemistry) to six Brothers of Charity for the Catholic Church in Belgium.
The brothers, ages 25 to 35, were from Sri Lanka, New Guinea, India, the Philippines and the Congo. All were special education majors.
"I went and taught like I teach a regular general-education science course at MTSU, except it was in a castle," she said. "The students had Web assignments, daily quizzes, they had to write lab reports and they had a weekly exam."
Iriarte-Gross said she "focused on the topics of air and water chemistry. We got a very unique perspective from the brothers from all their countries, none of which had water treatment plants in their hometowns like we do. It's something we and our students don't think about-how blessed we are in the United States.
"I thought that this group of students is very much like our MTSU students: both groups want to serve the needy, the poor and uneducated. Brother Sebastian talked about the tsunami disaster in his country and asked about the people affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"Brother Benjamin told us about abused and abandoned children, and I told him about our daycare lab and how MTSU students learn about preventing domestic violence. Brother Ghislain, already a teacher, wanted to learn how to reach special-needs children. And I told him about Project HELP."
The "chemistry brothers," as she called them, historically serve the poor, insane, terminally ill and AIDS patients. They took her course to prepare them to attend The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Catholic University is where Iriarte-Gross spent the spring while on a noninstructional assignment, or sabbatical, in chemistry education research working with chemistry professor Dr. Diane Bunce.
Iriarte-Gross said she found castle food and meals with the chemistry brothers quite "interesting" and the Belgian buildings and landscape beautiful.
"Life in the castle was truly an experience, and life with the Brothers of Charity truly was an honor," Iriarte-Gross said.
"In today's world with wars and diseases and politics, living with and learning about the work of the Brothers of Charity was humbling for this chemistry teacher from Murfreesboro, Tennessee."
'INTERESTING' ADVENTURE-Chemistry professor Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross pauses in the photo above during a brief sightseeing excursion into the Belgian town of Kruibeke. At left, her students, the "chemistry brothers," work on a project.
photos submitted
The Record, August 14, 2006, V15.03
Campus Calendar
>>Top of Page
Calendar Items Welcomed
Submit your campus event calendar items (at least three weeks in advance of the event, please) to gfann@mtsu.edu or via fax to 615-898-5714.
TV Schedule
"Middle Tennessee Record"
Cable Channel 9, Monday-Sunday-5 p.m.
NewsChannel 5+, Saturdays-1:30 p.m.
Every Monday night
MTSU Guys & Dolls Swing Dance Club
Free dance lessons 6-7 p.m., open dancing 7-9 p.m.
Murphy Center Dance Studio A
For information, e-mail: lindyfiend@gmail.com.
Through Sept. 8
"The Upper Cumberland Collection: The Plateau Years"
Photo exhibit by Jack Stoddart
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday noon-4 p.m.
Baldwin Photographic Gallery
For information, contact: 615-898-2085.
Thursday, Aug. 17
North Rutherford Blue Raider Blast
5:30 p.m., Victory Park, Smyrna
Free and open to the public
For information, contact: 615-898-2210.
Aug. 18-20
Tennessee Valley Paso Fino Horse Show
Tennessee Livestock Center
For information, contact: 615-220-6010.
Saturday, Aug. 19
"Fenton Payne & Fred 5K"
6 a.m. registration, 7:30 start
Peck Hall, then campuswide
For information, visit www.active.com
or contact: 615-898-2210 or 615-904-8240.
Blue Raider Football Fan Day
Noon, Murphy Center
Free and open to the public
For information, contact: 615-898-5322.
Sunday, Aug. 20
"MTSU On the Record-Greg Critser"
Guest: Greg Critser, author of Fat Land
7 a.m., WMOT 89.5-FM
Podcast at www.mtsunews.com
Aug. 21-22
New Faculty Orientation
Business and Aerospace Building (see schedule on page 6)
For information, contact: 615-898-2880.
Thursday, Aug. 24
Rutherford County Blue Raider Blast
5:30-7:30 p.m., County Courthouse, Murfreesboro
Free and open to the public
For information, contact: 615-898-2210.
Aug. 25-27
Ole South Dressage Horse Show
8 a.m. daily, Miller Coliseum
For information, contact: 931-364-7663.
Friday, Aug. 25
Annual Fall Faculty Meeting
featuring Outstanding Teacher Awards
10 a.m., Tucker Theatre
For information, contact: 615-898-2880.
Aug. 26-27
Tennessee State Appaloosa Association Horse Show
8 a.m., Tenn. Livestock Center
Free and open to the public
For information, contact: 615-230-6703.
Saturday, Aug. 26
"Pigskin Pregame"
7-11 p.m., 710 E. Main St.
Admission: $20 per person before Aug. 22, $25 at the door
For information, contact: 800-533-6878.
Sunday, Aug. 27
"MTSU On the Record-Terrorism and the Middle East"
Guest: Dr. Karen Petersen
7 a.m., WMOT 89.5-FM
Podcast at www.mtsunews.com
University Convocation
Speaker: Greg Critser, author of Fat Land
2 p.m., Murphy Center
For information, contact: 615-898-2919.
|
