[464] MTSU Students Set To Depart for Fukushima Cleanup Detail

FOR RELEASE: May 31, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MTSU STUDENTS SET TO DEPART FOR FUKUSHIMA CLEANUP DETAIL

Education-Abroad Partnership with Fukushima University Will Help Disaster Area

MURFREESBORO—A contingent of 10 students and two professors from Middle Tennessee State University will leave Nashville early Monday, June 4, to participate in the cleanup and rebuilding mission in Fukushima, Japan.

On March 11, 2011, an earthquake registering 9.0 on the Richter scale created a tsunami that killed nearly 16,000 people and left more than 3,000 missing on the main island of Honshu. In addition, ocean waves engulfed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, sending three reactors into meltdown.

“MTSU has assessed the current situation and consulted with Fukushima University,” says Dr. David Schmidt, vice provost for international affairs. “At no time while engaged in program-related activities will students be in areas where the U.S. government recommends its citizens avoid travel.”

The triple catastrophe left behind an estimated 23 million tons of debris in the hardest-hit coastal areas of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures alone. The Japanese government announced Feb. 21 that the country has cleaned up only five percent of the rubble more than a year later.

The MTSU students will hear presentations from Fukushima University students, work with other volunteers to clear debris and prepare meals in the Soma district. At the program’s conclusion, they will exchange observations with the Fukushima students.

Not only are the MTSU students intrigued by the opportunity to witness a national disaster firsthand, but they are compelled to help by persistent images of the damaged lives left behind.

“I remember a Japanese woman crying over her lost family member at a function I went to in Nashville,” says Preston Nalls, a mass-communication major from Franklin. “All I could do was just watch … as other Japanese comforted her. I didn’t know her, so although I felt compelled to say something, I just clenched my fist and grieved for her from afar.”

“Sure, we are only going to Fukushima, but that will resonate all over Japan,” adds Justin Bingham, a liberal-studies major from Murfreesboro. “So, in a way, we 10 students are going to help an entire nation. That’s something worth smiling about.”

Each student will pay a fee of $1,000 to cover all instruction fees, lodging and international airfare from Nashville to Japan. The group is slated to return June 15.

This education-abroad program is a joint effort of MTSU International Affairs and Fukushima University with support from the Japanese Ministry of Education. For more information, contact the MTSU Office of International Affairs at 615-904-8190 or Schmidt at david.schmidt@mtsu.edu.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For pre- and/or post-flight interviews with members of the MTSU contingent, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Media Relations at 615-898-5081 or gina.logue@mtsu.edu.

PHOTO ATTACHED: MTSU and Fukushima University students gather for a photo after a May 8 dinner at the Japanese Consul General’s residence in Nashville. From left on the front row are Bridgette Gleaves; Janae Matikke; Yuchun Schmidt, wife of Dr. David Schmidt; Julie Vandel; Yoko Sato, wife of Consul General Hiroshi Sato; Preston Nails; Noiko Mori; Chiaki Shima; Saori Endo; and Consul Megumi Osugi Stepien; and kneeling in front, Keiko Halbert, executive assistant to the Consul General. On the back row from left are Hisonori Maeda, consul for economic affairs; Mark Wester; Dr. Doug Heffington, director of MTSU’s Global Studies Program; Dr. David Schmidt, director of MTSU’s Office of International Affairs; General Consul Hiroshi Sato; Seth Graves, Japanese speech contest winner from MTSU; Justin Bingham; Caitlin Mayo; Takia Richardson; Kaitlyn Huppmann; and Deputy Consul General Shigenobu Kobayashi. (photo submitted)

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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

[463] MTSU Professor Is Tennessee's Young Dietician of the Year

FOR RELEASE: May 30, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MTSU PROFESSOR IS TENNESSEE’S YOUNG DIETICIAN OF THE YEAR

Lauren Cromer Stresses Food Science, Food Safety, Public Information

MURFREESBORO—Lauren Cromer, an MTSU instructor of nutrition and food sciences, is the winner of the state’s Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award from the Tennessee Dietetic Association.

Cromer, who earlier captured the Nashville District award, outpaced five other district champions and was presented with the statewide honor at the TDA’s annual meeting in Nashville April 20.

The Tullahoma native and Nashville resident is a past president of the district association. She has worked as a dietitian manager with a skilled nursing facility and as a clinical dietitian at a diabetes weight management clinic.

Cromer’s resume also includes experience as a dietary and kitchen manager who developed meal plans and assessed nutritional needs of patients.

In addition, she is a preceptor/mentor with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program.  

“What I enjoy the most is teaching about food principles, food science, why we do things the way we do, food safety, getting all the nutrition knowledge out to the population,” says Cromer.

“She is using best practices in the classroom and … being a role model as well for our students so they will aspire to achieve what she has already achieved,” says Dr. Lisa Sheehan-Smith, associate professor in the MTSU Department of Human Sciences and a registered dietician.

Cromer earned her bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition with a dietetics emphasis from Carson-Newman College in 2002 and her master’s degree in nutrition sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2004.

For more information on MTSU’s Nutrition and Food Sciences Program, dietetics program, contact Sheehan-Smith at 615-898-2090 or lsheehan@mtsu.edu.

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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

[462] Governor's School for the Arts Slated June 3-29 at MTSU

For release:  May 30, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

Governor’s School for the Arts contacts: Dr. Raphael Bundage, 615-898-2223 / Raphael.Bundage@mtsu.edu

or Glenna Robinson, 615-898-2223 / Glenna.Robinson@mtsu.edu

Governor’s School for the Arts slated June 3-29 at MTSU

MURFREESBORO — Nearly 250 rising high-school juniors and seniors from across Tennessee will be attending the 2012 Governor’s School for the Arts June 3 until June 29 at Middle Tennessee State University.

Program concentrations will include dance, music, visual arts, filmmaking and theatre. Participants will be arriving Sunday morning, June 3, registering and checking into campus dormitories.

One of the featured highlights will be a Tuesday, June 5, 7 p.m. performance by internationally acclaimed ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro. The public is invited and tickets are $30.

Finale events will be held Thursday, June 28, starting with an art exhibit at 10 a.m. in Andrew L. Todd Hall. Two music finale concerts will be held, one starting at noon and the other at 8:30 p.m. Both will be performed in Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building.

Other June 28 events will include a film exhibition at 2 p.m. in Tucker Theater, a theatre finale at 2:30 p.m. in Tucker Theatre, the opera and guitar finale at 4:30 in Hinton Hall of the Wright Music Building and the dance finale at 7 p.m. in Tucker Theatre.

Other events and the entire four-week schedule can be found at www.gsfta.com. (Click on “2012 Governor’s School Major Event Schedule.pdf” to download and view.). Some events are open to the public, but there is an admission charge.  

MTSU professor of music Dr. Raphael Bundage is serving as Governor’s School for the Arts director. Lynda Hawkersmith serves as assistant director and dean of students, Janet Bell-Taylor is assistant dean of students, Glenna Robinson is school coordinator and Brenda Batey is finale event coordinator. Many MTSU faculty members assist as instructors.

For more information, visit www.gsfta.com or call 615-898-2223.

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Media welcomed.

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[461] Recent MTSU Grad Gouger Earns Fulbright Scholarship to Spain

For release: May 29, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

University Honors College contact: Laura Clippard, 615-898-5464 or Laura.Clippard@mtsu.edu

Recent MTSU grad Gouger earns Fulbright scholarship to Spain

MURFREESBORO — Award-winning May 5 MTSU graduate Daniel Gouger added to his many honors just before commencement.

Gouger, who is from Jasper, Tenn., learned he had received a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program Scholarship to study in Spain. He will leave in September and study at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, focusing on molecular dynamics and molecular modeling until June 2013.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds the Fulbright Program, one of the world’s most prestigious international educational exchange programs. Recipients are chosen on the basis of academic or professional achievement and demonstrated leadership potential.

“The whole point of the research is to analyze the effects of potential synthetic drugs on the stability and conformation of both DNA and chromatin structure,” said Gouger, who graduated magna cum laude with a 3.78 grade point average and with 195 total hours.

“I was really overwhelmed — excited, overwhelmed and humbled,” Gouger said was his reaction to learning of the Fulbright award.

Gouger becomes the second MTSU graduate to receive a Fulbright this year. Earlier, Anna Yacovone, a December 2011 graduate from Sevierville, Tenn., was notified she was awarded a Fulbright to Laos.

A May 2008 graduate of Marion County High School, Gouger earned bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and Spanish language and minors in business administration and leadership studies. Gouger graduated from the University Honors College, he was a charter member of Omicron Delta Kappa and a member of Phi Kappa Phi and served three years as president of the Honors Student Association.

Gouger said faculty members Drs. Preston MacDougall, Norma Dunlap and Nuria Novella steered him to academic success.

He said MacDougall, a chemistry professor,  “guided me from an academic standpoint and helped to develop a scholarly attitude” and opened the doors for Gouger’s opportunity in Barcelona by carrying the student’s resume to Spain and securing a professor/mentor at the institute.

Dunlap, a chemistry professor, “opened my mind to the world of medicinal chemistry and really mentored me as a scholar and a student. … She helped me grow through the thesis process and been my go-to professor for the last three years,” Gouger said.

He said Novella, a professor in foreign languages, “taught me a lot about Spanish and Spanish culture” and she “helped motivate me to go into the medical profession.” Novella’s battle with cancer (she’s now five years cancer free) further inspired him.

“I hope to one day impart upon my future patients the same care and leadership that she's been able to give me,” Gouger said.

Eight years ago when Gouger was 15, the death of his father, Thomas, also influenced his decision to study medicine.

Even with his academic prowess, Gouger found time to work as a global ambassador and student representative at MTSU for International Studies Abroad, promoting study abroad and international education on campus and also as a peer career adviser for the Career Development Center.

Gouger also worked three years as a mentor and tutor in the Student-Athlete Enhancement Center.

For hobbies, Gouger enjoys the outdoors — hiking, biking and fishing — and cooking.

Gouger is the son of Karen Gouger of Jasper. He has an older brother, Matthew. He is the grandson of Glenda and the late Charles Chester of Cartersville, Ga., near Atlanta; Katy and the late Bobby Gouger of Jasper; and Stance and Loretta Rigney of Millry, Ala.

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PHOTO captions

Daniel Gouger1.jpg

May 5 graduate Daniel Gouger, shown in an MTSU science lab with the Periodic Table of the Elements in the background, is headed to Barcelona, Spain, on a Fulbright Scholarship. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Faculty with Gouger1.jpg

Daniel Gouger, seated right, is shown with MTSU faculty members Drs. Norma Dunlap, left, Preston MacDougall and Nuria Novella who guided him to academic success that included a Fulbright Scholarship to Spain. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[460] MTSU Veterans Memorial Site Offers 'a quiet place of reflection'

For release:  May 25, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU Military Science contact: Lt. Col. T.K. Kast, 615-898-2406 or Tharrel.Kast@mtsu.edu

MTSU Veterans Memorial site offers ‘a quiet place of reflection’

Will Stallings, left, 11, a Central Magnet School student and Sebastian Matlock, 11, a St. Rose of Lima School student, water flowers May 25 at the MTSU Veterans Memorial site in preparation for Memorial Day this Monday, May 28. The site, located outside the Tom H. Jackson Building on the west side of campus near Middle Tennessee Boulevard between Bell Street and Falkinberry Drive, offers “a quiet place of reflection,” said Lt. Col. T.K. Kast, MTSU professor of military science. This weekend, the public is welcome to visit the site that honors University alumni who fell while in service to their country.

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            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[459] MTSU Wins 21 Awards for Excellence in Marketing

For release:  May 25, 2012

News and Media Relations contacts: Jimmy Hart, 615-898-2919 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu     

or Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU Marketing and Communications contact: Andrew Oppmann, 615-494-7800 or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu

MTSU wins 21 awards for excellence in marketing

University receives the most honors in recent

Tennessee College Public Relations Association competition

MURFREESBORO — Middle Tennessee State University’s marketing and communications efforts received 21 awards for excellence from the Tennessee College Public Relations Association, the most of any public or private higher- education institution in the state.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the association’s annual conference, hosted on the MTSU campus earlier this month. It was the second consecutive year MTSU garnered the most honors in the TCPRA awards. Other top winners included the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with 16 awards and Belmont University with six.

“There are so many compelling stories at our University and we are pleased our peers in higher education have recognized our success in sharing them with our audiences,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s associate vice president for marketing and communications.

Many of the University’s most recent multimedia communications efforts were recognized by the TCPRA, including:

• “MTSU Research,” a special edition of MTSU Magazine, received the Gold Award for best specialty publication; the Honors College magazine got the Silver Award for Best Newsletter; and MTSU Magazine received Bronze recognition for Best Feature or News Writing;

• “Out of the Blue,” MTSU’s monthly television newsmagazine program, and “On the Record,” the University’s weekly radio program, received Gold and Silver awards, respectively, in the category of Best Radio/TV Show.

• “Middle in a Minute,” the 60-second vignette about the University featured on MTSU’s athletics broadcasts and on FM 89.5 WMOT, received a Gold Award for Best Radio Advertisement or PSA;

• The University’s video advertising took both the Gold and Bronze honors; its print advertising received Silver and Bronze recognition; and its social media outreach was honored with a Silver Award;

• The national media coverage of MTSU Professor Cliff Ricketts’ cross-country trip on less than 10 gallons of gas was recognized with a Gold Award as the Best Media Success Story among Tennessee universities; and

• MTSU received Gold and Silver awards for Best Photography, as well as a Gold Award for top poster design.

The TCPRA honored Doug Williams, MTSU’s executive director of marketing and branding, with its Charles Holmes Award, which recognizes career achievement and distinguished service to the association. Williams, chairman of this year’s conference, became the only two-time recipient of this honor.

• Tara Wann, secretary in the Marketing and Communications office, was awarded the annual TCPRA scholarship given to a student at the institution hosting the conference. Wann is enrolled in the University College’s Adult Degree Competition Program.

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Note: High-resolution jpeg photos are attached.

Photo captions:

• Main art: The cross-country trip by MTSU Professor Cliff Ricketts (right, with Dr. Warren Gill, chair of the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience) was recognized as the top Media Success Story by the Tennessee College Public Relations Association. Ricketts returned to campus March 12 from a 2,582-mile coast-to-coast trip across America in alternative fuel vehicles. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

• Secondary art: The cover of MTSU Research Magazine, which was recognized as Best Specialty Publication by the Tennessee College Press Association.

• Mug shot: Doug Williams, MTSU executive director of marketing and branding.

• Mug shot: Tara Wann, MTSU marketing and communications secretary.

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[458] MTSU Hosts 11th Annual Tennessee Guitar Festival and Competition May 31-June 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2012

CONTACT: Tim Musselman, 615-898-2493

MTSU hosts 11th annual Tennessee Guitar

Festival and competition May 31-June 2 

(MURFREESBORO) - The 11^th annual Tennessee Guitar Festival and Competition will take place May 31 through June 2 in Hinton Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus, with registration beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, in the Wright Music Building lobby.

This year's national guitar competition, with more than $3,000 in prize money, will bring in some of America's best young guitarists to compete for the $1,500 first prize.

“This competition brings in world-class guitarists,” said Dr. William Yelverton, festival director. “This is a unique opportunity to hear some of the finest young guitarists in America compete for prestige and prize money.”         

Headlining this year's festival are guitarists Jorge Caballero, Ben Bolt and Carlos Castilla. Bolt and Castilla will be in concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 31. Caballero will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 1. Also performing at this event will be the guitar competition finalists at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.  

"The Saturday night finals will be awesome," Yelverton said.

In addition to the concerts and competition, the festival will feature guitar master classes June 1 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. and June 2 at 1 p.m. Competition begins with the preliminary round at noon on May 31.

Events are open to the public. Admission to an individual concert is $10 with students 16 and under admitted free. A registration fee of $30 will gain admittance to all concerts, lectures, workshops and master classes.

Further information on the festival and competition can be found at TennesseeGuitarFestival.com.

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Media welcomed. (Please show working media credential at concerts.)

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[457] MTSU Will Be Closed May 28 for Memorial Day Holiday

For release:  May 24, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU will be closed May 28 for Memorial Day holiday

MURFREESBORO — MTSU will be closed and no classes will be held Monday, May 28, for the Memorial Day holiday.

Classes (May term and summer full term) will resume at their regularly scheduled times on Tuesday, May 29. All business offices will be open their regular hours (8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.) on Tuesday.

Hours of operation for specific buildings and venues from Friday until Tuesday morning:

• 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; 7:30 a.m. Tuesday;

• Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; closed May 26-28; 6 a.m. Tuesday;

• MTSU Pharmacy: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, with drive-through open until 4:30; closed May 26-28; 8 a.m. Tuesday;

• Keathley University Center: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 26-28; 7 a.m. Tuesday;

• MT Dining facilities in KUC Grill: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; the Bistro open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday through Monday; 7 a.m. Tuesday; and

• James Union Building: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday; closed May 26-28; 8 a.m. Tuesday.

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            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[456] Raider Robotics Team Competes in NASA Event This Week

For release:  May 23, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU Engineering Technology contact: Dr. Ahad Nasab, 615-898-2052 or Ahad.Nasab@mtsu.edu

Raider Robotics team competes in NASA event this week

MURFREESBORO — The seven-member MTSU Raider Robotics team is competing this week against 38 U.S. and 20 international undergraduate and graduate student teams in the third annual Lunabotics Mining Competition. The event is being held at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Teams have had to design and build a remote-controlled or autonomous robot for the competition, which got under way today. Some of the concepts possibly could be incorporated into the design of future NASA robots, said Tracy Young of NASA. In the competition, the teams’ designs, known as lunabots, will go head-to-head to determine which one can excavate and deposit the most simulated lunar dirt within 10 minutes.

“We feel pretty good about our chances,” said Aaron Thompson, an MTSU senior from Smyrna and formerly from Clarksville, Tenn., and team leader. “This year, we got a lot of things completed early.

Other team members include William “Will” Wang of La Vergne, Ryan Miller of Murfreesboro and formerly from Chattanooga, Honer Sofi of Nashville and formerly from Bridgeport, Conn., Alejandro Angel of Madison, Tenn., Rosh Harris Greenidge of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Jordan Qualls and Jay Perry of Murfreesboro. Qualls is formerly from Obion County. A native of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Perry stayed in Murfreesboro to fulfill a teaching obligation on campus.

MTSU Raider Robotics, which learned today what number it has drawn and the order in which it will compete, performed its pre-competition test May 22. Thompson said the team learned of a problem that would need to be fixed before it entered the competition.

“Everything works,” Thompson said of the drive and dumping systems. “We need to get a one-inch extension in the front. If we get that right, we have a pretty good shot.”

Thompson said because of rains across middle Tennessee two weekends before the team left to go to Florida, they were not able to test their robot outdoors. Earlier this week, they tested it three times in the sand pit before doing the official practice run, he added.

Thompson was a part of MTSU’s 2011 team, which placed in the top 25. He said organizers “cut everything in half in terms of robot dimensions and dump collection” for this year’s competition.

Most of the MTSU team members work in addition to taking classes. Thompson is an engineering intern at Tower Automotive, and he is married and the father of three children. Qualls also is married.

Dr. Ahad Nasab, professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, serves as adviser to the team and will join them at the competition May 24.

Young said the competition is designed to engage and retain students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or the STEM fields, which are critical to NASA’s missions. Highlights of the event will air on NASA Television’s Video File. Visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv for downlink information, schedules and streaming video links.

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Note: A high-resolution jpeg photo is attached.

PHOTO CAPTION

MTSU Raider Robotics team members Ryan Miller, left, Alejandro Angel, Will Wang, Jordan Qualls, Aaron Thompson, Rosh Harris Greenidge and Honer Sofi are shown with the 2012 Lunabotics Competition entry after the May 22 practice run.

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[455] Tough Topics for Tiny Tots Mark Palmore's Children's Tales

FOR RELEASE: May 23, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

TOUGH TOPICS FOR TINY TOTS MARK PALMORE’S CHILDREN’S TALES

MTSU Child Development Center Director to Sign Books at Local Barnes and Noble 

MURFREESBORO—Elaine Mitchell Palmore, director of MTSU’s Child Development Center, will sign copies of her children’s books, “The Dragon Who Lives at Our House” and “Big Changes in the Crow Family,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Barnes and Noble, 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. in Murfreesboro.

Published by Fresh Fables and illustrated by Norris Hall, Palmore’s tales explain difficult adult situations in an entertaining, age-appropriate way. “Dragon” was a finalist in the Health: Addiction and Recovery category of the Best Books 2011 Awards sponsored by USA Book News.

“Dragon” uses the metaphor of a dragon becoming too big for the family’s house to symbolize a father’s addiction, while “Crow Family” tackles the heartbreaking subject of divorce from the Crow hatchlings’ point of view.

A veteran of more than 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator, Palmore has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree from Belmont University and an American Montessori Society credential in early childhood and elementary education.

For more information, contact Palmore at 615-898-2198 or elaine.palmore@mtsu.edu.

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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit http://www.mtsunews.com/.

[454] MTSU Student Previews Summertime At '30 Rock' On WMOT-FM

FOR RELEASE: May 23, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MTSU STUDENT PREVIEWS SUMMERTIME AT ‘30 ROCK’ ON WMOT-FM

Johnson City’s Jonathan Radford Goes ‘On the Record’ About NBC News Internship

MURFREESBORO—Jonathan Radford, an MTSU student who will embark on a 10-week internship with NBC News in New York this summer, will talk about his unique opportunity at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 28, and 8 a.m. Sunday, June 3, on “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org).

Radford, an electronic media communication major from Johnson City, Tenn., is one of only three collegians in the nation to be chosen for NBC internships granted by the National Association of Black Journalists.

During his internship at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Radford will work for thegrio.com, NBC News’ website dedicated to news of interest to minority audiences with particular emphasis on the African-American community.

 To listen to previous programs, go to www.mtsunews.com and click on “more” under the “Audio Clips” category.

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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Celebrating its 100th anniversary and faithful to its roots as a teachers' college, MTSU continues as a top producer of teachers in Tennessee. Pride, Tradition and Excellence are the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"!

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

[453] MTSU Concrete Industry Students Receive Paid Internship Funding

For release:  May 22, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

Concrete Industry contact: Dr. Heather Brown, 615-904-8060 or Heather.Brown@mtsu.edu

Tennessee Small Business Development Center contact: Dr. Pat Geho,   

615-849-9999 or Patrick.Geho@mtsu.edu

MTSU concrete industry students receive paid internship funding

MURFREESBORO — With the help of state funding, 13 out of nearly 50 students in the Middle Tennessee State University Concrete Industry Management department will work paid internships this summer that will prove valuable once they enter the job market.

CIM chair Dr. Heather Brown said the department relies on industry support each year to place the summer interns.

Companies have had to tighten budgets and in many cases suspended paid internship programs across the country, Brown said. CIM students are required to work in the industry up to 400 hours, which has proven valuable in full-time career placement, she added.

Although the job outlook has improved this year, students still struggle to find summer jobs on their own, Brown said.

This year CIM received $41,983 in funding from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center to provide students with paid internships, Brown said, adding that these student internships are with small businesses in the concrete and construction industries across the Midstate.

“All of the companies that were awarded a ‘free’ summer intern give to the CIM program in many ways through time, talent and treasure,” Brown said. “We wanted to reward the generosity of our supporters in the concrete and construction industry and give back to companies who typically cannot hire paid interns.”

“CIM is also grateful to have placed these 13 students in summer employment as a result of the funding provided by Dr. Sidney McPhee, MTSU’s president, and Dr. Patrick Geho, state executive director of the University’s Tennessee Small Business Development Center program,” Brown added.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is a network of professional business consultants with 14 centers and five affiliate offices throughout the state. The center provides expert business advice to all types of businesses, whether a manufacturer, retailer, service provider or a professional.

Locally, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at MTSU is located inside the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, 3050 Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro.

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Note: A high-resolution jpeg photo is attached.

PHOTO CAPTION

MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, left, is shown with 10 of 13 students who will work paid summer internships with local construction and concrete businesses across the region. Also pictured (from left) are Cory Powell of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Billy Mitchell of Memphis, Nathan Tenpenny of Murfreesboro, Cameron Robinson of Memphis, Ryan Jessie of Murfreesboro, David Dozier of Gallatin, Richard Nelson and Cameron McKee of Murfreesboro, Dan Erickson of Pekin, Ill., Jim Duffy of Murfreesboro, Dr. Pat Geho of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and Dr. Heather Brown of CIM. (Submitted photo/MTSU News and Media Relations)

            The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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

[452] MTSU's Todd Gallery Features 'In Light: Works from Five Photographers'

MTSU's Todd Gallery features 'In Light: Works from Five Photographers'

FOR RELEASE: May 18, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Eric Snyder, 615-898-5653 or galleryattoddhall@gmail.com

MURFREESBORO—The Todd Gallery at MTSU will host the remarkable work of five MTSU photography students in “In Light: Works from Five Photographers” through Thursday, May 31.

Photos by Patrick Casey, Malina Chavez, Bradley Marshall, Chris Donahue and Darby Campbell will be included in the new exhibit, which is free and open to the public.

“I offer no philosophy, no deep meaning and no striking social observation," Casey says of his work. "Instead I only wish for you, the viewer, to look at my work and to find yourself."

Chavez’s focus is “about connectedness, loss … and personal desires in a world full of mediated social programming.” She says that she intends her photos to help observers consider "how our interactions with new technologies constantly force us to rethink our current notions of what it means to be human.”

For Marshall, photography is an ongoing study of the contemporary landscape and the imprint that humanity makes upon the natural world. He says he is exploring "the tensions and relationships between suburbia and the ever-changing Southern landscape that we continue to shape over the years.”

Campbell’s photos are selections from her series “A Short Commentary on the Female Condition.” She deals with women’s issues, roles and place within the social landscape. Campbell also has included sculptural and installation elements that are drawn from her interests in the free-thought movement, natural world, science and the people in her life.

Donahue’s body of work features an eclectic variety of people and places with a focus on the diversity of everyday people, whether through race, belief, or profession.

The Todd Gallery's hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; the facility is closed on state holidays.

For parking and other information, contact Eric Snyder at 615-898-5653 or galleryattoddhall@gmail.com.

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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

[451] Nikki Giovanni to Lecture on African-American Neighborhoods May 29

Nikki Giovanni to lecture on African-American neighborhoods May 29

FOR RELEASE: May 18, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina E. Fann, Gina.Fann@mtsu.edu; 615-898-5385

MURFREESBORO—Social activist and poet Nikki Giovanni will help conclude the MTSU Public History Program’s 2012 field school, “Life in The Bottoms,” with a special lecture on Tuesday, May 29, at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro.

The “Life in The Bottoms” project encourages cooperation between local community scholars, the Bradley Academy Museum and MTSU faculty and students studying Murfreesboro’s historic African-American neighborhood The Bottoms.

The public event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a barbecue dinner, and at 6:30 p.m., selections of oral histories created during the field school will be read.

Giovanni will speak beginning at 7:30 p.m. on “Something Called Progress Killed My Grandmother’: Urban Renewal and African-American Neighborhoods.”

New Vision Baptist Church is located at 1750 N. Thompson Lane, just across from the new main entrance to the Stones River National Battlefield.

Giovanni, a native of Knoxville and graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, is the recipient of 18 honorary doctorates and numerous other awards, including a Grammy nomination. She is the author of more than 30 books for both adults and children and is a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

“The Bottoms” was located along Murfreesboro’s South Maple Street, downhill from the Public Square in the area that now houses the city’s Water and Sewer Department, City Hall and the Linebaugh Public Library.

Until 1947, when construction began on a new four-lane highway to Nashville that would be called U.S. 41 and Broad Street, the area was home to a large African-American community. It also housed warehouses, factories and other businesses and was often flooded by a tributary of Lytle Creek. As construction got under way, residents were relocated to a newer housing development out Main Street.

Seating for the May 29 event is limited to 200 people, and tickets, which are $25 each, include dinner and admission to Giovanni’s lecture.

Guest presenters will include Dr. Gloria Bonner, director of MTSU’s Office for Community Engagement and Support.

Tickets can be purchased at the Bradley Academy Museum in Murfreesboro through Friday, May 25. Call 615-867-2633 or 615-556-7189 for more information or to purchase tickets.

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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.