[311] MTSU's 'Big Event' gives big boost to United Way's 'Days of Action'

FOR RELEASE: Feb. 26, 2013

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, gina.logue@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties is teaming with MTSU for a massive volunteer effort.

MTSU’s “The BIG Event,” which is slated for Saturday, March 23, will boost the United Way’s endeavors on the final day of the organization’s “Days of Action.”

“The BIG Event is the largest one-day student-run service project in the nation where students of MTSU will come together to say ‘thank you’ to the residents of Murfreesboro,” said Brandon Brown, philanthropic coordinator of MTSU’s Student Government Association, one of two MTSU partners along with MT Athletics.

Meagan Flippin, United Way president and MTSU alumna, said she became aware of the university’s large annual volunteer effort, which previously went under a different name, as a student. This is the fifth year for the MTSU event.

Flippin said the area United Way chapter has staged “Days of Action” for almost a decade.

“It just made sense, because it seemed like we were working toward the same efforts at the same time of year, that we partner together to mass-produce this community-service event and to have everyone kind of on the same page,” said Flippin.

From March 21-23, United Way’s “Days of Action” will promote volunteerism through specific projects in the area. The United Way deadline for participants registering for this year’s activities is Friday, March 1.

Job request forms and volunteer forms for MTSU’s “The BIG Event” are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 4. Details are available at http://www.mtsu.edu/sga/bigevent.php.

Last year, more than 500 volunteers participated in the joint effort, racking up 2,301 hours of service and completing 56 projects.

“In the state of Tennessee last year, a volunteer hour was valued at $21.36,” said Flippin. “You can do the math and see the kind of economic impact that has on the community.”

This year’s projects include delivering meals to homebound seniors, building a play area for an after-school program, general painting for a multiservice ministry and organizing donations for a local mission.

One unique opportunity that will be offered for the first time this year is “speed volunteering” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 21, or Friday, March 22, according to Kristen Hampton, United Way coordinator of marketing and special events.

“If there’s someone who can’t get out of the office all day or maybe has a job that’s just not conducive to that, this is an opportunity for individuals to just stop by, volunteer and make an impact,” Hampton said.

The “speed volunteering” locations are at the United Way office at 615 Memorial Blvd., Suite 200, or the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce at 3050 Medical Center Parkway, both in Murfreesboro.

Private sector sponsors of “Days of Action” include Nissan, Publix Super Market Charities, Regions Bank and Middle Tennessee Medical Center.

For more information about “Days of Action,” or to register, contact the United Way at 615-893-7303 or visit www.unitedwayvolunteer.org.

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LOGOS ATTACHED.

MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[310] Champion of diversity to receive MTSU's John Pleas Award

FOR RELEASE: Feb. 25, 2013

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, gina.logue@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — A tireless worker for education, diversity and understanding is the 2013 recipient of MTSU’s John Pleas Faculty Award.

Dr. Newtona (Tina) Johnson, professor of English and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, will receive the honor during a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the MTSU Foundation House, 324 West Thompson Lane.

The John Pleas Faculty Award was created in 1997 to honor retired psychology professor Dr. John Pleas. It is presented annually to a minority faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and service.

“I am very delighted to have won an award that honors Dr. John Pleas,” said Johnson. “I knew Dr. Pleas when he was at MTSU, and I always admired and respected his professionalism and sincere interest in the campus welfare of minority faculty and students.”

Johnson, who has been at MTSU since 1998, has developed and taught literature courses that focus on racial, ethnic, gender and global cultural diversities. Her research interests are issues related to women and gender, most notably in the fields of postcolonial and African diaspora literature and critical theory.

As director of Women’s and Gender Studies, a position she has held since 2008, Johnson has overseen the creation of a graduate certificate program and is developing a new program track in sexuality studies/queer studies. She also expanded the focus of the program’s biennial conference to reflect a more international breadth and depth.

Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in English with honors from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone in Freetown, Sierra Leone; her master’s degree in applied linguistics from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and her doctorate in literary and cultural studies from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

The John Pleas Faculty Award presentation is a Black History Month event. For more information, contact Vincent Windrow, chair of the MTSU Black History Month Committee, at 615-898-5812 or vincent.windrow@mtsu.edu.

                                                              —30—

MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[309] 28 teams prepare for Feb. 23 Science Olympiad at MTSU

For release:  Feb. 22, 2013

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

Regional Science Olympiad contact: Dr. Pat Patterson, 615-898-5085 (office), 615-869-9984 (cell) or Patricia.Patterson@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — Parts of the MTSU campus will be buzzing with activity all day Saturday, Feb. 23, with the return of the 18^th annual Regional Science Olympiad competition.

More than 400 boys and girls representing 15 middle schools and 13 high schools from across the area will be participating. Events will begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 2:15 p.m., and be held in various campus buildings. Awards’ presentations will start at 3:20 in the new Student Union Building.

Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students prepare for during the year, the national organization’s website said. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology. There also is a balance between events requiring knowledge of science concepts, process skills and science applications.

“It’s excitement,” said Dr. Pat Patterson, an MTSU chemistry professor who is in her 11^th year as Regional Science Olympiad director and 14^th year altogether. “I’m excited for the (competing) students. I’m excited for the MTSU students to see what these young people are doing.”

Fifty-plus students in a Patterson-taught physical science for pre-service teachers class volunteer for extra credit, she said.

“It’s a good opportunity for them to see what knowledge and skills kids have at the middle and high school level,” Patterson said. “It’s a good outreach experience.”

Competing middle schools include Blackman, Central Magnet, Daysprings (two teams from Greenbrier), La Vergne, Oakland, Rockvale, Smyrna (two teams), Spring Hill, St. Andrews-Sewanee, St. Henry (two teams), St. Rose of Lima and Woodland (Brentwood).

Participating high schools include Blackman, Cascade, Central Magnet, Franklin, Hume-Fogg Academic (two teams), La Vergne, Oakland, Riverdale, Smyrna, Spring Hill, St. Andrews-Sewanee and University School of Nashville.

The top five middle and top four high school teams will advance to the State Science Olympiad Saturday, April 6, at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

“It’s STEM standards in action,” Patterson said of the competition and of all the science, technology, engineering and math needed by the teams and individuals. “It’s not a quiz bowl; it’s not a science fair. It’s science in action. It’s students showing that they know and understand science concepts.”

Twenty-three events are held in both middle (Division B) and high school (Division C). Designer Genes, Disease Detectives, Elastic Launched Glider, Gravity Vehicle and Robot Arm are just five of the high school competition categories. Middle school categories include Mousetrap Vehicle, Crime Busters, Dynamic Planet, Keep the Heat and Shock Value.

Dan Royse, assistant director in the Forensics Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has agree to present the awards in the Forensics (high school) and Crime Busters (middle school) categories, Patterson said

More than 40 MTSU faculty members and students serve as event coordinators and 60 students serve as volunteers to support the faculty, she added.

In addition to faculty members from across campus and the MTSU administration, Patterson receives community support from State Farm, General Mills, the National Society of Black Engineers, and Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County schools. She also coordinates the Elementary Science Olympiad, which will be held Saturday, May 4, at John Pittard Elementary School.

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       MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news any time, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

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[308] Hrabowski urges personal, statistical methods to improve retention, graduation

FOR RELEASE: Feb. 25, 2013

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, gina.logue@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — A college president addressing the retention and graduation issue in higher education at MTSU Monday emphasized creating a campus culture that nurtures students.

Known nationally as an education innovator, University of Maryland-Baltimore County President Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III kicked off MTSU’s Retention Summit with a call to listen more to students’ views.

Hrabowski, who has been hailed by Time Magazine as one of the “10 Best College Presidents” in the country, has been tapped by President Barack Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African-Americans.

In encouraging MTSU personnel to get to know students personally, Hrabowski said, “You don’t know (a) person until you know that person’s story.”

In addition, Hrabowski encouraged the participants gathered inside the Student Union ballroom to use analytics to pinpoint students who might need assistance, including African-Americans, Hispanics, first-generation students and low-income whites.

“Campuses that are becoming increasingly enlightened are using technology and mathematical modeling in order to look at trends in academic performance,” Hrabowski said.

When a member of the audience stated that a bill pending in the state legislature would prevent state government entities from collecting or reporting data based on race, gender or ethnicity unless required by federal law or court order, Hrabowski said, “That is about the same level of enlightenment as burning libraries. … When people don’t want to know the truth, then we have moved beyond the idea of enlightenment completely.”

The measure is Senate Bill 0007, which is sponsored by Sen. Jim Summerville, R-Dickson. It has been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

In noting that about two-thirds of Americans do not have college degrees, Hrabowski said, while it’s fine to have beautiful buildings on campus, first-generation students can find them intimidating and diminish their sense of self.

“If a student has a sense of self, … that student will work harder and harder, and nothing takes the place of hard work,” he said.

He also urged the approximately 200 participants to foster a climate that does not result in defensiveness when the campus community expresses what he called “the good, the bad and the ugly” about the university.

The summit was held in response to the Tennessee General Assembly’s emphasis on retention and graduation rates in institutions governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

“With the Complete College Act of Tennessee that was passed two years ago by the General Assembly, it has put the onus now on the campuses, on the individuals, on the faculty, the staff and administrators to make sure our students are successful and they become productive citizens once they enter our institution,” said Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU president.

MTSU recently announced that it granted more bachelor’s degrees and graduated more students for less money in 2011-12 than any other institution governed by the Board of Regents.

However, according to Vincent Windrow, director of MTSU’s Intercultural and Diversity Center, the graduation rate for African-American students at MTSU for 2004-10 was 39.9 percent, a figure he said must be raised.

Summit attendees also heard presentations from Dr. Cynthia Calhoun, executive director of student retention and graduation at Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Dr. Karen Eley Sanders, associate vice president for academic support services at Virginia Tech.

                                                              —30—

PHOTO INCLUDED: Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, stresses a point in his spirited address at MTSU’s Retention Summit.

MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[307] Kindergarten Circus wows crowd at Campus School

For release:  Feb. 22, 2013

News and Media Relations contact: Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — Homer Pittard Campus School held its 36^th annual Kindergarten Circus on Friday, upholding a much anticipated tradition at the K-5 school.

Among the student “acts” were lion tamers, snake charmers, jugglers, clowns, strong men, trapeze acts, magicians and ribbon twirlers. The children dressed up like the performers, including the animals, and put on a show before a lively audience of older classmates as well as parents, teachers and community supporters.

According to school officials, the circus was started by former kindergarten teacher Jenny Travis and “quickly became a tradition for each Campus School kindergarten class.”

“Memories of the circus are very dear to many Campus School alumni,” said kindergarten teacher Debbie Seigfried, who’s also an MTSU adjunct faculty member.

Located at on East Lytle Street, Campus School is a teaching laboratory school jointly operated by MTSU and Rutherford County Schools. By working with students and faculty at Campus School, university students can apply the knowledge gained through coursework in the classroom.

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

###

            MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[306] MTSU leads TBR schools in graduation rate, cost efficiency and adult degree completion

For release:  Feb. 15, 2013

Marketing and Communications contact:

Andrew Oppmann, 615-339-8851 (cell) or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — MTSU was the top and most efficient producer of graduates among Tennessee Board of Regents universities in 2011-12 and led all state institutions in granting degrees to adult and low-income students, a report released this week by President Sidney A. McPhee shows.

The statistics, compiled by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, are contained in the MTSU President’s Biennial Report, which was delivered to state lawmakers and officials on Wednesday and Thursday. Among the report’s highlights:

• The 3,911 bachelor’s degrees awarded by MTSU in 2011-12 were the most granted by any TBR institution, followed by the University of Memphis (2,724 degrees) and East Tennessee State University (2,146).
• MTSU graduated more for less state money per graduate than any TBR university. In dividing MTSU’s 2011-12 total state funding by the number of graduates that year, the state spent $18,773 per MTSU graduate. Austin Peay State University was the second-most efficient university in this regard ($19,898), followed by ETSU ($20,503).
• MTSU had the second-highest graduation rate among TBR universities based on a six-year cohort with 51.6 percent in 2011-12. Tennessee Tech University had the TBR’s top rate at 55.6 percent and ETSU was third at 48.5 percent.
• MTSU led all state universities in the production of adult graduates (age 25 and older) with 1,488 degrees granted in 2011-12. Memphis was second in this category (1,281), followed by ETSU (860) and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (743).
• MTSU led all state universities in the production of low-income graduates (Pell Grant eligible) in 2011-12 with 2,027. UT-K was second in this category with 1,601, followed by Memphis (1,537) and ETSU (1,045).

 “The Complete College Tennessee Act calls for colleges and universities to focus on student retention, degree completion, improvement in the areas of transfer and articulation, and institutional mission distinctiveness,” McPhee said.

“MTSU had already made those goals a strategic priority,” he said. “When we say ‘I am True Blue,’ we are also reaffirming our devotion to student success.”

MTSU has the largest undergraduate enrollment among state universities and is also the No. 1 choice of the state’s veterans, transfer students and students enrolled in summer courses.

The report also notes that MTSU was the only Tennessee university to receive the Adult Learner Friendly Institution designation from the Coalition of Adult Learning Focused Institutions in 2012. Half of MTSU’s 25,000-plus students are classified as adult learners.

McPhee also noted in the document that MTSU is the only Tennessee university selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for a “VetSuccess on Campus” program and has been named a military-friendly institution for three years in a row by G.I. Jobs Magazine.

TBR is the nation’s sixth largest higher education system, governing 46 post-secondary educational institutions. The TBR system includes six universities, 13 two-year colleges and 27 technology centers, providing programs across the state to more than 200,000 students.

An electronic copy of McPhee’s report is available on the MTSU president’s website, www.mtsu.edu/president.

–30–

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue.

###

For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[305] MTSU earns top honors for 'True Blue' communication efforts

For release:  Feb. 22, 2013

MTSU contact: Andrew Oppmann, 615-494-7696 or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu

ATLANTA — The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education has recognized MTSU with eight awards for marketing and communications excellence, including two top honors for the university’s “I am True Blue” efforts.

MTSU received two Grand Awards in the Council's CASE District III competition, which recognizes the best in university communication efforts by public and private institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The winners were announced at the recent District III annual conference in Atlanta.

CASE named “I am True Blue,” which MTSU uses to signal its devotion to student success and commitment to a community that values learning, growth and service, as the district’s best communications and marketing program.

Awards of Excellence in this category went to the University of South Carolina and UNC Asheville. Awards of Merit were presented to Clemson University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Memphis.

“True Blue Respect,” a student-focused MTSU campaign that reinforces community standards, was named as CASE's best institutional engagement program.

Awards of Excellence in this category went to the University of Central Florida and Clemson University, while Awards of Merit were presented to the University of Miami, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Vanderbilt University.

“ ‘I am True Blue’ came forward from our university community, so we are very pleased that this heartfelt expression of our values and commitment was recognized,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s associate vice president for marketing and communications.

MTSU also received three Awards of Excellence and three Awards of Merit at the CASE District III conference in Atlanta.

CASE is an international association of educational institutions that works with professionals in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas to help strengthen relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession and foster public support for education.

###

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

###

            MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[304] MTSU Center for Popular Music awarded grant to present 'A Celebration of America's Music'

For release: Feb. 18, 2013

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.  — The Center for Popular Music at Middle Tennessee State University, in partnership with Linebaugh Public Library and the city of Murfreesboro, has been awarded a grant to mount a six-week “Celebration of America’s Music” program.

The series will feature documentary film screenings, scholar-led discussions and concerts by local musicians of 20th-century American popular music.

“America’s Music” seeks to enlighten and entertain audiences with images, thoughts and sounds on America’s great music. Musical genres covered include blues and gospel, Broadway and Tin Pan Alley, swing jazz, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll and rock, mambo and hip hop.

Murfreesboro’s celebration is one of 50 sites nationwide selected to host this program series. “America’s Music” is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint and the Society for American Music. It has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“We are thrilled to participate in this exciting program, which will explore and give sound to the nation’s great music,” said Dale Cockrell, director of the Center for Popular Music.

“America’s Music,” designed for a general audience, will introduce genres of 20th-century American popular music that are deeply connected to the history, culture and geography of the United States. Older and younger Americans alike will have the chance to recognize how the cultural landscape that they take for granted today has been influenced by the development of the popular musical forms discussed in this series.

Starting on March 21, Linebaugh Library will host weekly, free film viewings on popular music, followed by a discussion led by Dr. Felicia Miyakawa of MTSU’s School of Music. The Friday following each Thursday film viewing will feature a concert by local musicians performing in the style covered the day before. Among the performers lined up are The Olive Branch Church Choir, the cast of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” two bluegrass/old-time bands (Sweet Fancy Moses and Bradford Lee Folk and the Bluegrass Playboys), the MTSU Jazz Combo, DJ Amerigo Gazaway (and B-boys), and 2nd and Vine (an MTSU faculty rock band).    

For details, please visit http://popmusic.mtsu.edu, contact the Center for Popular Music at 615-898-2449 or email ctrpopmus@mtsu.edu.

The Center for Popular Music’s mission is to promote research in American vernacular music and to foster an understanding and appreciation of America's diverse musical culture. The Center maintains an archive of research materials stretching from the early 18th century to the present and develops and sponsors programs in vernacular music.

Anyone is welcome to use the CPM’s collections and services for research and scholarly pursuits.

—30—

[302] Bahamian higher ed officials tour MTSU for university ideas

MTSU contacts: Andrew Oppmann, 615-339-8851 or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu; Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The chairman and secretary of The College of The Bahamas Council, the governing board of the nation’s public institution of higher education, visited Middle Tennessee State University this week to collect ideas and insights as the college prepares to its transition to become The University of The Bahamas.

Chairman Alfred Sears, a former education minister for The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Secretary Michael Stevenson arrived Wednesday and spent Thursday and Friday touring the MTSU campus and meeting with university executives.

Campus stops included visits with dean and faculty of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business; the College of Mass Communication; and the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, including the departments of Agribusiness and Agriscience, as well as Aerospace.

After more than 35 years serving The Bahamas, first as a two-year institution, then as a four-year degree-granting college, the institution will soon become a university with a focus to support and drive national development through education, research and innovation and service.

Sears said the delegation focused its time upon the MTSU programs that it hopes to emulate when it reaches university status — agriculture, small business development, recording industry management and business entrepreneurship — that can help The Bahamas diversify its economy and support greater sustainability.

The chairman said the delegation was most impressed with MTSU's “close relationship between industry and the academy,” as well as its shared governance with faculty, its priority on experiential student learning and the cohesion and shared vision on student success.

“We have a long way to go, but based on what we've seen here, we're on the right track,” Sears said. “It's possible to achieve what we are envisioning.”

On Friday, the delegation toured MTSU's Guy James Agricultural Campus and the university’s new dairy barn before leaving to visit the University of Memphis.

Stevenson said they were very impressed with the level of involvement they observed with students and faculty.

“Your emphasis on student-centered learning and student engagement are going to be two of the biggest things we are going to take home as lessons,” he said. “We were also impressed with the level of passion among your faculty and the attention and caring of the work being done by faculty and administrators on campus.”

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the University was honored to serve as a resource to The College of The Bahamas.

“We have made student-centered learning and development of public-private partnerships one of our top priorities," he said. “We are proud to show them tangible examples of our devotion to student success.”

Stevenson and Sears said the University of The Bahamas will support efforts to diversify the nation’s economy, which today mostly centers on tourism and banking. MTSU's agriculture programs caught their eye, since most of The Bahamas’ food supply is imported, Stevenson said.

Warren Gill, chair of MTSU's Agribusiness and Agriscience Department, said the University's recently completed dairy barn caught the eyes of the delegation members.

“I think they got the lesson that our focus is on student-centered learning,” Gill said. “There are very few ways to better learn animal science than hands-on learning.”

Bud Fischer, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, said MTSU faculty stressed student engagement and community outreach to the visitors.

“We spent time talking about how to engage students in learning about agriculture and their ability to make a living in agriculture,” he said.

An official welcoming reception Thursday featured Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg and his wife, Jeanne; MTSU alumnus Darrell Freeman, a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents; and TBR Vice Chancellor Wendy Thompson.

On Saturday, they will return to Murfreesboro to meet with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce to learn more about economic development and educational partnerships.

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

###

   MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[302] MTSU's CIO named among tops in U.S.

For release:  Feb. 18, 2013

News and Media Relations contact: Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — Bruce Petryshak, MTSU's vice president for information technology and chief information officer, has been named one of the top CIO’s in the country, according to ExecRank’s “Top CIO Rankings” for 2012.

According to the California-based executive ranking service, there are over 38,000 CIOs in the United States and “only the very best are awarded the distinction” of making ExecRank’s listings, which can be found at execrank.com.

Petryshak was ranked No. 83 out of 213 CIOs listed in the category of “Top Private Company CIOs.”

The rankings are the result of two years of research and feedback from evaluation committees and top chief information officers that yielded an algorithm for how to rank CIOs based on their performance in 24 key areas.

Petryshak came to MTSU in August 2010. Before that, he was chief information officer at Bowling Green State University in Ohio for nine years. Petryshak also served in the Information Technology Division at Kent State University where he was executive director of University Information Systems. He has held positions in all areas of information technology.

“Mr. Petryshak has a long record of success in leading the Information Technology Departments at many of the nation’s finest educational institutions,” said Adam Navrozally, analyst for the rankings division of ExecRank, “He has had a variety of roles in IT in the past, and his experience gives him a unique perspective in bringing higher education into the digital age. He is highly regarded in his industry, and amongst other Chief Information Officers.”

Petryshak holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Computer Sciences and a Master of Business Administration from Kent State University.

ExecRank screened more than 15,000 private company CIOs in the United States to compile the ranking.

“The number one area of focus for CIOs in 2012 has been their success in advising their CEO and CFO on leveraging technology to drive business performance,” Navrozally said. “ExecRank weighed heavily the recommendations provided by CEOs of our finalists.” 

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said he was pleased, but not surprised, by the honor for Petryshak.

“Bruce has consistently demonstrated innovative thinking and a can-do spirit as our chief information officer,” McPhee said. “He firmly believes in the power of information and how its proper application and use can transform organizations.

“But he also never forgets that everything we do at MTSU begins with a devotion to student success — and he contributes to that vision and mission through his work.”

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

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Note to media: High-resolution photos of Petryshak attached

            MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.

[301] MTSU names three finalists for business dean post; public forums set

FOR RELEASE: Feb. 25, 2013

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Andrew Oppmann, 615-494-7696 or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO — Three finalists have been tapped by MTSU as part of its search for the next dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business.

University Provost Brad Bartel said three public forums for the candidates have been scheduled in the Broadlands A Room of the Embassy Suites, located at 1200 Conference Center Blvd. in Murfreesboro.

·       James C. Hoffman, professor and former director of the Health Organization Management Program at Texas Tech University, will be available for public questions from 5 to 6 p.m. today (Feb. 25).

·       Allen C. Amason, chair of the Department of Management at the University of Georgia, will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.

·       David J. Urban, executive associate dean of Virginia Commonwealth University, will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7.

Jim Burton, dean of the college for 13 years, will step down as dean on June 30. He will remain with the college in an emeritus role.

Bartel said the candidates also will tour the campus and meet with faculty, students and staff. For more information on the candidates’ schedules, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/provost/DeanSearch/DeanCandidates.php.

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in the state.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

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MTSU is committed to developing 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.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.