Thursday, May 18, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Waiting to inhale

The use of altitude tents by athletes is intended to simulate training at a high altitude, similar to running in the mountains. Dr. Mark Anshel, health and human performance, says this technique is not analogous to the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. “Using a tent does not have an adverse (nor long-term) effect on the body, and it is non-addictive,” Anshel says. “Further, it is not viewed as cheating because it’s a common practice and not done surreptitiously. It can also be viewed as similar to training with advanced equipment, perhaps developed in a lab to improve performance outcome.”

Contact Anshel at 615-898-2812.
manshel@mtsu.edu

The art of Governor’s School

High school students can spend a fun and productive summer at the annual Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts June 11-July 15 at MTSU. Youngsters will enjoy intensive study in art, dance, theater and music during the five-week residence program. Students now will receive six hours of college credit instead of three, as was the case in prior years. “We had a fantastic school in 2005, with more than 200 talented students who had a wonderful, life-changing experience at MTSU,” Dale McGilliard, professor of speech and theatre, observes. “Everything from registration into classes, to buses to corms, to the smallest detail was excellent, thanks to all the school’s teachers who worked so hard to make things happen for these young artists of Tennessee.”

Contact McGilliard at 615-898-2274.
dmcgilli@mtsu.edu

“The DaVinci Code”

Why has the movie version of “The DaVinci Code” generated such an uproar even before it opens officially? Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, says all the discussion and debate is good for us. “The book and movie have sparked renewed interest in history, have generated reading and discussion groups, and have challenged people to ask questions about their belief,” Burriss says. He points out that many novels have taken their cue from the Bible, but they were not accepted as fact or even debated as such. “The idea of adding fictional elements to basic Bible stories is nothing new,” Burriss adds. “It’s been going on for years. In fact, Bible scholars today are hard-pressed to say which parts of those ancient parchments represent reality and which do not.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu


TR EXTRA

SAVE THOSE TICKETS!—Due to illness, “Fresh Air” radio show host Terry Gross was notable to fulfill her previously scheduled commitments at MTSU. Her appearance has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19. Marc J. Barr, electronic media communication, says new tickets will not be printed. Therefore, people with the original April 17 tickets are encouraged to keep them for the September event. For more information, contact Barr at 615-898-5118 or at mjbarr@mtsu.edu.

Y’ALL COME!—TODAY, 4 p.m.--The MTSU Office of Alumni Relations has a new home. Two newly renovated properties at 2259 and 2263 Middle Tennessee Boulevard will house the staffers. The upcoming open house is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested. “We hope members of the community will stop in and look around,” says Ginger Freeman, Director of Alumni Relations. “The renovation of the space is truly remarkable.” The facilities, which previously served as private residences, have been revamped to accommodate the staff’s offices, conference areas and workrooms, as well as to assure compliance with handicapped accessibility regulations and fire codes. Contact Allison Payne, assistant director, Office of Alumni Relations at 615-904-8199 or go to http://www.mtalumni.com/.