Thursday, June 28, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The hubbub over Hilton

NBC recently denied offering $1 million for the rights to Paris Hilton’s first post-incarceration interview, which Larry King conducted last night on CNN. But NBC recently paid a fee in the low seven-figures (reportedly) for the rights to air the Princess Diana memorial concert, which Princes William and Harry plugged on an interview with Matt Lauer. Ethically, what's the difference? Chris Harris, electronic media communication, says, “For years, one of the skeletons in NBC's closet has been the fact that the Today Show is technically NOT a news show, but rather has been produced, from its inception, by the entertainment division. Journalism is a special commodity ... one that demands that interviews not be paid for. It appears that the ‘bean counters’ of owner General Electric see only dollar signs, whereas there are ethical tenets of journalism that can not allow that to happen.”

Contact Harris at 615-898-2841.
crharris@mtsu.edu

Readin’, writin’, and runnin’ the schools

Susan Wilson, Teacher of the Year and educator for McFadden School of Excellence in Murfreesboro, and Karen Blooding, the 2006 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and Homer Pittard Campus School teacher, will visit the classroom of Dr. Terry Goodin, assistant professor of educational leadership, today from 8-9:30 a.m. in Room 158 of Kirksey Old Main Building. Goodin’s class is titled “Organization and Administration of Public Schools.” Wilson and Blooding are the latest in a long lineup of professionals who have spoken to the class this semester. Regarding the information they share, Dr. James Huffman, chairman of educational leadership, says, “This type of insight is only gained through experience and as these speakers share what they have learned in the practice of their profession. I think our students will gain significant understanding of leadership concepts as they are applied in the field.”

Members of the media are invited with advance notice of attendance. Contact Lisa L. Rollins at 615-898-2919 or via e-mail at lrollins@mtsu.edu

Rock, roll, and record

It’s that time again! Registration runs through July 13 for the latest recording workshop for children ages 12-17 at MTSU. The workshop will be conducted by MTSU student Ryan York in the John Bragg Mass Communication Building July 19-Aug. 12. For a fee of $125 per student, York will introduce the youngsters to cassette-four-track recording, digital eight-track, computer recording and electronic music. The workshop is sponsored by the Youth Culture and Arts Center, a project of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, a nonprofit organization.

For more information, or to enroll, contact York at bororecording@gmail.com

TR EXTRA

ROCK YOUR LOCKS--The Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp (SGRRC) invites you to update your look for a worthy event with a haircut from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, June 29, at Urban Image Style Studio, 200 W. Burton St., in Murfreesboro. With each haircut, regularly valued at $40 or more, patrons at the SGRRC Beauty Benefit will be encouraged instead to make a $20 donation to the camp. The fifth annual SGRRC, which is slated for July 16-21 on the campus of MTSU, is a week-long music day camp for girls ages 10-17. The camp is a program of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH), a nonprofit arts organization. Volunteers will tutor the campers in vocals, keyboards, drums, guitar, and electronic music. No appointment is necessary for haircuts during the 3-7 p.m. period on June 29. Contact the Urban Image Style Studio at 615-896-9700, call the Murfreesboro office of Southern Girls Rock & Roll camp at 615-849-8140, or send an e-mail to sgrrc05@gmail.com.

THE GRIDIRON GIRLS, WHOSE THEME SONG IS “THANK YOU FOR BEING AN END”--MTSU Head Football Coach Rick Stockstill and the MTSU football staff invite you to join them for the 2007 Ladies Football Clinic on Saturday, July 14 in Murphy Center. The clinic, which will feature seminars on strategy, equipment, training and rules, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with registration slated to start at 8 a.m. Ladies will be encouraged to take part in coaches’ drills and demonstrations. The goal is to provide a fun learning experience. Participants will receive commemorative T-shirts and lunch will be provided. The cost of the clinic is $25 dollars. For the children, the Rick Stockstill Youth Camp for rising 1st through 8th graders will be held June 4-7. For more information, contact Danny Lewis at 615-898-2311.