News agencies recently relied on MTSU faculty and staff for their expertise regarding stories on various subjects including historic preservation, health privacy laws, the trial of Derek Chauvin, surveillance at work and legislation affecting the transgender community, among other issues.

Dr. Katie Schrodt

Dr. Carroll Van West

• Dr. Katie Schrodt, an assistant professor of elementary and special education, explained how she worked with the judges of the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest in an April 14 story in the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Her comments can be read here.

• Dr. Carroll Van West, director of the Center for Historic Preservation and Tennessee State Historian, commented on the transformation of the Merrill-Williams House in Williamson County into a learning center in an April 15 article in The Tennessean. His remarks are available here.

Dr. Jackie Gilbert

Dr. Richard Tarpey

• Dr. Jackie Gilbert, a professor of management, offered insight into employers conducting surveillance on employees in an April 13 article in The Tennessean, which was also subsequently published by USA Today. Her views can be accessed here.

• Dr. Richard Tarpey, an assistant professor of management, explained that federal health information privacy laws still apply when employees work remotely in an April 16 article in For the Record magazine. His comments can be read here.

Beverly Keel

Dr. Jane Marcellus

• Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, applauded Big Music Machine General Manager Mike Molinar for being inducted into the college’s Wall of Fame in an April 19 article at www.hitsdailydouble.com. Her remarks are available here.

• Dr. Jane Marcellus, a professor of media history and writing, reviewed “The Secret Life of Dorothy Soames” by Justine Cowan in an April 20 posting at www.chapter16.org. The review can be accessed here.

Dr. Marisa Richmond

Dr. Sekou Franklin

• Dr. Marisa Richmond, an adjunct professor of history, condemned pending legislation she said would reverse civil rights for the LGBTQ community in an interview posted April 20 by The Tennessean and other newspapers. The video can be seen here.

• Dr. Sekou Franklin, an associate professor of political science and international relations, discussed the possible ramifications of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial in an April 21 report on WSMV-TV in Nashville. The video and transcript are available here.

Ken Paulson

Lynda Williams

• Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center, explained why the trial of Derek Chauvin underlined the necessity of open access to public records in an April 23 story in the York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record. His comments can be accessed here.

Paulson also previewed an upcoming presentation on “Rights, Revolution and Rock and Roll” at the University of Wyoming in an April 23 story in Branding Iron, the student newspaper. The article is available here.

• Lynda Williams, a professor of criminal justice administration and president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, discussed policing in communities of color on WABE-FM in Atlanta, Georgia. The audio can be heard here.

Reporters seeking expertise from MTSU personnel, as well as members of the campus community with expertise for media, may contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Media Relations at 615-631-8322 or via email at gina.logue@mtsu.edu.