Monday, July 31, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The numbers game

MTSU reported a summer enrollment headcount of 9,080 students to the Tennessee Board of Regents. Dr. Sherian Huddleston, associate vice provost for enrollment services, says that’s a mere 16 students fewer than in 2005. Huddleston says this summer’s enrollment of 75 first-time freshmen was “holding steady” with 2005’s 77 first-time freshmen. There were 229 new transfers this summer. That’s 31 fewer than last year’s total. There was a summer increase in graduate students—274 compared to 201 a year ago.

Contact Huddleston at 615-898-2828.
shuddles@mtsu.edu

McNair mastery

“Personal Privacy: Risks of the Internet;” “The Social Roots of Terrorism: A Quantitative Approach;” “The Relationship Between the American Circus Clowns and British Pantomime”—these are just some of the fascinating subjects MTSU’s Ronald E. McNair Postbacclaureate Achievement Program scholars will be tackling TODAY and TOMORROW. The McNair Symposium is being held in the Tom H. Jackson Building. The program helps first-generation and low-income students as well as students from groups underrepresented in doctoral level studies. Most McNair scholars are in the program for two years. Media welcomed.

Contact Steve Saunders, coordinator, McNair Scholars Program at 615-898-8462.
saunders@mtsu.edu

Explaining civilian casualties

Why do innocent civilians die in war when they are purported not to be strategic targets? Derek Frisby, history professor and Desert Storm veteran, says, “The isolation experienced by U.S. troops (who are often cloistered in their bases for protection) and their fear that an attack can come at any time from someone who appears to be a “non-combatant” leads to a sense of hostility toward the Iraqi population. In isolated incidents, like those at Haditha and Abu Ghraib, U.S. servicemen have succumbed to this fear and hostility and committed terrible acts.”

Contact Frisby at 615-494-8856.
dfrisby@mtsu.edu


TR EXTRA

TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER—TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY--
Pearl Drums is proud to provide drumming equipment for this year’s Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp July 31-Aug. 5 at MTSU. Cindy Phiffer, wife of Pearl Drums president Jim Phiffer, is one of the camp’s latest and strongest supporters. “We have raised two sons (Jonathan Fee, 24, and Josh Phiffer, 20) in Murfreesboro, and we are committed to doing our part to ensure that all area teens and pre-teens have the opportunity to experience the arts,” Phiffer says. “We believe it is vital to our future.” The Southern Girls Rock & Roll camp offers girls ages 10-18 a positive place to develop their musical skills, collaborate with other girls and enhance their self-esteem. Contact Phiffer at 615-893-4117 or cindyphi@comcast.net
For a color jpeg of the Saturday night SGRRC showcase ticket, contact Gina Logue at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu

RUN FOR THE VETERANS--Pay tribute to the MTSU faculty, staff, alumni and students who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces by taking part in the MTSU Veterans Memorial Run/Walk at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. There will be individual and team awards for top finishers in all age and gender divisions. Each pre-registered entrant will receive a race T-shirt. Early registration is $15, and online registration will close at 8 p.m. Central time Friday, Sept. 15. All proceeds will go towards construction of an on-campus memorial to military personnel. Media welcomed.
For more information, contact Maj. Chuck Giles at 1-888-682-7682 or cgiles@mtsu.edu

THE GRADS GET TOGETHER—THURSDAY--Join Middle Tennessee State University young alumni (graduates between the ages of 21 and 35) at Chili’s, 755 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3. It’s a chance to mix and mingle and enjoy happy hour specials and free appetizers. Admission is free. Contact Patience Long, Office of Alumni Relations, at 615-898-8198 or plong@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.