Friday, August 4, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Money and the media

Media accountability in America is always market-driven, whether we like it or not, says Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication. “A media organization is only as accountable as it needs to be to stay in business,” he says. “Now, one would hope higher, ethical principles would guide the media. But, in our culture, the financial spreadsheet is usually the piper that calls the tunes. If you haven’t noticed, this nation—and capitalism in general—celebrates and equates success with money. So, in that very real, very fungible sense, accountability is part of whatever it takes to compete in the crowed media marketplace—damn the ethics, full speed ahead!”

Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465.
pondillo@mtsu.edu

Artistry and humanity

Just last week, it was announced that Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier is the 2006 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award, which, according to its Web site, honors “artists whose leadership benefits humanity.” Who was the great African-American lady for whom this honor was named? She was a brilliant singer who wanted in 1939 to use Constitution Hall in Washington for a concert. But the Daughters of the American Revolution denied her the use of the hall. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, reminds us that Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for her to sing at the Lincoln Memorial. “And her rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” was later described as rivaling the scene years later when the Reverend Martin Luther King gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” Burris says.

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

Get a head start on tailgating

Football weather has not arrived yet, but plans are in the works for the upcoming football season. This year, the MTSU Rutherford County Alumni Chapter’s annual Pigskin Pregame will be held from 7 p.m. unil 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. Tickets will be $20 if purchased by Tuesday, Aug. 22, or $25 at the door. The ticket price includes an exclusive preview of Murfreesboro’s newest restaurant, Kirkenburt’s Smokehouse Grill, wine, beer truck, soft drinks, music, door prizes and more. Parking will be available at Central Middle School. All proceeds from Pigskin Pregame will benefit the Rutherford County Chapter Scholarship Fund. Media welcomed.

Contact the MTSU Alumni Office at 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) or visit mtalumni.com.

TR EXTRA

TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER—THIS WEEK--Pearl Drums is proud to provide drumming equipment for this year’s Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp through 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

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.

FAIR ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE--Memorabilia and free goodies will be available at MTSU’s booth at the Wilson County Fair Aug. 18-26 at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon. The fair is regarded as the top fair in the state and is listed in the Top 20 Events in August by the Southeast Tourism Association. Wilson County alumni and personnel from MT athletics, athletic marketing and the alumni office will be staffed starting at 5 p.m. on weekdays and virtually all day on two Saturdays, Aug. 19 and 26, and Sun. Aug. 20. The fairgrounds are located one mile off Interstate 40. Festival goers should take I-40 to exit 239B, then U.S. 70 West. Contact the MTSU Alumni Office at 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) or visit wilsoncountyfair.net.