• Fat Isn't Phat
• We Could Make Beautiful Music Together

1. A National Cancer Institute report published in the latest New England Journal of Medicine indicates that obesity greatly increases your chances of dying young. The writer tapped to be this Sunday's convocation speaker at MTSU would say that's no accident. Greg Critser, author of " Fat Land,"; says a relaxation of federal oversight in the '70s made it a lot easier to get fat.

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But Critser says he doesn't subscribe to any corporate conspiracy theories, and there's plenty of room for improving individual responsibility. Critser will speak at 2 p.m. this Sunday at Murphy Center.

2. Why are more than 60 percent of Americans now considered overweight? This year's convocation speaker at MTSU cites lack of government oversight, subsidized crops and failure to maintain individual vigilance. Greg Critser, author of " Fat Land,"; says the fast food industry has contributed to the problem because "supersizing"; portions is not just cost-effective, but highly lucrative.

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Critser says, despite the addition of salads and other low-fat choices to their menus, fast food outlets don't market these items. Therefore, they never will be great places to find low-fat meals. Critser will deliver his convocation address at 2 p.m. this Sunday at Murphy Center.

3. The journalist whose research revealed why it has become easy to get fat in this country will examine those issues at this Sunday's University Convocation in Murphy Center. Greg Critser, author of "Fat Land,"; says unhealthy food became cheaper in the '70s due to government deregulation and subsidization of crops that are high in sugars, fats and proteins. He says in the following years the cost savings were poured into an expansion of snack machines, especially into schools.

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Critser urges parents to be especially vigilant about soda pop. In fact, he recommends that kids younger than ninth-graders be allowed to drink only milk and bottled water. This Sunday's convocation is slated for 2 p.m.

4. The study of obesity once was the province only of science and academia. Now it's the focus of health, legal, and journalistic research. Greg Critser's 2003 book " Fat Land "; exposed much of the consumer culture's contribution to the obesity problem in America. Critser will deliver this year's convocation address at 2 p.m. this Sunday at Murphy Center. He says all the familiar reasons, such as eating on the run and sedentary lifestyles, remain true. But he observes that taking the time to eat as a family has benefits other than keeping the weight down.

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Critser says "food politics is class politics,"; but, while he says corporations bear their share of the responsibility, he does not subscribe to the idea of a conspiracy like the collusion among tobacco company owners.

5. "Food politics is class politics."; That's the view of MTSU convocation speaker Greg Critser, author of "Fat Land." Critser says government deregulation in the '70s and expansion of snack machines in the '80s are partly responsible for the obesity epidemic in America today. However, he doesn't put all the blame on corporations. Critser says we have to learn how to be smarter consumers.

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Critser recommends the Center for Public Interest Web site at http://www.cspinet.org as a good source of reliable nutrition information. His convocation speech is slated for 2 p.m. this Sunday at Murphy Center.

6. MTSU recording industry students who want to write songs will have mentors from one of the great recording capitals of the world. The "Partners in Craft"; program will link students with songwriters through the Nashville chapter of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, or ASCAP. Dr. Anantha Babbili (BOB-ah-lee), dean of the College of Mass Communication, says the students will provide something the music business needs, as well.

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Prior mentors include composers who have written hits for artists such as Faith Hill, George Strait and Tim McGraw.

7. MTSU's Department of Recording Industry and Nashville's finest songwriters are now "Partners in Craft."; That's the name of a new program designed to provide budding composers with professional mentors to help them get the most out of their talents. John Briggs, vice president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, or ASCAP, says every songwriter can benefit from the experience of others.

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In addition to providing mentors, ASCAP also hosts a yearly showcase for student songwriters each December called "Hot on the Row"; at Dan McGuinness Pub in Nashville.

8. The long-standing relationship between MTSU's Department of Recording Industry and the Nashville music industry is stronger than ever. Through a new program called "Partners in Craft,"; the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, or ASCAP, will provide mentors for budding student songwriters. ASCAP Vice President John Briggs says the experience will invigorate both partners.

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MTSU recording industry professor Tim Hutchison says the "Partners in Craft"; program formalizes the department's efforts so more up-and-coming songwriters can benefit from professional guidance.

9. ANCHORS: THE FOLLOWING IS MUSIC THAT CAN BE TALKED OVER, FADED DOWN, OR USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. THE CUT IS "LITTLE BLACK DRESS"; BY THE KARG BOYS, WHO ARE MTSU SONGWRITERS.

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ANCHORS: THE PRECEDING IS MUSIC THAT CAN BE TALKED OVER, FADED DOWN, OR USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. THE CUT IS "LITTLE BLACK DRESS"; BY THE KARG BOYS, WHO ARE MTSU SONGWRITERS.