Friday, September 26, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The “E” word

As the time fast approaches for the first presidential debate of 2008 tonight in Oxford, Miss., the question of experience undoubtedly will come into play, regardless of whether the candidates stay with the planned agenda of foreign policy or touch on the economic crisis. Dr. Amanda DiPaolo, political science, says, “It is the dialogue that is changing, but it is changing because voters are, for some reason, expecting a level of experience not known in the past. Take, for example, the selection of John Edwards as John Kerry’s running mate. He was one of the most ill-qualified vice presidential candidate selections in U.S. history, and not a word was made of it.”

Contact DiPaolo at 615-898-2135.
dipaolo@mtsu.edu

Snap, crackle, pop!

Tonight’s presidential debate coverage on MSNBC will be anchored by NBC News Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory. The cable network felt a huge backlash after Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews provided highly opinionated anchor work during the Democratic and Republican conventions. Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, observes, “Remember, it’s no longer about news in the Social Responsibility tradition; it’s about ratings, audience management, and shoring up core viewers. Most so-called ‘news’ channels are seen by managers as niche products, like corn flakes. When one opens a box of corn flakes, Rice Krispies had better not come out!”

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

Career without fear

More than 125 organizations and professional/graduate schools are registered to attend the MTSU Fall Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, on the track level at Murphy Center. Students are advised to research the companies, be prepared and dress professionally. The goal at the Career Fair is to demonstrate that one is the best candidate and deserves a follow-up interview. For a complete list of the participating companies and to watch a video with tips on how to make the best impression possible, go to http://career.web.mtsu.edu.

For more information, contact the Career Development Center at 615-898-2500.
career@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

HOPE I DOWNLOAD BEFORE I GET OLD.--Pete Townshend, co-founder of The Who, says, “iTunes simply doesn’t have heart. It is software attached to a bank, nothing more, nothing less. Brilliant, but heartless.” Ken Sanney, adjunct recording industry professor at MTSU and licensed attorney, will demystify digital downloading on “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue at 7 a.m. this Sunday, Sept. 28, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org). Sanney, an associate with the Brentwood law firm of Day & Blair, P.C., will discuss the addition of digital downloads to audiobook offerings by the Borders bookstore chain, the role of musicians’ unions in the debate over the revenue split for digital downloads, and the music-streaming service Last.fm, which is paying unsigned artists for songs played on the site. For more information, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800. To hear last week’s show, go to http://frank.mtsu.edu/~proffice/podcast2008.html and click on “September 21, 2008.”

HABLAMOS ESPANOL--MTSU’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing through Oct. 15 with numerous cultural and informational events on tap. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Dr. Sidney McPhee, MTSU President, will attend a reception for Hispanic students from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 316 of the Keathley University Center (KUC). On Monday, Oct. 6, Sidelines, the student newspaper, will feature a crossword puzzle with a Hispanic history theme. Prizes will be awarded in KUC Room 326 for the first five correct submittals. Also, ongoing Hispanic Poetry Periods and Latin music experiences will be conducted near the KUC Knoll, and special programming will be shown in dormitory lobbies. WMOT-FM (89.5) will air Latin jazz every Sunday. All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at 615-898-5812.

IN THE EYE OF THE ALUMNI--The MTSU Department of Art is hosting its second biennial exhibition of works by alumni, aptly titled “Alumni 2008,” through today, Sept. 26, in Todd Gallery. About 50 pieces representing a variety of media make up the exhibit, which will feature the art of Diane Fox (’86), Glenda Guinn (’85), George Juliano (’69), Rebecca Parker (’04), Jim Poag (’77), Tom Sain (’84), Patricia Tenpenny (’92) and Vicki Terry (’92). “They are active educators in higher education, performance artists or independent artists,” says Eric Snyder, gallery curator. “Their works are seen across the country, internationally in galleries and museums, found in private collections, and seen in regional and national publications.” Located on the first floor of the Todd Building, the Todd Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and closed on all state holidays. Admission is always free, and exhibits are open to the public. Contact Snyder at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.

MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND.--The federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Bank of America’s agreement to acquire Merrill Lynch, the Chapter 11 filing by Lehman Brothers and other dramatic developments make this year’s MTSU Economic Outlook Conference a must. The conference will take place today, Sept. 26, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 1200 Conference Center Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Dr. James Bullard, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will speak at 9 a.m. Dr. David Penn, director of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, will provide the Midstate/Regional Economic Update at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Donald Ratajczak, Regents Professor of Economics Emeritus at Georgia State University in Atlanta, will deliver the luncheon address during the noon hour. For more information, contact Dr. Jim Burton, Dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, at 615-898-2764 or eburton@mtsu.edu.

NO NEED FOR THE TIM RUSSERT MEMORIAL DRY ERASE BOARD (FLORIDA! FLORIDA! FLORIDA!)—MTSU students will prepare and broadcast their own election night roundup live on MTTV, Channel 10, from 8 p.m. to 11 or possibly later, on Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 4, depending on how close the tallies are. “It becomes more than just an organizational exercise, which is important,” says Dr. Bob Pondillo, who teaches “Electronic Media Production: Election Night News Coverage.” “However, it’s one thing to know how to make great television, but it’s quite another to know how to engage the community.” Although arrangements are subject to revision at a moment’s notice depending on the circumstances, the class is planning on three bases for live shots. The percentages in each race will be displayed at the bottom of the television screen through a black box Associated Press interface device. Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465 or pondillo@mtsu.edu.

THE MAIN COURSE IS GRITS.--Girls Raised in Tennessee Science, or GRITS, will hold its Collaborative Kickoff Conference today, Sept. 26, at MTSU. The event is open to anyone interested in helping girls become involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational aspects, says Lacey Fleming, assistant director of GRITS. Attendees may be from education (K-12 and postsecondary), business, government and community-based and professional organizations across Tennessee and surrounding states. Dr. Leslie Wisner-Lynch, a co-founder of BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc., will be the keynote speaker. The kickoff will run from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will be held in the Keathley University Center lobby, theater, and KUC Room 322. Fleming says “people who are involved with companies or heading up programs with girls” are especially encouraged to attend the kickoff. Media welcomed. Go to mtsu.edu/~grits or contact Fleming at 615-494-7763 or lfleming@mtsu.edu.