Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

A different take on the Don Imus controversy

For all the finger-pointing that has transpired following shock jock Don Imus’ dismissal by MSNBC and CBS Radio, why hasn’t anyone taken to task the hypocritical corporate executives who hired Imus in the first place? Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, says if Imus deserves to be fired, CBS President Les Moonves and Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone should get the ax, too (Viacom is the parent company of CBS.). “These are the guys that put Imus on the air and kept him there for years as the goose that laid the golden eggs,” Pondillo says. “They KNEW what Imus was up to. They KNEW everything. Now, in typical management save-your-own-ass style, they back away and leave Imus hanging in the wind. Imus did not become Imus without the help and encouragement of top management. That’s one essential puzzle piece that’s not being talked about.”

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

Hot enough for you?

The “Stop Global Warming College Tour” comes to MTSU TONIGHT with global warming activist Laurie David, co-producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. The event, which is open only to MTSU students, faculty and staff, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Murphy Center. Clips from “An Inconvenient Truth” will be shown, followed by performances by comedians and a question-and-answer session. There will be a press briefing with Laurie David and Sheryl Crow in the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame. Reporters, be advised that the briefing has been moved to 6 p.m. instead of 4 p.m.

Contact the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-2919.

Because the night belongs to us

The June Anderson Women’s Center’s annual “Take Back the Night” event will begin at 5 p.m. TODAY on the Keathley University Center knoll at MTSU. The goal of the event is to raise awareness of unsafe conditions women face when they are alone on the streets at night. Marchers will embark from the knoll, circle the library, and return to the knoll, where speakers will voice their concerns at an open microphone and a candlelight vigil will be held.

For more information, contact the Women’s Center at 615-898-2193.
jawc@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

“DIVERSE TALES FOR DIVERSE TOTS”--The Diversity Subcommittee of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women is requesting donations of children’s books about any aspect of diversity now through April 27. The books could be old or new and for any age group. Gift certificates from your favorite bookstore also are welcome. These donations will be presented to MTSU’s Project HELP Program to help build up its new Dede Rucker Memorial Library collection. You can drop off your donations at several on-campus locations, including the Sociology and Anthropology mailroom (Room 335 in the Todd Building), the Upper Division English office (Room 323 in Peck Hall), the June Anderson Women’s Center (Room 206 of the James Union Building), and the Study Abroad office (Room 103A of Peck Hall. For more information, contact Dr. Ida Fadzillah at 615-904-8275 or ifadzill@mtsu.edu.

GET INTO THE SWIM OF THINGS--The works of Kenda North are on display through April 19 in a photography exhibit titled “Urban Pools” at MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery. This exhibit is comprised of color Iris prints ranging in sizes up to 33” x 47”. The images were photographed underwater with a Nikonos 35mm camera. The original color negatives have been scanned and worked through Photoshop. The gallery will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Exhibitions and lectures are free and open to the public. This exhibit is co-sponsored by the National Women’s History Month Committee. Contact Tom Jimison at 615-898-2085 or tjimison@mtsu.edu.