Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Able in the arts

Internationally renowned actress/writer/teacher Estelle Condra will deliver the keynote address for Arts Talk, a two-day conference and career forum for artists with disabilities, THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY at MTSU. Condra, who is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, will speak at 12:45 p.m. in the Business Aerospace Building. Another feature of the conference will be the Tennessee premiere of “The Goal,” an award-winning film by Darla Rae that stars MTSU alumna Laura Dodd, from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 6 in Tucker Theatre. In addition, “we will have people on campus discussing Social Security issues, legal issues, portfolio development and more,” says Lori Kissinger, MTSU speech and theatre instructor.

Contact Kissinger at 615-826-5252.
userk7706@aol.com

Get the lead out!

MTSU’s Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies (ETIS) is one of three recipients nationwide of a 2006 federal grant for nearly $2 million to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in residential housing. Officials with the Tennessee Lead Elimination Action Program (TNLEAP) say children have the greatest risk for developmental and behavioral problems and potential mental retardation stemming from lead poisoning. This effort will provide more affordable lead-free housing units to Tennessee families with children and improve the property values of those who obtain TNLEAP-sponsored “Lead Safe Home” certification.

Contact Dr. Kathy Mathis at 615-898-2113 or Dr. Carol Boraiko at 615-898-2776.

Four concerts for free

The four-event Presidential Concert Series at MTSU will open with Requiem by Frigyes Hidas and will feature the MTSU Wind Ensemble, MTSU Concert Chorale and soloists beginning at 7:30 p.m. THIS SATURDAY in the Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building. Requiem has been noted for its groundbreaking scoring. Written in memory of the deceased from every war in history, it is the first work of its kind composed for winds rather than full orchestra, although it follows the traditional form of a requiem. This event is free and open to the public.

For more ifnormation, contact Tim Musselman at 615-898-2493 or visit the calendar of events at http://www.mtsumusic.com.

TR EXTRA

WHO WILL PASS THE MIDTERM (ELECTION)?--Rutherford County candidates for the state legislature will square off in a forum from 7 to 9 p.m. TONIGHT in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business Aerospace Building. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and all guests must be seated by 6:55. “This forum will provide voters a chance to familiarize themselves with the candidates and the issues in this important election,” Dr. Mark Byrnes, professor of political science. This event is made possible through the League of Women Voters and MTSU’s participation in the American Democracy Project. Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, will be the moderator. Media welcomed. Contact Byrnes at 615-898-2351 or mbyrnes@mtsu.edu

THE SPIN CYCLE--Where does the news leave off and propaganda from special interest groups begin? Dr. Jay Black, Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics, emeritus, at the University of South Florida, will address that question in a guest lecture at 6 p.m. THIS THURSDAY in Room 104 of the John Bragg Mass Communication Building. “He will initially describe and analyze the new and often-deceptive media mosaic, making note of relevant semantic and ethical dilemmas, and then outline possible remedies for media consumers and practitioners,” Dr. Thomas Cooper, ethicist-in-residence at MTSU, says. Black says, “My fundamental argument is that propaganda is inevitable, that it is not just what the ‘bad guys’ do, that contemporary society relishes propaganda [and] that media cater to our closed-mindedness as willing recipients of propaganda.” Contact Cooper at twcooper@comcast.net

THE SWEET SMELL OF SCIENCE--Registration is open for the 2006 Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science. The conference for girls in grades 5-8 will be held from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, across the MTSU campus. Open to the first 300 girls who register, EYH will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on campus. To register, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/~EYH. Look for the registration button on the left side. Complete, print out, and mail the form to: Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, c/o MTSU EYH, P.O. Box 161, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY. For more information, contact Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross at 615-904-8253 or eyh@mtsu.edu or jiriarte@mtsu.edu

ALUMNI ART--The art works of 24 MTSU alumni are on display at the Todd Gallery through THIS FRIDAY. Paintings, prints, clay work, sculpture and graphic design imagery are among the featured media. The artists represent alumni from 1960 through 2004. Dr. Lon Nuell, art, says, “Their works are seen across the country and internationally in galleries and museums, are found in private collections, and seen in regional and national publications.” The Todd Gallery is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each Monday-Friday and closed on all state holidays. Admission is always free. Contact Nuell at 615-898-2505 or lrnuell@mtsu.edu