Thursday, June 1, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

It’s a steal

Was there a “culture of corruption” that led to the Enron scandal and other corporate scandals of the early 21st century? Dr. John Mullane, management and marketing, says, “Part of the problem is the short-term focus of investors and analysts. A corporation can have a profitable quarter, but lose stock value because it did not meet analysts’ estimates or did not keep its growth numbers up. This does not excuse illegal or unethical behavior in CEOs, but I believe it is a contributing factor in the wave we have witnessed.”

Contact Mullane at 615-898-2747.
jmullane@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 6-7, June 13-14, 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 9-10, June 20-21, 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.

Bada-boom, bada-bing!

One of the most unique classes of the summer will start Monday at MTSU. Dr. David Lavery, English, will introduce his students to two outgoing HBO series, “The Sopranos” and “Deadwood,” as literature. “The best of television does still require us to engage our intellects in ways that are very much like reading a book,” Lavery says. “We have to do the interpreting. We have to figure out how this character works. We have to figure out how to respond to him.” Lavery, who has written extensively about another long-running drama, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” says there is a lot about both series to challenge even the best-educated viewers.


Contact Lavery at 615-898-5648.
dlavery@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.

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE GOVERNMENT--The American Legion Auxiliary’s 60th session of Volunteer Girls State will be held through June 3 at MTSU. More than 500 rising seniors from across the state are participating in 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.

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.