Tennessee's future leaders

More than 500 high school young women will converge on MTSU tomorrow for the American Legion Auxiliary's 57th session of Volunteer Girls State, including nearly 20 representatives from Rutherford County. "Tennessee is recognized for producing one of the most outstanding Girls State programs in the nation," states a VGS news release. The week will consist of numerous activities designed to build strong and informed citizens and to teach the qualities of leadership. Following the theme of "Citizenship in Action," this year's delegates will donate thousands of items to Tennessee's VA hospitals--and the VGS chorus will perform at VA facility in Murfreesboro. Media welcomed.

For a schedule of events, contact VGS media coordinator Kathy Hendrickson (beginning tomorrow) at 615-898-4110 or 898-3629. For assistance, call the NPA office at 898-2919.

Paying for a Godly education

What will the Supreme Court decide on the issue of spending government funds on religious education? Fifteen states have a ban on state spending for theology classes. Some say this infringes on a person's freedom to practice religion. Dr. John Vile, constitutional expert, says he believes the court will uphold a student's right to receive state money for theology training. "The key is that the choice is the student's--the aid would go the student rather than to a college." There's a catch, he notes. The court has on occasion said that while the First Amendment does not bar such aid, state constitutional provisions might do so.

Contact Vile at 615-898-2596.
jvile@mtsu.edu

Air power

Name a conservative radio talk show host. That should be easy, says Dr. Larry Burriss--perhaps Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage immediately come to mind. Now name a liberal radio counterpart. More difficult? "That's because conservatives dominate the talk shows on both radio and TV. That alone shows the danger of concentration." Burriss says the current attempt by the FCC to relax the rules on how many radio/TV stations one company can own threatens to limit a diversity of opinions. "Democracy only works if the people have access to all points of view."

Contact Burriss, professor of journalism, at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

TODAY, from 1 to 2 p.m., Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross' student research group will WOW the kindergarten kids at Bradley Elementary School (511 Mercury Blvd., M'boro) with chemistry demonstrations that make noises, sounds and ... slime! Contact Iriarte-Gross at 615-904-8253. Media welcomed.
ALSO: $$$25,000 speaks volumes! Don and Hanna Witherspoon, MTSU graduates ('64) and co-presidents of the Rutherford County Alumni Association, have offered the challenge grant to raise funds for several scholarships this fall. And they want the 13,000 alumni in Rutherford County to support "good, solid students" by matching that amount. On June 12, the local chapter will be sponsoring a luncheon at Outback Steakhouse to assist in this effort. For more information and/or to make luncheon reservations, call MTSU Alumni Relations at 615-898-2922.