[168]LORI KISSINGER RECIEVES NASHVILLE MAYOR’S PROFESSIONAL AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 20, 2008
CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, News and Public Affairs, 615-898-2919 or lrollins@mtsu.edu

MTSU’s LORI KISSINGER RECIEVES NASHVILLE MAYOR’S PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Instructor Set to Receive Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities Honor

(MURFREESBORO)—Lori Kissinger, a member of the Department of Speech and Theatre at MTSU, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities' Professional Award, which is presented annually by the Office of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Kissinger serves as executive director for VSA arts Tennessee, a local nonprofit organization founded in 2002, that is part of an international VSA arts organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in and express themselves through the arts and arts education.
A resident of Gallatin, Kissinger was nominated for the Professional Award by Leisa Hammett, an advocate for children with autism and author of a book titled “The Journey with Grace: Autism, Art and All the Rest of Life,” which is a mother’s reflections of raising a child with autism.
According to information from the mayor’s office, the award recognizes a person who strongly advocates, displays keen sensitivity to issues related to disability, and who efforts impact positively and significantly upon the service system and community” "This is quite a surprise and honor,” remarked Kissinger, who will receive the award Oct. 23 in Nashville. “My work with VSA arts Tennessee and in exposing students at MTSU to disability issues has been an endeavor of passion and joy.
“It is icing on the cake to then be recognized for this work,” she added. “ Yet, the individuals that truly deserve awards are the individuals with disabilities who contribute to society and strive toward personal goals despite the challenges that are laid before them. They are a constant source of inspiration to me, and many others."
For more information about the local VSA arts group, which stands for Vision, Strength and Artistic Expression, please access its Web site at http://vsaartstennessee.org.



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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To request an interview with Professor Kissinger regarding her work with VSA arts or her mayor’s award, please contact Lisa L. Rolins in the Office of News and Public Affairs at lrollins@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2919.