[355] MTSU To Host Forum For State Gubernatorial Candidates April 29

March 11, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MTSU TO HOST FORUM FOR STATE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES APRIL 29

MURFREESBORO—Middle Tennessee State University, in cooperation with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, will play host to a gubernatorial forum Thursday, April 29. The program will begin promptly at 7 p.m. in the university’s Murphy Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
The free public event is being underwritten, in part, by Farmers Insurance Group. John Seigenthaler, chairman emeritus of The Tennessean and holder of MTSU’s Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies, will be the forum moderator. Participants will respond to prepared questions on a broad range of timely issues.
Tennessee’s gubernatorial primary will be held on Thursday, Aug. 5; the general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 2.
“MTSU is pleased to host a forum initiated by Farmers Insurance Group that will help inform the public on the issues in Tennessee that affect all of us,” stated Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU president. “It is important that we hear from those candidates who aspire to become the chief executive of our state. We welcome and encourage our students, faculty, staff and entire community to participate.”
Farmers Insurance Group offered to partner with the university to provide an opportunity for Tennesseans to hear from the candidates for the 2010 governor’s race. Farmers officials noted that this is the company’s first such partnership with a university.
"Farmers is proud to help support this governors’ forum with Middle Tennessee State University,” noted Betsy Nealon, state executive director for Farmers Insurance Tennessee. “Tennessee's future is bright, and one of the candidates in the forum will be the next leader of our state. We are happy that the students and public will get to hear their views on the needs of Tennessee.”
As a plus for MTSU, the College of Mass Communication will provide a satellite feed to any TV station that would like to broadcast the complete forum program for their viewers.
Each forum guest will need a ticket to be admitted. Free tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, starting with MTSU students, followed by faculty, staff and the general public. MTSU students with valid IDs can pick up tickets beginning March 22. All other university personnel and the general public may pick up tickets beginning April 5.
Tickets should be picked up in advance at the MTSU Ticket Office, located at Gate 1A at Floyd Stadium on Faulkinberry Drive. For all ticket and general information, call the MTSU Ticket Office at 1-888-YES-MTSU (1-888-937-6878).
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TO MEDIA: You will be receiving separate information next week regarding the satellite feed, credentialing, access to Murphy Center, and other information. TT