[111] MTSU on WGNS: ‘Cooler’ cows, Homecoming 2015, Bleed Blue, ‘Mama Said’

MTSU faculty, staff and partners shared the latest campus happenings during the Sept. 21 “Action Line” program with veteran host Bart Walker.

The live program was broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to a podcast of the show here.

Guests included:

Dr. Warren Gill, a professor in the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience, discussed research he’s doing with Vanderbilt University professor James West. The research is using gene splicing to produce Angus cattle that are more heat-resistant and, therefore, more efficient in processing what they eat and capable of being raised in underdeveloped areas with hotter climates. The black hide of the Angus breed makes it unable to adapt to regions with high temperatures.

Read more about Gill here.

Rhonda King, an assistant director in the Office of Alumni Relations, discussed this year’s Homecoming, which has a theme of “The Big Blue Easy.”

Homecoming 2015 promises plenty of activities for Blue Raider supporters leading up to the Oct. 3 gridiron showdown against the Vanderbilt University Commodores. Activities begin with a Sept. 28 Chili Cook-off from 6 to 8 p.m. at Floyd Stadium. Visit www.mtalumni.com and click on the Homecoming teaser for a full listing of events for the week.

A noticeable change to this year’s festivities is the new route for the traditional homecoming day parade straight down East Main Street as well as a new location for the “mixer” event previously held in front of the Alumni Relations house. Read more about these changes here.

Diane Turnham, MTSU associate athletic director, and Patti Wright, a blood drive coordinator with the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, discussed the upcoming “Bleed Blue” special community blood drive set Oct. 5-7.

The blood drive, a friendly competition between longtime football rivals MTSU and Western Kentucky University, is now in its sixth year. MTSU has won four of the competitions and conducted its own successful drive in 2013 when Western wasn’t yet part of Conference USA. Read more about this year’s drive and how you can help here.

Dr. Cornelia Wills, director in the Office of Student Success at MTSU and author of the book, “Mama Said: A Word to the Wise is Sufficient,” discussed upcoming book signings for her book. A portion of the sales of “Mama Said” supports the MTSU micro-grant emergency fund for students in need.

Wills will be holding a book signing during MTSU Homecoming Week at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Phillips Bookstore inside the Student Union Building. For more information, contact Wills at 615-473-8924 or cwillscw1@gmail.com.

Information about the microgrant and other emergency aid available to students can be found here.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, director of news and media relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.