Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Middle East madness

As much of a surprise as the latest Middle East crisis has been to much of the world, at least one professor says there were signs that it was coming. For a July 17 article in the Terre Haute (Indiana) Tribune-Star, Dr. Sean Foley, who will teach Middle Eastern history at MTSU this fall, says Hezbollah “hinted fairly strongly that it was planning to do something like this, and, in fact, Israeli media has come down rather hard on the government for not being better prepared.” Foley says that Israeli strategy is targeted at sending a message of force and also dealing with Hezbollah. He recommends getting a third party to negotiate a cease fire.

Contact Foley at sfoley@mtsu.edu

Pardon the interruption

Technology has advanced to the point that we have become one with our expensive toys, leaving good manners behind—so much so that the mayor of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) is considering banning Blackberry units from civic meetings. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, says, “So many people have had their concerts, dinners and church services interrupted by buzzing, ringing and chirping communication devices there appears to be a backlash, and many companies have found they need to actually offer classes in “soft” skills: proper etiquette, particularly when dealing in the international arena. … Like any other technology, the Blackberry is neither good nor bad. It is just a box of plastic and circuits. It is how people use the device that really matters.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2963.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

A century of beauty

Beautiful bonsai trees will be on display at the Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 in Room 322 of the Keathley University Center. The show is co-sponsored by the Nashville Bonsai Society and the Japan-U.S. Program of MTSU. “Unlike ikebana (arranged flowers), bonsai trees have a long life, often more than 100 years, and require not just love but much physical and mental commitment on the part of the grower,” Dr. Kiyoshi Kawahito, director of MTSU’s Japan-U.S. Program, said. Bonsai Master Warren Hill, former supervisory curator for the U.S. National Bonsai Collection, will conduct a demonstration at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The tree he sculpts will be auctioned off during the demonstration. Admission both days is free. Media welcomed.

To register for the show or for more information, contact Barbara Walton at 615-337-4728 or 615-449-6693 or cuchem@charter.net.

TR EXTRA

FROM CAMP TO COLLEGE--Kayley Kravitz is a veteran of all three years of Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp. She studied guitar, bass and piano. In the fall, the 18-year-old graduate of The Webb School in Bell Buckle will attend Boston’s Emerson College, where she will major in journalism with an eye to becoming a music journalist. Simultaneously, Kayley will minor in music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. She encourages parents to enroll their daughters (ages 10-18) in this year’s camp, which is slated for July 31-Aug. 5. “Not only will they get to learn the ins and outs of the music business—they will gain a self-confidence that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” Kayley says. Contact Kelley Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald or Courtney Sharpe at sgrrc05@gmail.com or call 615-898-8140.

COACHES’ CORNER--MTSU alumni, friends and fans are invited to attend a Blue Raider Blast from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20 at the Celebration Pavilion off Celebration Way in Shelbyville. Director of Athletics Chris Massaro and MT head doaches Rick Stockstill (football), Rick Insell (women’s basketball) and Steve Peterson (baseball) will be on hand to meet fans and share exciting news about the upcoming season. There will be inflatables, face painting and music for families to enjoy. Whitt’s Barbecue will provide dinners for $5 per plate. Admission is free. Contact the MTSU Office of Alumni Relations at 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) or at http://www.mtalumni.com/.

GET ACCUSTOMED TO IT--Nine sessions of orientation for new students, called CUSTOMS, will be offered in 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 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 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.