Friday, September 11, 2009

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Making amendments

A single day isn’t big enough to contain MTSU’s observance of the 222nd anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Free public events are scheduled over three days—Sept. 16-18—as authors, speakers, singer-songwriters and educators team up across campus to celebrate the document created by “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union …” Events kick off Wednesday, Sept. 16, with lectures and a performance by “Freedom Sings,” followed on Thursday, Sept. 17, by panel discussions and more lectures by acclaimed author. The celebration concludes Friday, Sept. 18, with a faculty workshop on “Teaching Democracy” by author Susan Griffin. (To hear an interview with Griffin, tune in to “MTSU On the Record” this Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7 a.m. on WMOT-FM (89.5 or wmot.org).

For a detailed schedule, visit www.mtsu.edu/masscom/events.shtml and click on the Seigenthaler Chair “scheduled events” link. Visit www.mtsu.edu/~amerdem for the American Democracy Project info.

MT on the tube

Tune in to the September edition of “Middle Tennessee Record” for a collection of some of our best stories. They include Dr. Tom Nolan’s use of GPS technology to preserve the record of a Civil War battlefield; new MTSU airplanes equipped with cutting-edge avionics; an MTSU program that helps remove lead hazards; students who learned how to make paper from unwanted plants; and the traffic roundabout on the east side of campus, which is decorated with vintage column sections from a Tennessee architectural landmark. “Middle Tennessee Record” airs on 15 different cable television systems throughout the region. To find out when it airs in your area or to view prior programs, go to www.mtsunews.com and click on “Middle Tennessee Record.”

For more information, contact John Lynch at 615-898-2919.
jlynch@mtsu.edu

Funny, you don’t look a day over 85!

“The Founding of MTSU,” a lecture by Dr. Jan Leone, history professor, will kick off the Fall 2009 Honors Lecture Series at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in Room 106 of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. The theme for this semester’s lectures is “Blue Raider Milestones: Approaching the Centennial.” Each presentation will highlight a different aspect of MTSU history as the university nears its 100th birthday in 2011. Upcoming topics include “Sports at MTSU,” “Military Training on Campus,” “Philip Mankin and the Evolution of Academic Freedom at MTSU,” and “Development of the Women’s Center and Women’s Studies.” All lectures are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the University Honors College at 615-898-2152.

TR EXTRA

THE SHAPES OF THINGS TO COME--MTSU faculty clarinetist and pianist/composer Jackson Henry will premiere Henry’s new work, “Shapes,” during a free concert at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in the Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building. “We are very excited to present (this premiere) by … Henry,” says Todd Waldecker, associate professor of music. “I approached Jackson last year about arranging some gospel tunes for clarinet and piano. Jackson welcomed the challenge and has ingeniously crafted a charming suite of songs from the shape note hymn tradition. The suite contains tunes of faith that are beautiful, haunting and joyful. It’s a welcome addition to the clarinet and piano repertoire.” In addition to “Shapes,” the duo will perform “Romanian Folk Dances” by Bela Bartok, “Arpeggione” by Franz Schubert and “Four Pieces in Bird Shape” by Takashi Yoshimatsu. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the MTSU School of Music at 615-898-2493.

INJECTION FOR PROTECTION--MTSU Health Services will administer seasonal flu vaccine injections to faculty, staff and students. These vaccinations are not for the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as “swine flu.” Seasonal flu vaccinations will be available on Monday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the second floor lounge of the Keathley University Center. Payment may be made by cash or check at this location. The cost is $15 for students and $20 for faculty and staff. No appointment is necessary. Contact Health Services at 615-898-2988.

GETTING TO KNOW US--From 8 p.m.-midnight tonight, Sept. 11, it’s “Dance the Night Away” in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. Contact Randy Weiler in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-2919 or jweiler@mtsu.edu.

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.

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.

ART FROM THE HEART--The Todd Art Gallery at MTSU will present the art department’s 2009 biennial Faculty Art Exhibition through Sept. 17. “This exhibit will feature works of art by faculty members as a way to introduce their work to art majors, the broader campus population and the community,” says Eric Snyder, gallery curator, who adds that the artworks represented will vary in media and styles—from representational, abstract and non-objective to traditional media in a straightforward manner and mixed media with a “twist.” The gallery, which is located in the Todd Building on the MTSU campus, is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each Monday-Friday and is closed on state and university holidays. Admission is always free. Contact Snyder at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.