Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Are you experienced?

Experience or the lack thereof has been a constant theme in the current presidential campaign. With Barack Obama and Sarah Palin in the race, is the definition of what constitutes legitimate “experience” to seek the presidency and vice presidency changing from what voters have known in the past? Dr. Amanda DiPaolo, political science, says, “Sen. Obama has continuously compared his experience with that of Gov. Palin’s. There was a time when this would have seemed inappropriate since he is running for the top spot and Palin is running for the vice presidency. However, with the role of the VP changing dramatically as a result of a very active (powerful) Vice President Cheney and with (John) McCain’s age in question, Obama and Palin are, very arguably, on a level playing field for the power they hope to acquire in November.”

Contact DiPaolo at 615-898-2135.
dipaolo@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 on Friday, 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.
eburton@mtsu.edu

Back to you, David Gregory.

Do you find MSNBC’s removal of Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews from the anchor desk during election coverage just a little disingenuous? The hosts of “Countdown” and “Hardball,” respectively, were returned to their pundit positions reportedly after complaints from both the public and NBC journalists about both bias and their snarky on-air feud. But isn’t mixing it up rhetorically with people of such diverse points of view as Rachel Maddow and Pat Buchanan just exactly the kind of rhetorical friction that results in high ratings? Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, says, “If the executives smelled any opportunity to capitalize on the Olbermann/Matthews fight, they would have. They clearly saw the feud as hurting the MSNBC brand, as well as their two most popular (albeit polarizing) pundits. So … they did what management does. They managed.”

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

TR EXTRA

LADIES IN THE LAB AND BEYOND--Will you be part of the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering and math professions? Find out what it takes to enjoy a great career in STEM-related fields! Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, Lacey Fleming and Cacy DeSheles will explain GRITS (Girls Raised in Tennessee Science) will host “Women Scientists Digging in the Dirt,” an enrichment program for students in grades 9-12, at 9 a.m. CST (10 a.m. EST) today, Sept. 16, via MTSU’s Satellite and Webcasting Center. They will answer students’ questions and discuss their education, jobs and career successes. For more information about the K-12 Educational Television Program Schedule, call 615-898-2737 or send an e-mail to vmoxley@mtsu.edu.

THE MTSU VIEW--This month’s edition of “MT Record” features a trio of stories related to the preservation of war history. They include packages on the use of GPS technology to investigate a location near Stones River National Battlefield, the MTSU students who work with park officials to the benefit of its history and its natural beauty, and the contribution of one MTSU professor to a guidebook to help battlefield visitors in France appreciate the World War I exploits of Alvin York. Also, “Centennial Countdown” returns to 1935 to look at how three Coffee County freshmen reduced their college costs; “The A List” profiles history major Keith Schuman; and Gina Logue interviews Olympic veteran Dr. Andrew Owusu on the impact of the 2008 Summer Olympics. “MT Record” airs on NewsChannel5+ at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday. Go to mtsunews.com to find which local cable outlet airs it in your area. Contact John Lynch at 615-898-2919 or jlynch@mtsu.edu.

WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES …--Students at MTSU will be able to print their own copies of the Preamble to the United States Constitution from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 17, in celebration of Constitution Day. Officials at the James E. Walker Library will transport their handcrafted replica of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th century printing press from its home on the fourth floor down to the library portico. In case of inclement weather, the press will remain in Room 462 of the library for the event. Passersby may manipulate the device themselves or allow library personnel to help them. Constitution Day 2008 will mark the 221st anniversary of the signing of the nation’s founding document. The distribution of free copies of the Preamble is co-sponsored by the library and the American Democracy Project. For photos of MTSU’s Franklin-era replica printing press, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 before 3 p.m. if possible or gklogue@mtsu.edu.

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 Friday, 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.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?--New MTSU Audio Clips and radio-ready stories are on the Web at www.mtsunews.com, your comprehensive source for MTSU information. Click on “MTSU Audio Clips on the right side of the page, and you will be able to hear Dr. Bill Ford, holder of MTSU’s Weatherford Chair of Finance and former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, offer his perspective on the federal government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Listen to the views of Dr. Robb McDaniel, associate professor of political science, on the presidential candidates and what they need to do to convince the voters. And there’s an audio commentary by Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, on the nature of patriotism. For more information, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.

OUTSTANDING IN THEIR FIELD--MTSU’s School of Agribusiness and Agriscience will hold a field day from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the former Guy James Farm on Hall Hill Pike, east of campus. Dr. Warren Gill, director of the school, says the event will feature the state agriculture department’s enhancement program, hay-wrapping demonstrations and a new planting of warm season perennials, including Switchgrass, Big Bluestem and a wildlife mixture. “We received an ag enhancement grant to study wrapping hay in plastic to improve the product,” Gill says. “If you put hay up wet, it makes for a slightly improved product. Gill adds that newer hay-wrapping techniques now could help farmers save more money and time than conventional methods. This event is free and open to the public, but attendees should contact Dr. Jessica Carter today, Sept. 16, so she can keep a headcount for the ribeye steak meal. Contact Gill at 615-898-2523 or wgill@mtsu.edu.