[041] Jewish and Holocaust Studies is focus of new undergraduate minor at MTSU

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 28, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MURFREESBORO—The start of the fall 2012 semester at MTSU includes the first offerings in a new minor in Jewish and Holocaust Studies, an undergraduate study of the cultures of the Jewish people and the genocide known as the Holocaust.

"Developing this exciting new two-track interdisciplinary minor has been a cooperative labor of love across disciplines and fields of study,” said Dr. Elyce Rae Helford, a professor of English at MTSU and the director of the minor.

Four new courses are unique to the program. “Jewish Culture and Civilization,” “The Holocaust” and “Current Trends in Jewish and Holocaust Studies” are general requirements for the minor. “Independent Research in Jewish and Holocaust Studies” also is available.

Courses from English, geography, history and other disciplines may be taken as electives.

They include “The Bible as Literature,” “Women of the Middle East,” “Israeli Film” and “Nazis and Victims,” among others.

A total of 18 credit hours is required for the minor in either the Jewish Studies or Holocaust Studies track.

The minor program offers students a chance to study multiculturalism and the meanings of diversity, religious tolerance and intolerance and genocide studies.

For more information, visit www.mtsu.edu/JHStudies, or contact Helford at 615-898-5961 or elyce.helford@mtsu.edu.

 

                                                               --30--

 

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.

[040] Make appointment now to 'bleed blue' for MTSU in annual rivalry with WKU

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 27, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Brittany Durham, American Red Cross, 615-308-6524 or Brittany.Durham@redcross.org

Gina E. Fann, MTSU News and Media Relations, 615-898-5385 or gina.fann@mtsu.edu

 MURFREESBORO — If you’re an MTSU student, professor, staffer, alumnus or supporter, you can make an appointment today to donate your life-saving blood on campus Oct. 29-31 and help MTSU “Bleed Blue, Beat WKU.”

The annual blood-drive competition, now in its third year, pits the Blue Raiders against the rival Western Kentucky Hilltoppers before the teams meet on the gridiron. MTSU has won the blood drive twice and has split the game wins with Western.

The 1,059 units of blood collected in the 2011 rivalry helped 3,177 local hospital patients, since each donation can help up to three people, Red Cross officials said. Reaching the 2012 goal of 1,200 units would mean helping save the lives of 3,600 people in the region.

Beginning today, Aug. 27, MTSU supporters can make online appointments at www.redcrossblood.org to donate blood Oct. 29-31. Donations can be made in the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center on Blue Raider Drive on the east side of campus. Appointments are available:

·      noon-6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29;

·      10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30; and

·      9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

MTSU supporters can click the blue "Enter Sponsor Code" box in the middle of the Red Cross page and then enter "mtsu19" to register and make an appointment.

 

“We want to encourage everyone in the MTSU community to be ‘True Blue’ and ‘Bleed Blue’ as we compete against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to collect the most units of blood during our third annual rivalry blood drive,” said Chris Massaro, MTSU director of athletics. “It is a great way for both universities to save lives and help members of our community in a very special way.”

Walk-in donors will be welcome, but organizers are encouraging MTSU donors to make their appointments now to get the most convenient times and speedier processing on donation day. Reserved parking also will be available for blood donors all three days.

The winner of the 2012 "Bleed Blue-Beat WKU" drive will be announced at halftime of the MTSU-WKU game on Thursday, Nov. 1, in Bowling Green, Ky., at WKU’s Smith Stadium.

For directions to the Rec Center, visit www.mtsu.edu/camprec/directions.php. For updates and more information about the blood drive, visit www.mtsunews.com/bleed-blue-2012 or www.mtsu.edu/events/blooddrive.php.

 

—30—

 

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.

[039] McPhee tells faculty: 'All of us have responsibility for student success'

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2012
EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385 or gina.fann@mtsu.edu; Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO —MTSU is kicking off its second century with an even stronger commitment to making sure its students succeed, President Sidney A. McPhee told university faculty, staff and guests today.

In his address during the Fall Faculty Meeting that launches each new academic year, McPhee enumerated MTSU’s successes as well as plans to build and expand on those triumphs in 2012-13 and beyond.

 “If we sit on our hands and do nothing, we may fail to seize an opportunity that could define our second century,” he said. “Students will remember those faculty and staff members who challenged them the most, not the least. They will remember the people who reached out, who connected with them.

“That is why I ask each of you to remember that no matter what you do, as a member of the faculty, staff or administration, all of us have a responsibility for student success.”  

 Fall 2012 semester classes begin Saturday, Aug. 25, at MTSU. Weekday classes begin on Monday, Aug. 27.

 Critical to students — and thus the university’s — future successes, McPhee said, is developing even more support systems for students.

 One of the first steps is preparing a Strategic Plan for Enrollment Management, which he said is currently being reviewed by MTSU’s Faculty Senate and others for feedback. It comes as a response to the Complete College Tennessee Act, which bases state higher-education funding on retention and graduation rates, not enrollment.

“It is time for us to again take a strong, careful look at the size of our institution and to consider the following questions and issues: What should be our maximum enrollment? And how does that number balance with our resources and standards?” McPhee said.
 

MTSU’s fall 2011 enrollment was 26,422 students. Figures for fall 2012 will be available soon.

McPhee said the draft enrollment-management plan considers whether MTSU should slow freshman enrollment, slightly raise admission requirements and increase the number of graduate, international and transfer students.

To attract, help and retain strong students, the president noted that MTSU already has implemented an “Academic Alert” program, which allows faculty to communicate directly with and follow up on students with classroom performance issues.

All incoming students also are assigned to academic counselors, as well as academic advisers, to provide continuity in guidance. And MTSU admissions advisers are working with area community colleges that feed large numbers of transfer students to MTSU to continue their higher education. McPhee also gathered several university colleagues to serve as “student advocates,” who each will monitor and mentor five incoming freshmen through the “rigors of college.”

The bottom line for 2012-13 and the future, McPhee said, is to ensure that MTSU remains and grows as a “community devoted to learning, growth and service.”

“We hold these values dear, and there’s a simple phrase that conveys them: ‘I am True Blue,’” he said. “Each time we repeat these words, we express not only the ideals we wish to share with our students, but also our commitment to the student-centered culture we are building on our campus.”

MTSU’s “True Blue Pledge,” unveiled last fall at University Convocation, is the basis for the “I am True Blue” motto. The pledge, which vows to practice core values of honesty and integrity, respect for diversity, engagement in the community and committing to reason instead of violence, has been adopted campuswide by students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“In short, True Blue stands for the very best of what Blue Raiders expect from one another — that together we are committed to the progress and success of our university. But without good actions to stand behind these good words, it will be meaningless.”

In addition to commending MTSU’s Athletics Department for their continuing work to ensure student-athletes’ success, the president cited three examples of “True Blue” behavior on campus, singling out faculty and staff for their dedication to students and colleagues: Dr. Joey Gray, who teaches in the Department of Health and Human Performance; Dr. Lawanna Fisher of the University College; and Ben Jones of MTSU’s Accounting Services.

“It (‘I am True Blue’) was not intended to be a marketing slogan — and perhaps that is why it has resonated with some more deeply than just a phrase written for a billboard,” McPhee said.

At the conclusion of the gathering, MTSU Foundation President Bill Mooningham presented the 2011-12 Foundation Awards to 17 faculty members, including Dr. Larry Burriss, longtime professor in the College of Mass Communication, who received the Career Achievement Award.

You can read a downloadable version of McPhee’s address at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUMcPheeFall12.

—30—

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.

[038] 'MTSU On the Record' focuses on ethics and the environment

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 23, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

 MURFREESBORO--Dr. Phil Oliver, an MTSU philosophy professor, will discuss his fall class in “Environmental Ethics” at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, and 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, on “MTSU On the Record” with host Gina Logue on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org).

 Oliver, who has taught the class intermittently for 10 years, approaches the subject from the standpoints of various thinkers who have had an impact on public viewpoints.

The interview will cover how perspectives of environmentalism have changed since the 1960s, conflicts with animal-rights issues and comparisons of conservationism and environmentalism.

To listen to previous “MTSU On the Record” 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.

                                                                --30--

 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.

 

 

[037] MTSU Convocation Aug. 26 features author Tori McClure

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 23, 2012
EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385 or gina.fann@mtsu.edu; Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — “A Pearl in the Storm” author Tori McClure — a woman renowned for exploring new territory — will help welcome students to their new lives as MTSU scholars at the annual University Convocation inside Murphy Center on Sunday, Aug. 26.

The public is welcome to the free 2 p.m. event in Hale Arena, which helps mark the beginning of the 2012-13 academic year at MTSU, the university’s 101st year of educating Tennessee’s best.

Convocation formally welcomes new students into the MTSU learning community. Faculty members march in their regalia as the MTSU Band of Blue performs, and the traditions and rituals of the university are explained to the newest members of the MTSU family.

McClure’s national bestseller, which is MTSU’s 2012 Summer Reading Selection, is a memoir of her three-month solo trip in a rowboat across the Atlantic Ocean. She was the first woman to accomplish such a feat, which she risked as part of a personal challenge to step away from her regimented life.

“This book describes that undertaking and so much more,” said Dr. Laurie Witherow of the University College, who coordinates the annual reading project.

“The official website for the book describes it this way: ‘“A Pearl in the Storm” is about failure and recovery. It is about storms that twist our lives and shatter our dreams. It is about the pearls: the guides, the guardians and the mentors who lift us up after we fall.’” 

McClure now serves as vice president for external relations, enrollment management and student affairs at Spalding University in Louisville, Ky. In addition to her solo Atlantic adventure, she is the first woman to ski overland to the South Pole.

The author earned her Bachelor of Arts from Smith College and also boasts a master's in divinity from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University. She also has worked as a chaplain at Boston City Hospital and for Muhammad Ali at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

 MTSU’s Summer Reading Program, created in 2002, aims to provide a unifying experience for entering freshmen. They’re expected to read the book before fall classes start Aug. 25, and all University 1010 classes will discuss it. Faculty also are incorporating the book into their fall lesson plans.

First-year students are expected to attend Convocation; their families and members of the MTSU and surrounding communities are welcome, too.

Immediately after Convocation, the public also is invited to the annual President’s Picnic in Walnut Grove in the center of campus between the Cope Administration Building and Peck Hall. The picnic features traditional cookout foods as well as fun and fellowship to celebrate the new academic year.

Both events are part of MTSU’s annual “Week of Welcome” celebration. For a complete “Week of Welcome” schedule, visit www.mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome_nsfp.php or call 615-898-2454 for more information.

 

—30—

 

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.

[036] Bangladeshi Educator to promote international education on MTSU stopover

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 20, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

Bangladeshi educator to promote international education on MTSU stopover

MURFREESBORO — Dr. Irshad Khan, former chairman of the Department of Economics at Chittagong University in Bangladesh, will visit MTSU Wednesday, Aug. 22, as part of a nationwide tour of American academic institutions.

The U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh and a senior education adviser of the U.S. Department of State have asked Khan to lead initiatives to promote academic exchanges between the two countries.

Dr. Brad Bartel, university provost, will meet with Khan at 1:30 p.m. on MTSU’s “International Student Orientation Day.” Then Khan will hold brief meetings with a few faculty members.

Khan was a childhood friend of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist who taught at MTSU from 1969 to 1972. Khan also was instrumental in arranging the Yunus Commoration Agreement of Friendship and Exchange between MTSU and CU in 2010.

Although he is on leave from Chittagong University, Khan is now the pro-vice chancellor and acting president of the Independent University of Bangladesh at Chittagong.

For more information, contact Dr. Kiyoshi Kawahito, former MTSU professor of economics, at 615-890-5279 or kiyoshi.kawahito@mtsu.edu.

  

                                                               --30--

 

 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.

 

[035] James E. Walker Library hours changing to fit students' changing study needs

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 17, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

James E. Walker Library hours changing to fit students’ changing study needs

 
MURFREESBORO — In response to student requests, MTSU’s James E. Walker Library will expand and revise its hours beginning Saturday, Aug. 25.

The new hours are:

• Sunday: 1 p.m.-2 a.m.;
• Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-2 a.m.;
• Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; and
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The revised hours reflect an earlier opening time on weekdays, a later closing time on Fridays, a two-hour expansion from the former Sunday-Thursday midnight closing hours and a shift in Saturday hours from the previous 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Walker Library Dean Bonnie Allen was a catalyst for gaining approval of student requests for the operating-hour changes.

“I heard that students wanted a little more time in the morning before classes start and more time late at night because so many are working in the evening,” said Allen. “My second month on the job, I approached the Provost and then the President through the budget planning process. The Library needed more funds for staff to stay up late with our students.  The President and Provost fully supported it.” 
 

Discussions also are under way to rearrange hours for the University Writing Center and Starbucks, which are housed in the library building.

For more information, contact Kristen Keene at 615-898-5376 or Kristen.Keene@mtsu.edu.

 

                                                               --30--

 

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.

[034] Education Center partners with National Pen to host job fair in Shelbyville

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 16, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

 SHELBYVILLE — MTSU’s Middle Tennessee Education Center will host a job fair for National Pen Company from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the center, located at 200 Dover St. in Shelbyville.

National Pen, a Shelbyville-based provider of promotional products for businesses and professionals, is adding 100 potential new jobs to its workforce. Career opportunities include outbound sales, inbound sales and mail-order/verification.

Company officials said all positions include competitive base pay as well as commission or bonus potential.

Applications will be available at the center beginning Monday, Aug. 20. MTEC’s Lisa D. Moore said applications will be accepted on-site. Resumes will be accepted at the job fair.

The goal of Middle Tennessee Education Center is to make access to higher-education classes more convenient to students from Bedford, Coffee, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, Rutherford and Williamson counties. The center strives to help students chart a path to improving their educational credentials and obtain more fulfilling, higher paying jobs.

 

For more information, contact Moore at 931-685-4444 or lisa.moore@mtsu.edu.

 

                                                               --30--

 

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.

 

[033] A Little Bird Tells All on Upcoming "MTSU on the Record"

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 16, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

A little bird tells all on upcoming “MTSU on the Record”

MURFREESBORO — The appearance of birds as harbingers of hope for grieving people is the topic of the next “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, and 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org).

Dr. Patricia Gaitely, associate professor of English, is looking into the connection between birds and grief. She was prompted by her love of both birds and folklore and intrigued by anecdotes she has heard in various conversations.

Gaitely says the people she has encountered don’t believe the birds that appear to them to be their reincarnated loved ones. They do, however, consider the birds to be reassuring spiritual messengers of a sort, the professor adds.

To listen to previous “MTSU On the Record” 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.

 

                                                               --30--

 

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.

 

[032] Household Items Needed for International MTSU Students

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 16, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

 Household items needed for international MTSU students

 MURFREESBORO — Raiders for Christ, an MTSU student organization, is collecting household items and furniture until Friday, Aug. 24, to help international students set up their living quarters.

Bed frames, lamps, kitchen utensils, chairs and other items can be donated at the group’s offices at 1105 E. Bell St., any weekday during the day. On Friday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to noon, international students will be welcome to take whatever items they need, organizers said.

Donors can confirm that personnel will be available to accept delivery of donated items by contacting Sarah Johnson at sarahfjohnson@yahoo.com.

 

                                                               --30--

 

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.

 

 

[031] MTSU summer commencement a 'day of celebration,' chance for 'adventure'

MTSU summer 2012 commencement a 'day of celebration,' chance for 'adventure'

 FOR RELEASE: Aug. 11, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385 or gina.fann@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — Faculty, staff, family and friends of the almost 1,000 newly minted graduates of MTSU undoubtedly agreed with President Sidney A. McPhee's assessment of the university's summer 2012 commencement ceremony.

 "This is indeed a day of celebration for all of us," McPhee told the 981 students receiving undergraduate or graduate degrees in today's 10 a.m. event inside Murphy Center. "For more than a century, we have provided our students with … unique opportunities to realize their potential.

 "You may feel that this long journey is over. We feel that it is just a comma, not a period, in your story. It is the beginning of even greater things to come."

Of the 981 students receiving degrees today, 725 are undergraduates and 256 are graduate students. The latter number included 238 master’s candidates, six education-specialist recipients and 10 doctoral candidates; two graduate students also received graduate certificates.

Professor Kim Neal Nofsinger, who concluded his 2011-12 term as president of the MTSU Faculty Senate with today's ceremony, was the event's special guest speaker. Citing inspiration from a National Public Radio broadcast about "adventure travel," he encouraged the new graduates to consider themselves "adventure travelers" in taking their next steps.

"Decide what your avocation is," said Nofsinger, the director of dance in MTSU’s Department of Speech and Theatre. "Your compass will, at times, need to be recalibrated … because of information you've learned.

 "You aren't graduating at a high point of economic prosperity … and there's not an 'easy button' to guarantee your success. You may have to rely more on the skills you've gained in your liberal-arts education than you expected."

Referring to his own changes in life direction -- from his childhood on a dairy farm to a college scholarship with plans to become a speech teacher, from working in hotel/restaurant management to his discovery of his ultimate career in dance and education -- Nofsinger said that willingness to accept and grow with change is critical.

 "It was off the map of my life plan," the professor said, "but I allowed dance and my passion for it to lead me, and it took my life in directions I never would have imagined."

MTSU's 2012-13 academic year begins Saturday, Aug. 25, with the first official day of fall 2012 semester classes. University Convocation, a public ceremony welcoming new freshmen into the MTSU family, is set for Sunday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m. in Murphy Center.

 

—30—

 

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.

[030] Internships can lead to jobs, offers for MTSU Master's Students

 

For release:  Aug. 10, 2012

 

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

Master of Science in Professional Science contact: Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, 615-494-8786 or Saeed.Foroudastan@mtsu.edu

 

Internships can lead to jobs, offers for MTSU master’s students

 

MURFREESBORO — On Thursday, Aug. 9, with MTSU commencement just two days away, Ken Gendrich had a moment to reflect on a busy past year just before making his MTSU master’s internship presentation.

 Gendrich, 49, a Murfreesboro resident, made his presentation on his healthcare informatics internship with Woodbury, Tenn.-based Sim Interactive Inc. His work with Sim included building a software product for an iPad.

Six weeks ago, the married father of three landed a full-time job with HCA Healthcare in Nashville. This past spring, he and other engineering-technology students were in the solar-boat initiative that participated in a national competition in Iowa.

Gendrich also has been an important member of Dr. Charles Perry’s plug-in hybrid retrofit kit project, which is generating international interest because of its gas-saving capability.

 “This has been a great experience,” Gendrich said of the Master of Science in Professional Science program, which earned a Tennessee Board of Regents’ award of excellence in 2011 and led the state to consider similar programs across Tennessee.

 “As a whole, it’s a great way to get introduced to healthcare informatics and the business acumen as well,” Gendrich added. “It prepares you for entry level as well as management opportunities.”

 The program is a combination of business and science and prepares students to work in leadership roles in scientific businesses and agencies. It was established in 2004 and includes four concentrations (biostatistics, biotechnology, healthcare informatics and actuarial science) and two more — geosciences and engineering management — starting this fall.

 Gendrich was one of 15 students making their presentations from their 250-hours required internship with an industry partner.

 Nearly one-half of this year’s presenters either have landed jobs or are considering job offers. Eleven of them are prospective Aug. 11 graduation candidates.

“My internship was amazing,” said Cherise O’Connell, of Dickson, Tenn., who added that it has led her to several job opportunities. She said doing all coursework online has been beneficial and the program “is a fabulous way to network.”

 Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, College of Basic and Applied Sciences associate dean and director of this master’s program, told the group how special they were before the presentations began.

 “You are the shining stars of the graduate program,” he said.

 Foroudastan introduced Dr. Bud Fisher, the first-year College of Basic and Applied Sciences dean, to the group.

Drs. Lisa Bloomer Green (biostatistics), Don Hong (actuarial sciences), Rebecca Seipelt (biotechnology), Vincent Smith (business core coordinator) and Karen Ward (health care informatics) serve as coordinators in their respective disciplines.

Additional faculty from the Colleges of Basic and Applied Sciences, Business and Behavioral and Health Science serve as mentors, too.

 

Representatives from several industry partners also were in attended.

 The 15 presenters, their disciplines and the industry partners included:

 • Scott E. Gillespie*, biostatistics, Emory University in Atlanta;

 

 • Bryan H. Hendrix, biostatistics, Vanderbilt University in Nashville;

 • Weon H. Kim*, biostatistics, Murfreesboro City Schools;

• Abdulrahman Alturaifi*, biotechnology, Genomo Exploration Inc., in Memphis;

• Sneha Chatterjee*, biotechnology, Aegis Sciences Corp., in Nashville;

 • Erica L. Wagner*, biotechnology, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Ala.;

 • Kenneth A. Gendrich*, health care informatics, Sim Interactive Inc., in Woodbury, Tenn.;

 • Joshua McCoy, health care informatics, Community Health System in Franklin, Tenn.;

 • Eugenia L. Moore*, health care informatics, Health Spring in Franklin, Tenn.

 • Cherise O’Connell*, health care informatics, in Nashville;

• Brent Ostantowski*, actuarial science, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee in Chattanooga;

• Ying Peng, actuarial science, China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., in Changsha, China;

 • Janet Tracy*, health care informatics, Health Trust Purchasing Group, in Brentwood, Tenn.;

• Harold Tuthill, actuarial science, Department of Commerce and Insurance for the State of Tennessee in Nashville; and

• Bruce Williams*, actuarial science, Department of Commerce and Insurance for the State of Tennessee, Nashville.

 (* — Prospective Aug. 11 graduation candidates)

 

###

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

 Gillespie and Green1.jpg

 

Scott Gillespie, center, talks with Dr. Lisa Bloomer Green during the Master of Science in Professional Science internship presentations Aug. 9 in the Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building. Gillespie’s biostatistics internship has been with Emory University in Atlanta. (Photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

Faculty.jpg

 

MTSU Master of Science in Professional Science coordinators and faculty Drs. Becky Seipelt, left, Bruce Cahoon and Lisa Bloomer Green, and master's student Cliff Bowman, front right, listen to one of 15 participants share about their internship experience. Next to Green are Harold Tuthill and Bruce Williams. (Photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

 Dr. Vince Smith2.jpg

 

Dr. Vince Smith, MTSU College of Business professor in the area of business communication and entrepreneurship, addresses students, faculty, staff and guests attending the Aug. 9 Master of Science in Professional Science internship presentations. Student presenters include Ken Gendrich, far left, Bryan Hendrix, front, Mosh McCoy, Weon Kim (partially hidden), Scott Gillespie and Bryan Hendrix. (Photo by 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 any time, visit www.mtsunews.com.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[029] MTSU School of Music Welcomes Community with 4 Fall concert-series performances

MTSU School of Music welcomes community with 4 fall concert-series performances

FOR RELEASE: Aug. 10, 2012

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Tim Musselman, Tim.Musselman@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2493

MURFREESBORO — To celebrate the new academic year at MTSU, the School of Music is bringing new returning concert-series performances to the Wright Music Building for fall 2012.

 Included in the fall 2012 line-up are the MTSU Artist Series, the Stones River Chamber Players concert series, the MTSU Guest Pianist Series and the MTSU Jazz Artist Series. All the concerts will be held in Hinton Music Hall inside the Wright Music Building on campus.

 The schedule includes the following performances:

— The MTSU Artist Series, which brings professional artists from around the world to campus for free public performances, will launch the season on Friday, Sept. 7, with Dr. Nan Liu and zheng master Haiqioug Deng presenting traditional Chinese music, painting and calligraphy in “Echoes of Nature” at 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m., Vanderbilt University's Blair String Quartet will travel to MTSU to present a new work by Michael Hersch of the Peabody Institute in Baltimore.

Won Kim will join the Telsa String Quartet, winners of the 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, on clarinet for a 7:30 p.m. Artist Series performance on Wednesday, Oct. 31. And the Aulos Ensemble, experts in 18th-century music for period violin, flute, oboe and continuo, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12.

— The Stones River Chamber Players begin their free concert series on Sunday, Sept. 16, with the Jerry Perkins Memorial Concert. The 3 p.m. performance honors the late Jerry Perkins, who taught piano at MTSU from 1967 to 2007.

 On Monday, Oct. 8, the SRCP will perform music by J.C. Bach, Schubert, Paganini and Grazyna Bacewicz at 7:30 p.m.

The Stones River Chamber Players’ series also reaches into the spring with 7:30 p.m. concerts on Feb. 25 with music by Ravel, Wilder, Turino and Nielsen and on April 8 with music by Villa-Lobos and Brahms and a new work by Michael Linton.

— The MTSU Guest Pianists Series will feature three professional artists in 2012-13:

·        Sin-Hsing Tsai of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25;

·        Hope College’s Andrew Le, winner of the 2004 Hilton Head Piano Competition, at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19; and

·        Robert McDonald, who’ll perform at 3 p.m. April 7, 2013.

 — The MTSU Jazz Artist Series begins on Thursday, Oct. 25, with jazz pianist Andy LeVerne. The three-concert series continues next spring with the MTSU jazz faculty performing Miles Davis's “Birth of Cool" on Feb. 14 and with jazz arranger and composer Bill Hollman on Feb. 23.

Jazz Artist Series performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each for the general public and free for MTSU students, faculty and staff.

 This fall also offers a host of faculty, ensemble and student performances at MTSU, including 17 scheduled faculty recitals and large student ensembles featuring some of the top-ranked MTSU School of Music students.

 

These groups include the MTSU Symphony Orchestra, the MTSU Wind Ensemble, the MTSU Symphonic Band, the MTSU Concert Chorale, the MTSU Jazz Ensemble I and II, the MTSU Women's Chorale and the MTSU Singers.

For more information on any of the fall concert-series events or any MTSU School of Music performances, please call 615-898-2493 or see the complete listing of concerts at www.mtsumusic.com at the “Calendar of Events” link.

 

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Editors: Photos of most of the performing groups are available by request by e-mailing Tim Musselman at tim.musselman@mtsu.edu.

 

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.