Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Consumer confidence

What difference does it make how consumers feel? It makes a great deal of difference in the economy, according to Dr. Tim Graeff, director of MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research. Graeff says the latest Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index shows that “45 percent of local consumers believe that their personal finances will improve over the next 12 months, whereas only six percent of local consumers believe that their personal finances will be worse in the next 12 months. If consumers feel comfortable and confident about their employment and they believe that their personal financial situation will improve in the future, they are more likely to increase their spending.”

Contact Graeff at 615-898-5124.
tgraeff@mtsu.edu

More than just LP service

After four years as just “The Coliseum,” the Tennessee Titans’ home turf has a new corporate sponsor. Louisiana-Pacific has inked a 10-year deal with the NFL franchise for the naming rights to the Nashville stadium. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says the move “gives the company opportunities to create brand awareness among consumers and entertain current and prospective clients. For the deal to be productive for LP, it should develop marketing campaigns around its association with the Titans as buying stadium naming rights is typically only an initial step of a broader marketing strategy.”

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@mtsu.edu

They said Reagan was wooden in the movies, too.

This Friday, Al Gore’s global warming documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” will widen its reach by opening in the top 25 movie theater markets with about 150 total theaters before going national on June 16 in 450-600 locations. But don’t make space for Gore’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just yet. Dr. Mark Byrnes, political science, says, “The movie alone won’t propel Gore into the White House. And, although Gore has not taken a ‘Sherman,’ he has downplayed any talk of a reentry into electoral politics.” (A “Sherman statement” is an unequivocal refusal to enter the political arena and refers to Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman’s statement, “If nominated I will not run; if elected I will not serve.")

Contact Byrnes at 615-898-2351.
mbyrnes@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.

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 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 June 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.

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.

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.