Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Dress for distress

The ice dancing event at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver was marked by controversy, but it had nothing to do with the subjective judging. A Russian couple was chastised for dressing up in costumes with dark brown skin tones, leaves and body paint to symbolize what they believed resembled Australian aborigines. Australians expressed outrage, but the couple made only minor changes to their costumes. Was this the skating equivalent of Al Jolson singing “Mammy” in blackface? Dr. Yang Soo Kim, speech and theatre, says, “Interpretation of artistic expression is culture-bound and varies across cultures. Although cultural relativism urges us to understand another party’s behavior in terms of their own cultural context before we jump to hasty generalizations, this applies to both parties. Just as our culture deserves respect, so do other cultures.”

Contact Kim at 615-494-8756.
yskim@mtsu.edu

“Your education is worth what you are worth.”—Anonymous

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale will present “Reforming Education in a Time of Austerity” at 1 p.m. today, March 23, in Room 106 of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. Ragsdale’s talk, which is free and open to the public, is part of the University Honors College’s Martin Lectureship series. “Mike Ragsdale has accomplished educational reform (in Knox County) at a time when budgets are tight,” says Dr. John Vile, dean of the Honors College. “It seemed a natural kind of fit the way education has been in the news.” Ragsdale began serving in August 2002 and began his second term in September 2006. He is president of the County Executives of America, an organization of more than 700 chief elected county officials.

Contact Vile at 615-898-2152.
jvile@mtsu.edu

You’re gonna like the way you look. I guarantee it.

Men’s Wearhouse has created a Prom Reps program in which a customer whose word-of-mouth promotion of the clothing retailer results in 10 tuxedo rentals gets his tuxedo rental for free. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, likes the idea. “Word-of-mouth can be a powerful channel for reaching teenage boys, particularly for a purchase that many of them may have never made before,” says Roy. “In the absence of prior experience, prospective renters are likely to place heavy weight on recommendations for tux rental outlets from people whom they know. … The Prom Reps are typically going to be high school students who may be thrilled if they are spared the outlay for tux rental. If one of my sons was attending prom this year, I would strongly encourage him to go to work for Men’s Wearhouse—at least for prom season!”

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

TR EXTRA

JAM FOR LIFE--The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at MTSU will host its first Alpha Jam from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, on the lawn in front of the Tom H. Jackson Building to promote mental health awareness and combat suicide rates in the area. “On Sept. 9, 2009, the Eta Nu chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity lost a beloved brother due to suicide,” says Edgard Izaguirre, the chapter’s public relations officer. “Since that moment, the active brothers have worked to honor him.” Tickets are $5 each, which includes a concert, food, inflatables, a rock wall and more. Izaguirre says all proceeds will go directly to “To Write Love on Her Arms,” which is described on its Web site (www.twloha.com) as “a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.” This event is free and open to the public. Media welcomed. Contact Izaguirre at 786-863-3334 or eizag001@gmail.com.

STIMULATING CONVERSATION--The official in charge of monitoring how federal stimulus legislation funds are spent by county governments is slated to speak at MTSU on tomorrow, March 24. Jerry Durham, Comptroller of the Treasury, Division of County Audit (Tennessee), will talk and answer questions from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Room 121 of the Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building. This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by MTSU’s Urban Studies Program and the Department of Political Science. For more information, contact Dr. Sekou Franklin at 615-904-8232 or franklin@mtsu.edu.

GOING TO SEE THE CANDIDATES ORATE--MTSU, in cooperation with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, will play host to a gubernatorial forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in Murphy Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Free tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, starting with MTSU students, followed by faculty, staff and the general public. MTSU students with valid IDs may pick up tickets now. All other university personnel and the general public may pick up tickets beginning Monday, April 5. Tickets should be picked up in advance at the MTSU Ticket Office, located at Gate 1A at Floyd Stadium on Faulkinberry Drive. For all ticket and general information, call the MTSU Ticket Office at 1-888-YES-MTSU (1-888-937-6878).

“STRENGTHEN THE FEMALE MIND BY ENLARGING IT, AND THERE WILL BE AN END TO BLIND OBEDIENCE.”—MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT--The Women’s Studies Program will observe MTSU Scholars Week, March 22-26, with presentations around the theme of “Celebrating Women as Scholars.” Dr. Newtona “Tina” Johnson, director of the Women’s Studies Program and English professor, says, “Women often have a higher visibility for their service in the Academy than they do for their scholarship. This is the first time women scholars will be highlighted during Scholars Week.” All “Celebrating Women as Scholars” events are free and open to the public. Contact Johnson at 615-898-5910 or womenstu@mtsu.edu.

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BOOK--Books, tapes, compact discs and more will be available at terrific prices at the annual American Association of University Women Book Sale from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 29-30, on the first floor of MTSU’s Keathley University Center. All proceeds benefit the Ruth Houston Memorial Scholarship Fund for MTSU students. Donations can still be made at the James E. Walker Library on campus by 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, March 24th so they can be priced and categorized in time for the sale. For more information, contact Dr. Carol Anne Baily at 615-898-5989 or cabaily@mtsu.edu.

A STITCH IN TIME IS QUITE SUBLIME.--Stand back from the framed work on the wall and you’re looking at a tiger, an elephant or a goddess. Move closer and you’re looking at thousands and thousands of intricately woven stitches, grouped distinctively, yet blending into each other through meticulous selection of colors. This is the magic of cross stitching. Jaye Kiblinger’s exhibition, “Cross Stitch as an Art Form,” is on display through Monday, April 5, in the rotunda of Murfreesboro City Hall, 111 W. Vine St. The exhibition of nearly 50 items and the reception are free and open to the public. Kiblinger, an executive aide in the MTSU Department of Business Communication and Entrepreneurship at MTSU, says, “Most of my creations now take well over a year to complete, which is just fine with me. … Cross stitch is now part of my DNA—who I am.” For more information, go to http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/ and click on “Art in the Rotunda” under “Events.”

BOUND BY BOOKS--What better place to display new and innovative books than the James E. Walker Library? The MTSU facility is providing a showcase for student-created books sure to spark conversation and ignite the imagination now through Thursday, April 1, in the Special Collections area on the fourth floor. This is the second annual juried show featuring the work of MTSU’s Book Arts students. The Department of Art’s Book Arts Program offers classes in which students learn bookbinding techniques using both traditional and nontraditional forms and materials. Student works on display in Special Collections reflect individual creativity in expressing tributes to family or personal or humorous stories. Materials used include graphite, ribbon, rice paper, string, linen, cardstock, acetate, canvas, India ink, lithographs and leaves. The Special Collections area is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call 615-904-8501. For photos of the student art, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@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.