No summer reruns Inside this edition: Keep kids learning with Dr. Glenn heads home to Alabama, page 2 forensics, sports camps National title spurs equestrians, page 6 see page 3 Aerospace workshop marks 50 years, page 7 Makiing a diifffference,, page 8

a publication for the Middle Tennessee State University community June 2, 2008 • Vol. 16/No. 23

Budget creates challenges, opportunities Please don’t

$400 bonus still planned for October felt that a 5 percent review would be sufficient as a start. I am especially pleased that each department and division head has grasped our serious fiscal situation and from Dr. Sidney A. McPhee understood and responded to this enormous challenge. Each has proposed meaningful cuts and reductions, many his communication is to update you on our pro- of which will have a significant impact on university pro- posed budget reduction plans to address the man- grams and activities. I want to assure you that our com- T dated cuts in university appropriations for the 2008- mitment is to protect, as much as possible under these cir- to see prof’s 09 fiscal year. cumstances, our core mission, which is academics and As you may have read, our state appropriation base instructional activities. funding is being cut by $6.156 million, As we review proposed budget reductions, we will which is 6.1 percent of our 2007-08 state first identify cuts in central campus administration budg- newest film appropriation. While we already had ets and pool accounts. This strategy will help us lessen the some concerns since little or no new state reductions in the academic areas of the university. As the by Gina K. Logue funds had been included in the state’s academic budget represents more than 76 percent of our original proposed budget, this reduction base education and general budget, reductions in this area will create even greater challenges for us unfortunately will be necessary in order for us to accom- or the second consecutive in the upcoming fiscal year. plish the mandated 6.1 percent cuts. Every effort will be year, the Cannes Film To meet this budget reduction, each made to hold the academic-area cuts to a minimum. F Festival, one of the most department, college and division has In addition, we will begin to consider other possible prestigious events of its kind in the world, has accepted an inde- been asked to offer recommendations on McPhee courses of action, including outsourcing of some opera- ways they could cut 5 percent from their tions and services, to reduce costs or increase revenues to pendent film produced by MTSU current base budget. You may ask why only 5 percent, help with our budget needs. As this budget situation may students and faculty. when our state appropriation is being reduced by 6.1 per- very well be a problem again next fiscal year, we will need The movie, “Wait…,” an emo- cent? The reason is that base-operating budgets also to adopt new business practices and evaluate the level of tionally powerful examination of include other funds, i.e., tuition, fees and other revenues, an American’s reaction to the that provide funding above the state appropriation. We See ‘Budget’ page 5 news that his son has died in Iraq, also has been accepted by Digifest in Florence, Italy, and is under consideration by nearly 40 other Moonbuggy teams take national honors festivals around the globe. Ironically, Dr. Bob Pondillo, professor of electronic media com- NASA commends munication and the screenwriter and director of “Wait …,” says he design as only one suspects the anti-war sentiment expressed in the film might have had a role in its rejection by at fit to take to moon least one film festival. The Cinema Society of San Diego, a city with from Staff Reports an economy heavily dependent upon seven military bases in the he MTSU Moonbuggy Teams area, turned down “Wait …” with- won four prestigious awards out giving Pondillo a reason. and were finalists for a fifth at “I would be saddened if our T movie was banned for some overt the 15th Annual Great Moonbuggy Race at the U.S. Space & Rocket political reason,” Pondillo says. Center in Huntsville, Ala., sponsored “San Diegans should have the by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight right to see the film and make up Center. their own minds.” The Great Moonbuggy Race is HIGH ROLLERS—The MTSU Moonbuggy Teams celebrate their recent success. From The short film was shot in one inspired by the original lunar rover left are Patricia Jones, Scarlett Lanning, Greg Russell, team leaders Johnny Guidry and dreary, rainy day in November engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Jennifer Russell, Juan Gomez, Michael Paris, Michael McGoldrick, alumnus Souriya 2007 at a student’s rented Sinpraseuth, adviser Dr. Saeed Foroudastan and Katie Sampuda. Center, whose creation journeyed Murfreesboro house, which had been revamped to look like a across the moon during the last three photo submitted Apollo missions in the early 1970s. disheveled Chicagoan’s lower- The vehicles that enter this race are middle-class home. Pondillo human-powered and based on the could be transported to the moon and Moonbuggy project face challenges tapped his friend David Lawrence original Lunar Roving Vehicle design: also carry astronauts on the lunar sur- similar to those experienced by the to play the lone role in the film. a compact, lightweight, flexible and face. durable “all-terrain vehicle” that Students participating in the See ‘Teams’ page 5 See ‘Wait’ page 5

IN BRIEF sions—June 2-July 3 and July 7- food, booking hotel rooms, August 8. Students will learn the describing their daily lives, Arabic script/alphabet, common understanding and giving direc- NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION UP TO MODERN STANDARDS useful vocabulary and basic tions, etc. For more information, U.S. POSTAGE PAID This summer, MTSU will grammatical structures. At the contact Kari Sue Neely, assistant MURFREESBORO TN offer courses in Modern end of the sequence, students professor of foreign languages, at PERMIT NO. 169 Standard Arabic from 10:10 a.m. will be equipped with basic sur- [email protected]. www.mtsunews.com to 12:30 p.m. Monday through vival skills such as ordering Thursday in two separate ses- MTSU’s Glenn to take reins of Athens State Aug. 1

be able to assume this opportunity for service if it ment of that growth, the needs of the students from Staff Reports had not been for the influence and help of Dr. remained priority No. 1, and the quality of our pro- McPhee, my fellow vice presidents, the great deans grams and integrity of the university’s mission TSU’s Dr. Robert “Bob” Glenn will of the colleges and all of the other exceptional peo- were never compromised. Dr. Glenn helped devel- become the next president of Athens State ple who serve the students here. It has been an op a culture of involvement at MTSU that has M University after the chancellor of honor to work with these great professionals, and I enabled students to excel in the classroom and Alabama’s two-year college system recommended can only hope that I can pay forward all they have become engaged in the community, resulting in a his appointment to the Alabama State Board of done for me.” well-rounded educational experience. Many fine Education at its May 22 board meeting. achievements lie ahead for Dr. Glenn, and on Glenn has served MTSU for eight years, ‘I can only hope that I can behalf of the university community, I wish initially as vice president for student affairs. him even greater success.” Two year later, he assumed the additional role pay forward all they have “When enrollment services became a of vice provost for enrollment management. part of student affairs, Dr. Glenn provided “On behalf of the MTSU community, I done for me.’ exemplary leadership in the transition,” would like to congratulate Bob Glenn on his added colleague Sherian Huddleston, associ- new position as president of Athens State Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Glenn, ate vice president for enrollment services. University,” MTSU President Sidney A. outgoing vice president for student affairs “His experience in student development, his McPhee said. “Dr. Glenn is returning to a state careful thought in decision-making and his that is close to his heart and to a school that dedication to serving all students character- has great historical significance for his family. His Glenn explained that his great-grandfather, ize Dr. Glenn.” contributions to MTSU run long and deep. He not Edgar Massilon Glenn, served two years (1902– Glenn received his doctorate, with an emphasis only talked about being involved in student life— 1904) as Athens’ president when the institution was in counselor education, and his Master of Science, he was and is an avid supporter and participant in known as Athens Female College. The elder Glenn with an emphasis in student personnel work, from those activities.” later served on the board of trustees at Athens The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He Glenn’s new role as president of Athens State, State, as well as the boards of trustees for earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from which begins Aug. 1, will see him leading an insti- Birmingham-Southern and Huntingdon colleges. Birmingham-Southern College. tution with an enrollment of about 3,000. “As an administrator, Dr. Glenn led MTSU Athens State University is located in Athens “I have been very fortunate to have the oppor- through a period of tremendous growth,” McPhee and is part of the Alabama Community College tunity to work at MTSU,” Glenn said. “I would not noted. “Through his able leadership and manage- System. Design students’ creativity sews up fashion competition

by Lisa L. Rollins

hree MTSU students were recognized for their creativ- ity in design during the 2008 Fashion Group Interna- T tional in Dallas, a one-day educational event created to mentor and develop tomorrow’s leaders and entrepreneurs in the fashion, beauty and home-environments industries. Dr. Gina R. Pisut, assistant professor in the Department of Human Sciences, said FGI of Dallas Career Day, with a 40- year-tradition, is the longest-running and largest fashion career event of its kind in the . Held in April each year, the educational outreach is presented by the Fashion Group Foundation of Dallas Inc. with support from the Texas Department of Agriculture. In this year’s contest, 12 students majoring in MTSU’s WINNING STYLE—-From left, MTSU students Angela Kenny, Anna Brackin and Catherine Baker stand textiles, merchandising and design program submitted next to two of the three award-winning garments they created. The garments include the first-place design entries in the contest, which is the largest FGI regional event by Kenny, a gray dress made of shop rags, and Baker's floral-print dress made from antique tablecloths. of its kind worldwide. Both were made as part of a sustainable design project in an advanced apparel class at MTSU. Brackin’s “Out of the 12 MTSU students who entered, three winning entry, a denim jacket, was kept by FGI in Dallas to be auctioned. placed,” Pisut noted. “With over 1,000 entries, we feel the students did well this year.” photo submitted The MTSU students who placed or were formally recog- nized at the recent event were Angela Kenny of Mt. Juliet, designed to give students in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for a vari- who placed first in the “Cotton” category and was a finalist in the “Best of ety of careers in the fashion industry, including retailing, visual merchandising, Show” category; Catherine Baker of Franklin, who was a finalist in the promotion, wholesaling or consulting, fashion design or as patternmakers with “Cotton” and “Sportswear/Activewear” categories; and Anna Brackin of apparel manufacturers. Currently, MTSU has more than 200 TXMD majors. Brentwood, who won third place in the Design Industries Foundation Fighting For more information about the MTSU student-created designs, please Aids “Denim Jacket” competition. contact Pisut via e-mail at [email protected]. For more information about the “It has been about four years or more since our students received any FGI Career Day in Dallas, which attracted more than 1,200 participants from 42 (FGI) awards,” Pisut said, adding that both Kenny and Baker’s garments are schools in 10 states in 2007, please visit www.dallascareerday.org. now on display in the Ellington Human Sciences Building at MTSU. The textile, merchandising and design program, or TXMD, at MTSU is

page 2 The Record June 2, 2008 Summer events keep kids learning, healthy Forensics inspires young investigators Campus Rec ready for youth sports

from Staff Reports logy Search and Recovery Team. A from Staff Reports set from 1 to 2 p.m. daily. Each two- professional will direct and coach week session costs $25 per partici- the students as they use math and pant, and swimmers may register ack by popular demand, science to solve the crimes. TSU Campus Recreation for one session or all four. MTSU is serving as host Each student will be trained in kicks off its youth camp And Campus Rec’s Adventure B Wednesday through Friday, the fundamental processes of collect- M season Monday, June 2, to Camp for young people ages 14 to June 11-13, for the second annual ing evidence, including DNA, fin- help keep young people healthy 17 is set for June 23-27 at a cost of CSI: MTSU for students in 10th gerprints, hair and fibers, simulated and fit this summer. $175 per camper. Students will through 12th grades. blood spatter and shoe prints. The Summer Youth Sports learn and develop skills they can CSI: MTSU is a three-day pro- Students also will learn how to Camp, which begins June 2 and use to explore the great outdoors gram designed for stu- process the evidence, con- runs each week through Friday, with an introduction to canoeing, a dents entering the 10th, duct interviews and for- Aug. 1, is for day hike, 11th and 12th grades mulate theories while boys and girls kayaking the in Rutherford and sur- working within a team seven to 13 years Hiwassee River rounding counties. environment. old. It will fea- overnight and The program is co- During the last after- ture a variety of rafting the sponsored by the noon of the camp, each sports, leisure Ocoee River. Forensic Institute for team will make a pres- and fitness activ- Campers are Research and Educa- entation detailing their ities between responsible for tion and MTSU’s College theories of the crime and 7:30 a.m. and their own food, of Continuing Education the conclusions they’ve 5:30 p.m. and a healthy and Distance Learning. reached. A panel of forensic scien- Monday through Friday. Tuition for lunch is recommended. A water The goals of CSI: tists will critique the teams’ conclu- each weekly session is $150 with bottle is a must, organizers say. MTSU are to: sions, and parents are welcome to lunch or $125 if campers bring their Participants may register at the • allow students come to the last camp session. own lunches. Campus Rec office from 7:30 a.m. to entering the 10th, 11th Sessions are set from 8 a.m. to Campers will be assigned to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or and 12th grades to explore unique 4:30 p.m. each day in Rooms S128 groups according to age, and all by mail. Registration is accepted on career possibilities in forensic sci- and S208 of the Business and activities will be coed. Campers can a first-come, first-served basis, and ence; Aerospace Building. Registration is enjoy swimming in the indoor and a $25 nonrefundable deposit for • provide a “real life” reason to $225 per student, which includes outdoor pools, basketball, soccer, each session must accompany the tackle higher-level math and science daily breaks with snacks, lunch, a flag football, racquetball, whiffle registration, but it will be applied to courses; and CSI: MTSU T-shirt and an investiga- ball, kickball, dodgeball and ping the total cost of the camp. Discounts • develop skills in teamwork, tor packet. pong, and they’ll also be offered are available. seeing and understanding details, Participants can register online wellness sessions to learn how and Campers also must have critical thinking and making presen- at www.mtsu.edu/~fire/workshops.htm. why to exercise and how to make received all school-required shots tations. For more information, please healthy choices. before attending the camps; parents The student investigators will be contact Eve Shockley in the College Swim Camp also begins June 2 will need to furnish proof of those presented with a recreation of an of Continuing Education and and runs for four two-week ses- shots as well as family medical actual crime scene. They will be Distance Learning at 615-898-5530 or sions through July 25. The camp, insurance coverage. divided into several teams, and each [email protected]. which aims to help swimmers ages For more details, visit team will be assigned to work with a 8 to 17 improve efficiency and time www.mtsu.edu/~camprec or call 615- member of the Forensic Anthropo- and enjoy the training process, is 898-2104.

Learning the business

GRAND TOUR—Students from Franklin County High School's electronic media and pro- duction class learn more about the MTSU College of Mass Communication during a May 16 visit to campus. At left, MTSU mass comm executive aide Lisa McCann explains recording- studio techniques to Darius Robinson, FCHS faculty member Greg Roberson and Jeramy Meneese as Will Rudder sits at the mixing board. All three students will attend MTSU this fall. In the photo above, Toffer King, assistant director of technical systems in MTSU's electronic media communication department, shows the FCHS students the workings of the new high- definition TV camera, complete with teleprompter screen.

photos by News and Public Affairs

The Record June 2, 2008 page 3 Campus Calendar June 2-15

Please note: June 7 June 10 For information, contact: 615-898-5756. Event dates, times and Saturday, June 7 June 10-11 locations may change. Please Middle Tennessee Arabian Show CUSTOMS Orientation June 13 verify when making plans. Tennessee Livestock Center Liberal arts, education and TV Schedule For information, contact: behavioral science, business June 13-14 270-725-1652. and undeclared majors CUSTOMS Orientation Basic and applied sciences, “Middle Tennessee Record” For information, visit June 8 www.mtsu.edu/~customs. mass communication Cable Channel 9: and undeclared majors Monday-Sunday—7 a.m., 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8 June 10-12 For information, visit NewsChannel 5+: “MTSU On the Record— Blue Raider Baseball Hitting www.mtsu.edu/~customs. Sundays—1:30 p.m. Juvenile Justice: The Activists” Camp June 2 Guest: Dr. Sekou Franklin for boys ages 13 to 12th grade June 14 7 a.m., WMOT 89.5-FM For information, visit June 14-16 June 2-3 Podcast available at www.goblueraiders.com Basketball Team Camp I 4-H State Meats and Livestock www.mtsunews.com. or contact: 615-898-2961. for boys’ high-school teams Judging Contest For information, visit Tennessee Livestock Center For information, contact: 865-974-7294. June Anderson Scholars

June 2-4 MEETING THE CHALLENGE— “Lil Raider” Basketball Camp 2008 June S. Anderson Scholarship for girls age 5 to eighth grade recipients Tiffany R. Johnson, left, a junior political science major, and For information, visit Crystal Allman, right, a junior www.goblueraiders.com majoring in accounting, join Dr. or contact: 615-898-5356. Mary Magada-Ward, president of the June S. Anderson Foundation, during a recent awards luncheon. June 2-5 Johnson and Allman received schol- Blue Raider Football Camp arships presented annually to female nontraditional students at for first- to eighth-grade boys MTSU who have overcome adversi- For information, visit ty and are pursuing careers typical- www.goblueraiders.com ly occupied by males. Anderson taught chemistry at MTSU from or contact: 615-898-2926. 1958 until 1983 and founded an aca- demic support service for women in Monday, June 2 1975, the Concerned Faculty and Summer Session II begins Administrative Women. June 3 photo by J. Intintoli www.goblueraiders.com June 3-4 June 8-10 Tuesday, June 10 or contact: 615-898-5228. CUSTOMS Orientation Blue Raider Baseball Pitcher/ Tornado Siren Test Date Catcher Camp 12:20 p.m., campuswide Basic and applied sciences, June 15 mass communication for boys ages 13 to 12th grade For information, contact: and undeclared majors For information, visit 615-898-2424. www.goblueraiders.com June 15-17 For information, visit Team Basketball Camp II www.mtsu.edu/~customs. or contact: 615-898-2961. June 11 for girls’ middle-school, JV and June 4 June 8-11 June 11-14 varsity high-school teams 4-H Horsemanship Camp Beef Camp For information, visit www.goblueraiders.com June 4-6 Tennessee Miller Coliseum Tennessee Livestock Center or contact: 615-898-5356. Team Basketball Camp I for seventh- through 12th- For information, contact: for girls’ middle-school, JV and grade students 615-898-2523. June 15-18 varsity high-school teams For information, visit www.mtsu.edu/~horsesci/ June 11-15 Tennessee Walking Horse For information, visit Youth Horsemanship Camp www.goblueraiders.com hscshortcourses.htm Blue Raider Youth Tennis Camp I Tennessee Miller Coliseum or contact: 615-898-5356. or contact: 615-898-2832. for athletes ages five to 18 for seventh- through 12th- June 6 Sunday, June 8 For information, visit grade students Blue Raider Football “Mini www.goblueraiders.com For information, visit www.mtsu.edu/~horsesci/ June 6-20 Camp” or contact: 615-898-2957. hscshortcourses.htm Blue Raider Strength and for ninth- to 12th-grade boys June 12 or contact: 615-898-2832. Conditioning Speed School For information, visit www.goblueraiders.com for athletes ages 12 to 18 Thursday, June 12 For information, visit or contact: 615-898-2926. www.goblueraiders.com Retired Faculty/Staff Coffee or contact: 615-904-8196. 9:30 a.m., Foundation House page 4 The Record June 2, 2008 Budget from page 1 Teams from page 1 support that we can continue to pro- Board to consider a buyout program original design team. They develop The MTSU teams also were final- vide for some of our own programs for their campuses. We just do not skills in mathematics, science and ists for the competition’s Best and activities as well as for nonuni- have the funding to implement a buy- engineering through the hands-on Engineering Design Award. versity activities that have traditional- out. application of classroom curricula. The 2007-08 MTSU Moonbuggy ly been on our campus. At a mini- I am extending the budget About 30 college teams from around Teams include team leaders Johnny mum, outside groups and activities restrictions imposed in early May to the world competed in the April 5 Guidry and Jennifer Russell and will be required to pay more for using June 30 to increase year-end funds. event. teammates Juan Gomez, Katie our facilities. These one-time funds will be used to MTSU teams won: Sampuda, Scarlett Lanning, Michael Unfortunately, there will be no provide funding for some essential • the Most Unique Design Paris, Patricia Jones, Greg Russell, salary increases, but the state high-priority budget needs next fiscal Award for their vehicle’s carbon Kelly Fries, Thomas Damron, Tanya Legislature did approve a $400 one- year. Year-end funds have routinely composite frame, which was McLaughlin and Michael time, flat-rate bonus for employees been used to fund some of the follow- declared the only moonbuggy in the McGoldrick. with at least three years of creditable ing year’s needs. This year will be no competition that would be fit for “In addition, a recent MTSU service as of Oct. 1, 2008. The bonus different, except that we need more. actual moon exploration; graduate, Souriya Sinpraseuth, will be included in your October Your continued understanding is • the Safety Award for simulat- returned to assist current students salary payment. most appreciated during this difficult ing the original Lunar Rover’s need and was very influential in this Further, the state’s voluntary buy- financial time. for safety and efficiency; year’s moonbuggy success,” said Dr. out program for state employees does • the Crash and Burn Award, Saeed Foroudastan, who supervised not apply to higher education, and we Dr. Sidney A. McPhee is the presi- which recognizes team members’ the moonbuggy project. “All these are not proposing any similar pro- dent of Middle Tennessee State persistence to complete the race even students worked extremely hard to gram for our campus, even though a University. He may be reached at 615- when a mechanical problem occurs; accomplish this distinguished recog- couple of other Tennessee Board of 898-5825 or [email protected]. and nition for MTSU.” Regents institutions are asking the • the Team Participation Award.

Wait from page 1

Lawrence, a -based actor, portrays John H. Kavazanjian Sr., a father who is informed that his son has died in the war in Iraq. He says he gained a great appreciation for the character once he arrived on the set. “The oddest things will set things off in my memory, and it doesn’t hap- pen until I’m on the set,” Lawrence says. Among the props that put Lawrence in the mood were dated, well-worn furniture, various tidbits of Chicago Cubs paraphernalia, pictures of Jesus and a video playing on the VCR of the son as a playful young boy, eerily reminiscent of the final scene of Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia.” Chatta- noogan Carianne Lance, a May 2007 MTSU graduate who has worked in commercials, music videos, theater and television, was the set designer. “We were on a very low budget, so we had to just go with what we could find,” Lance says. In addition to $1,200 of his own money, Pondillo obtained $500 from the Department of Electronic Media Communication, which has been supportive of all of Pondillo’s screenwriting, directing and producing endeavors. PICTURES OF YOU—Actor David Lawrence, above, ponders a Students and alumni were the backbones of his prior two films, “Would You photo of his character’s son in a scene from “Wait ....” The “son’s” Cry If I Died?” and “My Name is Wallace,” and Pondillo clearly loves sharing portrait, at left, was created by manipulating a photo of Lawrence. the creative process with them. “They do a great job and they’re right on top of things,” Pondillo says. photos from “Wait ...” “They ask the right questions. So I’m very impressed by our group. They’re terrific. I like the fact that I work with all these young people who want to make something amazing.” Justin Stokes, a production assistant from Indianapolis and president of the newly formed MTSU Film Guild, was responsible for making sure the rain on that gloomy shooting day in November 2007 didn’t get into the lights. He wants to work primarily on feature films after he graduates. “My theory on it is that everyone’s interested in film,” Stokes says. “I mean, that’s like everyone’s fantasy, that they’d like to do something with film. It’s just one of those mediums that everyone appreciates. I’ve known people who’ve not always liked music or not always liked to read, but films are just some- thing everyone can enjoy.” At the start of the film, the camera transports the viewer past a pickup truck through a cluttered front yard into a lower-middle-class home. A heating and air conditioning repairman in his 50s reads an official-looking letter while sitting at the kitchen table. Sobbing bitterly, he pours himself a drink. For the next nine minutes or so, the viewer will gain insights into his thoughts until the climactic moment—which is punctuated by a shocking twist. “Wait …” takes a far more serious tone than Pondillo’s last effort, “My Name is Wallace,” a quirky comedy about an emotionally challenged man who went looking for love in a very strange way. “Wallace,” another collaboration with students and alumni, captured 14 awards and honors at film festivals nationwide last year and was promoted at the Cannes festival. In addition to the joy of working with talented, engaging students, Pondillo says knowing that maybe 200 people will ever read his academic papers pales by comparison with the profes- sional satisfaction he gets from stretching his imagination on film. “At least ‘Wait …’ is something that will be seen and will be judged just on its aesthetic nature as well as the story and the acting,” he says. In addition to Lance and Stokes, student and recent-alumni team members included Chrissy Coburn of Pigeon Forge, pro- duction assistant; Jesse Davidson of Nashville, special blood effects; Daniel Henry of Nashville, documentarian/ production assistant; Travis Holmes of Murfreesboro, production assistant; Jonathan Parris of Murfreesboro, special mechanical and com- puter graphic effects; David Poag of Culleoka, cinematographer; Daniel Rowland of Milledgeville, Ga., production sound/sound design; Tyler Sheldon of Knoxville, art direction/production coordination; Jacob Smithson of Woodbury, gaffer/first assistant cinematographer; and Drew Weaver of Cordova, Ala., location manager/ production assistant. Edie Urness-Pondillo provided graphic design and Photoshop services, while journalism profes- GETTING READY—Dr. Bob Pondillo, in the denim shirt, watches actor David Lawrence, seated, sor Ray Wong handled printing and Dr. Robert Wood (recording prepare for a scene in the short film “Wait ...” as production crew members get ready for filming. industry) composed the score. The film, which is slightly over nine minutes long, is Pondillo’s third project using MTSU students To watch the film and for more information on “Wait …,” go and alumni and his second movie with Lawrence, who also starred in “My Name is Wallace.” to www.waitfilm.com.

photo by News and Public Affairs

The Record June 2, 2008 page 5 Professor from page 8

“The GSHS baseline data show that informa- With continuing support from MTSU, SHEP, high-schoolers regarding their health habits and tion about HIV infection is lacking in a number of WHO and CDC, Owusu said he and his colleagues related risk behaviors, making Ghana the first areas for Ghana’s youth ages 13 to 15,” Owusu will return to Ghana in September to expand the country in Africa to have a comprehensive health- noted. “Many of those who are sexually active are surveillance system to cover health-risk behaviors risk behavior monitoring system for youth ages 13 engaging in behaviors that expose them to risk of of youth who are ages 16 to 19. The researcher said to 19. infection.” he expects to oversee the survey of about 5,000 McKee’s 2nd national title spurs equestrian team’s success

by Randy Weiler

ollowing its best year yet in 2007, the MTSU Equestrian Team just completed another outstand- F ing season under Coach Anne Brzezicki. Led by Sarah McKee’s second straight individual national title, MTSU again had a strong presence at the 2008 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif., May 8-11. McKee, who graduated in December 2007 but had qualified to ride in the nationals, earned first-place honors in the Novice division at the IHSA nationals. “It was stellar,” Brzezicki said of McKee’s perform- ance. “She drew a nervous mare. The horse was very tense and fragile. Sarah was able to keep her head together; she knew not to try to do too much too quick. You have to be tactful, and it requires a lot of self-control. Sarah always has been able to keep control in high-stress situations.” McKee, who lives in Gallatin, also won the National Western semifinals in March at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, Brzezicki said. McKee’s 2008 Novice Western title is a level higher than the Intermediate crown she captured ’07, Brzezicki added. AWARD WINNER—MTSU Equestrian Team member Sarah McKee, second from left, celebrates her win in the Novice Western division of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship. Alumni can compete in IHSA national events, and Joining her are, from left, IHSA founder Bob Cacchione; an unidentified WeatherBeeta-Collegiate represen- MTSU graduates Jaclyn Cradduck and Susan Shemwell, tative; McKee’s mother, Mona Hutcherson; Equestrian Team coach Anne Brzezicki; assistant coach Faye both from Murfrees-boro, fared well. Shemwell placed Lynn Coffey; and Luanne Ulrich, American Quarter Horse Association representative. third in Alumni Western while Cradduck finished fourth in Alumni Over Fences Hunter Seat. photo submitted “The season went very well,” Brzezicki said. “Last year was so amazing (with numerous regional and nation- al awards). To try and repeat that is really hard.” McMurtrey, Kim White and Amy Snoderly were Western riding winners or Brzezicki said MTSU riders came away with region championships in all reserve champs. Whitney Herron earned a reserve championship in the Hunt divisions except one. McKee, Crystal Hall, Mattie Shamblin, Matt Seat Intermediate Fences division. MTSU, Miller Coliseum to host 2009 IHSA championship

by Randy Weiler itself.” Brzezicki added that “it’s a great promotion for MTSU and the horse sci- ence program to bring a couple thousand people in to he 2009 IHSA National Championship Show will return to Tennessee see our facilities and program. From the last time we Miller Coliseum and Murfreesboro next April 23-26, MTSU equestrian hosted it, we got several students out of it. We’re still T coach Anne Brzezicki said. hearing from people who came or heard about it.” The 2009 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association nationals will mark the The veteran coach said hosting the national third time in seven years that it has been hosted by MTSU, which also wel- show “gives our students an opportunity to help comed it to Miller Coliseum in both May 2003 and 2004. organize, produce and host a national-level event.” “We do have the best venue in the country to host it,” Brzezicki said. Ohio State University earned the 2008 IHSA “We have fabulous facilities, plus the close proximity to the airport team title. The nationals were held at the Los (Nashville International), hotels, restaurants, horses and Miller (Coliseum) Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif. Older Wiser Learners’ hard work rewarded with scholarships

from Staff Reports two scholarships funded by Marcus The OWLs Enrichment Scholar- majoring in elementary and special Nickell in honor of his two daughters, ships were awarded to Kirsten Dee education; TSU’s Adult Student who returned to college following Julsgard of Murfreesboro, a single • Michelle Merrymon of Services presented scholar- divorces to earn teaching degrees to mother of two with a double major in Murfreesboro, a nursing major; M ships to student members of support themselves. philosophy and English, and Sarah • Madonna Myers of Murfrees- the Older Wiser Learners organiza- The Jane Nickell Taylor Scholar- Martin, a mother of three who is boro, a science education major; tion, or OWLs, at the recent OWLs ship was awarded to Daphne Carter majoring in nursing and commutes • Tara Neville of Mt. Juliet, who Picnic, celebrating their accomplish- Page of Lancaster, Tenn., who is from Lafayette, Tenn. is majoring in accounting; ments and encouraging them to con- majoring in social work and will The OWLs Academic Service • Linda Olivier of Smyrna, a tinue their educations. graduate in December, and Keri Scholarships were awarded to: nursing major; The OWLs student organization Lorene Brunstad of Murfreesboro, • Mike Choate of Nashville, a • Ellen Samford of Murfreesboro, distributes four different types of who is majoring in accounting and chemistry major; who is majoring in nursing; and scholarships each year. There are 10 will graduate in spring 2009. • Andrew Geerts of Murfrees- • Cindy Trail of Manchester, who Academic Service Scholarships for The Joan Nickell Bailey Scholar- boro, who is majoring in elementary is majoring in human sciences. students with GPAs higher than 3.0 ship was awarded to Virginia and special education; For more information about and two OWLs Enrichment Scholar- Ragsdale of Columbia, Tenn., who is a • Suzanne Hicks of Murfreesboro, Adult Student Services, visit the Web ships for students whose GPAs fall senior majoring in education and a a psychology major; site at www.mtsu.edu/~owls. between 2.5 and 2.99. There also are single mother of two. • Alicia Marin of Smyrna, who is

page 6 The Record June 2, 2008 McNair Scholars’ June 12 ‘blastoff’ launches research

the summer research program,” ance), Dr. Todd Waldecker; Anjelica Erickson; Corderyl Martin (music), by Randy Weiler Saunders said. “We include both the Crawford (psychology), Dr. Rick Dr. Felicia Miyakawa; Stephanie Mills students and their faculty mentors to Short; Ryan Darrow (history), Dr. (music performance/violin), Dr. he McNair Scholars Program unveil the latest McNair Research Pippa Holloway; Christian Davenport Michael Linton; Jeremy Minton (psy- will blast off toward its July 30- Review and preview what’s ahead in (psychology), Dr. Kathleen Darby; chology), Dr. Gloria Hamilton; Rahma T 31 summer destination with the coming weeks.” Jordan Dawdy (animal science), Drs. Mohamed (social work), Dr. Margaret the McNair Blastoff, which will be Saunders said MTSU President Kevin Downs and Angela Mertig; Fontanesi-Seime; Phillip Njorge held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, June Sidney A. McPhee once again will be Lauren Easley (mathematics), Dr. Julie (accounting), Dr. E. Anthon Eff; 12, in the James Union Building’s the blastoff’s special guest. Dr. Diane Murdock; Jason Gerald (finance), Dr. Brittany Oliver (psychology), Dr. Hazlewood Dining Room. Miller, McNair Scholars Program William Ford; Gloria Hamilton; Sandra Plummer Twenty-seven McNair Scholars director, also will share remarks. Jasmine Gray (journalism), Dr. (social work), Dr. Kim Ujcich Ward; are involved in the eight-week sum- Student researchers, their disci- Jennifer Woodard; Suzanne Hicks Frederick Quimbley (history), Dr. mer research program. Program plines and mentors include: (psychology), Drs. Gloria Hamilton Adonijah Bakari; Danielle Ross (psy- Coordinator Steve Saunders said 25 Dean Andrews (political science), and Rebecca Seipelt; Tiffany Hughes chology), Dr. Aimee Holt; Christina students are conducting research at Dr. Clyde Willis; Aaron Bennett (English), Dr. Susan Hopkirk; Ryne Runkel (history), Dr. Derek Frisby; MTSU, one at Stanford University in (chemistry), Dr. Ngee Chong; Eterial Joyner (computer information sys- Alecia Smith (business finance), Dr. and one overseas. Burrell (biology), Dr. John Zamora; tems), Dr. Charles Apigian; Daniel Oscar Diaz; and Leonella Carrieco “This is the event that launches Jonathan Copeland (music perform- Levic (biology), Dr. Matthew Elrod- (biology), Dr. Sandra Johnson. In the right direction Enrollment

‘GOLDEN’ WINNERS—Two former MTSU students celebrate their roles in winning the 2008 Oscar for for their work on declines for “The Golden Compass.” Recently photographed with the Oscar and their supervisor at Rhythm and Hues Studios, , are Michela “Mikki” Rose (B.S. ‘05), shown in the photo at left, and 3rd summer Robert “George” Rowles (B.S. ‘99) in the photo below. Rose and Rowles were part of the Rhythm and Hues Studios team that handled the groundbreak- by Randy Weiler ing and effects work on the ummer enrollment appears 2007 fantasy epic, which included to be on the decline for the photo-realistic ani- S third straight year, an official mal “daemons” in MTSU Enrollment Services said. along with the By mid-May, enrollment was movie’s climactic down by 541 students, said battle sequence. Sherian Huddleston, associate vice provost for enrollment services. photos submitted Huddleston compared the May 14 enrollment total of 7,326 with that of May 14, 2007, which was 7,867. She said she would not submit final totals to the Tennessee Board of Regents until the last week in Aerospace taking off for K-12 workshop July. The 2007 final summer cen- sus was 8,845. Event for educators celebrates their knowledge with the educators. They include: “We’ve still got a ways to go • Terry Dorris, MTSU’s pilot and aerospace instructor, this summer,” Huddleston said, who will speak Tuesday, June 10; mentioning both the June and July 50th anniversary June 9-27 • Dr. Paul Craig, professor and former chair, who also terms. “We won’t know until the will speak June 10; end (of summer), but it’s the third • Jana Cornell-Alverdes, who will discuss homeland consecutive year that we’ve had a by Randy Weiler security on June 11; declining summer enrollment.” • Chad Gehrke, in charge of fixed base operations at Huddleston said students epartment of Aerospace officials are zooming Murfreesboro Airport, and John Black, manager of the have until Monday, June 2, to reg- down the runway, awaiting the takeoff of the 50th Smyrna Air Center, who will jointly speak on Thursday, ister for the June term and until anniversary of the MTSU Aerospace Workshop for June 12; Monday, July 7, to register for the D July term. kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in middle • Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Carnduff, Civil Tennessee. Air Patrol-USAF liaison at McGhee-Tyson Airport in She said high gas prices might Aerospace Chair Wayne Dornan and Phyl Knoxville, who will speak on June 12; be contributing to fewer com- Taylor, assistant workshop director for the past • John Black, who is a Warren County muter students taking classes on 15 years, hope to make the June 9-27 golden deputy sheriff involved with the DARE pro- campus. anniversary edition extra-special. gram and flies the county helicopter, who will However, officials in the Dornan said he hopes to coax Tennessee discuss helicopters Monday, June 16, at the College of Continuing Education Gov. Phil Bredesen and other elected officials MTSU airport hangar; and Distance Learning offered to visit during this year’s three-week basic • Joe Hawkins, a nationally recognized another perspective. workshop. airplane maintenance expert, who will speak “We are trying to increase While three other universities statewide June 16; online offerings in the summer so also offer aerospace workshops, none can say • Will Robertson, a NASA official who factors such as gas prices do not they started before the summer of 1958. has been a speaker for a number of years, deter students’ desires to attend in “We’re the oldest-running workshop in scheduled for Tuesday, June 17; and the summer,” said Jana Hinz, the nation,” Dornan said. • Tom Fielder, a Southwest Airlines pilot. financial analyst and summer- “We’re the oldest and the best,” added Taylor, who Taylor said various activities (egg drop, balloons and school director for the college. has been helping various department chairs and work- rockets, etc.) would help the educators motivate their stu- “They can still earn credit wherev- shop directors for 18 years. dents. er they are.” A bus trip to the Pensacola, Fla., Naval Museum June “This is a hard time to teach,” she said. “The work- Hinz added that “a lack of 18-20 will be one of the highlights. shop motivates the students to learn. The teachers love financial aid for students in the Murfreesboro resident and former NASA astronaut this. By the end of the workshop, my advanced workshop summer is a factor” in the declin- Robert “Hoot” Gibson is scheduled to speak to the teach- (which is conducted every other year) will be filled up for ing summer enrollments. ers on Friday, June 27, the final day of the workshop, just 2009.” “If students have used their before the group’s graduation luncheon. Dornan said educators also receive two hours of free financial-aid allotment in the fall “We have a real exciting program,” Taylor said. “How flight instruction during the workshop. and spring semesters, there is many people get to meet an astronaut who has flown five For more information, contact Taylor at petaylor@ none left for summer,” she said, times into space and (was part of the crew that) docked mtsu.edu or 615-898-2788. noting that “sometimes students with the (Russian) spacecraft Mir?” just want to take a break in the Other regional experts and MTSU faculty will share summer.”

The Record June 2, 2008 page 7 People Around Campus Professor leads way in Ghanian health research

iors, hygiene, sexual behaviors by Lisa L. Rollins that contribute to HIV infec- tion, unintended pregnancy, r. Andrew Owusu, assistant professor of nutrition, and violence and health and human performance at MTSU, unintentional injury. D recently released the initial findings from a A native of Ghana, Owusu 2007 study that was the first of its kind to be con- is a four-time African ducted nationwide in Ghana, West Africa, on the Champion, an eight-time All- health habits and health-risk behaviors of adoles- American and a three-time cents. Olympic athlete in the triple By documenting the behaviors and factors that jump, with a lifelong personal contribute to the leading cause of mortality and and professional interest in morbidity, the researcher said his goal is to help health and fitness behaviors. create a comprehensive system for monitoring the Owusu said he sincerely health-risk behaviors among Ghana’s youth. believes that to enact positive Beginning in summer 2006, Owusu and his col- change in health behaviors, it leagues, working on behalf of MTSU’s Department is important to monitor the of Health and Human Performance, partnered with health of secondary-school the World Health Organization and the U.S. students through the establish- Centers for Disease Control and ment of a comprehensive Prevention to help build capacity monitoring system. Such a WASH UP FOR HEALTH—Elementary-school children in Ghana wash their for monitoring health behavior system, he noted, will enhance hands as part of their hygiene education, which is included in the national among youth in Ghana. the promotion of school health school-hygiene campaign. Dr. Andrew Owusu of MTSU is conducting unprece- This initiative—which was programs in Ghana through dented national research on the health behaviors among school youth in Ghana. undertaken in conjunction with education, teacher training photo submitted the School Health Education and program evaluation. Program unit, also known as “Currently, 85 percent of SHEP— involved introducing the world’s adolescent populations live in develop- in the past 30 days at the time of the survey. and implementing the Global ing countries,” he observed, “yet because of lack of • 12.4 percent of the students surveyed had Owusu School-Based Student Health adequate research, there is a gap in data on the “never or rarely” washed their hands after using Survey in Ghana. The GSHS is health-risk behaviors of this important population the toilet in the past 30 days at the time of the sur- part of the WHO’s STEPSwise approach to moni- segment.” vey. toring health behaviors in member countries, Owusu said the GSHS was first developed in •14.7 percent of the students surveyed reported including Ghana. For his unprecedented research 2001 through a collaborative effort of the WHO, the that they “never or rarely” used soap when wash- endeavor, Owusu administered a GSHS instrument United Nations Children’s Fund, the Joint United ing their hands in the past 30 days at the time of that utilized a two-stage cluster sample designed to Nations Programme on HIV/Acquired Immune the survey. produce a representative sample of students, ages Deficiency Syndrome, and the United Nations Of the more than 3,588 students ages 13 to 15 13 to 15, from 75 schools in all 10 regions of Ghana. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, who were surveyed, Owusu said 1,466, or 40.8 per- As the primary investigator and country coor- with technical assistance from the CDC. cent, reported that they had never talked to a par- dinator for the GSHS partnership project, Owusu Among Owusu’s initial findings related to the ent about HIV/AIDS. Fewer of these students— oversaw the surveying of 6,236 youths ranging in youths’ (ages 12-16) overall basic hygiene: 1,283, or 34 percent—reported that they were not age from 12 to 16. The just-completed findings sur- • 13.7 percent of the students surveyed “usual- aware of the possibility of HIV/AIDS transmission round the survey’s nine categories of health risk, ly” had not cleaned/brushed their teeth in the past from a pregnant mother to child. including 30 days at the time of the survey. dietary • 9.1 percent of the students surveyed reported behav- that they had “never or rarely” washed their hands See ‘Professor’ page 6

Tom Tozer Director, News and Public Affairs Faculty/Staff Update Editor: Gina E. Fann [email protected] Contributors: Gina K. Logue, John Lynch, Paula Morton, Lisa L. Rollins, Randy Weiler. Awards Alpha Theta Conference Banquet in Evelyn Sims, a former cash- Eric Jackson and Stephanie Dragoo. April. Her topic was “Cultural register operator at Phillips Book- Federalism and the Public History store, passed away on May 13. Ms. A textbook by Dr. Janet Belsky Visit www.mtsunews.com. Impulse.” Sims was employed by MTSU from (psychology), Experiencing the July 1, 1967, until her retirement on Lifespan, recently won the 2008 Texty Elections Oct. 5, 1989. Photos: MTSU Photographic Services, Award, which is presented annually except where noted. by the Text and Academic Authors Dr. Robert B. Blair (business Presentations Association for the “best new text- Printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. communication and entrepreneur- book in the humanities and social sci- ship) was elected 2008-09 president of Dr. Don Hong (mathematical sci- Phone: 615-898-2919 ences.” Fax: 615-898-5714 the Tennessee Delta Unit of Parlia- ences) presented a colloquium talk, mentarians on May 17. “Mathematical Applications for Dr. Hugh Berryman (sociology Quantitative Life Science,” to the fac- The Record is published every two weeks and anthropology) and graduate stu- Honors ulty and students at the Department by the Office of News and Public Affairs dent Alicja Kutyla received the Ellis at MTSU. It is distributed free to faculty, of Mathematics at the University of R. Kerley Award, which includes a staff, friends and media outlets. Gina Logue (News and Public Southern Mississippi on April 21. $1,000 prize, at the 2008 American Affairs) was inducted into Pi Sigma Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Attention Postmaster: Alpha, the national political science Dr. Rong Luo (mathematical sci- Scientific Meeting in Washington, Address changes and other honors society, and was acknowl- ences) presented “Vizing's Independ- D.C., for their research on gunshot correspondence should be addressed to: edged along with other new Pi Sigma ence Number Conjecture of Critical primer residue. Alpha members at the College of Graphs” at the 21st Cumberland The Record Liberal Arts awards ceremony at Conference on Graph Theory, Office of News and Public Affairs Dr. Steve Jones (psychology) has MTSU April 22. Combinatorics and Computing May MTSU P.O. Box 72 received the Lana Doncaster Innova- 15-17 at Vanderbilt University. 1301 E. Main St. tions Award for interactive online sta- Passages Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132 tistics lectures from the Tennessee Board of Regents Distance Education Drs. Karen Ward and Lynn Ann L. Loyd, a former clerk- MTSU, a Tennessee Board of Regents Committee. Parsons (nursing) presented Institution, is an equal opportunity, non- typist in the Office of Student Pro- “Educational Options for Career racially identifiable, educational institu- Conferences gramming, passed away on May 11. Advancement” and “Intergenera- tion that does not discriminate against Mrs. Loyd was employed by MTSU tional Leadership” during the third individuals with disabilities. from Jan. 1, 1986, until her retirement Dr. Rebecca Conard (history) International Congress on Women’s on Jan. 31, 1996. was the keynote speaker at the Health in Melbourne, Australia, on UR083-0608 University of Tennessee at Martin Phi March 17. page 8 The Record June 2, 2008