Monday, Feb. 1, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Yoo-hoo, Television Hall of Fame!

Filmmaker Aviva Kempner unveiled the DVD edition of a television classic, “The Goldbergs,” yesterday in Los Angeles. Kempner’s recent documentary, “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg,” explains how writer/actress/producer Gertrude Berg could get such an unapologetically ethnic program on the air in the 1950s, when many Jews were being victimized by the McCarthy Era. Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, says, “America of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s was not so much different from today except everything was in black and white—and I’m not talking only about TV. So much hate, mistrust and fear! And in the early days of TV (i.e., before “Leave it to Beaver” and “Ozzie and Harriet”), programming came out of New York City—land of the Jews, blacks and liberals.”

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

Tea time

The Association of Faculty and Administrative Women (AFAW) and the June Anderson Women’s Center will honor MTSU Associate Athletic Director Diane Turnham with the 2010 King-Hampton Award at a high tea from 3-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Hazlewood Dining Room of the James Union Building. The award, which was established in 1990, is named for Miss Jeannette Moore King, a member of the first Middle Tennessee Normal School faculty, and Miss Martha Hampton, the first woman administrator at MTSU. The award is presented to an individual from the MTSU community who has made an outstanding contribution to improve the status and equality of women on the campus. The cost for the reception is $7.00 for members of AFAW and $9.00 for non-members. Please register by Friday, Feb. 5.

For more information, contact Christy Groves at cgroves@mtsu.edu.

State of the statehood

Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, said Thursday that a bloc of Arab countries has begun talks for submitting a draft resolution on the demarcation of future Palestinian statehood to the United Nations Security Council. Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians have been stalled for more than a year. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas halted negotiations after Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in Dec. 2008. Dr. Karen Petersen, political science, will address the issues in the first University Honors College lecture of the spring semester, “Problem Solved? The Political Implications of Palestinian Statehood,” at 3 p.m. today, Feb. 1, in Room 106 of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. The theme of the spring lectures is “Global Tensions: A Focus on the Middle East.” All Honors lectures are free and open to the public.

Contact the University Honors College at 615-898-2152.

TR EXTRA

APPLAUSE FOR THE PLEAS AWARD--Dr. Dwight E. Patterson, associate professor of chemistry at MTSU, has been named as the 2010 winner of the John Pleas Faculty Recognition Award as part of the university community’s celebration of Black History Month. A reception in honor of Patterson will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Tom Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall on the MTSU campus. Presented since 1996, the Pleas honor is given to a minority faculty member who has made significant contributions to the university and community. He or she must have excelled in research, instruction, publications and/or service to the university. The recipient also must have demonstrated a commitment to MTSU’s African-American students. Contact Dr. Adonijah Bakari, director of African-American Studies, at 615-898-2536 or abakari@mtsu.edu.

IN UNITY, THERE IS STRENGTH.--The annual Unity Luncheon, a traditional kickoff event for MTSU’s celebration of Black History Month, will be held Wed., Feb. 3, starting at 11 a.m. in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for MTSU students with university ID. The Unity Luncheon recognizes black citizens who have contributed their time and talent for the enrichment and welfare of the entire community and the state of Tennessee. This year’s honorees are Mary McKnight Wade, the first African-American woman to be elected to the Murfreesboro City School Board; Nora L. Clark Waters, a foster parent and member of the Rutherford County Foster Care Association for more than 20 years; and Eugene Ray, Bedford County Mayor. Contact Brenda Wunder at 615-898-2591 for tickets or information or bwunder@mtsu.edu.

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS.--“Ramblings and Dwellings,” a joint exhibit of work by husband-and-wife artists Ken and Libby Rowe, is on display in MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery now through Tuesday, Feb. 9. An award-winning figurative sculptor, Ken’s “Ramblings” feature small-scale ceramic sculptures with a narrative bend and a whimsical nature. “His sculptures rely on a strong sense of humor and are often viewed as sardonic and quirky,” says Eric Snyder, gallery curator. In “Dwellings,” Libby’s current photographic work, she explores the emotional state of dwelling through the construction and photographing of small sculptural houses. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Todd Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free. Call Snyder at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.

HOME IS WHERE THE VOLUNTEERS ARE.--MTSU students are building a second Habitat for Humanity home for a Rutherford County resident. Building dates will include Wednesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays. There will be two shifts per day—in the morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon and in the afternoon from noon until 4 p.m. The home dedication is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 25. The Office of Leadership and Service is rounding up volunteers from student organizations for this humanitarian effort. The future resident’s family also will be helping to build their home, and Central Middle School and Jason’s Deli are pitching in. Media welcomed. Good photo opportunities throughout the construction process. For more information, contact Jackie Victory at 615-898-5812 or mtleader@mtsu.edu.