Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Underwater and upside down

Tennessee saw a large increase in mortgages past due and new foreclosures in the first quarter of 2009. However, researchers at MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) point out that the state continues to compare well with the nation as a whole. “Mortgages past due as a percentage of all mortgages rose more than one percentage point, from 9.08 to 10.15 in the first quarter, the largest increase since 1988,” according to Tennessee Housing Market, a BERC publication. “The current inventory of foreclosed homes rose to 1.95 percent of mortgages, the highest figure for at least the past 30 years. Still, Tennessee foreclosures remain well behind the United States, with new foreclosures started in the quarter at 1.33 percent and an inventory of 3.79 percent of all mortgages in foreclosure at the end of the quarter.”

Contact the Business and Economic Research Center at 615-898-2610.

When you yearn to learn

MTSU professors, past and present, will serve as some of the tour guides for the 19th annual “Adventures in Learning,” an interesting educational experience for persons age 50 and older, on four successive Mondays, Sept. 14, 21, and 28, and Oct. 5, at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro. Topics to be explored include recreation, literature, country music, genealogy, technology, ethnicity and history. Classes will last from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:45-11:45 a.m. “Adventures in Learning” is made possible by a local interfaith coalition. The cost for all four weeks is $8 in advance or $10 after Sept. 2. Lunch reservations and payments must be made in advance of the classes. Lunch will be catered by Carolyn’s Creations, followed by forums on various items of civic interest.

Contact Mary Belle Ginanni at 615-895-6072.

Hello, sports fans!

MTSU athletic department officials signed a one-year formal agreement Aug. 12 with 100,000-watt WMOT-FM (89.5), making the campus radio station the originating outlet for Blue Raider football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. Highlights of the agreement include broadcast of all 12 regular season football games and airing of “The Rick Stockstill Show;” broadcast of all men’s basketball games and airing of “The Kermit Davis Show;” broadcast of all women’s basketball games and airing of “The Rick Insell Show;” and broadcast of all 18 baseball games. Director of Athletics Chris Massaro says, “This strengthens the campus relationship. It’ll be great for our athletic program, having more games on the 100,000-watt station, where everybody in middle Tennessee can pick it up.”

Contact Randy Weiler in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5616.
jweiler@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

SOLID AS A ROCK BLOK—Registration is open now for this fall’s Rock Blok workshop at MTSU. Young musicians ages 10-17 can learn music, make friends and form a band at the workshop, which is slated to begin September 5th. “When a student signs up, he or she is assigned to a band with other students,” says Ryan York, executive leader of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH!) and workshop leader. “Each band has two professional musicians as volunteer teachers. The students then spend two hours each Saturday learning music, working up a set list, making merchandise for their band, recording an album and writing music.” At the conclusion of the workshop, the bands will perform in concert. The fee is $40 a month ($120 total). For more information, go to www.YEAHintheBoro.org, send an e-mail to info@YEAHintheBoro.org, or call 615-849-8140.

PRESSING ON--The legacy of MTSU’s working replica of an 18th century printing press will be explained through photos and prints as part of an exhibit at the main branch of the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St., through Sept. 27. The exhibit is titled “Telling the Story: Letterpress Printing and Community.” The university’s segment will include the story of letterpress printing at MTSU. The works of current MTSU art students; alumni; visiting artists; faculty; elementary, middle- and high-school teachers and students who printed on the James E. Walker Library’s unique device will be highlighted. A reproduction of the English common press used by Benjamin Franklin in the early 1700s, the printing press was handcrafted in 2004 and 2005 out of chestnut and white oak wood from a 100-year-old house in Virginia. Contact Kristen Keene at 615-898-5376 or kkeene@mtsu.edu.

FOOTBALL FESTIVITIES--The MTSU Rutherford County Alumni Chapter’s annual Pigskin Pre-Game will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, to kickoff the football season. The event will be held at Marymont Mansion in Marymont Springs, 1140 Rucker Lane in Murfreesboro. “Last year, almost 500 people attended Pigskin and we were able to raise almost $10,000 toward the scholarship fund,” says Paul Wydra, assistant director in the Office of Alumni Relations. Tickets for the event, which will run from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., will be $35. Attendees must pre-pay and reply by Wednesday, Aug. 26, to secure their tickets. The ticket price includes food, entertainment by Danny Lowe, beverages, door prizes and more. On-site parking will be available. Call 1-800-533-6878 for more information.