Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

“Seer’s sage” or sucker’s surprise?

There are thousands of videos on YouTube of people getting high on salvia. But while viewers are entertaining themselves by watching these people become totally loopy, legislators are moving to study salvia and possibly make it illegal in their cities and states. Dr. Doug Winborn, health and human performance, says, “Salvia Divinorum is an herb. It has been used as a method of conversing with a higher power, receiving spiritual insight. The genus name actually translates as ‘seer’s sage.’ Because of some of the psychoactive properties of salvia, it has recently become popular as a mind-altering substance.”

Contact Winborn at 615-898-5110.
jwinborn@mtsu.edu

The wrath of Roth

Philip Roth’s latest novel, “Indignation,” was released last week. It tells the story of a Jewish straight-A student from Newark who flees from his father’s smothering fears for his safety and goes to the Midwest, only to discover that confrontations with authority figures are inevitable there, too. This continues a train of thought in Roth’s work, noticed by Dr. Robb McDaniel, political science, of a running critique of John Locke, the English philosopher who was a major influence on the American founding fathers. He says that Roth’s writings trace “a fundamental instability at the heart of liberalism: our rhetoric to the contrary, freedom of choice undermines the hope for individual autonomy. In other words, a liberal culture is necessarily a tragic culture, since the practical reality of freedom runs afoul of its mythic idealism.”

Contact McDaniel at 615-904-8245,
rmcdanie@mtsu.edu

Beyond the books

The MTSU Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CeSIL) will hold its 2008 open house today, Sept. 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Room 326S of the Keathley University Center. Attendees will learn more about how students can supplement their in-class experiences with valuable co-curricular opportunities. The center is available to help those who want to become involved in student organizations, serve as faculty/staff advisors to student organizations, participate in diversity events, learn more about gender-related issues, or find out more about commuting to campus. The open house also will highlight the launching of a new newsletter, “Get a Life … beyond the books.”

Contact Jennifer Ray at 615-898-5812.
jray@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

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 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.

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 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 on Friday, 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.