In the News: MTSU faculty talk SpaceX, halftime show, tariffs, mortgage rates, more

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University faculty recently provided the media with their perspectives on various issues, including the Super Bowl halftime show, changes in mortgage rates, SpaceX acquisitions, tariffs and reasons for rising electric bills.

Dr. David Butler, dean of the College of Graduate Studies and vice provost for research — Dr. David Butler

Beverly Keel, dean, College of Media and Entertainment — Beverly Keel

• Dr. David Butler, vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies, talked with The Tennessean Feb. 5 about SpaceX’s acquisition of Memphis’ Colossus data center. Read the article.

• Beverly Keel, Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment dean, talked with Billboard on Feb. 6 about the Super Bowl halftime show. Read the article.

Dr. Steven Sprick Schuster, assistant professor of economics and member of the Political Economy Research Institute at MTSU — Dr. Steven Sprick Schuster

Dr. Sandra Lynn Poirier, Human Sciences faculty — Dr. Sandra Poirier

• Dr. Steven Sprick Schuster, associate professor of economics, talked with WKRN-TV NewsChannel 2 on Feb. 6 about hundreds of layoffs due to plant closures in Maury County. Watch the segment.

• Charles Alexander, adjunct faculty in Recording Industry Management, talked with The Nashville Scene on Feb. 10 about artificial intelligence, or AI, within the music industry. Read the article.

• Dr. Sandra Poirier, nutrition professor, talked with WalletHub on Feb. 11 about the reasons behind a rise in consumer debt. Read the article.

Dr. Ben Jansen, assistant professor of finance, Department of Economics and Finance, Jones College of Business — Dr. Ben Jansen

Dr. Sean Salter, associate professor, Economics and Finance — Dr. Sean Salter

• Dr. John Lodl, adjunct history instructor and director of the Rutherford County Archives, talked with WKRN-TV NewsChannel 2 on Feb. 12 about how Murfreesboro got its name. Watch the segment.

• Dr. Sean Salter, associate professor of economics, talked with Bankrate on Feb. 18 about mortgage rates that have dropped to the lowest in three years. Read the article.

Salter talked with Homes.com Feb. 25 about rising costs of rent for single-family dwellings. Read the article.

• Dr. Benjamin Jansen, associate professor of economics, talked with WTVF-TV News Channel 5 on Feb. 18 about the reason for higher electric bills following last month’s winter storm. Watch the segment.

Dr. Murat Arik, assistant professor of management, Jones College of Business, and director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center — Dr. Murat Arik

• Kent Syler, political science professor, was a guest speaker at Pepperdine University and featured on Feb. 18 in the university newspaper, the Pepperdine Graphic. Read the article.

• Dr. Murat Arik, professor of economics and director of the Business and Economic Research Center, talked with WTVC-TV News Channel 9 Feb. 26 about the dip in mortgage rates. Read the article.

• Dr. Daniel Smith, professor of economics and director of the Political Economy Research Institute, talked with WKRN-TV NewsChannel 2 on Feb. 21 about the effects of tariff changes on state industries. Watch the segment.

• Dr. Carter Smith, associate professor of criminal justice, talked with WKRN-TV NewsChannel 2 on Feb. 26 about the drug trade in South Nashville. Watch the segment.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)