Monday, October 15, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Their body of work

The Todd Gallery at MTSU will present “Of the Body,” an exhibition of contemporary figurative ceramic works from five artists of national recognition today, Oct. 15 through Friday, Nov. 2. Lon Nuell, MTSU art professor and gallery curator, says, “The works to be seen in ‘Of the Body’ represent five unique perspectives that derive from the artists’ personal experiences and interpretations of the human presence in the contemporary world. Within these interpretations five manifestations occur.” The artists whose work will be showcased will include John Donovan, foundations instructor at MTSU. An opening reception for the artists will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 16, in the gallery. Admission is free and open to the public.

Contact Eric Snyder, gallery assistant, at 615-898-5653.

Raider rally

The Rally on Maple, which will take place tomorrow, Oct. 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., is a traditional town-gown pep rally to fire up the Blue Raider fans in the community. The rally will take place at Pinnacle on Maple Street between College Avenue and Lytle Street. Along with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, additional hosts will be The Daily News Journal, Main Street and Pinnacle Financial Partners. Admission to the rally will be $5 for all MTSU personnel. There will be music and lots of good food.In case of rain, the event will go on as planned on the 5th floor of Pinnacle.
For more information, go to http://www.goblueraiders.com or call 615-898-2450.

“Well, I don’t care if it rains or freezes/ Long as I have my plastic Jesus”—“Plastic Jesus,” composed by Ed Rush and George Cromarty

Some people are upset about a talking plastic Jesus figure being marketed by Wal-Mart. But Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, points out that Jesus is marketed in all kinds of ways—movies, books, television, etc. “I talked with a couple of teacher friends, and they said kids sometimes bring the toys to school, and even have, on occasion, used them as part of projects,” says Burriss. “So I wonder what will happen if a child decides to use the plastic Jesus as part of a class project. I can, unfortunately, already see some overzealous teacher or administrator falling victim to the politically correct thought police and telling the child the toy is inappropriate because it might offend someone. Overprotective parents and teachers have already ruined outdoor play. I guess many of them will be taking on the plastic Jesus as well.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

BONJOUR!--Any student whose summer was no more exciting than spending endless hours lying by the pool frying to a crisp can prepare now for an unforgettable summer 2008. There’s no time like the present to register for the annual general education study abroad program in Cherbourg, France, which will run from June 2 to June 27. At this beautiful port town in the Normandy region of northwest France, students will experience the history, art and culture of the area. “With the general education program, a student can spend four weeks in Cherbourg and in Normandy, and they can begin studying French while they’re there if they choose to, but they don’t have to already know any French,” Dr. Anne Sloan, Assistant to the Provost for International Education, says. Contact Sloan at 615-898-5091 or asloan@mtsu.edu or Jennifer Campbell, Director of International Education and Exchange, at 615-898-5179 or jjcampbe@mtsu.edu.

IT DON’T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING--WMOT-FM’s annual membership appeal and on-air fundraising drive continues through Oct. 18. It will benefit MTSU’s nonprofit public broadcasting radio station. This year also marks the station’s 39th anniversary and its 25th year as an all-jazz formatted station. “Those who listen to and enjoy WMOT must support it financially,” says Keith Palmer, the station’s director of development. “Pledge so that radio in Middle Tennessee keeps swinging.” WMOT-FM is located on the radio dial at 89.5 and online at http://www.wmot.org. Contact Palmer at 615-898-2800 or kpalmer@mtsu.edu.

PINK AND PURPLE POWER--The June Anderson Women’s Center at MTSU is distributing purple ribbons suitable for wearing in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “The numbers are alarming and the violence continues to spread across the United States,” says Terri Johnson, director of the Women’s Center. Since October also is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the center is making available pink ribbons to promote the need for early detection and more research. “Being a woman is the major risk factor for breast cancer,” Johnson says. “It is crucial to have early detection and screening to lower your risks.” For more information, contact the Women’s Center at 615-898-2193 or jawc@mtsu.edu.

SCALE THE TOWER AND FEEL THE POWER OF PAINTBALL--Two physically and mentally challenging competitions open to the public as well as the MTSU community are slated for early next month to raise money for the MTSU Veterans Memorial. The Alpine Tower Challenge is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, and Friday, Nov. 2 behind the Campus Recreation Center. The National Guard Paintball Tournament is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Middle Tennessee Paintball in Spring Hill. There is no entrance fee for either event, but donations are encouraged. In the tower challenge, teams of two persons each will attempt to scale a 55-foot-high wooden structure by using climbing holds, four dangling poles, a wooden “corporate ladder” with several feet of space between the rungs and a cargo net ladder. To learn more about the Alpine Tower Challenge, contact Josh Stone at the recreation center at 615-898-2104 or jrstone@mtsu.edu. To learn more about the National Guard Paintball Tournament, call Staff Sgt. Julius Santini, Tennessee National Guard representative at MTSU, at 615-494-7682 or julius.santini@us.army.mil.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS--The October 2007 edition of “MT Record” offers many interesting stories about the people and events that make MTSU special. Stories include features on an art faculty member’s work on a Civil War mural, a student whose groundbreaking research in forensic anthropology earned her a fellowship with the Smithsonian Institution, the MTSU Wind Ensemble’s trip to China, inside tips on getting ready to go to college and the latest edition of “Centennial Countdown.” “MT Record” is produced by John Lynch and Seth Alder from the Office of News and Public Affairs. Go to http://www.mtsunews.com and click on “Middle Tennessee Record—TV Program” for the days and times “MT Record” airs in your area.