[180] ‘MTSU On the Record’ previews 2016 presidential election with political veteran

MURFREESBORO — A look at the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates through the eyes of students will be the topic on the next “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Kent Syler, an associate professor of political science, will air from 5:30-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, and from 8-8:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org).

A veteran of more than 30 years in politics, including a stint as former Congressman Bart Gordon’s chief of staff, Syler teaches a class called “Presidential Pre-Gaming: Early Communication, Issues and Strategy in the 2016 Presidential Primaries.”

His 26 students have been divided into nine teams with each team assigned to become experts on several candidates. The ninth team will investigate the first few presidential primaries.

Those students will deliver their findings to an audience at the Presidential Primary Pregame Show from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the MT Center of the Sam Ingram Building, 2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd. in Murfreesboro. The event is free and open to the public.

A searchable campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking2015-16.

“Our political system has become so polarized that neither side really listens to the other,” said Syler. “So, to a large extent, it’s very beneficial for these students to face opinions that they might otherwise avoid.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://www.mtsunews.com and click the “more” link under “Audio Clips.”

For more information, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.