The Record, Jan. 17, 2011, V19.13


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Returning with a ROAR: Museum adds monstrous mascot for 2011

by Tom Tozer

MTSU's Mineral, Gem and Fossil Museum is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a new mascot that's also a monstrous new teaching aid.

It's an allosaurus, a dinosaur that lived 155 to 145 million years ago during the late Jurassic period. MTSU's model stands six feet tall and is 10 feet long. The bipedal predator with a large skull and dozens of sharp teeth averaged 28 feet in length, but experts say some reached nearly 40 feet long.

Dr. Albert Ogden, professor of geosciences and curator of the museum, recently purchased the allosaurus as a teaching tool for MTSU students and visiting school groups.

Ogden says that hundreds of elementary- and middle-school classes tour the museum every year. The facility recently surpassed 9,500 visitors and has served as a valuable resource for Boy Scouts working to earn their merit badges in geology.

"When Albert started the museum, he had some spectacular mineral displays, and I'm more of a fossil guy,"; said Alan Brown, geosciences instructor and the museum's director. "I've been trying to add more fossils. We have some dinosaur eggs and some real dinosaur bones, and just recently we added a cast of a woolly rhino skull.";

Brown said a dinosaur dig in which he participated last summer unearthed more bones. He is prepping them for eventual addition to the museum collection.

"The sky's the limit,"; Brown added. "We have the potential to add much more—we're just running out of room.";

Established in 2005, MTSU's Mineral, Gem and Fossil Museum serves as an experiential lab for earth science classes and a learning center for the general public. It has two main exhibit rooms and a smaller black-light room that displays fluorescent minerals. Samples come from every state in the union and from more than 50 countries around the world.

The museum is located in Room 122 of Ezell Hall. It's open on Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m., and free visits can be arranged during the week by calling 615-898-5075 or emailing adbrown@mtsu.edu.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/MTMineralMuseum .


MEASURING UP—Geosciences Professor Albert Ogden's son, Brandon, right, reaches up to touch the new allosaurus model in MTSU's Mineral, Gem and Fossil Museum. The six-foot-long carnivorous creature roamed the earth during the late Jurassic period, about 145 million to 155 million years ago.

photos submitted


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Professor's seminar strategy: play to win

by Gina K. Logue

"How to Win at the Game of College,"; a free three-part seminar series to equip students and parents with the tools and strategies to ensure college success, will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the State Farm Lecture Hall, Room S102, in the Business and Aerospace Building at MTSU.

The dynamic, interactive presentation by assistant biology professor Dr. Ryan Otter is based on his book How to Win at the Game of College: Practical Advice from a College Professor. The opening installment of the series is "The Benefits of the 'Be Weird' Strategy,"; will focus on how college is different from high school and how being "weird"; will lead to success, the professor says.

"In today's global economy, higher education has never been more important or competitive,"; Otter says. "Success depends on using unique tools and strategies as well as having a basic understanding of how to interact with key professionals on campus.";

Drawing on his own experience as an aimless youth who nearly whiled away his college career, Otter directs this guide to finding one's path in life without falling prey to the stresses and misconceptions that trip up many fledgling collegians. His method for success helped him earn bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from Michigan State University and a doctorate in environmental toxicology from Clemson University.

The 31-year-old Otter says he can still remember his own struggles and now grapples with his students' indecision and lack of direction.

"Three million new freshmen enroll in college every year, and most have no idea about the game they are about to start playing,"; the professor says. "A failure to understand that the game of college is different than the game of high school is the cause of most issues faced by incoming freshmen, and it is a major reason why half of all students who start college never finish.";

In addition to the January seminar, Otter will present "Exploit the Expected and Unexpected Tools"; at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, and "Capitalize on the Campus Pros"; at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, both in BAS S102. Question-and-answer sessions will follow each 45-minute seminar. All three events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Otter at 615-898-2063 or at rrotter@mtsu.edu or visit www.thecollegegameproject.org . "The College Game Project"; also is on Facebook.



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Warm up with Summer Reading pick

by Leslie Lynn

MTSU will celebrate the 10th year of its popular Summer Reading Program in 2011, along with the university's centennial, with stories from the United States' largest oral-history project, Listening is an Act of Love by Dave Isay.

The book was suggested because of MTSU's upcoming 100th birthday, said Dr. Laurie Witherow of the University College, coordinator of the annual reading project.

"It's a particularly good book as we start looking at MTSU's history and program around our stories,"; Witherow said.

"It opens their eyes to the fact that every person does have a story, that every person is dealing with something. It is a particularly important time to start thinking: What is your story, and what do you have to tell?";

Listening is an Act of Love is made up of two- to three-page transcripts selected from more than 10,000 interviews captured by the StoryCorps project. Founded by Isay, StoryCorps presents our nation's history told by the people who lived it.

Witherow said in a campus email that there's a connection to each and every discipline contained in the stories presented. They are organized into themes of home and family; work and dedication; journeys; history and struggle; and fire and water. The latter theme covers the stories of Sept. 11 and Katrina.

MTSU's Summer Reading Program, created in 2002, aims to provide a unifying experience for entering freshmen, give them a chance to read and interact with acclaimed authors and affirm the importance of reading for a successful and fulfilling life.

Incoming freshmen are expected to read the book before fall classes start on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. All University 1010 classes will discuss the selection. Faculty members also are being encouraged to incorporate the book into their fall 2011 lesson plans.

Witherow said that teachers can integrate the book in their classrooms by discussing the importance of listening and storytelling. They can use the StoryCorps website for recorded stories for in-class assignments, homework or an interview opportunity with someone important to the students she added.

MTSU will celebrate its history and its future at University Convocation 2011, set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, where Isay will be the keynote speaker.

Convocation welcomes new students into the MTSU learning community, engaging them immediately into the learning process and exposing them to the traditions and rituals of the university.

Faculty members who want to use the book in their classes should contact Witherow at 615-898-2339 or lwithero@mtsu.edu for a review copy. There's also more information on the book at http://storycorps.org .

Leslie Lynn is a December 2010 MTSU advertising/public relations graduate who interned in the Office of News and Media Relations in fall 2010.


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In Brief: Time for TIAA-CREF talks

A representative from TIAA-CREF will be on campus several times in the next few weeks for individual employee-counseling sessions. Appointments may be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 25; Feb. 7, 23 and 24; and March 15, 18 and 28. Employees should contact TIAA-CREF at 800-732-8353 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays to schedule their appointments.



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For the Record: Professor's blog has tips to cut clutter, create calm

by Dr. Jackie Gilbert

As we head back to our offices in this new year and new semester, some of us remain paralyzed by an inertia that prevents us from streamlining our space. Defining what we truly need and purging the remainder can be a daunting task, however, particularly for individuals who have postponed this activity for what may be several years. A chaotic approach to conducting our business snowballs over time, perpetuating past mistakes and creating a sea of clutter in which we seem trapped.

"Organizing for Efficiency: Finding the Transformative Power of Decorum"; is a new weekly blog designed to showcase research and insights in the areas of office organizing, electronic organizing tools, civil discourse, respectful interaction and appropriate workplace behavior. This blog is the culmination of my own personal "decluttering"; journey, which began in the summer of 2008.

After obtaining the rank of full professor, I felt the need to purge my office of things past—unnecessary papers, folders, books, computer files and artifacts that I'd been collecting since the inception of doctoral school. The initial purge lasted about one month, taking three hours each day. When the job was complete, what struck me was how much more I enjoyed being in my office. I knew instantly where I could locate my belongings because unnecessary items no longer bothered me. The resulting emptiness spurred me to look for hidden treasures at home that I could use to decorate my newly simplified space, like keepsakes that were strewn in boxes and stuffed inside drawers. Each day at work, I found something else that could be rearranged, cleaned, discarded or donated to a worthy cause.

The way I attacked my job also underwent a dramatic change. Now I proceed in a more meticulous manner, strive to keep better records and have, over time, eliminated everything in my workday that is distracting. The "purge and organize"; mentality morphed into a lifestyle that has spilled over into how I maintain my home, my possessions and my personal life. Getting rid of everything unwanted has now become a daily task on my mental to-do list.

In hindsight, I wish I had started at the outset of my career with a more orderly and systematic way of tackling my work. Scheduled maintenance would have saved me time, grief, stress and countless wasted hours spent either looking for something elusive or recreating lost work. It's my desire that some of what you read in this blog will prove useful in planning your projects and in striving to provide order within your sphere of influence.

My advice is to exercise diligence every day in terms of streamlining your office space and setting aside time for housecleaning chores. The subsequent clarity of "less is more"; and "everything in its place"; will infiltrate your very thought processes, helping to eliminate those that do not serve your true purpose and creating more freedom to live in more peaceful, less obsessive circumstances.

Though initially written for an academic audience, many of the tools and suggestions in this blog are applicable to offices in general and to people regardless of their work status. Visit the blog at www.organizedforefficiency.com and give me your feedback—you'll have the time after you implement the tips! For more information about this blog, read www.drjeffcornwall.com/2010/ 12/entrepreneurial-bullies.html .

Dr. Jackie Gilbert is a professor of management in the Department of Management and Marketing in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU. Her teaching interests focus on organizational development and current issues in management. In addition to office organizing, her research topics include selective incivility/bullying and cultural diversity. She can be reached at jgilbert@mtsu.edu or at 615-898-5418.



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Spring into action with 1st semester 2011 activities

by Randy Weiler

Academics and celebration will be essential elements as MTSU enters 2011 and a new year of excitement and anticipation.

Spring-semester classes began Jan. 13 for more than 24,800 combined undergraduate and graduate students registered for classes and the university's full- and part-time faculty. Seniors' academic studies are building toward the two commencement ceremonies set for Murphy Center on Saturday, May 7.

The campus community also is making preparations for its Centennial Celebration, which officially begins Friday, Sept. 9, with the Centennial Gala at Murfreesboro's Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. A new Centennial website, www.mtsu.edu/centennial , will provide details of ongoing projects throughout the year, along with the March 2011 Alumni Record and the revamped MTSU magazine.

Spring 2011 enrollment should surpass that of spring 2010, when 23,653 students were registered for classes, representing a 5 percent increase from 2009's 22,516-student total. Census totals will be submitted to the Tennessee Board or Regents in late January or early February.

The new semester features a full schedule of activities for students, faculty and staff. They include:

  • Daily campus tours for prospective students beginning Monday, Jan. 24, with 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. tour times (615-898-5670);
  • College Goal Sunday on Sunday, Jan. 30, starting at 2 p.m. in the Business and Aerospace Building, when financial-aid personnel will assist students with questions on Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms, scholarships and the like;
  • the 10-week Honors Lecture Series, "Celebrating Creative Scholarship,"; kicking off on Monday, Jan. 31, with University Provost Brad Bartel's presentation, "The Mother-Goddess Figurine Problem of the European Paleolithic,"; at 3 p.m. in Room 106 of the Paul W. Martin Honors Building;
  • the 38th annual Groundhog Day Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 2, for MTSU baseball starting at 11:30 a.m. in the James Union Building's Tennessee Room (call 615-898-2103 for tickets);
  • the launch of MTSU's Black History Month activities with the annual Unity Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in the James Union Building's Tennessee Room (call 615-898-2591 or email bwunder@mtsu.edu for tickets);
  • free First Friday Star Parties beginning Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 102 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall (call 615-898-2130 for more information);
  • a Spring Career Fair in Williamson County on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and an Internships and Summer Jobs Fair at Murphy Center Wednesday, Feb. 23,, both sponsored by MTSU's Career Development Center (visit www.mtsu.edu/career for details);
  • the University Honors College's second President's Day Open House, set for Monday, Feb. 21, starting at noon in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building (call 615-898-5464 or email lclippar@mtsu.edu for more information);
  • the second National Recreational Sports, Fitness and Wellness Day Health Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 22, in MTSU's Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center (call 615-494-8704);
  • a School of Agriculture Career Fair in March (call 615-898-2523 or visit www.mtsu.edu/agriculture/ for final dates and event updates);
  • Admissions' Spring Preview Days on Saturday, March 26, and Saturday, April 30, both starting at 9 a.m.; and the annual Scholars Week, set April 4-8 and culminating on Friday, April 8, with a poster session in Murphy Center visit and look for "Scholars Week";).


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CHHS project aims to help patients say 'Yes I Can!'

by Gina K. Logue

The Center for Health and Human Services at MTSU has received a grant of nearly $75,000 from the Tennessee Department of Health to teach diabetics in Rutherford County how to deal with their disease.

Cindy Rhea, grants coordinator for the center and the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services, says the "Yes I Can! Diabetes Self-Management Program"; will consist of six weeks' worth of free two-and-a-half-hour sessions.



The community-based protocol is based on a model created by Stanford University and used nationwide for the past 20 years with measurably successful results, including better communication with physicians and less hospitalization.

"It encourages people who participate to bring a support person with them because when you're making lifestyle changes, you need help at home,"; says Rhea. "It's really difficult to make those changes yourself.";

In addition to diabetics and their supporters, people who might have indications of a pre-diabetic condition are encouraged to participate.

"We hope that people who attend the class really buy into the idea that if you're pre-diabetic, this could help you not progress into the disease,"; says Jill Thomas, grant manager.

As of 2007, 9.4 percent of Rutherford County residents were diagnosed with diabetes. That's slightly fewer than 16,000 people. An estimated 2.8 percent of all Tennesseans are pre-diabetic, officials say.

The free classes will be conducted from February through June at five locations in Murfreesboro and will be limited to 20 people per class. No doctor's referral is required. Participants must be at least 18 years old; children may not attend.

For specific times and locations or to register online, go to www.mtsu.edu/achcs/YesICan.php.


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Cooperative honors



REWARDING A SCHOLAR—Smyrna, Tenn., sophomore Kelsie Graham, center, accepts a $750 scholarship from Frank Jennings, right, president of the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Cooperative as Dr. Warren Gill, chair of MTSU's School of Agriculture looks on. Jennings presented the scholarship to Graham on behalf of the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives, a nonprofit organization established to promote the cooperative form of business. Graham is working toward a bachelor's degree in animal science with a concentration in horse science. She plans to attend graduate school and study equine science. The young scholar is a member of the MTSU Equestrian Team, Stock Horse Team and Collegiate FFA. She served as the freshman representative on the Agriculture Council and conducted undergraduate research for Scholars Week.

photo submitted



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Rec Center offers steady diet of fitness options year-round

by Jenny Crouch

The return of MTSU employees and students from winter break means the university's Health, Wellness and Recreation Center is bustling with activity for the spring semester.

The Faculty and Staff Wellness Program at Campus Recreation returns with three options: a full semester (12 weeks from Jan. 24 to April 22), Session A (six weeks from Jan. 24 to March 4) and Session B (six weeks from March 14 to April 22).

Cost of the full semester is $175; cost of either session is $100. The program is open to faculty, staff, alumni and Campus Rec members.

"This program provides the most bang for your buck if you are looking for a program that holds you accountable on a weekly basis,"; said Nate Dary, fitness coordinator.

The program includes beginning and ending fitness assessments (including body-fat analysis), beginning and ending weight and measurements, an upper- and lower-body strength test and a cardio test. Participants also meet weekly with a personal trainer to modify a program to fit particular needs, offer suggestions on getting the most out of workout times and provide encouragement.

A group-fitness pass for 30 classes of your choice (except Boot Camp) also is included in the package.

The full 12-week program provides all of the listed items for less than $15 per week, Dary pointed out. The six-week programs are less than $17 per week.

"The cost of a personal trainer through other gyms and fitness facilities typically will be much more than that,"; he said.

The deadline to register for the full semester and Session A is Friday, Jan. 21. The deadline for Session B is Friday, March 4.

Campus Recreation also offers "Get Fit, Stay Fit"; on a year-round basis for anyone interested in a program that offers guidance without a lot of structure. It costs $50 for MTSU employees and includes one session with a trainer, a fitness assessment, equipment orientations and a group-fitness punch pass for 30 classes.

Those seeking a rigorous group-workout experience without a program and assessment can consider Boot Camp. Cost is $50 for the Monday-to-Friday sessions from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. in the center's downstairs aerobics room.

Participants may attend either or both daily sessions. The first session begins Monday, Jan. 24; deadline for registration is Thursday, Jan. 20. Preregistration is required for these sessions, and participation is closed once classes begin.

A running program may be more in order for others on campus. For beginners, a "Couch to 5K "program provides a way to ease into running while working up to a 5K distance in six weeks. Cost is $25, and the course meets Saturday mornings beginning Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. The registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 21.

For more experienced runners who want to improve their endurance, the Half-Marathon Training Program offers training and conditioning to run up to 13.5 miles in a 12-week period. The cost is $50, and the registration deadline is Jan. 21. The program begins at 11 a.m. Jan. 22.

Dary said trainers are willing to work with anyone who wants to participate in any of these programs.

"We are interested in helping you meet your personal goals, not necessarily program goals,"; he said.

For more information about any of the department's fitness programs, call the Campus Recreation Fitness Department at 615-898-2104.

Jenny Crouch is marketing and accessibility program coordinator for Campus Recreation Center. She can be reached by calling 615-898-2104.


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Attention, faculty: Special-projects funding deadline is looming

MTSU faculty, take note: The deadline for proposals for 2011 Special Projects Grants is Friday, Feb. 11.

Each year the MTSU Foundation grants up to $20,000 to fund a special project pursued by a full-time faculty member. The grant is considered seed money for a project that will garner visibility and acclaim for the university.

The Special Projects Committee reviews all submissions and selects the winning project and may split the award, depending upon the projects submitted.

For details on special project grant funding applications, please visit the Development Office website. 



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New K-12 program series takes historic route

by Randy Weiler

Aspects of history from Colonial Williamsburg and the Civil War, MTSU's WISE Women engineering the future and walking with professors through the sands of time will be among the highlights of this spring's K-12 educational television program schedule.

The Student Enrichment Programs, which air on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 9 a.m. CST, are part of the MTSU Satellite and Videoconferencing Center's offerings.

Professional development programs for teachers air on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 3:30 p.m. CST.

After the initial student program on Jan. 13, three Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips will be broadcast. Upcoming programs will include "Freedom Bound"; on Thursday, Feb. 10; "Women of the Revolution"; on Thursday, March 10; and "Making History Live"; on Thursday, April 7. Go online to www.history.org/history/teaching/eft for more information about the Williamsburg series.

Presenters John McKay of Stones River National Battlefield and Dr. Gwynn Thayer of the Tennessee State Library and Archives will lead "Cover the Music: The Story of the Civil War Told Through Music"; on Tuesday, Feb. 15, and "Discovering Primary Sources on the Civil War at the Tennessee State Library and Archives"; on Tuesday, March 29.

WISTEM Center Director Judith Iriarte-Gross will moderate a panel discussion on "WISE Women: Engineer the Future"; on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Drs. Larry and Kathy Burriss, who teach journalism and elementary and special education, respectively, will "walk"; students through Israel, Egypt and Jordan in their Tuesday, April 5, presentation.

Mathematics, science and other educational areas will be central themes for the teachers' programs.

Kathy Burriss and other guest speakers will lead a special presentation of the 2010 MTSU Play Symposium IV on Saturday, April 9, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. This annual professional-development conference at MTSU features leading experts in children's physical activity and the crucial role it plays in education and health.

For complete students' and teachers' program listings, visit www.mtsu.edu/~itsc . More than 100 archived programs are available there for on-demand viewing as well.

The spring programs air on MTSU Channel 9 and other cable-TV outlets and at various school locations across Tennessee. For more information, contact Jenny Marsh at 615-898-2737.


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'Plus 30' adds up with MTEC course plans

by Gina K. Logue

Teachers who wish to begin or continue their "Plus 30"; hours of graduate work can make exceptional progress with the Experimental Physical Science course being offered this semester at the Middle Tennessee Education Center in Shelbyville.

Dr. Pat Patterson, MTSU associate professor of chemistry, will teach the four-hour graduate course, PSCI 5030. It involves basic concepts, laws and principles of astronomy, chemistry, geology and physics with an emphasis on using equipment available in real school situations.

Spring-semester classes began Jan. 13. The Experimental Physical Science course will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 19, and will meet each Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m.

MTEC, located at 200 Dover St. in Shelbyville, is a collaboration between MTSU, Motlow State Community College and Bedford County to make higher education and educational counseling more accessible to southern Midstate residents.

The center offers a "2+2"; program for students preparing to teach in elementary grades. Earning an Associate of Science in Teaching degree at Motlow completes the first two years of the program. Successful students ultimately will complete four years of study and earn a bachelor's degree with a major in interdisciplinary studies and a kindergarten- through-sixth-grade emphasis as well as licensure in elementary education K-6.

To find out more, contact Molly Culbreath at 931-685-4444 or mculbrea@mtsu.edu.


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Watch Grammys Feb. 13 for 3 potential MTSU wins

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be presented Sunday, Feb. 13, in Los Angeles, and faculty and alumni from MTSU may well hear their names called as winners of the coveted prize.

John Hill, a professor in MTSU's nationally recognized Department of Recording Industry, received two Grammy nominations in December for his work as an audio engineer. His contributions earned "Best Engineered Album, Classical"; and "Best Classical Album"; nominations for "Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina,"; performed by Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

Michael Latterell (B.S. '03), the 2010-11 MTSU Young Alumni Achievement Award honoree, has received another engineering Grammy nomination to add to his already impressive list of five nominations. Latterell was the lead engineer on Rhonda Vincent's "All American Bluegrass Girl,"; which has been nominated for two Grammys.

In 2009, Latterell earned a Grammy for "Best Bluegrass Album"; for singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale's "The Bluegrass Diaries."; Latterell is assistant to the regional manager for Music City Audio Machines and also works as an independent producer and engineer.

Alumnus Clarke Schleicher (B.S. '80) received two nominations for work as an engineer/mixer on Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now,"; produced by the trio and Paul Worley for Capitol Records in Nashville. Schleicher's work helped snag "Record of the Year"; and "Album of the Year"; Grammy nominations. He owns and operates L. Clarke Schleicher Engineerin in Nashville.

The Grammy Award ceremony, will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Central.

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'Small Scale' exhibit under way at Todd

MTSU's Todd Art Gallery is abloom with creativity this spring, launching the semester with an exhibition that's proof great things do indeed come in smaller packages.

The Department of Art's third biennial exhibition of "12"; X 12";: A National Juried Exhibition of Small Scale Works of Art"; opened Jan. 13 and will be on display through Thursday, Feb. 10. It's free and open to the public during the Todd Gallery's regular hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Hamlett Dobbins, an acclaimed visual artist and curator of Clough-Hansen Gallery on the campus of Rhodes College in Memphis, served as the juror for the exhibition. Artists from all across the United States submitted more than 180 pieces for consideration. There were no media restrictions, and all works could be no larger than 12"; in any direction.

Dobbins' selections for the exhibit include traditional and experimental media. Subject matter ranges from representational through abstraction and non-objective, showcasing a wide range of styles and media.

Artists included in the show are Michelle Acuff, Anna Kell, Dan Tulk, Brent Dubas, Libby Garner, Anne Havel, Metra Mitchell, Fletcher Smith, Ed Angell, Kimia Ferdowski, Gwyneth Scally, Yareth Fernandez, Tammie Rubin, Laura Drapac, Tina Gebhart, Joshua Huyser, Sean O'Meallie, Anna Kordsmeier, Monique Belitz, Margi Weir, Briena Harmening. Kurt Dyrhaug and Julie Puttgen.

Dobbins chose O'Meallie's "Blanket"; as recipient of the President's Award as best of show. Other winners include Rubin's "one"; in first place, "Small Tractor Device"; by Dyrhaug in second, Tulk's "Untitled"; in third place and "Untitled"; by Weir for honorable mention.

A closing reception in the Todd Art Gallery honoring the participating artists and Dobbins is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.



Additional spring 2011 exhibits in MTSU's Todd Gallery include:

  • Feb.15-March 3—"Foundations/Survey Exhibition,"; with an opening reception set for Tuesday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.;
  • March 15-24—Exhibition of works by Studio 1 Bachelor of Fine Arts degree candidates, with an opening reception set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15;
  • March 29-April 7—Studio BFA #2 exhibition, with an opening reception planned for Monday, March 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.;
  • April 12-21—Exhibition of works by Graphic Design #1 Bachelor of Fine Arts degree candidates, with an opening reception set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, April 11; and
  • April 26-May 5—Graphic Design BFA #2 exhibition, with an opening reception set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, April 25.

For more information, or for directions to the Todd Gallery on the MTSU campus, contact Eric Snyder at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.


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People Around Campus: WWII pilot honored with return to wild Blue yonder

by Tom Tozer

It was a privilege to be there and see it. The pleasure, however, was all John Ford's.

Whether it was to cross off an item on a "bucket list"; or to relive an indelible memory, when World War II fighter pilot Ford, 89, took off from the Murfreesboro Airport last month in a 1952 de Havilland Beaver aircraft, he made a return trip to his youth and those glory days of flying across Africa and Europe.

Ford, now a resident of the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro, wanted one more opportunity to fly. He was a highly decorated World War II pilot who flew B-26 bombers and received 19 air medals from the U.S. Army Air Corps. A member of the 9th Air Force, he flew 24 hours nonstop on June 6, 1944, in support of the D-Day mission.

People who know Ford and admire his service to his country decided to make the former lieutenant's wish come true.

Dr. Tony Johnston, MTSU professor of agribusiness and agriscience and a member of the 118th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee National Guard, got the ball rolling. Johnston's mother resides at the TSVH, and they both know Ford well.

"To veterans, heroes are the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice,"; Johnston said."Mr. Ford is a hero to many of us because of his significant sacrifices and service during World War II.We are honored to have the opportunity to thank him for his service and challenged to remember that the world would be completely different today had he not been one of the many who fought and died for the principles we Americans hold so dear.";

When Barbara Cochran, TSVH activities director, learned of Ford's desire to fly again, she and Johnston collaborated. Johnston then contacted MTSU's aerospace department, which furnished both the plane and the pilot.

Terry Dorris, MTSU associate professor of aerospace, piloted the de Havilland Beaver and, along with Johnston and Gina Logue of News and Media Relations, were the only people who caught a smile on the old soldier's face as they soared through the air.



HIGH FLIER—Surrounded by media and caregivers, World War II pilot John Ford is thanked for his service by 2nd. Lt. Ashley Lee, lower left, after he returned to the air with the help of MTSU aerospace professor Terry Dorris, agribusiness professor Tony Johnston and the Tennessee State Veterans Home.

MTSU Photographic Services photo by J. Intintoli


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Faculty/Staff Update

Appointments

Andrew Oppmann (marketing and communications) is the newly appointed 2011 chair of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. Also on the board are Dr. Jill Austin (management and marketing), Dr. Brad Bartel (provost's office), John Hood (development and university relations), Robbie Snapp (financial aid) and Vincent Windrow (intercultural and diversity affairs).

Awards

Dr. Warren Anderson (agribusiness and agriscience) will receive the Tennessee Partnership Earth Team Award for 2010 at the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts Convention Jan. 30 at the Radisson Hotel in Nashville. Anderson has worked with and as a member of the Rutherford County Earth Team, the Tennessee State University/ University of Tennessee-Knoxville Master Gardeners of Rutherford County and the Stones River Watershed Association on conservation projects. He has made local, regional and state presentations and encourages MTSU students to participate in volunteer activities.

Derria Ford (intercultural and diversity affairs) is a nominee for the 2011 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, which will be presented March 9 at the Nashville CABLE Luncheon. ATHENA honors women ages 25 to 40 who excel in their chosen fields, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and serve as role models for young women.

Dr. William Ford (Weatherford Chair of Finance) received an "Outstanding Paper Award"; for his article, "Computerized Provider Order Entry's Impact on Hospitals' Total Factor Productivity,"; at the 2010 Southern Management Association Conference Oct. 23 in St. Petersburg, Fla. His co-authors were E. W. Ford, T.R. Huerta and M.A. Thompson.

Dr. Nancy Rupprecht (history) received the Enno Kraehe Award for service to the European section of the Southern History Association at the SHA's conference in Charlotte, N.C., Nov. 4-7. Incoming SHA Chair Joel Dark, Rupprecht's former student and a past winner of the MTSU History Department's Hooper Award, made the presentation.

Certifications

Congratulations are in order for the following MTSU staffers, who recently earned their Certified Professional Secretary designations: Debbie Bartlett (athletics), Sherrie Murray (Murphy Center), Vicki Pare (accounting services), Linda Williams (athletics) and Shauna Wilson (financial aid).

Media

Dr. Joseph Akins (recording industry) is featured in a new DVD, "Pro Tools MIDI,"; released by Multi-Platinum, a company that creates tutorial videos for audio and is owned by MTSU alumnus Brady Barnett. To see the DVD, visit www.multi-platinum.com/mpp/PTMIDI/PTMIDI.html .

Dr. Hugh Berryman (sociology and anthropology, Forensic Institute for Research and Education) was interviewed about the death of Meriwether Lewis for the History Channel program "Brad Meltzer's Decoded,"; which aired Dec. 9.

Dr. William Ford (Weatherford Chair of Finance) appeared on Larry Kudlow's CNBC Evening News Dec. 13 and on Reuters TV Global News on Dec. 14.

Dr. John Vile (Honors College) was quoted in "House GOP Might Want to Skip Over Some Parts of Constitution"; by Andrea Stone for AOL.com. Vile also was quoted in "An Argument Against the Repeal Amendment"; by John J. Pitney Jr. for BessettePitney.net.

Passages

Dr. R. Wayne Gober (computer information systems) passed away Dec. 13. A native of Double Springs, Ala., he was the son of the late Richard Floyd and Delphia Northcutt Gober. Dr. Gober is survived by his wife, Diane McCullough Gober; sons Richard Todd (Nila) Gober and David Wayne (Shari) Gober, both of Murfreesboro; daughters Lisa Gober Smyth of Murfreesboro and Brittney Ella Gober of Nashville; and grandchildren Andrew and April Smyth, Rian and Megan Gober and Abby and Zack Baughman. Dr. Gober also is survived by a beloved friend, Jimmy Howell of Nashville. He was employed by MTSU from August 1975 until his retirement on July 31, 2010, and was a current post-retiree in the Department of Information Systems and Analytics. Dr. Gober was a member of the Baptist Church and a lifelong educator, and he became a professor in 1970. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, an avid football fan and a full professor at Louisiana Tech before joining the MTSU family. Memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org or the Bruce Gilley Memorial Fund at Belle Aire Baptist Church.

Presentations

Erin E. Alexander (Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia) presented "Helping Struggling Readers"; at the Tennessee Principals' Association Conference in Pigeon Forge on Dec. 2.

Deborah J. Bauder (Dyslexia Center) presented two sessions, "Progressing Toward Literacy in Pre-K and Kindergarten"; and "Using Diagnostic Information for Reading Readiness Intervention with Pre-K to Third-Grade Children"; at the East Tennessee Title I Conference in Gatlinburg on Dec. 8.

Dr. Jwa K. Kim (psychology and literacy studies) co-presented a paper, "The Effects of Multidimensionality on Parameter Estimation in Item Response Theory (IRT)"; at the annual meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association in Mobile, Ala., in November with psychology graduate student Hyun Jung Chae (M.A. '10). At the same conference, Kim also presented "Psychometric Analysis of the Infidelity Predictor Scale"; with psychology graduate student Stacy Rosati (M.A. '10) and Dr. Dana Fuller (psychology) and "The Development of a Comprehensive Commitment Scale using Item Response Theory"; with psychology graduate student Megan Lunsford (M.A. '10).

Publications

Drs. Mark Anshel and Minsoo Kang (health and human performance) and Dr. Tom Brinthaupt (psychology) have published their study, "Promoting Health Behavior Change with the Disconnected Values Model: An Action Study,"; in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (2010, Vol. 8, pp. 413-433).

Grover Baker (Center for Popular Music) and Chris Durman (University of Tennessee-Knoxville) co-authored the article "Music Reference: Just the Basics,"; which appears in Tennessee Libraries (Vol. 60, No. 3, 2010).

Dr. Sean Foley (history) published an essay, "Islam and Freedom in the West,"; in the Dec. 17, 2010, edition of New Straits Times.

Dr. Sekou Franklin (political science) edited the new edition of The State of Blacks in Middle Tennessee, a publication of The Urban League of Middle Tennessee in partnership with the Urban EpiCenter and the Center for Community Change. He also authored two articles in the report, "Driving Toward Poverty: African Immigrant Taxi Cab Drivers in the Athens of the South"; and "Racially Polarized Voting in Nashville's 2007 Mayoral Election."; Dr. Moses Tesi (political science) wrote the article on "Africans in Middle Tennessee" in the report.

Dr. Dennis Papini (psychology) co-authored "Sexual harassment and psychosexual maturity outcomes among young adults recalling their first adolescent work experiences"; for Sex Roles: A Journal of Research.

Dr. John Vile (Honors College) wrote "The Case Against a 'Repeal Amendment'"; for the Jan. 3, 2011, edition of The National Law Journal.

Amy York, Christy Groves and William Black (Walker Library) have published an article, "Enriching the Academic Experience: The Library and Experiential Learning,"; in Collaborative Librarianship (Vol. 2, No. 4, 2010).


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Campus Calendar Jan. 17-30, 2011

Please note: Event dates, times and locations may change after press time. Please verify specifics when making plans.

TV Schedule: "MTSU Out of the Blue";
Cable Channel 9: Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m., 5 p.m.
NewsChannel 5+ (Comcast 250): Sundays, 1:30 p.m.
Visit www.mtsunews.com for other cable-outlet airtimes or www.youtube.com/mtsunews for a complete show archive.

Radio Schedule: "MTSU On the Record";
8 a.m. Sundays, WMOT 89.5-FM
Podcasts available anytime at www.mtsunews.com .

Sports @ Home
Jan. 19: Women's Basketball vs. Troy, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20: Men's Basketball vs. Troy, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22: Track and Cross Country Blue Raider Invitational; Men's Tennis vs. UT-Chattanooga, 1 p.m.; Men's Basketball vs. Denver, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23: Women's Basketball vs. Denver, noon; Men's Tennis vs. Tennessee Tech, noon
J an. 29: Men's Tennis vs. Morehead State, noon
For information, visit www.goblueraiders.com .

Through Feb. 10
"12"; X 12";: A National Juried Exhibition of Small Scale Works of Art";
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Todd Gallery
For information, contact: 615-898-5653.

Monday, Jan. 17
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
No classes; university closed.

Tuesday, Jan. 18
The Greenbrook Ensemble
featuring Jessica Dunnavant, flute, and Paula Van Goes, saxophone
8 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com or contact: 615-898-2493.

Jan. 21-23
IBRA Barrel Racing Futurity
Tennessee Livestock Center
For information, visit www.ibra.us .

Saturday, Jan. 22
MTSU Saxophone Festival
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com or contact: 615-898-2493.

Sunday, Jan. 23
Faculty Recital: H. Stephen Smith, tenor; Joseph Walker, piano, Schubert's "Winterreise";
7 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com .

Wednesday, Jan. 26
Student Government Association Blood Drive
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Room 322, Keathley University Center
For information, visit www.givelife.org or contact: 615-898-2464.

Dr. Ryan Otter, "How to Win at the Game of College";
6 p.m., Room S102 (State Farm Lecture Hall), Business and Aerospace Building
For information, visit www.thecollegegameproject.org .

Jan. 28-30
Extreme Bull-Riding Championships
Tennessee Miller Coliseum
For information, visit www.gosebra.com .

Norwegian Fjord Horse Seminar
Tennessee Livestock Center
For information, contact: 615-347-6453.

Friday, Jan. 28
Submission Deadline for the 2011-12 Blue Raider Planner and Handbook
For information, contact ghpoff@mtsu.edu or ihale@mtsu.edu.

Saturday, Jan. 29
MTSU Flute Festival
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com or contact: 615-898-2493.


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