[492] MTSU News Release: Wilson County Farm Certified As Tennessee Century Farm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

WILSON COUNTY FARM CERTIFIED AS TENNESSEE CENTURY FARM
State Program Will Honor Swain Farm’s Owners at Annual County Fair

(MURFREESBORO)—The Swain Farm in Wilson County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
Henry and Ella Swain founded a farm of 106 acres east of Gladeville in December 1909. With their seven children, they raised swine, dairy and beef cattle, chickens, hay and corn. Their farm was across the road from the farm that Henry grew up on, and eventually, he inherited his family’s farm of 110 acres that was founded in 1810.
Henry and Ella, parents of seven children, operated the farm through World War I and the Great Depression. When Henry died in 1935, Ella retained both the farms. As was the case with many of their neighbors, the Swain Farm was the site of military maneuvers during World War II.
The next owners of the farm were Henry and Ella’s son, Walter, and his wife Mary, along with their nephew, Milton, and his wife Evelyn. Walter and Mary had twin sons, James Edwin and Paul Wilson Swain. Along with Milton, wife Evelyn and their daughter, Marilyn, the family raised beef cattle, pigs, chickens, hay and corn. In 1951, after Ella died, the heirs sold the older Swain Farm that founded in 1810.
The current owners of the farm are James Edwin and Judy Swain, Paul Wilson and Carolyn Swain, and Marilyn Swain Williams and husband Tommy. The family raises hay, beef cattle, llamas and Tennessee walking horses.
Hankins said the Swain family will be recognized at the annual Century Farms luncheon at this year’s Wilson County Fair, as will other Century Farms that have been certified since last year’s fair.

About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.

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“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[491] MTSU Will Be Closed May 31 for Memorial Day Holiday

Release date: May 26, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU Will Be Closed May 31 for Memorial Day Holiday


(MURFREESBORO) — MTSU will be closed and no classes will be held Monday, May 31, for the Memorial Day holiday, university officials announced.
Summer classes (May term and full term) will resume at their regularly scheduled times on Tuesday, June 1. All business offices will be open their regular hours (8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.) Tuesday.
Hours of operation for specific buildings and venues:
• James E. Walker Library: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday; 2-10 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday; reopen at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Health, Wellness and Recreation Center: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; closed May 29-31; reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday. (Pharmacy open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, with drive-through open until 4:30; closed May 29-31; reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday.)
Keathley University Center: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 29-31; open at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Einstein Bros. Bagels will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 29-30 and 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. serving food. All other food service venues will be closed. Phillips Bookstore open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; closed May 29-31; reopen at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
James Union Building: 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday; closed May 29-31; reopen at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

###
Media note: In case of emergency, please contact the Office of Public Safety (MTSU Police) at 615-898-2424. Public Safety will contact News & Public Affairs personnel, who then will respond to your media-related requests.

[490] Williamson County Farm Certified As Tennessee Century Farm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

WILLIAMSON COUNTY FARM CERTIFIED AS TENNESSEE CENTURY FARM
State Program Will Honor Cartwright Farm’s Owner During Aug. 12 County Fair

(MURFREESBORO)—The Cartwright Farm in Williamson County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
South of Franklin is the farm founded by Benjamin Dotson in 1898. He and wife Ann—along with two of his brothers, Walter, who was married to Ella Presley, and Sylvester, whose wife was Minnie Pearl Gosey—shared ownership of the farm although only Ben was listed on the deed. The large extended family raised cows, horses, mules, chickens, hogs and goats, as well as many fruits and vegetables.
Walter and Ella , parents of seven children, eventually bought about 168 acres from Ben. Their daughter, Carolyn, and her husband, Thomas Burns, acquired the farm in 1961. With their four children, Sara, Carolyn, Angela and Martha, they raised tobacco, hay, turnip greens, hogs, cows, horses and mules.
The current owner of the farm is Martha Cartwright, who has owned the farm since 1980. Martha is actively engaged in the operations of the farm, where she lives, along with her daughter and grandson. Timber, burley tobacco, turnip greens and hogs are main products of this farm
Hankins said Martha Cartwright will be among the Century Farm owners who will be recognized at a special luncheon Aug. 12 as part of the Williamson County Fair, where farm families who have been certified since last year’s fair will be honored.


About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.

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“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[489] "MTSU On The Record" Tackles New "Future Of Life" Course

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, or WMOT-FM, 615-898-2800

“MTSU ON THE RECORD” TACKLES NEW “FUTURE OF LIFE” COURSE
Dr. Phil Oliver Delves into How We Look at Life, Ethics, Planet’s Prospects

(MURFREESBORO) – Dr. Phil Oliver, professor of philosophy, will discuss his new fall 2010 course “The Future of Life,” on the next edition of “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue at 8 a.m. this Sunday, May 30, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org).
Oliver will integrate themes from two previous courses that focused on biomedical ethics and biotechnology with an examination of the sustainability of life on Earth, genetic engineering and humanity’s evolutionary prospects.
He cites a question from Pragmatism by William James as a starting point for discussion: “The really vital question for us all is, ‘What is this world going to be? What is life eventually to make of itself?’”
To listen to last week’s program about international education at MTSU, go to http://www.mtsu.edu/news/podcast/podcast2010.shtml and click on “May 23, 2010.” For more information about “MTSU on the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.


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[488] Dickson County Farm Becomes County's 23rd Century Farm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

DICKSON COUNTY FARM BECOMES COUNTY’S 23rd CENTURY FARM
State Program Recognizes Old Howell Century Farm for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)—The Howell Century Farm in Dickson County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
According to the family’s records, by 1860 Benjamin Howell and wife Mary J. Bailey founded a farm of about 55 acres. With their nine children, they raised cattle, hogs, hay, vegetables, chickens and corn.
Gilpen and Nancy Stringfellow Howell, the second owners of the farm, also had nine children. They acquired the 55 acres on which they raised hay, cattle, pigs, chickens and vegetables. In 1895, Gilpen and Nancy gave an acre of land next to their home to build the Pleasant View Church of Christ, which still stands.
The grandson of the founding couple, Benjamin Gilpen Howell and his wife, Alice Brim Howell, were the third generation to make their home on the farm. They had two sons, Samuel and Robert Turner Howell. Together, they raised hay, vegetables, cows, pigs and chickens.
Benjamin died in 1898 and his son, Samuel, died the following year. Alice operated the farm until son Robert Turner married Nellie Auldridge in 1917. With their four children, James Edward, Avis, B. G. and Roy Lee, they continued to raise many of the same crops, with the addition of wheat.
The current owners, B. G. and wife Bobbie J. Mash Howell, raise hay and cows on the 55 acres first farmed by his ancestors 150 years ago. A log home built between 1850 and 1860 was continually occupied by the family until 1973 and is being renovated.
The Howell Century Farm is the 23rd certified Century Farms in Dickson County, Hankins said.

About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.

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To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.
“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[487] Honors College Offers Open House at First Four CUSTOMS Sessions

Release date: May 26, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
Honors College contact: Dr. John Vile, 615-898-2152 or jvile@mtsu.edu


Honors College Offers Open House at First Four CUSTOMS Sessions


(MURFREESBORO) — The University Honors College will have an open house to showcase its academic environment, facilities and traditions in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building during the first four CUSTOMS orientation sessions, Dean John Vile said.
Open houses will be held tonight, June 3, June 9 and June 15 following the 6 p.m. picnic provided by MTSU to new students and their families that will be held in the Health, Wellness and Campus Recreation Center, just across the street from the Honors College on Blue Raider Drive. For more information, call 615-898-2152.

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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[486] June 1 Marks Deadline to Register for 3rd MTSU Alumni Summer College

Release date: May 25, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
Alumni Relations contact: Rhonda Wright King, 615-898-2922 or
rwking@mtsu.edu

June 1 Marks Deadline to Register
for 3rd MTSU Alumni Summer College


(MURFREESBORO) — The theme of the third annual Alumni Summer College is “A Song’s Life.” From June 23-25, MTSU alumni are invited to learn how a song is written, recorded, produced, performed and managed during three fun-filled days of music and camaraderie.
Alumni Summer College is an opportunity to expand one’s knowledge of interesting subjects and with a curriculum that combines innovative classes and entertaining tours specifically created with MTSU alumni in mind.
Highlights of this year’s event include songwriters in the round at the “Jack and Diane” show; a studio recording session; a songwriter “show-and-tell” session; Vince Gill performing at Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman (Auditorium); the Country Music Hall of Fame; RCA Studio B; the Wildhorse Saloon; and Jack’s Barbeque.
Tuition is $205 per person. The registration deadline is Tuesday, June 1. For more information and to register, go online to mtalumni.com.

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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[484] MTSU Students Take Their Research To Washington D.C.

May 4, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MTSU STUDENTS TAKE THEIR RESEARCH TO WASHINGTON D.C.

Among 75 in the nation, they are the only two selected from the state of Tennessee
MURFREESBORO—Middle Tennessee State University seniors Merranda Holmes and Shannon Murphy were among 75 undergraduates from across the United States—and the only two students from Tennessee—who were selected to display their biology research during the Posters on the Hill event last month in Washington, D.C.
The women, accompanied by their mentor, Dr. Stephen Wright, MTSU professor of biology, presented their work to members of Congress and other government officials.
“There were about 300 entries, and I was a little nervous because they accepted only two from each state,” Murphy said.
“We were both doing our Honors thesis on the same general topic but were working separately,” Holmes added. “We brought our work together and had so much information we had trouble getting everything on the poster.”
The women submitted their work last November and received notification of their acceptance in
February of this year. Murphy’s research was titled “A Label-Free Method for Detection and Differentiation of Bacillus spp Endospores,” and Holmes’ research was titled “The Production, Quantification and Fluorescent Detection of Anthrax-Simulating Endospores.”
“MTSU has been an amazing experience,” commented Murphy, who, along with Holmes, will graduate May 8. “Being part of the biology department and Honors College has given me the opportunity to do so many things that I otherwise would not have been able to do.”
Holmes agreed. “Being in the Honors College with smaller classes, everyone knows the teacher. That’s how I got to know Dr. Wright and do the research.”
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PHOTO: From left: Shannon Murphy, Merranda Holmes
PHOTO #2: From left: Shannon Murphy, Dr. Stephen Wright, Merranda Holmes

[483] Library Dean Reflects On Nearly Four Decades At MTSU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

LIBRARY DEAN REFLECTS ON NEARLY FOUR DECADES AT MTSU
MTSU’s Don Craig Turns the Page and Writes New Chapter in His Life

(MURFREESBORO) – When J. Donald Craig arrived on the MTSU campus in 1972, the university’s library had just over 200,000 books. As the dean of the James E. Walker Library prepares to retire June 30 after 38 years of service, the library has more than 800,000 printed books and 300,000 electronic books.
Of course, numbers don’t tell the whole story of the changes both Don Craig and the library have experienced throughout his MTSU career. The very advent of electronic formats has irrevocably altered the dynamics of library management. But, despite the inaccurate and now passé reputation of libraries as stagnant, musty and dusty places, Craig will tell you that change is an inescapable part of being a librarian.
“Where you might find in some industries or situations a lot of resistance to change, I really think that in our case, we’ve been running toward it and welcoming it,” says Craig.
The digital revolution has changed not only how students learn, but where they learn, as well. Availability of study materials in cyberspace has facilitated off-campus and at-home learning.
“The availability of reference materials, especially online, has been a real benefit to our students that are off-campus, distance education students,” says Craig.
With students spending so much time in cyberspace, do they have less reason to spend time at the library?
“While you might think that the number of people coming in the library would have declined with the availability of electronic materials, we have not seen that decline happen,” Craig observes. “We continue to have in excess of 800,000 visits to the library each year.”
Craig attributes the continuing flow of library patrons to collaborative learning, which he says has increased a great deal over the decades. It seems that there is still no substitute for face-to-face contact and discussion.
When the library was in the Todd building, there was 90,000 square feet of usable space available. The Walker Library, which opened in 1999, has 170,000 square feet of usable space and different types of study environments, including about 40 spaces where four to 12 students can work together without disturbing others.
Group study dates aren’t the only reasons to visit the library in person. Technological changes bring technological challenges. Students might need help with the electronic indexes and abstracts.

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“In the ‘70s, most students who were doing any kind of research, at least the undergraduates, would have been using the readers’ guide, the periodical literature, as their basic finding tool,” Craig says. “The upperclassmen were probably getting into the business or scientific periodicals index. Now there are so many sources of information available to students that they do need more help finding things.”
It takes special staffers who appreciate young people and are patient with them to guide them to the proper materials. Craig has high praise for the employees who have worked under his supervision.
“We’ve had many staff members who’ve actually finished their degrees here, and we’ve had ones that have actually one on to become professional librarians and work in other places,” says Craig.
He won’t be very far away during his retirement years. Aside from maintaining a classic 1969 Chevrolet Camaro and excursions around the country with Connie, his wife of 42 years, Craig says the university will still be a big part of his life.
“I hope to remain in Murfreesboro,” says Craig. “My family’s here. My grandchildren are here. I think a university town is the best possible place to live because of the many cultural activities the university offers along with athletics.”



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Name: James Donald Craig;
Birthplace: Nashville, Tenn.;
Titles: Associate Professor; Dean, James E. Walker Library;
Education: B.A., 1967, David Lipscomb College; M.L.S., 1968, George Peabody College;
Memberships: Mid-State Library Association (co-founder); Tennessee Library Association (former president); Phi Kappa Phi honor society;
Family: wife Connie; sons Jeff and Jimmy; grandchildren Hailee, Hayden, Carter.


With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[482] MTSU Announces Graduates For Spring 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2010
CONTACT: News and Public Affairs, 615-898-2919

MTSU ANNOUNCES GRADUATES FOR SPRING 2010
County-by-County Listing of Spring 2010 Graduates Now Available Online

(MURFREESBORO)—Middle Tennessee State University has released the names and hometowns of those students who graduated during the spring 2010 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 8, in Murphy Center on the MTSU campus.
Of the 2,180 who were set to graduate during the university’s 99th spring commencement, 1,804 were undergraduates and 376 were graduate students, including 278 master’s candidates, 88 education specialist recipients and 10 doctoral candidates.
The dual-commencement event featured Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett as the guest speaker for the 9 a.m. ceremony. James C. Free, president and CEO of The Smith-Free Group, was the featured speaker for the 1 p.m. commencement ceremony.
Following the ceremonies’ respective guest speakers, degree candidates from the College of Graduate Studies, Jennings A. Jones College of Business, and College of Education and Behavioral Science will be conferred with their degrees in the morning ceremony, while degree candidates in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, College of Mass Communication, and the College of Continuing Education and Distance Learning, will be conferred during the afternoon event.

 HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR COUNTY’S STUDENT LIST: To obtain a list for editorial use of those students from your county who graduated during MTSU’s spring 2010 commencement, please access this information on the News and Public Affairs (NPA) Web site at www.mtsunews.com and click on the “Graduation Lists” link on the upper, left-hand side of the page.
Next, click on the “Spring 2010 Graduation List” link, which will include an alphabetical, county-by-county listing of those MTSU students who graduated May 8, 2010.
***Please note that this Web page also contains directions on how to download and save your county’s list for editorial use in your publication.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: If you encounter any problems downloading and saving your county’s dean’s list, please contact the Office of News and Public Affairs at MTSU at 615-898-2919 for assistance.

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[481] MTSU Announces Dean's List For Spring 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2010
CONTACT: News and Public Affairs, 615-898-2919


MTSU ANNOUNCES DEAN’s LIST FOR SPRING 2010
By-County Listing of Latest Dean’s List Students Now Available Online

(MURFREESBORO)—Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has released the names and hometowns of those students who appear on the Dean’s List for the spring 2010 semester.
To qualify for this distinction, an undergraduate student must maintain a current semester grade-point average of 3.5 or above and earn at least 12 semester hours (not including developmental hours).

 HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR COUNTY’S STUDENT LIST: To obtain a list for editorial use of those students from your county who are on the current Dean’s List, please access this information on the News and Public Affairs (NPA) Web site at www.mtsunews.com and click on the “Dean’s List” link on the upper, left-hand side of the page.
Next, click on the “Spring 2010 Dean’s List” link, which will include an alphabetical, county-by-county listing of those MTSU students who are on the 2010 spring semester Dean’s List. ***Please note that this page also contains directions on how to download and save your county’s list for editorial use in your publication.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: If you encounter any problems downloading and saving your county’s dean’s list, please contact the Office of News and Public Affairs at MTSU at 615-898-2919 for assistance.

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[480] Childhood From Page to Page In MTSU Library Book Display

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

CHILDHOOD FROM PAGE TO PAGE IN MTSU LIBRARY BOOK DISPLAY
“Books and Children in 19th Century” Exhibit Shows Off Vintage Kids’ Books

(MURFREESBORO) – Once upon a time, in an era long, long ago, before cell phones, PDAs and iPods occupied children’s time, there were books—all kinds of books. There were schoolbooks, pop-up books and elegant storybooks with pretty pictures. Some of these books are on display through the summer (Classes for the fall 2010 semester begin Aug. 28.) at the James E. Walker Library on the MTSU campus.
“Books and Children in the 19th Century: A Small Portrait” is the theme of the exhibit, which is free and open to the public in the Special Collections area on the library’s fourth floor. The purpose is to show the variety of ways children and the adults around them engaged with books in the 1800s and early 1900s.
The works available for viewing are indicative of the children’s book as an object of moral and educational value. The idea behind the books is to teach values and build character. Entertainment techniques are employed strictly to attract the children and hold their interest.
Highlights include several movable books, which are books that contain text or illustrations that the child can manipulate. Pop-up books are one type of movable book. Many items in the display have never been exhibited previously.
Something New for Little Folk by Clifton Bingham with illustrations by A.E. Jackson (1900) features kaleidoscopic volvelles, which are wheels that change the images as the reader pulls ribbons on the book.
Lothar Meggendorfer’s Affentheater (1890) is a different kind of movable book. It folds out into a 12-section panorama that forms a continuous pictorial scene when opened, revealing colorful illustrations of circus animals.
Another Meggendorfer work, All Alive: A Movable Toybook (1897), features eight hand-colored lithographed plates, each with moving parts operated with levers. The reader can use these to move a watchdog, ducks on a pond, a flock of sheep, a goat with a cat and rabbits, a stag, an owl, a wagoner’s horse and a cow shed.
Dean’s New Book of Dissolving Views (1860) by Thomas Dean was inspired by classical paintings. Pulling tabs that stick out of the top and bottom of each page can change the picture on the page—for example, from day to night or from summer to winter.


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Using toys to market other products to children is nothing new, as Kellogg’s Junglebook (1909) proves. Once again, beautiful colors and friendly-looking animals are the attractions. The reader can change the animals’ wardrobes by manipulating tabs. The illustrations, with captions in rhyming verse, show the animals dancing, singing, attending school, blowing bubbles and doing other fun things.
The plug for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes is on the back cover of Kellogg’s Junglebook. It reads, “To market, to market, jiggedy jog,/Bring back corn flakes made by Kellogg!/Crispy and brown and good as can be:/I love them-you’ll love them-‘nother helping, that’s me!
The Special Collections area is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information about the 19th century children’s book display, call 615-904-8501.


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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For color jpegs of items in the “Books and Children in the 19th Century: A Small Portrait” exhibit, contact Gina Logue in the MTSU Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[478] Former MTSU Professor Boosts Endowment To Honor Wife's Birthday

May 18, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

FORMER MTSU PROFESSOR BOOSTS ENDOWMENT TO HONOR WIFE’S BIRTHDAY

Career diplomat Harry Horne decided not to give his wife flowers for her birthday. Flowers die, he said.

Instead he gave her a gift that would last forever—he contributed another $27,000 in her honor to the Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, rounding up the Harry J. and Betty Lewter Horne Endowed Scholarship to $50,000. The earnings from the endowment will provide scholarships to students in the Department of Political Science.
Horne, a native of Canada, served four years in the U.S. Army, followed by a 35-year stint in the Foreign Service as a Canadian diplomat.
“And I made my fortune teaching as an adjunct professor at MTSU,” he quipped.
“I like to say Harry is a registered alien,” Betty, his wife of 30 years, interjected. “And he’s an ‘adjunk.’”
“I always wanted to live in a place with four seasons, good medical facilities and good transportation,” he said, referring to middle Tennessee. “Oh, yes, and Betty’s from here,” he added with a laugh.
Harry taught political science at MTSU from 1983 to 1990.
“(Former MTSU President) Sam Ingram and I were having lunch, and he asked me if I would like to teach at MTSU. He told me they never had anyone teaching international relations who had experience abroad. I told him, ‘You’re on.’ That was the nicest thing that ever happened to me because I still have contacts at the university. I get invited to things, and I enjoy mixing with the students.
“I have a couple of degrees, and no one gave them to me,” he noted. “I worked to get the money to get my bachelor’s degree. Nowadays it’s hard for people to find a job and save enough money,” which he said is one reason he created the scholarship.
Horne received his bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of British Columbia and his master’s in business administration from the University of Toronto.
To become a Horne Scholar, a student must be a graduate from a Tennessee high school and major in international relations and/or global studies at MTSU. The applicant also must have a 3.0 grade point average and an incoming freshman must have scored at least a 25 on the ACT admissions exam. The award is for one academic year, and recipients may apply in subsequent years if they meet the scholarship criteria.
“I kept reading in the paper about how tough it was to get money to go to school,” Harry said. “That’s how the idea came along … to heck with giving her more flowers,” he laughed, turning to wife Betty. “It’s not a lot of money, but it’s a legacy that lives on forever.”
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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.


For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[477] Get Involved In Campus Life, Says MTSU Academic Superstar And May Graduate Merranda Holmes

May 20, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

GET INVOLVED IN CAMPUS LIFE, SAYS MTSU ACADEMIC SUPERSTAR AND MAY GRADUATE MERRANDA HOLMES

MURFREESBORO—Merranda Holmes, a recent graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, with a major in biology and minor in chemistry, received one of 57 national Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships in the amount of $5,000 to pursue graduate study during the 2010-2011 academic year. Phi Kappa Phi is an interdisciplinary honor society with chapters throughout the nation.
Dr. John Vile, dean of MTSU’s Honors College and PKP board member, commented that Holmes, who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, not only has brought honor to herself but to the entire university.
“Merranda wrote an Honor’s thesis, won awards for [research] posters, participated in internships, served on the board of the Honors College literary magazine and is a founding member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society that was initiated on campus on April 30,” Vile said. Holmes served as vice president of the new honor society.
Holmes recently was among 75 undergraduates from across the United States selected to display her biology research during the Posters on the Hill event last month in Washington, D.C. Classmate Shannon Murphy, also a senior, accompanied Holmes to the nation’s capital, the two being the only undergraduates from Tennessee selected for that honor.
“I truly think MTSU is student-centered,” Holmes said. “Professors care so much about you as a student. I’ve e-mailed professors with questions, and they have e-mailed me back early in the morning—they have really made me feel like they wanted me to be in their class.”
While at MTSU, Holmes was involved in the Band of Blue, Gamma Beta Phi, the Honors Studies Association, Women in Science and Engineering, Tri Beta Biological Honors Society, Tennessee Academy of Science, on the staff of Collage, the campus literary magazine, and served as an MTSU Student Ambassador, among other activities.
She contends that student initiative has a lot to do with integrating into campus life.
“Students have to want to get involved,” she said. “I have friends who ask, ‘How do you get to do this and that?’ You have to have the desire to get active. MTSU offers a lot of opportunities.”
Holmes is the daughter of David and Kim Holmes of McMinnville, Tenn.

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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.


For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[476] MTSU Graduate Will Climb Heights Carrying Honors, Positive Memories

May 20, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919


MTSU GRADUATE WILL CLIMB HEIGHTS CARRYING HONORS, POSITIVE MEMORIES

MURFREESBORO—If Shannon Murphy, recent graduate at Middle Tennessee State University, had been required to carry all her accolades and honors with her across the stage to receive her diploma during the May 8 commencement, she would have needed a wheelbarrow.
“MTSU has been an amazing experience,” Murphy, biology major and chemistry minor, says. “Being part of the biology department and the University Honors College has given me the opportunity to do so many things that I otherwise would not have been able to do.”
When Murphy came to MTSU, she had already accumulated a long list of awards at Oakland High School, including membership in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Beta Epsilon Honor Society, Excaliber science honor society—and she was in the top six in her graduating class of 300 students.
At MTSU, she added to the wheelbarrow. She was the recipient of the MTSU Academic Service Scholarship, Clay M. Chandler Outstanding Freshman Biology Award, Ralph E. Sharp Outstanding Sophomore Biology Award, and the Phillip M. Mathis Outstanding Junior Biology Award. In two separate years, she was a nominee and an “Honorable Mention” for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, and she was the 2009 recipient of the Paul W. Martin Scholarship. She completed her Honor’s Thesis in April of 2009, and she’s listed in the January 2010 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Murphy also served as secretary of the newly formed honor society at MTSU, Omicron Delta Kappa.
This spring she received the MTSU Provost’s Award, one of the top academic awards presented by the university. The Provost’s Award is given to a student who best demonstrates outstanding academic achievement. The undergraduate student must have completed at least 90 credit hours, have a minimum 3.5 GPA and have provided evidence of involvement in scholarly activities.
Murphy’s most recent scholarly activity took her and classmate Merranda Holmes to Washington, D.C., where they both presented their research at the Posters on the Hill event. They were two of only 75 students selected from across the United States. Their research project was one of more than 300 separate research entries.
Majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry, Murphy plans to go to medical school in the fall. As a physician, she wants to participate in clinical research and go on medical missions throughout the United States and around the world.
“If I had to choose an outstanding attribute of MTSU, I would say ‘personal attention,’” Murphy said. “I initially came to MTSU because I had heard they had a good pre-med program. Often the teachers would stop me in the halls and ask, ‘How’s it going?’ They go out of their way and take their time. They do what it takes to help you.”
Murphy is the daughter of George and Kim Murphy of Murfreesboro.

####
With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.


For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[475] Wide World of Education Topic On "MTSU On The Record"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, or WMOT-FM, 615-898-2800

WIDE WORLD OF EDUCATION TOPIC ON “MTSU ON THE RECORD”
International Education Coordinator Rong Wang Promotes Cultural Enlightenment

(MURFREESBORO) – Rong Wang, coordinator for international education at MTSU, will be the guest on the next edition of “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue at 8 a.m. this Sunday, May 23, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org).
Wang will discuss the many aspects of internationalizing MTSU, including the Confucius Institute, networking with international universities, marketing for international student recruitment and facilitating conversations with international faculty members for the promotion of collaborative projects.
To listen to last week’s program about the role of animals in society, go to http://www.mtsu.edu/news/podcast/podcast2010.shtml and click on “May 16, 2010.” For more information about “MTSU on the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.


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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[474] Jackson County Farm Joins State's Century Farms Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

JACKSON COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
175-Year-Old Hall Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)—The Old Myers Farm in Jackson County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
The farm’s story began in 1816 when Phillip Myers, whose grandfather came from Germany, married Mary White Cook. The widow of Capt. James Cook, Mary was the mother of Mariah, William and Earl Cook. With Myers, she had five more sons.
In 1835, Phillip Myers purchased 200 acres of land from his stepsons, William and Earl Cook. The farm is on the old Fort Blount Road, which leads from the Cumberland River. Fort Blount operated in 1788-1794 to provide protection for travelers along the Avery Trace.
Myers was a gunsmith and postmaster at Fort Blount. Mary was industrious, “providing for her family and their slaves by supervising the spinning and weaving of wool and flax, and sewing for (all) … members of the family,” according to the farm’s history.
In the same year that he purchased the property, Phillip Myers died, leaving the farm to Mary and their five sons. Myers was buried in the family cemetery on the farm. Mary and her sons, along with several slaves, continued to farm and raised a variety of crops and livestock. When she died in 1845, her sons inherited equal shares of the property.
According to a family history by Calvin Elias, the youngest son of Mary and Phillip, the family had a tradition of military service. Elias Myers, father of Phillip, was from North Carolina and enlisted in the Revolutionary War when he was 14 years old, where he served for seven years. His son, Philip, then served in the War of 1812 and was with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.
Luther Bigelow Myers, son of Phillip and Mary, served in the Mexican War under Gen. Winfield Scott and also fought in the Civil War as captain of Company D, 25th Regiment of Tennessee Troops, under J. E. Johnson and Col. S. S. Stanton. Calvin also served in Mexico under Gen. Scott as a private in Company E of the 4th Tennessee Volunteers. He soldiered for four years of the Civil War as captain of the 1st Company from Overton County, Tenn., as well as the 8th Tennessee Confederate Regiment.
Another brother, Patrick Henry Myers, acquired 150 acres of the original 200 from his siblings. In 1862, he married Sarah Elizabeth Pate Payne, a widow with two children. Patrick and Sarah were the parents of White Henry, Mignon Belle “Nancy” and Lucy Virginia. Patrick’s wife and children received the land after his death in 1868. Sarah reared her children and managed the farm until the 1880s. At that time, she married Jonathon Haley and moved to Texas. Her daughters also married and moved to Texas, selling their shares to their brother, White.

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White married Roxie Gailbreath in 1898. They had three children, Sallie Marie, Joseph and Raymond Eugene. This family grew grain and tobacco, as well as cattle. After White’s death in 1934, the land was divided among his three children. Because Sallie and Eugene moved away, Joseph tended the farm. Sallie went to college and studied to be a teacher while Eugene moved to Nashville to enter banking.
Joseph and his wife, Georgia McCawley, were the parents of Joe and Billy White Myers. The family raised tobacco, corn, oats, soybeans, wheat, hogs, mules and cattle, in addition to raising and training horses. Joseph, whose family recalled that“ he loved his dogs,” also bred and raised foxhounds, selling and trading the hunters as another source of income for the farm. Just before his death in 1952, he purchased a new Farm-All Row Crop tractor, the first one for the farm.
In 1952, Billy White acquired his brother’s share of the farm as well as other acreage. In 1954 at the Future Farmers of America’s national convention in Kansas City, Mo., Billy received the highest degree awarded by the organization, that of American Farmer, an award based on farming, leadership and scholarship. Throughout high school, Billy was active in the 4-H and vocational programs. In 1959, he married Mary Lucinda Chaffin. The couple’s children are David Eugene White and Stephanie White Konrad.
From the time of receiving the land until the 1970s, Billy White owned 150 acres of the 200 purchased by Phillip Myers. However, the Cordell Hull Dam and Reservoir project took about 86 acres of river bottomland.
Billy White Myers served as a county commissioner for 28 years and was a county judge in 1960 and 1961. He and Mary also operated a five-and-dime store, general store and a feed barn. Today, they raise grain crops and a small amount of tobacco and beef cattle.
The Old Myers Farm is the seventh farm to be certified in Jackson County, Hankins said.

About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.
“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”

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For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners or request jpegs of the farm for editorial use, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[473] Gibson County Farm Joins State's Century Farms Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

GIBSON COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
116-Year-Old Hall Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)—The Hall Farm in Gibson County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
Just a few years before the end of the 19th century, R. W. Thornton purchased 10 acres of land for $150. When acquired in 1894, the land surrounding the tract was primarily farms and the town of Dyer would not be incorporated until 1899. That property, however, is now partially within the city limits of Dyer.
Thornton and his wife, A. J., had one daughter, Nannie Lee. The family raised cotton, hay and vegetables on the small family farm. The Thorntons built two houses around 1909 on High Street.
Nannie and husband John Elly Hall acquired one of the houses in 1919 before purchasing the farm in 1926. Under their ownership, the farm grew to total 70 acres, and the Halls, along with their children, James Garland and Roberta, added corn to the crops already being grown.
Today, Catherine Hall, widow of James Garland Hall, owns the farm with her daughters, Kay Hall Tignor and Carole Hall Denton, who are fourth-generation owners. The fifth generation is represented by Allison Tignor Little and James Matthew Denton.
Currently, all three generations live on the farm, where one of the two houses built in 1909 serves as home to Matthew Denton and his family. Terry Denton, husband of Carole, operates the farm and raises corn, wheat, soybeans, hay and vegetables.
Hankins said the Hall Farm is the 29th Century Farm to be certified in Gibson County.

About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.
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“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[472] Perry County Farm Joins State's Century Farms Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

PERRY COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
176-Year-Old Ayers/Starbuck Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)—The Ayers/Starbuck Farm in Perry County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
Daniel and Elizabeth Beeson Starbuck moved from North Carolina to Perry County following their marriage in 1822. They had three children who were born in their new home, two of whom survived to adulthood. Elizabeth died in 1826, leaving Daniel to rear their sons, Erastus and Darius. He married Nancy Shelton in 1831 and they were the parents of 12 children.
Daniel Starbuck founded the acreage now known as Ayers/Starbuck Farm in 1834 on 31 acres. In 1844, he added 30 acres to the original farm, and then another 130 acres in 1848 before adding 81 acres in 1849. In 1855, Daniel and Nancy and their children moved to Missouri. Only his two sons by his first wife stayed in Perry County.
Erastus acquired his father’s farm in 1855 and purchased more land adjoining the property to total 500 acres of farmland. He served with the Union Army and died in 1863. His widow, Mary Ann Starbuck, and their six children raised corn, hay and cattle. Eventually, the farm was divided among the heirs, with Daniel Starbuck, grandson of the founder, purchasing the shares of the others in 1874.
Daniel and wife Frances Eugenia Journey, along with their seven children, raised corn, hay, peanuts and cattle. By this time, the family reports, the farm had expanded to 1,600 acres. Aside from farming, Daniel was also a lumberman and served as president of the Perry County Bank. Frances Eugenia was the granddaughter of David Rice Harris, who in 1847 gave land for the establishment of Linden as the county seat of Perry County.
Ethel Elizabeth, a daughter of Daniel, was the next owner of the farm along with her husband, James Edward “Jim” Ayers. In 1906, after her father’s death, she purchased the farm from the other heirs. The couple continued to purchase land; during this time the farm included 1,920 acres. Jim and Elizabeth had five children and raised corn, hay, lespedeza, alfalfa, hogs and cattle.
In addition to working on the farm, Jim also worked as a lumberman, had real estate rental properties and was active in the community. A school, known as Upper Cypress Creek School, was built on the farm for grades 1-8. Later, the school became known as Ayers School.
After Ethel’s death in 1974, the 2,400-acre property was sold at auction. Frances Ruth Ayers, daughter of Jim and Frances, purchased 118 acres, which includes some of the original farm’s land. She, husband Jesse and their two children, Don Ayers Pope and Jessie Ruth Pope, raised hay.

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Today, Jessie R. Tiller and Don Ayers Pope, descendents of Daniel Starbuck, own the farm. They have 31 original acres of their ancestors’ land and the two-story farmhouse, built by Daniel around 1877, still stands. David Pope, son of Don Pope, raises hay on the same land that has been farmed by generations of his family for 176 years.
The Ayers/Starbuck Farm is the 13th Century Farm to be certified in Perry County, Hankins noted.


About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s
agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.
“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[471] Grundy County Farm Joins State's Century Farms Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

GRUNDY COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
Burnett/White Family Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)—The Burnett/White Family Farm in Grundy County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
With historical and family ties to three other Grundy Century Farms; namely, the Jim Burnett Farm (1870), L. H. Burnett Farm (1870) and the White Family Farm (1855), the Burnett/White Family Farm is the eighth certified Century Farm in Grudy County.
In 1888, Isaac Newton “Ike” Burnett founded a farm of 36 acres in Pelham Tenn. A son of John Burnett Sr., Ike grew up on his father’s farm and later worked as a convict guard at the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company in Tracy City, Tenn., until the late 1890s. He then took a job as clerk in the company store, where he worked for 16 years. He used his wages to buy fencing and fertilizer, as well as repair farm machinery and pay the blacksmith. He and his wife, Lula Wooten, had four children, Mabel, John, Lora and Espa. They raised corn, hay and livestock.
The second owner of the farm was Ike’s brother, John D. Burnett Jr. John was born during the Civil War, and although he taught school for a time, he was principally a farmer. He bought his father’s farm from his siblings, except a share owned by Laura Burnett White, which totaled 86 acres by 1894. He and his wife, Mary Jane “Jennie” Wilson, had five children and raised corn, hay, cattle, mules and horses. John was always involved on the farm until an accident claimed his life at the age of 76, according to the family’s reports.
In 1955, the nephew of the founder, James Buford “Jim” Burnett, became the owner of 160 acres. He and wife Louvina Meeks Burnett had five children and raised corn, hay, soybeans, wheat and cattle.
Per the family, as a child Jim would ride mules bareback to break them for his father. A story the family recalls is that, at age 7, he and his father were on the way to Decherd and heard sirens and coal-mining whistles. When they arrived home, they learned that WWI was over.
The family also recounts that Jim and his brother bought their first car, an A-model, together. Also, Jim watched in amazement when the first plane flew over Pelham Valley and later, in 1969, watched as the first man walked on the moon. Having an eighth-grade education, he proudly boasted that all 10 of his grandchildren received a college education.
The current owners of the farm are Charles Emmett “Jack” White and his wife, Janice, who is the grandniece of the founder, Ike Burnett. Today, they farm the 36 acres of the original farm and raise hay, corn, soybeans and wheat. Charles and Janice also own the aforementioned White Family Farm.

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About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s
agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.
“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[470] Hamblen County Farm Joins State's Century Farms Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

HAMBLEN COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
Big Sand Spring Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)—The Big Sand Spring Farm in Hamblen County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
This farm shares its early history with the White Farm and Whitetown Acres Farms, both of which have been previously designated as Century Farms. Each farm stems from a land grant for 640 acres awarded to Joseph White in what was then Hawkins County.
He and his wife, Elizabeth Nixon, had nine children. Joseph was 52 and married to Elizabeth Nixon when he joined his brothers who had moved to Tennessee in the latter part of the 1700s. The family believes the Whites, who eventually had nine children, were delayed in moving because of family business that included settling the estate of Elizabeth Nixon’s father.
According to the farm’s records, two sons, Jonas and George, made the move with their parents to assist in building the homestead. They would have been around 24 and 18 years old. George was the second-generation owner. Married twice, he was the father of seven children; his son, Jemeson, acquired the farm in 1892.
Jemeson gave his daughter, Julia, and her husband, George Williams, 118 acres. Both Union and Confederate soldiers raided the farm but the family managed to hide food in the saddleroom and cellar beneath the parlor. The couple had nine children who survived to adulthood. One of their daughters, Gem, married Oscar Thompson but died after giving birth to their son, William Dallas. Dallas was reared on the farm by Gem’s family although Oscar continued to “support, visit and love his son.” In the 1940s, Dallas was given several shares of land by his uncles and aunts and bought the remaining portions of the farm for $1,800.
Today, William “Dallas” Thompson raises beef cattle, pastureland and hay on 118 acres of the original farmland of his ancestors, Joseph and Elizabeth. Also, a barn built in 1917 continues to be used. Big Sand Spring, used as an address for the family in the 1930s and 40s, takes its name from the “spot below the spring where sand actually oozes,” the family reported in the farm’s Century Farm application.
In addition to Dallas, family members include Alice Thompson Brooks, daughter of Dallas, as well as her daughter, Samantha, and granddaughter Gema.
“Along with the two other farms that come from the original acreage of Joseph White, Big Sand Spring is well-documented and is one of the most historic farms in Hamblen County,” observed Hankins, who added the farm is the 21st Century Farm to be certified in Hamblen County.

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HAMBLEN
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About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s
agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.
“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners or secure jpegs of the farm for editorial use, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[469] First of Six MTSU Summer Term Sessions Will Begin Monday

Release date: May 14, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu

First of Six MTSU Summer Term Sessions Will Begin Monday


(MURFREESBORO) — The first two of six summer terms of classes being offered at MTSU will start Monday, May 17, university officials said.
A 13-week full summer term and a three-week May term will start Monday. A five-week June term, 10-week July/July term and 10-week Regents Online Degree Program term will begin Monday, June 7. Classes will start Monday, July 12, for the five-week July term.
No classes will be held and all university business offices and academic departments for the Memorial Day (May 31) and Independence Day (July 5) holidays.
Commencement for degree candidates planning to graduate this summer will be held Saturday, Aug. 14.
Students should consult the university’s published summer schedule booklets, visit mtsu.edu/calendar_academic.shtml or check with their advisers for more information about the Summer 2010 academic calendar.
A $100 late fee will be charged to anyone who registers on or after the first day of class.
Classes will be dropped for students who did not meet the May 14 payment and confirmation deadline. Fee payment and confirmation deadlines for May 15-May 18 registrants is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 18.
For other fee payment or confirmation deadlines, visit mtsu.edu/bursar/dates_summer.shtml online or call 615-898-2761.
###

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[468] CUSTOMS Helps New Students Get Familiar With MTSU

Release date: May 13, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
CUSTOMS: Gina Poff, 615-898-2454 or ghpoff@mtsu.edu

CUSTOMS Helps New Students Get Familiar with MTSU
10 Orientation Sessions Will Go from May 26 Through July 29

(MURFREESBORO, TN) –CUSTOMS orientation will get under way soon with the first of 10 sessions spread across May, June and July for new MTSU students and their families.
Starting Wednesday, May 26, and running through late July, CUSTOMS’ two-day sessions will acquaint students to what will be their academic and social home for the next four years.
Admissions, Financial Aid, Housing and Residential Life, advising and other departments will be involved with the orientation process that will integrate new students into the intellectual, cultural and social climate of the university.
Gina Poff, director of New Student and Family Programs, which oversees the running of CUSTOMS, said organizers “are adding orientation leaders to work specifically with parents” this year.
The general assembly portion of CUSTOMS will move to Murphy Center since Tucker Theatre is under renovation, she said.
Poff added that they would take CUSTOMS’ participants onto the field at Floyd Stadium at the beginning of the morning for a video message from football Coach Rick Stockstill.
Session 1, May 26-27, will include scholarship and other students from all colleges within the university. Subsequent sessions will be a combination of majors from the various colleges and undeclared majors.
Registration is required and fees apply. Reservations will be assigned a first-come, first-serve basis, so students should register as early as possible.
For more information, visit www.mtsu.edu/customs or call 615-898-2454.

CUSTOMS Summer ’10 dates

• May 26-27: Scholarship recipients’ session/students from all colleges;
• June 3-4: Majors from Colleges of Business, Liberal Arts, Mass Communication and undeclared;
• June 9-10: Majors from Colleges of Basic and Applied Sciences, Education and undeclared;
• June 15-16: Business, liberal arts, mass comm and undeclared majors;
• June 18-19: CBAS, education and undeclared majors;
• June 23-24: Business, liberal arts, mass comm and undeclared;
• July 7-8: CBAS, education and undeclared majors;
• July 13-14: CBAS and undeclared majors;
• July 16-17: Business, liberal arts, mass comm. and undeclared majors;
• July 22-23: CBAS, education and undeclared; and
• July 28-29: Majors from all colleges.

###
Media welcomed.

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.


For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[463] NPS Commemorates WWII On The Homefront May 26 In Murfreesboro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919, or lrollins@mtsu.edu

NPS COMMEMORATES WWII ON THE HOMEFRONT MAY 26 IN MURFREESBORO
Free Event Encourages Heritage Tourists To Explore National Parks’ WWII Stories

(MURFREESBORO)—The National Park Service Service, in collaboration with MTSU’s public history program, will conduct a free public forum on the new World War II Network of Parks initiative beginning at 7 p.m. May 26 at the Rutherford County
Courthouse in Murfreesboro.
Still in the formative stages, the World War II Network of Parks is a program designed to creatively link national parks that interpret aspects of World War II history with other historic places that tell similar stories.
Dr. Rebecca Conard, history professor, said the purpose of the program is to encourage heritage tourists to explore the many ways in which World War II dominated the social, economic and political landscape of America during the mid-20th century, setting in motion momentous events that still shape the world today.
One pilot project of this initiative is “World War II in the San Francisco Bay Area,” a Web-based travel itinerary linking 31 historic places that reflect San Francisco Bay area’s role in creating America’s Arsenal of Democracy.
These sites, Conard explained, are grouped under six major themes: Seacoast Defense, Mobilization, Port of Embarkation, Shipbuilding, Women at War and Preservation.
“Among the 31 linked sites are Richmond Shipyard Number Three and the Ford Assembly Building,” she said, “where women helped to build ships and tanks; Port Chicago, one of the oldest Naval ordnance support bases on the West Coast, often remembered as the site of a catastrophic explosion on July 17, 1944, that took the lives of 320 servicemen; and Moffett Field, which housed the Navy’s fleet of blimps, used for patrolling the West Coast for submarines and mines.”
Prior to the start of the free May 26 forum, the Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, 225 W. College St., will be open for viewing “Sowing the Seeds of Change: World War II and Rutherford County,” a new exhibit that illustrates the sacrifices and services of Rutherford County citizens during the war.
Co-sponsors of the forum are the MTSU Public History Program, Department of History, Stones River National Battlefield and Rutherford County.
For more forum information, please contact Dr. Bren Martin, history professor, at 615-
427-8186.


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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[467] MTSU Class Probes Society's Attitudes Toward Animals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, or WMOT-FM, 615-898-2800

MTSU CLASS PROBES SOCIETY’S ATTITUDES TOWARD ANIMALS
How We Relate to Wild and Domestic Critters Focus of “MTSU on the Record”

(MURFREESBORO) – Dr. Angela Mertig, professor of sociology, will discuss her “Animals and Society” course at 8 a.m. this Sunday, May 16, on “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org).
Students will examine the role that animals play in society, how animals have been viewed and treated by humans over time, and what it means to say that humans are animals.
Mertig also will take a look at the purposes of the animal welfare movement and the animal rights movement and what sociology can tell us about the relationships among animals, people and society. The class is scheduled for May 17-June 5 Monday-Friday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. in Room 218 of Peck Hall on the MTSU campus.
To listen to last week’s program with Dr. Jid Lee talking about her memoir of life in Korea, To Kill a Tiger, go to http://www.mtsu.edu/news/podcast/podcast2010.shtml and click on “May 2, 2010.” For more information about “MTSU on the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.





--30--


With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[466] MTSU Tornado Siren Test Today

Release date: May 12, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU TORNADO SIREN TEST TODAY


There will be a test of the tornado siren on the MTSU campus today (May 12) at 11:15 a.m. This will be only a test of the system, and no action will be required.

MTSU is pleased to inform the campus and surrounding neighborhood when this kind of test takes place to allay any concerns.
###

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[465] Macon County Farm Joins State's Century Farms Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2010
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947

MACON COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
213-Year-Old Carr Creek Carr Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)— The Carr Creek Carr Farm in Macon County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
In 1797, just a year after Tennessee became a state, Daniel Alexander purchased 320 acres of land from George Pirtle in what was then Sumner County; Macon County was formed in 1842. He and his wife, Rachel Mauphet, had 10 children. Their daughter, Margaret “Peggy” married James Carr, who acquired the farm in 1837. This couple had nine children.
The third owner was John N. Carr. He and his wife, Martha Alice Carter, received 65 acres of the original farm. With their six children, they raised hay, corn, cattle and hogs on the farm on Carr Creek. Their son, Daniel “Tucker” Carr acquired 65 acres in 1894. His wife, Julia, also a Carr, had six children.
The generations of family ownership continued through the 20th century until the current owner, Ida Francis Carr Tucker and husband Louie, acquired the farm in 1992.
The Tuckers have two daughters, Cynthia Carol and Dana Lynn, and farm about 40 acres of the original Alexander farm, along with other acreage. Louie, retired from the Tri-County Electric Cooperative, manages the farm and raises hay and cattle.
“The farmhouse, tobacco barn and feed barn, along with the family cemetery, are important parts of the landscape,” Hankins noted.

About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s
agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.

—more—


MACONCO
Add 1



“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


—30—



• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owners, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.



With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[464] MTSU's Gore Center Seeks Donations For Veterans History Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919, or lrollins@mtsu.edu

MTSU’S GORE CENTER SEEKS DONATIONS FOR VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
Center Director Says Much-needed Funds Will Aid in Preserving Veterans’ History

(MURFREESBORO)— The Albert Gore Research Center, as part of its public service mission to the citizens of Tennessee and beyond, serves as an official partner in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
However, as taxpayer support has declined for MTSU over the past several years, it is no longer possible for the center to expend its limited-operating resources on this public service project. In turn, the center’s staff must call on the generosity of donors to contribute to this project.
The last of the greatest generation: The Gore Center currently has about 50 veterans of World War II and Korea on its list of those willing to be interviewed. As we know, veterans of these conflicts are in their 80s and 90s, and thousands die across the U.S. each day.
Dr. James Williams, director of the center, said, “It is urgent that we have funds in hand to record these stories in 2010 before it is too late. We ask that the community please help us.”
With a contribution of just $50, donors can adopt a veteran, or adopt two veterans for $100, three for $150, et cetera.
“For each $50 contribution, the Gore Center can fund one interview with a World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War or Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, or a civilian who supported the war effort by working in war industries or volunteering for the USO, Red Cross or other support organizations,” he added.

Those who donated will help fund the following:
• Tapes and other supplies to record interviews.
• Permanent archiving of the tapes, photos, and memorabilia from each interview.
• Transcription of the interview.
• Posting of interview recordings, photos, and transcripts on a newly designed oral history website coming soon to http://gorecenter.mtsu.edu.

To adopt a veteran, please make a tax-deductible donation of $50 or more in one of two ways:
• Mail checks made payable to the MTSU Foundation and mail to Director, Albert Gore Research Center, MTSU Box 193, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro TN 37132. (Please note on the check "Veterans History Project.")
• Donate online via the secure MTSU Foundation website at https://ssb.mtsu.edu/pls/PROD/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=bmenu.P_AluNonSecureMnu. (Please note along with donor information that the contribution is for the Gore Center's “Veterans History Project.“)

For more information, please visit http://gorecenter.mtsu.edu/adoptvet.htm. To learn more about the Veterans History Project, please access http://www.loc.gov/vets

—30—

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

[462] Student Transfers Streamlined With New Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919 or ttozer@mtsu.edu;
Brenda J. Rayner, 901-333-4247 or bjbradley@southwest.tn.edu.

STUDENT TRANSFERS STREAMLINED WITH NEW AGREEMENT
MTSU, Southwest Tennessee Community College Sign Pact for Education

(MEMPHIS)—Tennessee’s largest undergraduate university and its largest two-year college are teaming up to streamline student transfers and improve access to higher education.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and President Nathan L. Essex of Southwest Tennessee Community College signed a formal agreement, or memorandum of understanding, May 5 at the Memphis institution to assist students in a seamless transfer from Southwest to MTSU.
During the signing, McPhee emphasized that in light of legislation passed in January, there is a greater emphasis and focus on transferring, articulation and access to provide opportunities for citizens to earn associate and undergraduate degrees.
Courses currently considered in the agreement are those transferable to the recording industry, business administration, education and aerospace programs at MTSU.
"The obvious advantage is that our students are going to have increased access,” Essex noted. “Our emphasis throughout the state right now is retention and graduation. So to have this kind of partnership with a wonderful institution such as MTSU simply means that our students will have increased opportunities to get scholarship support and be able to pursue advanced degrees beyond the community-college level based on this partnership."
McPhee also stressed scholarship opportunities as well as the ease of the transfer process for Southwest students.
"We are going to be looking at providing special scholarships for these students, connecting them to our Honors College (and) providing a better transition and taking the hassle out of the transfer process,” the MTSU president said, “and so we are really excited. We get great students out of Memphis and from Southwest. We only see this as strengthening our relationship and partnership.”
Southwest Tennessee Community College, which opened in 2000, is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution with seven campus locations in the greater Memphis area. It offers associate’s degrees in multiple disciplines, including allied health, biotechnology and nursing; automotive, electronic and landscape technologies; business; graphic arts, information technology and engineering technologies; hospitality management and food services; human services, education and public safety; and legal, criminal justice and paralegal emphases.
MTSU, founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, now confers master’s degrees in 10 areas as well as the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU was ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.

###
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IN BRIEF: Tennessee’s largest undergraduate university and its largest two-year college are teaming up to streamline student transfers and improve access to higher education. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and President Nathan L. Essex of Southwest Tennessee Community College signed a formal agreement, or memorandum of understanding, May 5 at the Memphis institution to assist students in a seamless transfer from Southwest to MTSU. During the signing, McPhee emphasized that in light of legislation passed in January, there is a greater emphasis and focus on transferring, articulation and access to provide opportunities for citizens to earn associate and undergraduate degrees. Courses currently considered in the agreement are those transferable to the recording industry, business administration, education and aerospace programs at MTSU.

For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.

—30—

ATTENTION, MEDIA: For a color JPEG of the MOU signing, please contact Gina E. Fann in the Office of News and Public Affairs before 4 p.m. via e-mail at gfann@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-5385.

[461] MTSU ROTC Commissions 10 Into U.S. Army During Ceremonies Today

Release date: May 7, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
MTSU ROTC contact: Lt. Col. T.K. Kast, 615-898-2470 or tkast@mtsu.edu

MTSU ROTC Commissions 10 into U.S. Army During Ceremonies Today


(MURFREESBORO) — The MTSU Department of Military Science commissioned 10 seniors and May 8 degree candidates into various aspects of the U.S. Army during ceremonies earlier today outside the Tom H. Jackson Building.
Lt. Col. T.K. Kast presided over the ceremonies and introduced guest speaker Dr. Derek Frisby, assistant professor, MTSU history department.
All are scheduled to graduate Saturday.

The spring commissionees include:

• 2LT Jared Blair of Clarksville, Tenn., is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in aerospace administration. He was accessed active duty, signal corps. He will be camp cadre at the Leader Development and Assessment Corps in Fort Lewis, Wash., from June 5 until Aug. 10, before starting his basic officer leadership course Aug. 19 at Fort Gordon, Ga. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Fort Meade, Md. He is the son of Bill and Sharon Blair of Clarksville;

• 2LT William Choi of Franklin, Tenn., who is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in history. He was accessed active duty, field artillery branch. He will be camp cadre at the leader’s training course at Fort Knox, Ky., from May 21 until July 30, before starting his BOLC course on Aug. 11 at Fort Sill, Okla. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Korea. He is the son of David and Angela Adams of Franklin;

• 2LT David Dang of Nashville, who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree
in psychology. He was accessed active duty, infantry branch. He will be a Gold Bar Recruiter at MTSU from May 10 until June 25 before starting his BOLC course June 26 at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Korea. He is the son of Huu Dang of Nashville and Catherine Dang of Columbia, Tenn.;

• 2LT Jill Flynn of Harrison, Tenn., who is graduating with a bachelor of science in nursing degree. She was accessed active duty, nurse corps. Upon passing the NCLEX exam and attend BOLC, she will be assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. She is the daughter of Tom and Ruth DeMarco of Harrison;

• 2LT Jake Hammock of Westmoreland, who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He was accessed active duty, military intelligence branch. He will begin his BOLC course June 17 at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He is the son of Gary and Martha Hammock of Westmoreland;

• 2LT Cody Sneed of Thompsons Station, who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He was accessed active duty, medical service corps. He will be camp cadre at the leader’s training course at Fort Knox, Ky., from May 21 until Aug. 26 before starting his BOLC course Aug. 29 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Korea. He is the son of Randy and Nancy Sneed of Thompsons Station;

• 2LT Meaghan Stewart of Brandon, Fla., who is graduating with a bachelor of science in nursing degree. She was accessed active duty, nurse corps. Upon passing the NCLEX and attending BOLC, she will be assigned to Fort Gordon, Ga. She is married to U.S. Army 1st Lt. Robert Stewart. She is the daughter of Ron and Renee McNeal of Brandon;
• 2LT Courtney Stumph of Clarksville, Tenn., who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. She was accessed active duty, quartermaster corps. She will begin her BOLC course June 12 at Fort Lee, Va. Upon completion of BOLC, she will be assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash. She is the daughter of Valarie Stumph of Nashville and David Stumph of Clarksville;
• 2LT Max Underwood of Caryville, Tenn., who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He was accessed active duty, infantry branch. He will begin his BOLC course Feb. 25, 2011, at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Fort Drum, N.Y. He is the son of Mark and Ann Underwood of Caryville; and

• 2LT Shane Vachunek of Springfield, Tenn., who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He was accessed active duty, armor branch. He will begin his BOLC course June 8 at Fort Knox, Ky. Upon completion of BOLC, he will be assigned to Germany. He is the son of Robert and Tracy Vachunek of Springfield.
###
With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.
For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

[460] MTSU Honors 2009-10 Distinguished Alumni, Young Alum Saturday During Commencement

Release date: May 6, 2010


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
Alumni Relations contact: Michelle Stepp, 615-898-2922 or mbstepp@mtsu.edu

MTSU Honors 2009-10 Distinguished Alumni,
Young Alum Saturday During Commencement


(MURFREESBORO, TN) – The spring commencement at MTSU Saturday will feature four very special “graduates” as the 2009–10 Distinguished Alumni will be presented their awards during the 9 a.m. ceremony, the Office of Alumni Relations said recently.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award given to an MTSU alumnus with the Young Alumni Achievement Award being the pinnacle award for an alumnus under the age of 40.
In the category of Professional Achievement, the Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to David Mitchell (’73) of Franklin. He is the director of Homeland Security for the state of Tennessee.
Tom Vance (’76) of McMinnville will be presented the Distinguished Alumni award in the category of Service to the Community, recognizing the countless hours of his volunteer time devoted to the betterment of Murfreesboro and McMinnville, Tenn.
The Distinguished Alumni Award in the category of Service to the University will be presented to George Frost (’56) of Hendersonville. He has devoted much of his time to serving as president of various MTSU committees and clubs such as the MTSU Foundation and Blue Raider Varsity Club as well as raising money for the Chair of Insurance.
The Young Alumni Achievement Award will be presented to Lauren Gillespie Agee (’01) of Murfreesboro. In her nine years post graduation, she has worked for the Clinton administration, on the Andy Womack for governor campaign and is now the senior policy adviser for state Sen. Jim Kyle of Memphis.
The MTSU Alumni Association annually presents the Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Achievement Awards.
Alumni and friends are encouraged to help recognize the amazing achievements of MTSU graduates by submitting a nomination. More information about the awards, past recipients and nominations forms can be found at mtalumni.com.
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(Note: High-resolution photos of Distinguished Alumni recipients David Mitchell, Tom Vance and George Frost, and Young Alumni honoree Lauren Gillespie Agee are available. To request, contact Randy Weiler in MTSU News & Public Affairs by calling 615-898-5616 or e-mail jweiler@mtsu.edu.


With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.


For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.