Monday, September 14, 2009

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Down on the farm

MTSU’s School of Agribusiness and Agriscience is hosting a field day starting at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, on the new Agricultural Laboratory Farm at 3301 Guy James Road. “The primary focus this year will be on home gardens and innovative nursery ideas, but there will also be updates on haylage production and use by beef cattle,” says Dr. Warren Gill, director for the school. Other topics will be presented, including a report on the Switchgrass, Bluestem, Indiangrass and wildlife plots being done in partnership with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Extension Service. Students will present displays, guide tours and be involved in every aspect of the program. Dr. Jessica Carter, associate professor, will conduct a live animal demonstration with cattle from the MTSU angus herd. The event is free and open to the public.

Contact Gill at 615-898-2404.
wgill@mtsu.edu

A non-spending spree

Can consumer spending be the key to an economic recovery? It doesn’t seem likely, according to the latest edition of Midstate Economic Indicators from MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center. The report states, “Midstate households offer little evidence that consumer spending will lead the way to recovery as household spending continued to plummet in the second quarter. Taxable sales plunged 3.8 percent in the Nashville MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) and 3.3 percent in the midstate area, offering no evidence at all that consumers are beginning to spend again. The cash-for-clunkers incentive will show some impact on July and August sales tax collections, but the effect will very likely be temporary. It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which consumer spending leads the midstate to recovery in the absence of job growth.”

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

Rep Your Roots

MTSU’s Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs (IDA) and the Student Government Association (SGA) will distribute free T-shirts today, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Keathley University Center in anticipation of “Rep Your Roots Day,” tomorrow, Sept. 15. “Rep Your Roots Day” kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month. Vincent Windrow, director of IDA, says, “This initiative is aimed at celebrating the pluralistic make-up of our student and faculty/staff population by encouraging (them) to wear t-shirts that reflect … their nationality, hometown or any aspect of their heritage. Students and faculty/staff are encouraged to wear clothing reflecting their heritage, which can include shirts depicting flags, slogans, colors and shapes of continents, countries and states.”

Contact Windrow at 615-898-5812.
vwindrow@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

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. 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.

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. today, 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.

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. tonight, 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 today, 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.

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.