Thursday, April 22, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Bridging the Gulf

The Arab Gulf States: Beyond Oil and Islam, a new book dispelling several misconceptions about six countries in the Middle East, is the subject of “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue at 8 a.m. this Sunday, April 25, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org). Dr. Sean Foley, assistant professor of history at MTSU, is the book’s author. He posits that the six nations—Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—are more culturally and economically diverse and tolerant than the West thinks they are. Foley believes a societal sea change is taking place due to technological advances in communication and the emerging role of women, among other factors. To hear last week’s program on the history of the anti-death penalty movement in Tennessee, go to http://frank.mtsu.edu/~proffice/podcast2010.html and click on “April 18, 2010.”

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

Thoughts, words and deeds

Dr. Jerrold Post, a George Washington University political psychology professor who spent 21 years with the CIA, says free speech helps alleviate tensions and trying to suppress it could have dire consequences for national security. However, with the Southern Poverty Law Center chronicling a rise in the number of militias and hate groups, where should the lines be drawn? Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, says, “When, for example, Republican Party leader Michael Steele says Nancy Pelosi should be put on the ‘firing line,’ the potential for violence certainly increases. Steele may have said he was only speaking metaphorically, but leaders on both sides need to be aware of not only how their words are intended, but also how they might be interpreted. Because political speech can, and often is, caustic and inexact, it is in much more need of protection than popular or majority viewpoints.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

Living large

Last fall, Lincoln University proposed and later abandoned a plan to require all students with a body mass index of 30 or above to pass a fitness class in order to graduate. Dr. Mark Anshel, health and human performance, agrees that dumping the requirement was a good idea. He says, “There are many factors that explain obesity, some of which are not controllable by the obese individual. Examples include heredity, slow metabolism, food allergies and eating disorders. The latter requires counseling. I am a strong advocate for improving healthy habits and improving community health. The proliferation of obesity will result in exorbitant health care costs and reduced quality of life. But to restrict a student’s education based on current body weight, including obesity, ignores the underlying causes of the problem.”

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

TR EXTRA

CONCERTED CARE--The Rho Omicron chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi will host the “Rock Out Arthritis” band benefit at 1 p.m. in MTSU’s Walnut Grove this Saturday, April 24, to raise awareness and proceeds for the Arthritis Foundation. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit will headline along with AutoVaughn. Other acts slated to perform include The Last Straw, Static Revival, Incredible Heat Machine, Boroughs, The Only Sons, Oblio, Details Details and special DJ duo Stress. Tickets are $10 and will be sold on site or may be purchased in advance. There will be a raffle to win the chance to meet Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit as well as various gift certificates. Live art and Bad Bob’s championship barbeque will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and pets. The event will take place regardless of weather conditions, and multiple tents will be set up for coverage. Send advance ticket requests to rockoutaoii@gmail.com.

SHEAR GENIUS--The 2010 Tennessee Sheep Shearing School, which will be held April 30 and May 1 at the Tennessee Livestock Center, 1720 Greenland Dr., in Murfreesboro, is still taking applications for participants. Headline instructor for the school is Bill O’Conner, who will offer his refined technique to any student with some sheep-handling experience. Assisting O’Conner will be Mark Powell of the Wilson Farmers’ Co-op and Dr. Warren Gill, chair of the MTSU Department of Agribusiness and Agriscience. The sheep-shearing school is limited to the first 20 applicants who pay the $50 registration fee. The Tennessee Sheep Producers Association encourages participation by senior 4-H (high school) members, and scholarship assistance is available. Contact Gill at 615-898-2523 or wgill@mtsu.edu.

“THE CLOSEST TO PERFECTION A PERSON EVER COMES IS WHEN HE FILLS OUT AN APPLICATION FORM.”—STANLEY J. RANDALL--Members of the University Writing Center staff will offer a one-day, writing-focused event, including a free resume workshop, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in Room 325 of MTSU’s Peck Hall. Organizers of the free and open event say the tutorial will be especially beneficial to those in the local community who may have been affected by the poor economy and are in need of one-on-one assistance with resumes, cover letters or curriculum-vita development, as well as help with college and scholarship applications or assistance completing materials related to job hunting or returning to schools. In addition, the event will feature an hourlong workshop, “Keeping Your Resume Out of the Trash and Your Name in the Loop,” by Nancy Stubblefield, a coordinator with MTSU’s Career Development Center, beginning at 10 a.m. Call the center at 615-904-8237 or uwc.career@gmail.com.

ON THE GROW--MTSU students who take the ABAS 3600 course (“Horticulture in Our Lives”) will conduct their annual plant sale at the Horticulture Center located on Blue Raider Drive across from the Tennessee Livestock Center. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-23 and April 29-30. The students raised the plants themselves. Funds are used for scholarships. The plants available for purchase include bedding plants, tomatoes, peppers, okra, squash, cucumbers, petunias, salvia, snapdragons, wax leaf begonias, dragon wing begonias, zinnias, geraniums, impatiens, double impatiens, million bells, million golds, periwinkle, Dusty Miller, celosia, coleus, and much, much more. Geraniums are $3 for each six-inch pot. All hanging baskets and flats are $12. Contact the College of Agribusiness and Agriscience at 615-898-2523.

LULLABY AND GOOD NIGHT--In March 2006, Jaz’s Jammies was created to collect new pajamas for sick children in hospitals to help them feel appreciated and loved while staying extended periods of time. Jaz’s Jammies has collected nearly 3,000 pairs of pajamas. Originally, it was the Girl Scout project of MTSU student Jasmine Gray, a young woman who had experienced dozens of surgeries for a facial disorder and had spent up to three months in the hospital at a time. You can help Jaz’s Jammies spread love by donating during the 2010 Pajama Drive through April 29. Drop off your children’s PJs at the University Honors College, the John Bragg Mass Communication Building, the Business and Aerospace Building or the second floor of the Keathley University Center. If you’re off-campus, you can set up a drive for your community organization, business or school. For more information, send an e-mail to jazsjammies@yahoo.com.