Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Does Pete Carroll have to give back his salary?

Running back Reggie Bush, now with the NFL Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, has returned his 2005 Heisman Trophy following a recruiting scandal that resulted in NCAA sanctions against his alma mater, the University of Southern California. Dr. Colby Jubenville, coordinator of the master’s degree program in sport management at MTSU, says, “What I think it speaks to is that we, as a group of professionals, still have not fundamentally addressed amateurism, which is the critical issue facing college sports. College presidents must become intentional about redefining this concept, create a compelling vision around it, emotionally tie those involved to it, and finally hold people accountable. Can that process work? Yes! Look no further than the Sun Belt Conference and the Real Sportsmanship Platform that was implemented last year. It can be done. It just takes guts.”

Contact Jubenville at 615-898-2909.
jubenvil@mtsu.edu

Defending democracy is the mother of invention.

While we consumers complain about the high cost of everything, we as a nation haven’t had to endure rationing of consumer goods in a long time. Dr. Jan Leone, history, says during World War II, “The OPA (Office of Price Administration) rationed 20 essential items, including rubber, shoes and butter. Sugar, gasoline and coffee were added as the war continued. Americans also were asked to save and salvage scrap metal, rubber, newspapers, waste fat, aluminum and tin cans, nylon and silk stockings. One pound of bacon grease contained enough glycerin to manufacture a pound of black powder that could be used in bullets. Nylon and silk stockings were made into parachutes and towropes for glider planes. One old shovel contained enough iron to make four hand grenades.”

Contact Leone at 615-898-5580.
jleone@mtsu.edu

Making it happen

A common complaint about the economy is that “America doesn’t make things anymore.” Well, the manufacturing sector gained jobs in Tennessee in the second quarter, according to Tennessee Housing Market, a publication of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center. It states, “The gain in manufacturing jobs has to do with the growth of the manufacturing sector nationally. A widely followed measure of national manufacturing growth, the PMI index, has increased for 12 straight months. The growth has been widespread with 10 of 18 subsectors reporting improved conditions. The rate of expansion has slipped during the past two months, however, as sales begin to slow and the backing of orders is reduced.”

Contact the Business and Economic Research Center at 615-898-2610.

TR EXTRA

IF YOU YEARN TO LEARN—“Adventures in Learning,” the annual mini-school for adults age 50 and above, will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro. The purpose of the event, which is planned by an interfaith coalition, is to provide a program by and for older adults in which they can share knowledge, talents and skills for lifelong learning and personal growth. As usual, retired and active MTSU faculty will play prominent roles in the event. A highlight will be “Mount and Mountain,” a dialogue between Dr. Rami Shapiro, adjunct professor of religious studies and an ordained rabbi, and Dr. Michael A. Smith, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. This class will be based on online conversations Shapiro and Smith conducted about the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. To register, or for more information, contact Mary Belle Ginanni at 615-895-6072.

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS--The University College Advising Center will offer a series of workshops on how to be a successful MTSU student starting at 2:00 p.m. today, Sept. 15, in the Corlew Hall classroom. These one-hour workshops are designed for any student who needs help or wants to learn more about the topic area. Subjects include “How to Get Started at MTSU;” “How to Use Your Time Wisely;” “How to Master Course Material;” “How to Find the Right Career for You;” “How to Use Your Academic Adviser;” “How to Give a Winning Presentation;” and “How to Prepare for Final Exams.” Students who need proof of attendance for class will receive it. For more information, contact the University College Advising Center at 615-898-2339.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK/A WONDERFUL TOWN—MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery is proud to play host to “New York, September 11” by world-renowned photographic cooperative Magnum Photos through Oct. 18. This stunning exhibition of 39 rare photographs began touring the nation five years after the terrorist attacks on the United States. These pictures capture images as they happened—many from an intimate, street-level perspective. Also included are beautiful photos of the World Trade Center twin towers before their fall. The Baldwin Gallery is in the McWherter Learning Resources Center. Exhibitions are free and open to the public. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 12-4 p.m.