Senior (not-so-good) citizens

It's a growing dilemma as Boomers continue to age because there is a growing number of elderly offenders entering the criminal justice system or growing old behind bars, says Dr. Ron Aday, professor, sociology and anthropology, and director of aging studies. In his new book, Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections (Praeger/Greenwood Publishing Group), Aday addresses the crime patterns of the elderly and discusses the challenges facing local, state and federal corrections systems in handling this special group.

Contact Aday at 615-898-2693.
raday@mtsu.edu

Irradiated meat

According to reports, by 2004, irradiated meat will be offered in the national school lunch program. Is this a good thing? Yes, says Dr. Stephen Wright, microbiologist, it's a wonderful new option for killing unwanted bacteria and parasites that could cause illness. "The major hurdle this technology needs to overcome is public perception of safety. There is absolutely no risk for the consumer--the individual who eats an irradiated burger will not glow in the dark!" Irradiation does not alter the flavor, texture or appearance of meat, he adds.

Contact Wright at 615-898-2056.
smwright@mtsu.edu

Teaching newcomers to survive

There are about 30,000 Hispanic and Asian students enrolled in Tennessee public schools, 13,000 of whom are listed as "English Language Learners," says Dr. Shelley Thomas, associate professor, foreign languages, and coordinator of the MTSU Summer Language Institute, June 9-13 in the MTSU Alumni Center. Thirty ESL and FL teachers from Murfreesboro, eight states and two countries will learn an innovative way to teach a foreign language that utilizes movement. "Research on the most brain-compatible foreign-language acquisition techniques points toward those involving kinesthetic or hands-on activities," Thomas notes. Media welcomed to observe--with prior arrangement.

For comment, contact Thomas at 615-898-5757.
shthomas@mtsu.edu
To visit a class, call Tom Tozer, NPA office, at 615-898-2919.

TR EXTRA

TODAY at Volunteer Girls State at MTSU: Mayor Bill Purcell will speak to the 600 delegates at 9 a.m. in Tucker Theatre. For a schedule of the week's events, contact Kathy Hendrickson, Julia Wells or Sherry Bishop at 615-898-4110 or 615-898-3629. Visit http://www.volunteergirlsstate.org. Media welcomed.
TODAY at 10:30 a.m., 40 African-American teens will depart for the Marshall Space Flight Center and lunch in Huntsville, Ala., as part of the "In Flight" weeklong MTSU Summer Discovery Institute. The purpose of the program is to open the doors of higher education to minority youngsters and allow their dreams to soar! Contact Dr. Debra Sells, academic support services, at 615-898-5342
dsells@mtsu.edu
or Dr. Paul Craig, aerospace chair, at 615-898-2788. pcraig@mtsu.edu
Call 615-898-2919 for tomorrow's schedule. Media welcomed.
NOW THROUGH JULY 3 at MTSU--National Youth Sports Program is sponsoring a program for at-risk kids ages 10 to 16. Contact Dr. Dianne Bartley, MTSU chair of the HPERS department and program director, at 615-898-2890. Media welcomed.
JUNE 16--JULY 3: Registration is still open to area elementary school teachers for the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Reading Academy that will be held at Bradley Elementary School in Murfreesboro. "The inability to read and write is a lifelong, crippling handicap," says director Dr. Nancy Crews. Those interested should call Crews at 615-898-5630 or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/~readacad.