Tuesday, February 3, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

“Celluloid heroes never really die.”—Ray Davies

Two MTSU students who are semifinalists in the second annual “Oscar Correspondent Contest” will discuss their video entry and their aspirations in the television business at 8 a.m. this Sunday, Feb. 7, on “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org). Nicki DeCroce, a junior journalism major from Nashville, and Tony Holt, a senior electronic media production major from Maryville, combine for one of ten teams hoping to win a chance to interview the stars on the red carpet at the 82nd annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 7, in Los Angeles. The video DeCroce and Holt made can be viewed at http://oscars.mtvu.com. Visitors to the Web site may vote for their favorite teams once each day through the deadline of Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

Doesn’t anybody care about the Colts and the Saints?

Here we go again—the people who tune in to the Super Bowl only for the commercials, post-game ratings of the worst and the best ads, yada, yada, yada. It’s as predictable as the pre-game hype about the actual game. But Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says Pepsi and Federal Express, two longtime Super Bowl advertisers, have decided not to plug their products during this Sunday’s NFL orgy. Roy says, “The Super Bowl is a marquee event, but in today’s highly connected world, there are many options for reaching and engaging audiences. The decisions by Pepsi and FedEx in no way suggest that marketing through sports is losing its power or appeal. These companies have audiences to reach beyond what the Super Bowl can deliver.”

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@mtsu.edu

Maybe Olivia should sell her ultrasounds to NFL Films.

If the New Orleans Saints are successful in this Sunday’s Super Bowl, former Saints quarterback Archie Manning can only wonder what might have been if he had been surrounded with better talent in his playing days (former All-Pro wide receiver Danny Abramowicz notwithstanding). But if the Indianapolis Colts win, Manning can cherish his son Peyton’s second successful quest for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Put that together with brother Eli’s win with the New York Giants two years ago, and the Mannings can lay claim to a family dynasty. Dr. Mark Anshel, health and human performance, says, “It is likely that … former elite athlete parents have taught good mental skills to their child athletes. These include what to think about and what to ignore, how to anticipate the moves of opponents, ways to build confidence, and, of course, how to perform important skills.”

Contact Anshel at 615-898-2812.
manshel@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

THE COLOR OF MONEY—Earl Graves Sr., founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, will speak at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, in the Tennessee Room of MTSU’s James Union Building. Graves is a nationally recognized authority on black business development. He also has served as a director of Aetna, DaimlerChrysler, Federated Department Stores and American Airlines. Graves’ appearance is in celebration of Black History Month at MTSU, which is based on the theme of “The History of Black Economic Empowerment.” This event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Black History Month Committee, the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence, the Distinguished Lecture Fund, the School of Journalism, and the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs. Contact Vincent Windrow at 615-898-2831 or vwindrow@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.

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 today, 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.