The Record, Oct. 18, 2010, V19.08


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Alumna provides gift, advice for young scholars

by Tom Tozer

The ball started rolling when an MTSU Phonathon student called Mary Neal Alexander (B.S. '41) for a pledge.

She committed $100 and mailed in $1,000. Later, she raised her contribution to $10,000, then established an endowed scholarship of $30,000. Now Alexander is taking it to a higher level.

Could it be that she still feels a strong connection to the Middle Tennessee State Teachers College from the late 1930s because of its commitment, even then, to students?

"The teachers who were there when I was there … they had our best interests at heart. I don't think it was a matter of just grinding us out like a sausage mill,"; said the home-demonstration and home-economics major. "They cared about us.";

Alexander lived in what's now the Percy Priest Lake area and was home-schooled as a child. After high school, her mother sent her to what was then David Lipscomb College, at that time a two-year school.

"My mother was determined that I get an education,"; Alexander said. "I had an eye problem, and the doctor told me not to go back to school for a year. After that time, I came to Murfreesboro. All the dorm rooms were taken.

"Someone told me about a new teacher coming in and said that I could stay in her house. … It turned out she was the head of the home-economics department. I said no way was I going to stay with her, because that's what I was majoring in!

"My mother asked me if I wanted to live at home or stay with the new teacher,"; Alexander continued. "That settled that. Ms. (Carrie) Hodges and I became the best of friends, until her death many years later.";

The State Teachers College didn't offer courses in home management, Alexander's primary area of interest. "But I really got that training living with her,"; Alexander recalled of her mentor.

Later, the department was renamed Family and Consumer Science. "Sounds more fancy,"; Alexander quipped.

After graduation from college, Alexander was one of three women recruited by the UT Extension Service. She spent the next 31 years helping people in rural areas get electricity and learn how to use electric stoves, refrigerators and freezers. She helped farmers install and operate electric milk coolers and, later, she stuffed cotton mattresses.

"Food, clothing and shelter, that what's we dealt with—those would always be necessities,"; she explained. "My title was 'home demonstration agent,' and I did that for about 20 years in three different counties. Then I was transferred from Sumner County to Cookeville and became supervisor of 15 counties in the Upper Cumberland District.";

A scholarship made possible by Alexander's generosity will be available to "the underdog,"; as she puts it, and not just to students with a high GPA.

"There are some people who can do things with their hands, but they don't have the ability to put it on paper,"; Alexander said thoughtfully. "They freeze.";

Alexander's advice to students who go to college is to get involved in everything MTSU has to offer.

"Be a part of everything that you can possibly do,"; she said, "but don't let your outside activities interfere with your class time. Your classwork must come first.";

Joe Bales, vice president for development and university relations, said Alexander's gift is "yet another example of the good will that MTSU has tried to preserve with our alumni and friends.

"The endowment and what it will do for countless students are invaluable. The relationships that come out of these kinds of connections are just as wonderful. We are grateful to Mary Neal Alexander for honoring her alma mater with this gift.";

A gift of friendship also has emerged from Alexander's partnership with Development and University Relations. She and Lucie Murphy Burchfield, a development director, have become pals.

"I invited her to my wedding and I've cooked some of her recipes,"; Burchfield said. "I just think she's wonderful, and she's had a wonderful life. She did good things in her work and in her personal life. I love being around her.";





FRIENDLY VISIT—MTSU Alumna Mary Neal Alexander, left, poses for a photo with a good friend, Lucie Murphy Burchfield of the university's Development Office, during a recent visit to Alexander's Nashville home. Alexander, a member of the Class of 1941 and a longtime home-demonstration agent for the University of Tennessee Extension Service, has expanded her $100 scholarship pledge into an endowed scholarship for MTSU students.

MTSU Photographic Services photo by J. Intintoli


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Bright lights, blue city: Homecoming is one big fun fest

from Staff Reports

Something for everyone—from Baby Raiders to Golden Raiders—will be on tap for MTSU's 2010 Homecoming, culminating with the Saturday, Oct. 23, football game against Louisiana-Monroe in Floyd Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. for the Sun Belt Conference game.

Of special interest earlier in the day will be the 25th anniversary celebration for the Center for Popular Music from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the John Bragg Mass Communication Building.

Student homecoming activities will include:

  • the Fight Song competition for student organizations on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. in Murphy Center;
  • the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show, which will be held in Murphy Center on Friday, Oct. 22, starting at 7 p.m.;
  • the Homecoming Parade, featuring Grand Marshal Lane Davies, an alumnus of the Class of 1972, starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The parade begins on Maney Avenue, follows East Main Street to Middle Tennessee Boulevard and ends at Greenland Drive; and
  • the crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King, elected during the Oct. 5-7 Student Government Association voting.

Children and grandchildren of alumni, employees, students and friends of the university are invited to participate in the parade by walking, being pulled in a stroller or wagon or riding a tricycle in the Baby Raider Ride Contest. Baby Raiders must be accompanied by an adult and will enter the parade at the Alumni House.

Three divisions—alumni and friends, restaurants and students—will compete in the Chili Cook-Off on Friday, Oct. 22, starting at 5 p.m. in the Murphy Center Forest.

Alumni activities include:

  • the Golden Raider Reunion and Induction Ceremony on Friday, starting at 2 p.m., where the Class of 1960 will be saluted;
  • the annual Mixer on Middle Parade-Watching Party Saturday starting at 10 a.m. and featuring commentary from the "Voice of the Blue Raiders,"; Chip Walters, and fellow alumna Nancy Van Camp of WSMV-Channel 4;
  • a reunion of former Sidelines staff members, set for Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m. in the Brass Mass Communication Building;
  • the Alumni Reunion Tailgate Tent Oct. 23 starting at noon, along with the 1963-98 Political Science Alumni Tailgate, the Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae/Collegiate Tailgate and a multitude of other gatherings in Walnut Grove after the parade;
  • Concrete Industry Management tailgating at the Voorhies Engineering Technology Building;
  • a reunion of the 1959 and 1961 Tangerine Bowl football teams and Varsity Club reception on Oct. 23; and
  • a gathering of former Homecoming Queens, Kings and cheerleaders during ceremonies to crown this year's honorees.

The annual Al Wilkerson Scholarship Dance will conclude homecoming events Saturday night starting at 8 at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Visit www.mtalumni.com or call 800-533-6878 for more information.


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Diversity Town Hall Meeting set Oct. 29

MTSU will conduct a Diversity Town Hall Meeting on Friday, Oct. 29, in the Tom Jackson Building to continue efforts to become a diversified campus and ensure excellence in inclusion as part of the university's Academic Master Plan.

University Provost Brad Bartel and Dr. John Omachonu, interim vice provost for academic affairs, will moderate the discussion, scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. in Cantrell Hall.

"MTSU is organizing a community Town Hall that seeks to cultivate a culture of engagement and collaboration,"; Bartel said. "We hope everyone can join us in an open discussion that can lead to action steps to achieve excellence in access and diversity at MTSU.";

Omachonu currently serves as point person for diversity at MTSU. Bartel said he and Omachonu will be soliciting productive ideas on an issue that is "critical to the intellectual health of our campus.";

For more information about the meeting, call 615-898-2881.


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In Brief: Clothing drive under way

The MTSU Masters Swim Club is collecting gently used clothing and other items through Friday, Oct. 29, for Safe Haven Family Shelter in Nashville. Collection boxes are located in the Recreation Center entry foyer and in Cheryl Richardson's third-floor office at the Walker Library. For a list of needed items, contact Richardson at crichard@mtsu.edu or Pam Footit at pfootit@mtsu.edu.


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For the Record: Share holiday cheer in cards for wounded soldiers

by Lee Ann Newton

Christmas comes every year, and now, so does Operation Christmas Care! Christmas cards for our wounded soldiers are needed as desperately this year as they were four years ago, when I first established Operation Christmas Care after learning that a friend's son had lost both of his legs in an IED explosion in Iraq. Through his sister's blog, I learned just how important cards and letters, with a heartfelt message of support and encouragement, can be for our wounded warriors as they heal.

Thank you to those who have already so generously volunteered your time. I have had several questions about this year's project and thought I would address them to all for clarification.

This year's project needs volunteers! Our needs for the immediate future include:

  • spreading the word and sending information to anyone—church, school, organization—that you think might want to be involved;
  • making and delivering card-drop boxes and "Pennies for Postage"; jars by Oct. 25;
  • distributing a flier around campus, town, organizations, etc.

If you place a card-drop box or Pennies for Postage jar in your office by creating one yourself, please email me to let me know. We want to be sure we don't miss anyone with follow up emails for final drop-off and pick-up of jars and cards.

More than half of the cards sent last year were from children, so this is definitely a project for all ages!

In addition to seeking support from the MTSU community, we are sending information to Vanderbilt, Lipscomb, Belmont and Tennessee State universities for their help. We've also contacted the sheriffs' departments in Rutherford, Cannon and Williamson counties to ask their help in circulating Pennies for Postage jars and getting card-signing projects under way in their respective school systems.

As we move forward, the volunteer needs will change, and I will be sending updates to let everyone know where we are and what we need to do next. You can volunteer 30 minutes or 30 hours—I am sooooooooooo appreciative of any and all volunteers who come my way!

Monetary donations besides pennies also are being accepted. Send them to me at Campus Mail Box 82; please write "OCC"; by my name on the envelope. If you want to send a check, please make it out to Soldier and Family Assistance Center. Any donations above and beyond our postage needs will be sent to Judith Markelz, director of the Soldier and Family Assistance Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to buy new DVDs for the soldiers. Her address is:

Judith Markelz, Director
Soldier and Family Assistance Center
Powless Guest House, Second Floor
3625 George Beach Road
Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234.

WGNS Radio kicked off publicity Oct. 10 to encourage participation in Operation Christmas Care in the Dec. 12 Rutherford County Christmas Parade. We will be asking parade-watchers and participants to bring a holiday card to the parade, and local Boy Scouts will be gathering the cards along the parade route and putting them on the Operation Christmas Care float.

On Nov. 15, at a location and time still to be finalized, we'll be making a DVD of get-well wishes from our community to our wounded soldiers. We'll be set up to videotape your 30- to 60-second morale-boosting message for our wounded troops. These messages will be turned into multiple-DVD sets to be distributed to military hospitals worldwide to boost our soldiers' morale as they endure long and painful recoveries.

On Dec. 2, all card-drop boxes will be gathered in a central location for pick-up. All MTSU drop boxes and Pennies for Postage jars should be taken to Room 107 of Corlew Hall. On Dec. 3, we'll pick up all cards across the region for the next day's sorting event.

On Dec. 4, we need volunteers to help sort and package cards in the MTSU Police Department training room beginning at 8 a.m. until we're done. (We're also looking for businesses to donate snacks for our volunteers.) Volunteers can work in 30-minute shifts or all day; just come when you can. If you'd like to bring a large group to help, please let me know so we can schedule them throughout the day.

Dec. 12 will give us a chance to collect cards along the Rutherford County Christmas Parade route and make late deliveries. After the parade, we'll need volunteers again to help sort and package cards in the MTSU Police Department training room. We will mail the cards the same day.

On Dec. 15, we'll publicize our final card and postage-collection count.

Please email me with any questions or to offer your services as a volunteer. When emailing, please put "OCC"; in the subject line so the email won't be accidentally erased.

Thank you for your excitement about Operation Christmas Care! Blessings to you all.

Lee Ann Newton is the executive aide for MTSU's Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center. She can be reached at 615-904-8573 or at lnewton@mtsu.edu.


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Scare yourself silly with horror films on campus

MTSU is inviting the community to be scared silly by horror movies in October, culminating in a showing of the cult classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show"; just before Halloween.

The Student Programming Films Committee has arranged for free public performances of frightful films like "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"; and "Night of the Living Dead"; each Saturday through Oct. 30 in the Keathley University Center Theater.

"Rocky Horror,"; which will be presented at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, in the KUC Theater, has a $5-per-person admission charge.

"The Films Committee wanted to bring an alternative film experience like 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' to the students of MTSU, rather than just a 'normal' movie,"; said Tyler Adkins, chair of the Films Committee.

"'Rocky Horror Picture Show' used to be a long-standing tradition at MTSU, so we're looking forward to bringing this tradition back. We also thought bringing older movies such as 'Night of the Living Dead' was a great way to pay homage to Halloween from a historical film perspective.";

"Rocky Horror,"; first released in 1975, is considered the longest-running release in film history and has been playing in some theaters, especially in midnight showings, for decades. The science-fiction/B-movie parody relates the perils of a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, whose flat tire leads them to the castle of an evil scientist, Dr. Frank N. Furter, and his friends.
The musical is renowned for its enthusiastic audience participation, which often includes dressing like the film's characters and acting out scenes.

For this special MTSU performance, the Films Committee says no squirt guns or candles will be allowed in the theater for safety reasons. The film is rated R and is for audiences 18 and older. Pre-sale tickets will be available at the KUC Information Desk from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25-28; tickets also will be available beginning at 9 p.m. at the KUC Theater box office on Oct. 28.

Fans also can sharpen their fangs on this free horror fare at MTSU:

  • "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"; (1920, directed by Robert Wiene), Saturday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. (special Fall Break matinee);
  • "Night of the Living Dead"; (1968, directed by George Romero), Saturday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.; and
  • "White Zombie"; (1932, starring Bela Lugosi), Saturday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

MTSU also has scheduled two special horror/Halloween movies for only $2 admission per person: "Twilight: Eclipse,"; showing through Friday, Oct. 15, and "Ghostbusters,"; playing Oct. 25-29. "Twilight: Eclipse"; showings are scheduled at 7 and 10 p.m. Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday, while "Ghostbusters"; will be shown at 7 and 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

For more information, call 615-898-2551 or visit MTSU Events .


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'Trash-talking' has new meaning at symposium

by Gina E. Fann

MTSU will be talking trash in the James Union Building, not in Murphy Center or Floyd Stadium, as the 19th Annual Tennessee Undergraduate Social Science Symposium gets under way Nov. 2-3.

"Talking Trash: Garbage in Society and the Environment"; is the theme of this year's symposium, which is highlighted by two special lectures:

  • a keynote address, "The Garbology of Us,"; on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from Dr. William L. Rathje, founder and director of The Garbage Project in Tucson, Ariz.; and
  • a Senior Scholar's Lecture, "Oil Spill Déjà Vu: Social Impacts of the BP Gulf Gusher and the Exxon Valdez Disaster,"; on Wednesday, Nov. 3, by Dr. Duane A. Gill of Oklahoma State University.

Rathje, whose research and public presentations focus on the archaeology of modern garbage, will speak at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Gill, who is part of a research team investigating the human impact of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill as well as several other spills in recent years, will speak at 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

Both lectures will be held in the JUB's Tennessee Room.

Program Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Meredith Dye and Dr. Brian Hinote said this year's symposium promises to be a "lively gathering of student researchers and established scholars"; that engages some of the most timely social and environmental issues of contemporary American society.

"We encourage student participation from across all corners of campus and the entire Middle Tennessee area, and in cooperation with many other faculty members and student organizations, are working diligently to make this an enjoyable and informative campus event by bringing leading researchers in the social sciences to MTSU,"; Hinote said.

"But the symposium is really a celebration of student research and academics,"; added Dye, "so come and join us in early November to enjoy the various activities that we have planned, but also to support student research as well.";

During his lecture, Rathje will explain:

  • what foods and drinks we most misreport consuming;
  • how our misunderstanding of foods affects our health;
  • what biodegrades and what doesn't in modern landfills and what's taking up the most space there; and
  • the easiest ways to decrease what we throw away.

An interview with Rathje is scheduled to air on "MTSU On the Record"; on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 8 a.m. on WMOT-Jazz 89 and www.wmot.org .

Gill's lecture will examine the social impact of the BP gusher by comparing the community of Bayou La Batre, Ala., with Cordova, Alaska. Both communities are renewable-resource communities, and their social and economic recovery is tied to restoration of damaged resources.

Also on Tuesday, a thematic panel on environmental issues and consumerism is set for 11:30 a.m. in the Tennessee Room, and a feature documentary, "Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home,"; will be screened at 4:15 p.m. The film by writer/director Andrew Nisker follows an average family as they save all the garbage they produce over three months, then discover how their single household affects the planet.

Student research-paper presentations are scheduled throughout the two-day symposium on a variety of social topics, including immigration, social problems, social and cultural theory, hate crimes, race and ethnicity, Appalachian studies, health and family, experiential learning in archaeological studies, and study abroad. All social- science paper submissions are welcome.

The symposium is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the MTSU Distinguished Lecture Series, the College of Graduate Studies, the University Honors College, the Municipal Technical Advisory Service, Students for Environmental Action, the MTSU Sociology Club, the Middle Tennessee Anthropology Society and student activity fees.

All events are open to the public and are free.

For more information on the symposium, please contact Hinote at bhinote@mtsu.edu or 615-494-7914 or Dye in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at mdye@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2690. You also may visit the symposium website at www.mtsu.edu/soc/socsymp/index.shtml .


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Support art scholarships at seasonal exhibit and sale

MTSU's Department of Art is continuing its successful Art Scholarship Seasonal Exhibit and Sale with another fundraising event set for Nov. 3-4.

The exhibit and sale, begun in fall 2008 as a effort to raise funds for various scholarships within the department, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 3 and 4.

The works included in the exhibit and sale have been collected from art department faculty members, staff, students, alumni and friends in the community, organizers said.

"This is our third annual sale to promote Department of Art Scholarships. It promises to be our best yet," said Dr. Jean Nagy, department chair.

Continuing in the original vein of donors' choice, funds from the sale of each piece will go to a scholarship fund designated by each artwork's donor.

Current art scholarships include:

  • the Hester Rogers Ray Scholarship for art-education students;
  • the Charles Massey Scholarship for second-semester studio-art majors;
  • the Dr. Charles Brandon Scholarship for studio-art majors;
  • the John and Elva Griffin Scholarship for incoming freshmen majoring in art;
  • the Jill Montgomery Scholarship for art-history majors;
  • the David LeDoux Scholarship for studio-art majors;
  • the Ollie Fancher Scholarship for graphic-design majors;
  • the Lon Nuell Scholarship for incoming freshmen majoring in art; and
  • the Department of Art Scholarships for art majors.

The department also will feature exhibitions of work by Bachelor of Fine Arts degree candidates throughout November and December in the Todd Gallery. BFA Studio 1 artists will be on exhibit Nov. 8-12, while BFA Studio 2 artists will exhibit their work Nov. 15-19 and BFA Studio 3 artists will be on exhibit Nov. 29-Dec. 3.

Opening receptions for the three exhibits are planned on each exhibit's opening day (Nov. 8, 15 and 29) from 6 to 8 p.m. All the BFA exhibits will be open during the Todd Gallery's regular operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For more information on the scholarship exhibit and sale or the BFA degree candidates' exhibits, call 615-898-2455.


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Graphic-design students' show Oct. 21-Nov. 2 at Todd Gallery

A juried show of graphic-design students' work will be on display at MTSU's Todd Gallery Thursday, Oct. 21, through Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The "HYPE Design Show" exhibit will showcase 73 works chosen by Latocki Team Creative, a Nashville-based team specializing in identity creation, brand management and image alignment. An opening reception for the exhibit is set on Oct. 21 from 4 to 5 p.m.

"The jurors and the department were impressed by the quality and number of entries," said Associate Professor Seth Johnson."We hope the Hype Design Show continues to grow."

The Todd Gallery is located on the second floor of MTSU's Todd Building in the heart of campus. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 615-898-2455.


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Team player



TOP WORK!—Sally Swoape, center, executive aide for the Department of Engineering Technology, accepts a plaque as the latest quarterly Secretarial/ Clerical Award winner from Trina Clinton of Human Resource Services, left, chair of MTSU's Employee Recognition Commit-tee, and ET department chair Dr. Walter Boles. The committee salutes staffers who make outstanding contributions and demonstrate excellence in their roles. For more information about nominating a full-time co-worker for the award program, go to the HR website. 

MTSU Photographic Services photo by J. Intintoli


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Making a mark



WALKING THE 'WALK'—Members of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity pose with MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, center, in front of a "Raider Walk"; lightning bolt the organization repainted as part of a community-service project. The men worked more than three days this summer to spruce up the symbols on pavement throughout the MTSU campus, then painted the lightning bolts black for the Oct. 5 "Blackout"; game against Troy. They repainted the symbols Raider blue in time for the Oct. 23 homecoming game, when athletes, cheerleaders, the MTSU Band of Blue and fans will trek from Walnut Grove to Floyd Stadium in the ceremonial Raider Walk at 1:15 p.m. "Painting the lightning bolts doesn't just signify a simple community-service project,"; ATO Recruitment Chair Chris Hardman said. "It signifies the Blue Raider pride that we have as a chapter and how we want to spread that pride to the MTSU community.";

photo submitted


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Prep for Oct. 27 'stay-in-place' tornado drill

Faculty and staff: Please read the following script to your students and colleagues during the "stay-in-place"; tornado drill on campus at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

We hope this effort will prove less disruptive, but it is essential that you pause for a few minutes to share information regarding the "safe place"; in your building on that day at that time. Building runners will make their rounds to offer any assistance you may need.

We appreciate your cooperation in this important effort to keep everyone as safe as possible. If you have any questions or problems, please email Tom Tozer at ttozer@mstu.edu.

"May I have your attention please …

"We are currently experiencing a tornado drill. During a tornado warning, the campus siren will sound and, if you have registered, you will receive an emergency notification in the form of a text message, voice alert or email—or all three.

"It's important that you know where you should go for shelter in this building if this were an actual tornado warning.

"Our 'safest place' in this location is __________. ( Go to http://bit.ly/MTSafePlaces to find your location's safe place and make note of it above to tell your listeners.)

"If it were necessary to vacate this room and go to that safe place, you would need to:

  • take possessions with you;
  • remain calm and walk quickly to the safe place;
  • stay away from doorways, windows and loose or breakable objects;
  • as a general rule, use stairways, not elevators;
  • help anyone with a disability go to a safe place, which could require help from more than one person (a person with a disability may use an elevator to reach safety); and
  • remain in your safe place until an all-clear is sounded.

"Please remember these additional tips about tornado safety:

  • Do not pull the fire alarm during a tornado warning.
  • If you are outside during a tornado warning, you should seek shelter inside the nearest building.
  • Do not attempt to leave campus in your car during a tornado warning.
  • In case of injuries in an actual emergency, call 615-898-2424 or 911.

"If you have not registered to receive emergency notifications, go to www.mtsu.edu/alert4u . Thank you.";

If any of your students or colleagues have questions about signing up for emergency notifications, please refer them to the handy guide at http://bit.ly/MTAlerts .


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MTSU changes 'exciting' for new AVP Cicotello

by Randy Weiler

David Cicotello is finding "personal excitement"; in joining the MTSU administrative staff as associate vice provost for admissions and enrollment services.

"Being part of this enterprise has been great,"; Cicotello said. "I'm feeling welcomed, and the hospitality extended to me does not go unnoticed.";

Cicotello left the University of Nebraska at Omaha to join MTSU after a national search to replace longtime administrators Lynn Palmer and Sherian Huddleston. MTSU's reorganization, via President Sidney A. McPhee's "Positioning the University for the Future"; plan, combined various aspects of admissions, enrollment services and financial aid, leading to changes in administrative tasks for the associate vice provost's job.

Other staffing changes within the departments include naming Stephen White as the new financial-aid director, Teresa Thomas' switch from Records Office director to director of enrollment technical systems and moving Cathy Kirchner to registrar from assistant director in the scheduling center.

"What's exciting to me in the reorganization of this division (Student Affairs) and the 'Positioning the University for the Future' is that it's not often we have these chances,"; Cicotello said. "Plus, we have a new provost (Dr. Brad Bartel) and a new CIO (Bruce Petryshak). I'm very excited about being here.";

Along with the personnel changes, work on the new College of Education and student-union buildings is progressing rapidly on the east side of campus. Plans are in place for a new student-services building that will be a one-stop shop for prospective and current students.

"We already have the Campus Recreation Center, the Honors College building and the new entrance (off Rutherford Boulevard) on that side,"; Cicotello said. "I'm enthusiastic about the prospects of creating an entrance to that side of campus and making that a positive first impression for visitors. We can show visitors 'the new MTSU' to go along with the historical side.";

The Pennsylvania native and other MTSU administrators are in the midst of an eight-city tour for student receptions and guidance-counselor luncheons. The one- and two-day trips include Chattanooga, Clarksville, Lynchburg-Shelbyville, Johnson City, Knoxville, Nashville, Jackson and Memphis.

"Our mission is to serve MTSU students and offer programs that serve students from around the region, state and world,"; he said.

Cicotello has an English background, earning his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Kansas. He did doctoral work at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and "was a classroom professor for years"; before venturing into higher-education administration.

He also is a baseball writer, co-editing a book about Forbes Field, former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he recently co-authored Mysteries from Baseball's Past with Angelo J. Louisa. He's a member of the Society for American Baseball Research.


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Nominate your students for Who's Who before Nov. 12

Nominations are being accepted from the MTSU community through Friday, Nov. 12, for the Who's Who Among Students in Universities and Colleges.

"Each year, MTSU selects up to 150 students to join the prestigious Who's Who community,"; said Jacqueline Victory, director of the Office of Leadership and Service at MTSU.

"This award honors the nation's leading college students and exists as one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs in the nation. For more than 70 years, the Who's Who program has honored outstanding campus leaders for their scholastic and community
achievements.";

A university committee of faculty and students evaluate the applications, and the top candidates are selected as MTSU's Who's Who contingent.

Minimum qualifications are:

  • classification as a junior, senior or graduate student;
  • a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
  • contributing significantly to MTSU and/or the outside community.

To nominate a student for this award, complete anapplication at www.mtsu.edu/leadandserve and mail it to the Office of Leadership and Service, MTSU Box 39, or bring it to the office in Room 326-S of the Keathley University Center.

For more information, please contact 615-898-5812 or visit www.mtsu.edu/~mtleader/awards_mtleader.shtml for an application.


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Past achievements, 2010-11 goals highlight CBAS address

by Randy Weiler

MTSU's College of Basic and Applied Sciences recently held its annual State of the College Address for faculty, administrators, staff and invited guests to celebrate the past year's accomplishments and look toward another bright academic year for 2010-11.

"There are a number of goals we hope to achieve in the coming year,"; Dean Tom Cheatham said.

"We expect it to be a good year. We're excited about the new Ph.D. programs (molecular biosciences, computational science, and mathematics and science education). We have 45 new Ph.D. students, which is amazing for the first year.";

In addition to hoped-for successful starts with doctoral programs and MTeach, the college's primary goals include:

  • securing funding for a new science building;
    • working to improve retention and graduation statistics;
  • improving extramural funding;
  • solidifying the aerospace department's partnerships with ITT/NextGen and ISR Group;
  • ring a permanent chair in the computer-science department; and
  • constructing a new milking facility.

Cheatham said improvements in the retention and graduation statistics and extramural funding will be "big drives in the new formula for THEC (Tennessee Higher Education Commission) funding.";

The dean said the college received a bid of $2.76 million to build the milking facility at the MTSU farm property, located east of campus on Guy James Road near Halls Hill Pike.

The math- and science-education Ph.D. and MTeach programs are partnerships with the College of Education, Cheatham said. MTeach's goal is to recruit and retain quality math and science teachers.

The college had more than 218 full-time faculty and 6,231 majors in 2009-10. This fall, there are 192 faculty and 5,125 majors. The numbers do not include six military-science faculty members, whose salaries are paid by the U.S. Army.

CBAS departments include aerospace, agribusiness and agriscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering technology, mathematics, and physics and astronomy.


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NSCS chapter receives organization's gold award

from Staff Reports

MTSU's chapter of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars received the organization's gold award at the recent NSCS Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is an honors organization for high-achieving freshmen and sophomores with more than 270 student-run chapters at universities across the United States. The MTSU chapter was founded in 2000.

For Sherice Evans, the NSCS national staff representative who works with MTSU's chapter officers, the award comes as no surprise.

"The members of MTSU's chapter are amazing,"; Evans said. "They have gone above and beyond by creating innovative programs and expanding and improving existing programs and have provided an exceptional experience for their members. They have truly embraced the ideals of NSCS.";

To achieve gold status, chapters are required to hold an induction ceremony for new members, create a student mentoring program, hold campuswide events to support NSCS' integrity initiative, create an on-campus membership-recruitment campaign and engage a campus office in a chapter event.

"NSCS is a wonderful organization that gives lots of opportunities to its members,"; said MTSU senior Laendia Buchanan, president of the society. "We are very excited to receive gold-star status. It is an honor,and I am proud to be president.";

Dr. Hilary Stallings, MTSU chapter adviser, commended the student group, noting that they "work hard both in and out of the classroom. Their dedication to scholastics and service is refreshing.";

The chapter will also receive a $250 chapter scholarship, and a letter will be sent to MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee to commemorate its accomplishment.

NSCS chapters can attain one of four status levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Each level is determined based on the quantity and quality of events a chapter conducted during the previous year. NSCS has more than 750,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

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MacDougall takes chemistry reins as interim chair

by Randy Weiler

Sixteen-year faculty member Dr. Preston MacDougall has accepted the call to serve as interim chair in the Department of Chemistry for the current academic year, College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Tom Cheatham said.

MacDougall, a professor, will lead the department in the absence of Dr. Earl Pearson, who has had to step aside from his administrative duties because of family illness. Pearson has been chair since 1998, when he came to MTSU.

"I feel honored to be named interim chair of the chemistry department at this key moment in its history,"; MacDougall said. "Our participation in the new science Ph.D. programs makes the future exciting, and the upcoming Centennial Celebration will give us special opportunities to celebrate our past.";

MacDougall teaches physical science for nonscience majors, honors general chemistry, physical chemistry for chemistry majors and advanced topics courses for master's and doctoral students.

"Dr. Preston MacDougall has been a chemistry faculty member since 1994 and has served as the assistant chair,"; Cheatham said. "He is the PI (principal investigator) on an $890,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant to study computational modeling of drug-resistant bacteria. I am grateful to him for stepping in as interim chair in Dr. Pearson's absence.";

MacDougall earned his bachelor's degree in 1983 and a doctorate in education in '89, both from McMaster University in Canada. He has participated in postdoctoral fellowships at Texas A&M University and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

MacDougall's research interests in theoretical chemistry include the development of quantum chemistry-based design tools for pharmacology and molecular modeling in chemical education.
Some of his research was performed with collaborators at the NASA Ames Research Center.

The Department of Chemistry has a combined 30 full-time and adjunct faculty members. There are approximately 1,200 students majoring in chemistry.


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Free shuttle rides available to early-voting site through Oct. 27

MTSU students and staff who want to vote early in the 2010 midterm elections can get free rides to the Rutherford County Election Commission Office on Murfreesboro's Public Square via Raider Xpress.

The fall general election is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Early voting in Tennessee began Oct. 13 and continues through Thursday, Oct. 28.

The free shuttle rides are provided by the American Democracy Project at MTSU in conjunction with the Division of Student Affairs, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, and the Division of Business and Finance, Event Coordination Department, and Parking and Transportation Services. The shuttle schedule is:

  • Thursday, Oct. 21—3 p.m. pick-up in front of James Union Building; pick-up at the square at 4:15 p.m. to return to the JUB;
  • Friday, Oct. 22—2:30 p.m. pick-up in front of the JUB; pick-up at the square at 3:45 p.m. to return to campus;
  • Monday, Oct. 25—10 a.m. pick-up in front of the JUB; pick-up at the square at 11:15 a.m. to return to campus;
  • Tuesday, Oct. 26—5 p.m. pick-up in front of the JUB; pick-up at the square at 6:15 p.m. to return to campus; and
  • Wednesday, Oct. 27—8:30 a.m. pick-up in front of the JUB; pick-up at the square at 9:45 a.m. to return to campus.

Details about early voting in Rutherford County can be found at the election commission website via http://bit.ly/VoteEarly2010 .

For more information, contact ADP coordinator Dr. Mary Evins at amerdem@mtsu.edu or visit their website.


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Environmental ed center publishes Tennessee water booklet

by Randy Weiler

MTSU's Center for Environmental Education and National Project WET have created and developed a new publication called "Discover Waters of Tennessee.";

Dr. Cindi Smith-Walters, the center's director, said the colorful "Discover Waters of Tennessee"; booklet is another Center for Environmental Education project to help increase stewardship by providing factual information about Tennessee's waters.

"Although targeted to a student audience, users of the booklet will include formal and informal educators, stormwater program managers, watershed groups, citizen organizations, parks and recreation, even the tourism industry and more,"; Smith-Walters said.









"Water-quality experts were consulted and aided in development and writing of the booklet, so the Center for Environmental Education has strengthened and expanded upon our already diverse group of partners,"; she added.

Approximately 85,000 booklets were printed and will be distributed through the center's network of partners, Smith-Walters said.

A plus, she said, is that "Discover the Waters of Tennessee"; soon will have a link on the center's website, www.tennesseewaterworks.com . The booklet also meets State Department of Education standards in science, language, arts, social studies and mathematics.

All the ancillaries help to meet the stormwater permit goals for MTSU and the city of Murfreesboro.

While supplies last, limited copies of the publication are available by calling 615-904-8575, said Cynthia Allen, natural resources coordinator with the center.

The Center for Environmental Education, which is part of MTSU's biology department, is located in the Fairview Building.


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Events Around Tennessee: Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is Oct. 24-30

by Randy Weiler

Oct. 24-30 is designated by the U.S. Senate as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, and MTSU's Tennessee Alliance for Lead-safe Kids program wants people across the state to know the risks and take precautions.

"The only way to know of lead exposure is through a simple blood test, and even low levels of lead in a child's blood can be dangerous,"; said Leigh Woodcock, TALK/TN LEAP East coordinator in Knoxville.

TN LEAP is the Tennessee Lead Elimination Action Program, which, like TALK, is administered by MTSU.

"The target audience for TALK's lead-poisoning prevention efforts is parents, but also anyone (child care or health care providers) who works with children under 6,"; Woodcock said.

Effects of childhood lead poisoning can include lowered IQ, developmental and growth delays, learning disabilities, violent and aggressive behavior and coma or even death, researchers have determined.

Unless they have been exposed to lead hazards, children should be tested at 12 and 24 months old. Parents and guardians should talk to their pediatrician or local health officials about any concerns, Woodcock said.

Children can be exposed to lead through:

  • peeling and chipping paint in homes built before 1978;
  • lead dust from paint in homes built before 1978;
  • some older water pipes, mini-blinds, imported toys, hobbies, home remedies and jewelry; and
  • exposure in utero, where lead can pass through the mother's bloodstream to her unborn child.

"There is a great concern for lead poisoning from imported goods, and rightly so, but many are unaware of the lead in their own homes that could poison their children,"; Woodcock said. "It's our goal at TALK and TN LEAP to help parents take the very simple steps to protect their kids.";

In Tennessee, more than 1 million homes were built before 1978, increasing the likelihood that lead-based paint hazards may exist, TALK and TN LEAP officials say.

Housing and Urban Development grant programs at MTSU can assist families in various ways. TALK offers outreach and education about the dangers and prevention of childhood lead poisoning, and TN LEAP has grant funding to help identify and clean up lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 homes of those who qualify.

Childhood lead poisoning is 100 percent preventable, TALK and TN LEAP officials say.
For information on how to protect your child or and request assistance, please call 865-244-4350.



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Campus Calendar Oct.18-31, 2010

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

TV Schedule: "Middle Tennessee Record";
Cable Channel 9: Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m., 5 p.m.
NewsChannel 5+: 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
Oct. 22: Volleyball vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23: Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 23: Volleyball vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24: Women's Soccer vs. Troy, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29: Women's Soccer vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.
For information, visit www.goblueraiders.com .

Monday, Oct. 18
Commercial Construction Management Golf Classic
Hermitage Golf Course, Hermitage, Tenn.
For information, contact: 615-898-5009.

Oct. 21-Nov. 2
Graphic Design Student Juried Art Exhibition
(opening reception Thursday, Oct. 21, 4-5 p.m.)
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Todd Gallery
For information, visit the Art Department website or contact: 615-898-2455.

Thursday, Oct. 21
TIAA-CREF Employee Sessions
8 a.m.-5 p.m. (by appointment only), Room 313, Keathley University Center
To schedule appointments, contact: 866-842-2336.

Oct. 22-23
MTSU Family Weekend
For information, visit www.mtsu.edu/nsfp or contact: 615-898-2454.

Saturday, Oct. 23
MTSU Homecoming
11 a.m., parade; 3:30 p.m., football game vs. Louisiana-Monroe
For more homecoming events, visit www.mtalumni.com .

Sunday, Oct. 24
MTSU Symphony Orchestra
4 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com or contact: 615-898-2493.

Monday, Oct. 25
Fall Honors Lecture Series—Dr. Michael Roskin, "Predicting China's Foreign Policy";
3-3:55 p.m., Room 106, Honors Amphitheatre
For information, visit www.mtsu.edu/~honors or contact: 615-898-2152.

Composition Studio Recital: Paul Osterfield
8 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com .

Tuesday, Oct. 26
Studio Saxophone Recital: Don Aliquo
8 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com .

Wednesday, Oct. 27
"Stay in Place"; Tornado Drill
10:30 a.m., campuswide
For information, visit http://bit.ly/MTSafePlaces or contact: 615-898-2919.

Domestic Violence Month: Project AWAREness
sponsored by the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students
7 p.m., Tom Jackson Building
For information, contact: 615-898-2193.

Thursday, Oct. 28
Free Legal Clinic
sponsored by the June Anderson Center
6:30-8 p.m., KUC 320
Open to all MTSU personnel; appointments required
For information, contact: 615-898-2193.

MTSU Jazz Combos
7:30 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com .

MTSU Films Committee: "Rocky Horror Picture Show";
10 p.m., KUC Theater
Admission: $5 per person (rated R; 18 and older only)
For information, visit MTSU Events or contact: 615-898-2551.

Friday, Oct. 29
Diversity Town Hall Meeting
3-5 p.m., Tom Jackson Building
For information, contact: 615-898-2881.

Saturday, Oct. 30
Fall Preview Day
9 a.m., Recreation Center
For information, contact: 615-898-2111.

Sunday, Oct. 31
MTSU Concert Chorale and Middle Tennessee Choral Society, "Brahms' Requiem";
3 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
Admission: $10 per person

MTSU Brass Chamber Ensembles
7 p.m., Hinton Music Hall
For information, visit www.mtsumusic.com .


Get noticed in The Record !

Submit Campus Calendar items and other news tips to gfann@mtsu.edu by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, for the Nov. 1 edition of The Record or 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, for the Nov. 15 Record.


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