366 2 INDUSTRY PROS ADDED TO MTSU’S BOARD OF VISITORS

SunTrust, ASCAP leaders to advise College of Mass Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2007EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385

(MURFREESBORO)—A pair of Nashville business veterans with priceless music-industry experience are the latest additions to the College of Mass Communication’s Board of Visitors at Middle Tennessee State University.
Karen Clark, senior vice president for SunTrust Bank, and Connie Bradley, senior vice president for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, will join the 27-member board when it reconvenes for its fall 2007 meeting.
“Karen and Connie are at their pinnacle of professionalism,” said Dr. Anantha Babbili, dean of the college. “They will share with our students their immense experience and accomplishments as we plan for the future. I am grateful that they have joined the board to contribute to the continuing success of our programs.”
Chaired by renowned journalist John Seigenthaler, the Board of Visitors includes professionals from the journalism, electronic media, public relations and recording industries, including MTSU alumni. Members serve two-year terms and act as advocates on behalf of the college, serve as advisors to the dean and identify private funding sources.
Clark, the manager of the Nashville Private Wealth Management Division of Sports and Entertainment Banking at SunTrust Bank's Music Row Financial Center, has been with SunTrust for 14 years.
Clark handles a wide range of financial services to the music industry and holds Series 6 and 63 investment licenses. Her organizational involvement includes membership in the Country Music Association, the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the T. J. Martell board of directors, Academy of Country Music board of directors and finance committee, director of the Gospel Music Association’s finance committee, a former board member and 1996 alumna of Leadership Music, W.O. Smith School of Music board of directors, Gospel Music Foundation Board, SOURCE, Nashville Screenwriters Conference, Entertainment and Music Business Partnership, MTSU Jones College of Business Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau Membership Advisory Board.
Bradley, who this year celebrates 30 years with ASCAP, has been at the forefront in lobbying for the protection of intellectual property of Music Row songwriters. Under Bradley’s leadership, ASCAP has signed and supported the careers of Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson, Michael W. Smith, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, LeeAnn Rimes, Amy Grant and Wynonna, among others.
Bradley currently serves on the board of the Country Music Association, Country Music Foundation, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Film Commission. She is a native of Shelbyville and attended MTSU.

In addition to their ongoing availability as consultants to the College of Mass Communications, the Board of Visitors gathers in full at least twice a year for a daylong session of advice, observations and guidance on programs and development, as well as meetings with students and faculty.
One of the largest programs in the nation, the MTSU College of Mass Communication offers degree concentrations in 14 major areas—ranging from journalism to digital media and media management to recording industry management—and is accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For color JPEGs of the new board members, please contact Gina E. Fann in the Office of News and Public Affairs via e-mail at gfann@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-5385. Thanks!