Due to staff being out of the office, there will be no formal "Today's Response" on Feb. 6, 7 or 10. However, singular items of interest may be sent to the TR list during that time. Thank you.

Disaster may spur support

"One ironic consequence of the Columbia explosion will probably be an increase in NASA's political support," says Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science professor and author of Politics and Space, his first book based on his doctoral dissertation. "While the space program will not likely re-emerge as a top national priority, it may see higher public backing and greater financial support for a few years," he notes.

Contact Byrnes at 615-898-2351.
mbyrnes@mtsu.edu

McPhee appointment confirmed

Last fall, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee was one of nine people picked by President George W. Bush to serve on the National Council on the Humanities, a board of private citizens that oversees the work of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The U.S. Senate recently confirmed the appointment. McPhee will attend an orientation session later this month in Washington, D.C., followed by an official swearing-in ceremony Feb. 27. "Congratulations on your appointment to the NCH," the letter to McPhee from the Office of the General Counsel begins. "I look forward to this important responsibility," McPhee said.

For comments, contact the News and Public Affairs office at 615-898-2919. Visit http://www.whitehouse.gov.

Memorial wreath at MTSU

It's a gesture of concern and condolence that just had to be made by the staff at MTSU's Tennessee Center for the Advancement of Math, Science, and Technology Education--which has ties to NASA--and the staff in MTSU's Center for Environmental Education. They made a memorial wreath and placed it on the door of the TCAMSTE, which is adjacent to campus in the Belle Aire Building, Room 104, at 820 Fairview Ave. "We are a part of what everybody's doing at NASA, and we wanted to show our feelings for the total situation," noted Dr. Ray Phillips, director. "NASA has ties to local communities that are far-reaching and strong," said Dr. Cindi Smith-Walters, co-director of the CEE. It's a way of honoring the crew and bridging with that extended NASA family, she added.

Contact Phillips at 615-904-8410 or Smith-Walters at 615-898-5449.

TR EXTRA: TODAY, Feb. 4, 9 a.m., Learning Resources Center, John Sanborn and Dr. Stacey Borasky, social work, will present a video conference, "Student Social Workers in Your Community," to a live studio audience and several remote audiences of high school students and teachers. The program will introduce students to social services resources and fieldwork opportunities in Middle Tennessee. Contact Dr. Connie Schmidt, director, Instructional Technical Support Center, at 615-898-5191. Media welcomed.
TODAY, Feb. 4, 10 a.m., Homer Pittard Campus School, 923 E. Lytle St. in Murfreesboro, 1st- and 6th--graders will welcome guests--including alumni from several decades--for the kickoff of a yearlong celebration (and oral history project) of the school's 75th anniversary. Media welcomed. Contact Cindy Cliche and Dr. Stan Baskin, principal, at 615-895-1030; for information about the "Hometown Connection" oral history project, contact Dr. Ron Kates at 615-898-2595.
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 11:30 a.m., JUB Tennessee Room, Unity Luncheon, "Honoring Unsung Community Heroes"; one honoree is 102 years old! ($15 per to the public) Media welcomed.