News for MTSU alumni and friends September 2008 Vol. 6 / No. 1 YOUNG ALUM Fulcher finds his Everyone’s ‘All In’ niche in as Homecoming 2008 activities New York build to MT game By Randy Weiler [email protected] lumnus Paul Fulcher has vs. Warhawks yet to meet New York A City Mayor Michael By Rhonda Wright [email protected] Bloomberg, the namesake for the ou can bet that company Fulcher Homecoming 2008 will hit works for in Y the jackpot the week of Manhattan. Nov. 3-8. “Actually, I Tying in with the football sea- saw him son slogan of “All In,” the home- (Bloomberg) Fulcher coming theme is “Bet on Blue.” with (California Your Alumni Relations office (Gov.) Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been working with student but I never got to meet him,” groups to stack the deck with Fulcher (’07), an analyst for the events planned throughout the company since August 2007, week that will build on the tradi- MTSU Alumni Relations said recently. tions of the past and make memo- Chip Walters (’85), left, co-announced the 2007 Homecoming Parade with Jim Freeman (’69, While Fulcher may not have ries for the future. ’73) during Mixer on Middle at The Alumni House. This year, Walters’ co-announcer will be met Bloomberg the man, he said “We want to increase diversity Nick Paranjape (’91) of Fox 17 News. he thrives in the fast-paced envi- by having more organizations ronment of the company and the involved in homecoming this year,” coming yet by growing student and House between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., city that never sleeps. explains Clarissa Blackwood, the alumni participation, as well as raising Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. “It’s nonstop. There’s always Student Government Association’s community support.” 7, to trade a shirt from another school something going on,” he said. homecoming director. “Our goal is to The week starts with the T-Shirt for the official 2008 Homecoming shirt. Swap. Alumni can visit the Alumni make this the biggest and best home- (See ’Bet,’ Page 4) (See ’Fulcher,’ Page 2) Fun had by all at first Alumni Summer College By Rhonda Wright [email protected] The college began on Wednesday afternoon with a group of 41 alumni and scavenger hunt of historical uni- friends from seven states versity facts. Participants bonded A returned to school this quickly as they shared stories and summer for the inaugural Alumni feasted on barbecue under a tent Summer College June 25-27. in the backyard of the Alumni Designing the program House. Former students of Dr. around the theme Exploring Our Bob Womack got the chance to Heritage, the Office of Alumni visit with him, a special guest for Relations was proud to host the the night. It was clear that Blue 2 1/2-day event, providing the Raiders share pride in their alma opportunity to relive college days mater. MTSU Alumni Relations while learning through educa- Classes began on Thursday The inaugural Alumni Summer College field trip was a highlight of the program. The class tional and entertaining classes traveled to Nashville, where they received VIP treatment as they toured the Ryman and tours. (See ’Fun,’ Page 8) Auditorium and enjoyed the Grand Ole Opry. NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID INSIDE . MTSU 1301 E. MAIN ST. MURFREESBORO, TN 37132 Alumni of distinction, Page 2 PERMIT 169 Advancement Services Calendar, Page 3 MTSU P.O. Box 109 1301 E. Main St. Class notes, Page 6 Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Reed takes reins, Page 7 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Lunch with President, Page 8 MTSU National Alumni MTSU alumni of distinction Association Board Hooper, Pettus, Victory are Distinguished Alumni; Burt is Young Alumnus By Randy Weiler [email protected] Merchants adds 7 new members Bank and From MTSU Alumni Relations he MTSU Alumni Association has Corporation announced its three Distinguished Alumni in Columbia, even MTSU alumni have been chosen to T and one Young Alumni Achievement Tenn., and serve on the National Alumni Association Award recipients for 2008-09. head of S Board of Directors. Each new member was The Distinguished Alumni recipients include: Pettus- selected from written nominations and is asked to • Linda Hooper (’63) of Whitwell, Tenn., who McLain serve a three-year term. is being honored in the Professional Achievement Trucking Co. “We are very excited about our new members category; Inc. He has Hooper Pettus and are anxious for them to use their diverse tal- • Timothy E. “Tim” Pettus (’73) of Lawrence- volunteered ents to further advance the Alumni Association,” burg, Tenn., who is being recognized in the Service for many said Ginger Freeman, director of the Office of to the Community category; and local organi- Alumni Relations. • Kenneth Wayne “Coon” Victory (’67) of zations and The new members, all from Tennessee, Smyrna, Tenn., who is being saluted in the Service he has been include: Ben Bennett (’04), Lascassas; Casey to the University category. an ardent Guimbellot (’06), Nashville; Aubrey Hardison The Young Alumni Achievement honoree is: MTSU sup- (’00), Murfreesboro; Jonathon L. Hawkins (’93, • Micheal J. Burt (’98, ’02) of Murfreesboro. porter. ’00), Murfreesboro; Brad Newberry (’93), The MTSU Alumni Association annually seeks Victory is Rockvale; Kelly Rollins (’93), Murfreesboro; and and accepts nominations for the Distinguished the former Victory Burt Emily M. Wright (’07), Murfreesboro. Alumni and Young Alumni Achievement Awards. president and The mission of the National Alumni The selection is made from candidates who have CEO of Crosslin Supply Co. Inc. where he worked Association Board of Directors is to develop and distinguished themselves by obtaining a high level for 45 years before retiring, and he has been foster sound relationships between MTSU and its of service to their profession, their community involved in many local, state and national organi- alumni and to provide a strong force for the and/or MTSU. zations. He has many ties to MTSU’s athletic and advancement and support of the university. For more than 30 years, Hooper has been a alumni efforts. Nominations for the 2009-10 Board of public school educator, most recently as principal Burt recently left a successful career coaching Directors will be accepted beginning in January at Whitwell Middle School. In 2007, she was the girls’ basketball to found his own company, 2009. Please support your Alumni Association by recipient of the Joseph Prize for service to humani- Maximum Success. He has become an author, a nominating someone to serve. We look forward to ty for the Paper Clips Project. sought-after speaker and consultant, teacher/pro- seeing you at an alumni event in your area. Visit Pettus serves as president of First Farmers and fessor, facilitator and continual learner. mtalumni.com for more details. CAMPUS BRIEF ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF Ginger Corley Freeman, Director Michelle Stepp, Associate Director Molly Cochran, Assistant Director Paul Wydra, Assistant Director Rhonda Wright, Assistant Director Martha Jordan, Administrative Assistant Kari Janetvilay, Secretary MTSU Office of Alumni Relations MTSU Box 104 Murfreesboro, TN 37132 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) 615-898-2922 Fax: 615-898-5746 mtalumni.com Published quarterly (Sept., Dec., March and June) Sidney A. McPhee, President J. Intintoli/MTSU Photographic Services Joe Bales, VP, Development and Univ. Relations Tonja L. Johnson, Assoc. VP, Marketing and Comm. Tom Tozer, Director, News and Public Affairs U.S.-Sino agreement Randy Weiler, Editor ([email protected]) The June 22-27 U.S.-Sino Math and Science Workshop at MTSU concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding following the closing session and luncheon. Those in attendance included (from left): MTSU First Lady Elizabeth McPhee; MTSU Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Diane Miller; Dr. You Shaozhong, min- Contributors: Gina Fann, Gina Logue, John ister councilor at the Peoples Republic of China Embassy in Washington, D.C.; MTSU President Sidney A. Lynch, Lisa Rollins, Paula Morton and McPhee; President Weng Limin of Northwest Normal University in China; President George Mehaffy of the MTSU Office of Alumni Relations staff American Association of State Colleges and Universities; and Deng Hualing, vice president of Northwest Normal University-China. About 125 math and science scholars from 20 China universities and 40 U.S. colleges Consultants: Suma Clark and Bill Fisher, attended the event. Alumnus Bart Gordon (’71) delivered the opening dinner keynote address. MTSU Publications and Graphics Special assistance: Betsy Williams, MTSU Advancement Services Fulcher from Page 1 Photographs: MTSU Photographic Services, “It is Manhattan. It’s a fast-paced hand in all the major banks and ready to work really hard. Be except where noted environment. When anything all major sectors of the market. excited and ready to cope with Printed by Franklin Web Printing Co., Franklin, Tenn. slows down, I think, ‘What am I Right out of college, I would be the unexpected. Come with ver- supposed to do?’” working with so many young satility.” Attention Postmaster: Change Service Requested While Bloomberg “has a people from a lot of different col- Fulcher is pursuing a profes- Address changes and other correspondence great training program for learn- leges — Cornell, Colgate, New sional certificate in financial should be addressed to ing about marketing,” Fulcher York University and all across analysis at NYU. In New York, said that what sold Bloomberg the country — would be great he has attended a number of Advancement Services on him was that, “I have a dif- for me.” plays and sporting events. MTSU P.O. Box 109 ferent background. I had come He calls it “a great learning Fulcher graduated cum 1301 E. Main St. from the South.” experience, entering the corpo- laude with a double major in Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Fulcher, an equity analytics rate world, working with political science and economics specialist, said he had interned Fortune 500 companies.