Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

We are Virginia Tech.

In 1970, a plane carrying 75 Marshall University football players, coaches, and fans crashed on their way back from a game, killing all aboard. The way the school rallied from that crushing blow and reunited is chronicled in the movie “We Are Marshall.” Could Virginia Tech’s athletic teams help to restore a sense of community and serenity to that campus following the April 16 shootings? Dr. Mark Anshel, health and human performance, says competitive sport can help the healing process. “Sport will help bring the campus—students, staff, and faculty—together toward achieving the important goal of reestablishing a sense of normality on campus,” Anshel says. “This tragedy may even provide campus sports teams with a rallying cry that will prevent the actions of one disturbed individual from diminishing their quality of life and succeed in the face of unspeakable adversity.”

Contact Anshel at 615-898-2812.
manshel@mtsu.edu

The wise old (and young) OWLs

Certificates and awards will be presented to Older Wiser Learners (OWLs) who were standouts this past academic year at the annual OWLs Picnic from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Barfield Park in Murfreesboro. The Best OWL Professor Award will go to someone who has demonstrated interest in and concern for adult learners that goes beyond the norm. Other honors will go to those who support adult learners in other ways: Best OWL Spouse, Best OWL Son or Daughter, Best OWL Family, and Best OWL Friend. The Best Juggling Owl Award will go to the student who is juggling the most—job, family, school, etc.—while keeping a 2.7 GPA. And the Best Owl Volunteer Award will be presented to the person who serves others in the community or at MTSU while still maintaining a job, family, and college presence.

Contact Dr. Carol Ann Baily, director, Adult Services Center, at 615-898-5989.
cabaily@mtsu.edu

Talk isn’t cheap.

Why does provocative, often obnoxious talk seem to dominate the radio airwaves? Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, says, “This nation is over-served with radio stations, and the only way radio management knows how to ‘cut through the clutter’ and ‘raise a station’s profile’ so that there will be ‘water cooler talk’ is to place on the airwaves (they supposedly steward) what’s called ‘polarizing personalities.’ These are radio announcers that listeners either love or hate (or love to hate)—there is no in-between. … Why? Because these ‘off the chart’ radio talents pick up and hold specific audiences. No, not a lot of people, BUT niche specific demos that are enough to make a significant market.”

Contact Pondillo at 615-904-9465.
pondillo@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

WE PAWS FOR THIS MESSAGE OF INTEREST.--MTSU’s Office of Student Organizations & Community Service will present the second annual See Spot Run at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 12, on campus. The 5K run/walk will give humans and their canine companions a chance to exercise at the same time. All proceeds, including entry fees, admissions, and sponsorships, will go to Habitat for Humanity. The goal is to raise the $50,000 necessary to sponsor a “blitz build,” an intensified construction effort, on campus. The entry fee is $15 before May 1 and $20 thereafter. Entry fees include T-shirts to the first 250 participants. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. on race day at Peck Hall. Also, registration is available at http://www.mtalumni.com or 615-898-5812.

ALL THAT JAZZ--MTSU faculty and student ensembles are slated to perform at JazzFest 2007 May 4 and 5 on the public square in Murfreesboro. More than 20,000 people attended last year’s event, which is free and open to the public. Seven high school jazz bands from Rutherford County will entertain in the Friday evening segment. Middle and high school bands from Murfreesboro and Nashville also will play Saturday on the second stage along with rising saxophone sensation Chris West, an MTSU jazz studies graduate, and the Music City Swing Band. Louis Hayes will cap the festival Saturday with his Cannonball Legacy Band, reviving the great sound of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, with whom Hayes performed fro 1959-65. For more information, call 615-8995-1887 or go to http://www.mainstreetjazzfest.com.