Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Roll up your sleeves.

MTSU’s two-day blood drive today, Oct. 10, and tomorrow, Oct. 11, is an effort to save lives and compete for donors with new in-state rival Memphis before the universities’ Oct. 13 football game. The blood drive also will pay tribute to slain Memphis player Taylor Bradford. Blood donors—and anyone else who would like to contribute—also can make monetary donations in the Nashville native’s honor. All funds raised will be sent to the University of Memphis. The drive, sponsored by MTSU’s Student Government Association, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day in Room 322 of the Keathley University Center. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well and healthy enough for normal activities. Donors also must not have donated blood in the previous 56 days.

Call 615-898-2590 for more information.

I hear a symphony.

The MTSU Symphonic Band and MTSU Chamber Winds will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, in the T. Earl Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building. This concert, which is free and open to the public, will be the first of the year for the Symphonic Band featuring Norman Dello Joio’s Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn. “This is a cornerstone piece in the wind band repertoire,” says Craig Cornish, MTSU associate director of bands and director of the ensemble. “It’s simply a great piece.” The band also will perform Broege’s Singonia V and Iannaccone’s Plymouth Trilogy. The MTSU Brass Ensemble will join the MTSU Chamber Winds for other works, including Byrd’s The Earl of Oxford’s March and Ward’s Fantasia for Brass Ensemble and Timpani.

Go to http://www.mtsumusic.com or call 615-898-2493 for more information.

Will they use Jim Thorpe’s image in the commercials?

Nike’s new Air Native N7 shoe is being pitched specifically to Native Americans, or American Indians, if you prefer. No kidding. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says the design will reflect “distinguishing physical and cultural traits of American Indians.” The tribes will pay wholesale prices and either sell or give the shoes to their members. Roy says this is more than just a publicity stunt. “People are being put ahead of profits, and it will be interesting to see if other companies come forward with similar strategies to further segment markets,” Roy says. “Major corporations like Nike will be questioned about the sincerity of their motives whenever they do good, but, in this case, the Air Native N7 seems to be a winner for all involved.”

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@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.