Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The chemical interstate

A type of award-winning scientific research reminds Dr. Preston MacDougall, chemistry, of those parts of the interstate highway that seem always to be under construction, forcing a redirection of the traffic. MacDougall notes that Harvard chemist George Whitesides has been named the 2007 Priestley Medalist by the American Chemical Society for creating technology to direct the traffic of biologically active molecules to components in selected parts of a single living cell. “Currently, it is estimated that the interstate system is used daily by an average of 60,000 people for every mile of highway,” MacDougall says. “So if you ever find yourself in a construction zone, and it seems as though all 60,000 are on your mile at the same time, just remember—it’s always orange barrel season inside you.”

Contact MacDougall at 615-898-5265.
pmacdoug@mtsu.edu

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 fiargrounds 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.

The political end game

“The objective of our mission in Iraq is to build a stable, functioning representative government and legal system to the country’s citizens,” says Derek Frisby, history professor and Desert Storm veteran. “We must lead by example, respecting our own codes of conduct and bringing anyone who violates them to justice.” Moreover, Frisby says, we must win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. “We must also revise our strategy in Iraq by engaging the Iraqi civilians to assist us in this mission and eliminate the fear instilled in the Iraqis by the insurgents. This requires constant patrolling among the populace, moving frequently beyond the save havens of U.S. military compounds and into their communities …”

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

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

GAB WITH THE GRADS—MTSU young alumni (graduates between the ages of 21 and 35) will mix and mingle at 5:30 p.m. TOMORROW at Chili’s, 755 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro. There will be happy hour specials and free appetizers. Admission is free. For more information, call the MTSU Alumni Office at 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) or visit mtalumni.com.

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.