Meet a great grad!

Brandon Robbins, from Livingston, Tenn., will graduate with a B.S. in agriculture business and a minor in computer information systems. Brandon steps down as president of the Student Government Association, having served as spokesman for 21,000-plus students. He served on President Sidney A. McPhee's Cabinet and is a member of Omega National Honor Society, the Basic and Applied Sciences Dean's Advisory Council and was MTSU student representative to the Tennessee Board of Regents. He also belongs to Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and Future Farmers of America. During his administration, the SGA authorized a $4.5 million student Technology Access Fee and opened the first 24/7 all-access computer lab on campus.

Contact Brandon at 615-898-2464 and meet him in person at commencement May 10.

Flying fluff

What's the news value of the president landing in a jet on a carrier? asks Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor. Sure, he could have flown by helicopter, but dramatic pictures of the president are needed as he heads into the 2004 campaign. Oh, the power of a picture! Burriss reminds us of the image of Michael Dukakis wearing a helmet while standing in the turret of a tank. He and his campaign came off resembling Mickey Mouse. "Bush can fly in any plane he wants, most anywhere he wants. But let's not pretend it's news. ... It was a staged event." And the media went blindly along, he adds.

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

Advice to a clueless public

Students in Dr. Rich Barnet's Ethics of the Recording Industry class had a few more thoughts on educating the public about illegally downloading music. In addition to using a starving artist rather than a rich pop star in a public service announcement, they suggested showing struggling artists "who can't make a living at music because people rip their songs off the Internet"--and reminding the public that many artists make just a few cents per song broadcast or sale--that it's not all 'big bucks' for a label.

Contact Barnet at 615-898-5869.
rbarnet@mtsu.edu
(The first printing of Barnet's book, Controversies of the Music Industry, written with Dr. Larry Burriss, has nearly sold out.)

TR EXTRA: SATURDAY, May 10, at 10 a.m. in Murphy Center, MTSU's Spring Commencement. Governor Phil Bredesen will be the commencement speaker. Media welcomed.