Friday, June 23, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

A crack in the crackdowns

Are the first signs of a democratic movement emerging in Syria? Some college students are braving jail and beatings to give it a try. Dr. Allen Hibbard, English, taught at Damascus University from 1992 to 1994. He says, “When Bashar al-Assad became president after the death of his father (Hafez al-Assad), many were hopeful that a greater openness and loosening of restrictions would follow. Until now, however, it seems as though the (Baath) party apparatus continues to exert firm control over most facets of life in Syria. It is too early to tell whether recent student protests signal a growing, active resistance to the Assad regime.”

Contact Hibbard at 615-494-8809.
ahibbard@mtsu.edu

Rock on!

The deadline for open registration for the fourth annual Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp at MTSU is JUNE 30. This year’s day camp will run from July 31-August 5, providing girls ages 10-18 hands-on instruction in guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, vocals and electronic music. In addition, campers will attend workshops on songwriting, recording, music journalism, photography, screenprinting and do-it-yourself arts and crafts. An extra attraction this year will be a workshop on “music herstory” emphasizing the roots of country and jazz. The culmination of the camp will be a showcase in which more than 16 bands formed by the girls themselves put their talents on display at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 5 at Tucker Theatre.

Contact Kelley Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald or Courtney Sharpe at sgrrc05@gmail.com or call 615-294-3216.

The soaring soccer ball

If you’ve been watching the FIFA World Cup soccer matches on television, you might have noticed that the players are using a new ball that is rounder than any of its predecessors. The number of pentagonal and hexagonal panels (32) has been reduced to a free-flowing set (14) of panels, and the panels are now thermally bonded instead of glued. Allen Reeves, physics and astronomy, says, “The new soccer ball design having fewer panels (and therefore fewer ridges) and also rounder will very likely not be as good a ball when it comes to the long kick. This is actually a good thing since, unlike golf balls, the new soccer ball may not be as aerodynamic.”

Contact Reeves at 615-494-8894.
areeves@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.

TEACHING ANDREW JACKSON--MTSU and The Hermitage are collaborating in a “Landmarks of American History Teacher Workshop” funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. “The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson, and “America 1801-1861” will be offered June 25-30 and July 10-14 at The Hermitage. These workshops will enable K-12 educators to intensify their study and increase their knowledge of important historical topics through direct on-site experiences. Topics to be explored include “Growing Democracy,” “Cotton Economy and Slavery,” “Indians and Westward Expansion,” “Reform and Religion,” “Women’s Lives in a Changing America,” and “Developing a Distinct American Material Culture.” Contact Dr. Janice Leone, history, at 615-898-5580 or jmleone@mtsu.edu.

A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS--Twenty-seven college freshmen are in the midst of the second of three weeks of the Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Summer Bridge Program at MTSU. Under the guidance of Dr. Barbara Knox, director, and various MTSU faculty, the students are spending 12 hours each day in various classes, including math, chemistry, physics, computer science, aerospace and writing in order to get a taste of college life. They also will visit other colleges and universities in the alliance. TODAY, they will visit the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, then spend the next 24 hours visiting Dollywood and Pigeon Forge Mall. Contact Knox at 615-898-5311 or bknox@mtsu.edu.

GET ACCUSTOMED TO IT--Nine sessions of orientation for new students, called CUSTOMS, will be offered in June and July for freshmen and transfers on a first-come, first-served basis. Students pursuing majors in the colleges of Basic and Applied Science and Mass Communications and undeclared majors will have CUSTOMS June 23-24, July 11-12 and July 24-25. Students pursuing majors in the colleges of Education and Behavioral Science, Liberal Arts and Business and undeclared majors will be held July 6-7 and July 20-21. Transfers may complete CUSTOMS online and be cleared by their advisers to register for fall classes. For more information, call the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 615-898-5533 or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/~customs.

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.

STAR-SPANGLED PARTY—INDEPENDENCE DAY--Once again, MTSU will host “Celebration Under the Stars.” The party will start at 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 4, on the intramural field. There will be games and activities for the youngsters from 5-8 p.m. There will be prizes and promotional giveaways. Wal-Mart will donate the “Celebration Under the Stars” birthday cakes. At 8 p.m., the Murfreesboro Fire Department’s color guard will present the colors. The Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra will perform patriotic tunes, Sousa marches and inspirational classics. Capping off the evening’s entertainment will be the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. Contact Marlane Sewell, steering committee chair, at 615-896-6710. Tune in to WGNS-AM 1450 on July 4 starting at 3 p.m. for any changes in the day’s schedule of activities.