MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University faculty and staff recently provided the media with their perspectives on various issues, including Dolly Parton, budgeting, politics and rising fuel costs.

• Becca Smitty, MT One Stop director, talked with The Tennessean on July 27 about federal loan changes and the impacts on students. Read the article.

• Jon Huddleston, director of the Concrete Industry Management program, was a guest on Northwest Masonry Institute’s show, “In the Mix.” Watch the show.

• Melanie Crowder, coordinator of Outreach and Support Programs for MT One Stop, was joined by Becca Smitty to talk with WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 on July 30 about the Free Cycle program at MTSU. Watch the segment.

• Kent Syler, professor of political science, talked with WSMV-TV Channel 4 as a featured guest analyst about Tennessee’s primary elections on Aug. 6. Watch the segment.

• Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center, talked with the Knoxville News Sentinel about a Knox County commissioner’s plan to ban public Islamic calls to prayer. Read the article.

• Dr. Benjamin Jansen, assistant professor of economics, talked with WalletHub on Aug. 12 about the benefits of using credit cards with rewards. Read his commentary.

• Dr. John Vile, Honors College dean, talked with the Tennessee Lookout on Aug. 24 on the procedure for replacing Marsha Blackburn’s Senate seat if she is elected governor. Read the article.

Vile talked with Viral Sports News on Sept. 10 about the potential for a World Wrestling Entertainment star to be appointed to replace Blackburn should she win the gubernatorial race. Read the article.

• Dr. Rebecca Conrad, professor emerita of history, talked with Iowa City NPR affiliate WVIK-FM on Aug. 28 about Iowa City’s unveiling of a bronze statue to honor legendary Black educator Lulu Merle Johnson. Read the article.

• Dr. James Abbott, assistant professor of criminal justice, talked with WKRN-TV Channel 2 on Aug. 28 about officer-involved shootings. Watch the segment.

• MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee was quoted in The Tennessean on Aug. 31 about the iconic campus building, Kirksey Old Main, following the ribbon cutting following a two-year renovation. Read the article.

• Dr. Louis Kyriakoudes, director of the Albert Gore Research Center, talked with The New York Times on Sept. 2 about the tobacco industry’s settlement. Read the article.

• Dr. Murat Arik, professor of economics and director of the Business and Economic Research Center, talked with WalletHub on Sept. 2 about the benefits of budgeting. Read the article.

• Dr. Sandra Poirier, nutrition professor, talked with The Healthy on Sept. 3 about anti-aging foods. Read the article.

• Dr. Kelly L. Williams, associate professor of accounting, shared tips for using Excel in the Journal of Accounting on Sept. 1. Read the article.

• Dr. Thomas Brinthaupt, professor emeritus of psychology, talked with Bolde magazine on Sept. 1 about the science behind “self-talk.” Read the article.

• Dr. Jim Burton, dean emeritus of the Jones College of Business, talked with WalletHub on Sept. 2 about percentage budgeting. Read the article.

• Dr. Ben Stickle, criminal justice professor, talked with Seattle-based NPR affiliate KUOW-FM on Sept. 2 about the prevalence of copper theft in the Pacific Northwest. Read the article.

• Dr. Andrew Polk, professor of history and department chair, served as a guest commentator on “Faith and Politics” on Sept. 4 to talk about religious accommodations. Watch the segment.

• Beverly Keel, dean of the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, talked with The New York Times on Sept. 4 about Texas’ cultural impact on Nashville’s country music industry. Read the article.

• Dr. Daniel Smith, professor of economics and director of the Political Economy Research Institute, talked with WHBQ-TV Fox13 Memphis on Sept. 11 about the snowball effects of skyrocketing fuel prices. Watch the segment.

Smith talked with WKRN-TV News Channel 2 on Sept. 11 about the reason behind the high fuel costs. Watch the segment.

• Dr. Saleh Sbenaty, engineering professor and Islamic Center of Murfreesboro member, talked with The Christian Century news on Sept. 11 about the increased opposition for the Muslim community. Read the article.

Dolly Parton’s legacy

• Dean Keel talked with The New York Times on Aug. 25 about the impact of Dolly Parton on Tennessee. Read the article.

• Dr. James Loveless, associate professor of psychology, talked with WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 on Aug. 26 about the science behind grief for Dolly Parton fans. Watch the segment.

Keel talked with WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 on Aug. 27 about the legacy and impact Dolly Parton left on the music industry. Watch the interview.

• Keel was joined by Chris Massaro, director of Blue Raider Athletics, to share news for Music Row magazine — among other publications — on Aug. 31 about Blue Raider football jerseys including a Dolly Parton-themed patch for the season opener. Read the article.

• Dr. Charlie Dahan, director of the Center for Popular Music at MTSU and professor of recording industry, talked about preservation efforts for the late Dolly Parton’s music with WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 on Aug. 31. Then Keel talked about the power of Parton’s legacy. Watch the segment.

— Nancy DeGennaro ([email protected])