Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The Enron effect

Former Enron chief executive Jeff Skilling and founder Ken Lay were found guilty last week of conspiracy and fraud charges. What should this say to corporations about how they handle their affairs and who they hire to run things? Dr. John Mullane, management and marketing, says, “No legitimate board of directors would ever appoint a CEO they thought would break the law. Thus, the Lay and Skilling convictions don't add any additional weight to these type of decisions, in my opinion. It always has been important to find qualified individuals who will run the organization properly.”

Contact Mullane at 615-898-2747.
jmullane@mtsu.edu

The color of money

How can college freshmen avoid amassing enormous debt as they try to manage their finances largely unassisted for the first time in their lives? MTSU launched a University 1010 financial literacy pilot program last semester to address this very issue. Dr. Marva Lucas, director, Academic Enrichment and one of the 1010 instructors says of the students who participated, “Their comments, questions and the interchange of ideas clearly demonstrated that this information was timely and needed. Many students remarked how … they will adapt new behaviors that result in making wise financial decisions.”

Contact Lucas at 615-898-2568.
mlucas@mtsu.edu

Cancer answers

“Taking It to the Streets: Summit on the Burden of Cancer in Tennessee,” a state cancer summit, will be held Thursday, June 15, at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center. MTSU is a partner in providing funding for several initiatives aimed at reaching more people with information on the deadly illness. Issues to be addressed include creating access to services for the homeless and the utilization of churches to raise awareness of the importance of cancer screenings for African Americans. The Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, which is made up of 272 individuals and organizations in Tennessee, is the driving force behind the gathering.

Contact Rejeana Colman at 615-435-5739 or Gail Hardin at 615-936-5885 or visit http://www.vicc.org/2006summit.


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.

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE GOVERNMENT--The American Legion Auxiliary’s 60th session of Volunteer Girls State will be held May 28-June 3 at MTSU. Gov. Phil Bredesen will address the gathering at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, at Tucker Theatre. More than 500 rising seniors from across the state will engage in a week of activities, including debating the issues that challenge Tennessee’s state legislature. The girls will form their own city, county and state governments, as well. Two Girls State delegates will be picked to represent VGS at Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. in July. Program leaders will select one delegate to compete for a $10,000 college scholarship provided by the Samsung Corporation. For more information, including pictures and updates on this year’s VGS event, please visit the Web site at http://www.volunteergirlsstate.org or call Heather Hargis at 615-300-3238.

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 dorms, 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 or dmcgilli@mtsu.edu.

HEAD FOR THE MOUNTAINS!--Some 16 MTSU alumni and several faculty members have contributed to the newly published “Encyclopedia of Appalachia.” The title has more than 2,000 entries which provides ready reference to information about the people, culture and history of Appalachia. MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation was contacted by scholars at East Tennessee State University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Services about collaborating on the project. CHP Director Dr. Carroll Van West says he agreed to participate because of his interest in southern architecture and because the Applachian region suffers from stereotyping. Contact the Center for Historic Preservation at 615-898-2947.