Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Play smart!

The Center for Physical Activity & Health in Youth at MTSU will present “Play Symposium III: Diversity, Children’s Physical Activity and Play” from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business and Aerospace Building. This workshop, which is free and open to the public, is designed for student teachers, homeschool educators, public school educators and parents who want to enhance their children’s learning through physical activity and play. Dr. Kathy Burriss, elementary and special education, says, “The value of play and physical activity, no matter a child’s physical limitations, is invaluable, but one that is often overlooked. Our symposium will help participants connect physical activity with learning that is fun but also intellectually beneficial in ways that most don’t think about.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2323.
kburriss@mtsu.edu

Down for the count

On Thursday, April 1, workers for the U.S. Census Bureau will fan out across the country and track down people who have not mailed back their 2010 Census forms. Dr. Jason Reineke, associate director of the MTSU Poll, says, “Since the Census is presented as a ‘true’ head count of everyone in the country for the purposes of apportionment of House seats and allocation of public funds, the less-than-perfect response rate is troubling. This is especially true in terms of the particular types of individuals (lower-income, those who are homeless or move frequently, recent immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities) who tend to be missed disproportionately in the head count. Also, an actual head count takes a relatively long time, meaning that some people will move, etc.”

Contact Reineke at 615-494-7746.
jreineke@mtsu.edu

The Kit Kat Club

Greenpeace’s latest target is Nestle, which purchases palm oil for its Kit Kat bars from a supplier that allegedly endangers the rainforests and the orangutans who live there. The war is being waged on the Internet, where a video depicting someone unknowingly eating an orangutan finger out of a Kit Kat package has been downloaded more than 160,000 times. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says some are calling the backlash a “brand hijacking,” but that is totally wrong. “Social media give the public a channel to voice their opinion, both positive and negative,” says Roy. “For marketers, social media is a channel for listening as well as talking. It is important for businesses to allow customers and others to voice their concerns. Practicing extreme brand control a la Tiger Woods is history. Consumers own your brand—get used to it. Give them a voice—then listen to it.”

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

TR EXTRA

CHEERS, CHEERS FOR OLD NOTRE DAME!--Former Notre Dame football player Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the inspiration for the 1993 motion picture “Rudy,” will present a “Leadership Speaks” address at 7 p.m. today, March 30, in the Tennessee Room of MTSU’s James Union Building. The third of 14 children in a Joliet, Ill., family, Ruettiger struggled with dyslexia throughout childhood, but the condition was not diagnosed until he entered Holy Cross Junior College in South Bend, Ind. The school was across the street from the University of Notre Dame, which fueled Ruettiger’s desire to transfer and to make the Fighting Irish football team. Since Notre Dame Head Coach Ara Parseghian welcomed walk-ons, Ruettiger tried out and made the practice squad, despite being only 5’6” and 165 pounds. His unflagging hustle and determination earned him the respect of his teammates. Call the Office of Leadership and Service at 615-898-5812.

NOAH’S ARK--Rebecca Carter, dissertation fellow and instructor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, will present “The Blessed Placemakers: Urban Violence, Religious Transformation, and Human Security in Post-Katrina New Orleans” at 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 2, in the Glassroom of Andrew L. Todd Hall. This event, sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Anthropology Society, is free and open to the public. Carter will deliver an informal talk on the grassroots formation of diverse religious movements in Orleans Parish and their influence in post-disaster urban redevelopment and reform. Case studies of religious communities include a Catholic “peace prayer” group; an Episcopal social justice ministry for victims of violence; an inner city Baptist church leading anti-violence and grief recovery ministries; and practitioners of Haitian Vodou conducting “crime ceremonies” for community healing. Contact the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at 615-898-2508.

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).

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. today, March 30, on the first floor of MTSU’s Keathley University Center. All proceeds benefit the Ruth Houston Memorial Scholarship Fund for MTSU students. For more information, contact Dr. Carol Ann 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.