MTSU faculty and staff recently provided reporters with perspectives on a variety of subjects, including the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Latinas in science, audio engineering, track and field and studying abroad, among other topics.

Raymond Bonner

Dr. Carroll Van West

• Raymond Bonner, assistant track and field coach, gave an inspirational speech to children attending a track and field camp at Franklin County High School as reported in a July 15 story in the Winchester (Tennessee) Herald-Chronicle. His remarks can be read here.

• Dr. Carroll Van West, director of the Center for Historic Preservation and Tennessee State Historian, advocated having students conduct research at the Merrill-Williams House in Franklin, Tennessee, in a July 15 story in the Williamson Herald. His comments are available here.

Dr. Siti Hidayati

• Dr. Siti Hidayati, a lecturer in the Department of Biology, said the so-called “corpse flower” is very particular about the environments in which it grows in a July 15 article at www.ideahuntr.com. Her statements can be accessed here.

Michael Fleming

Bill Crabtree

• Michael Fleming and Bill Crabtree, professors of recording industry, previewed the 2021 Audio Engineering Society International Audio Education Conference that they co-chaired in a July 19 story at www.creativecow.net. Their comments can be read here.

Dr. Andrew Owusu

Dr. Elizabeth Barnes

• Dr. Elizabeth Barnes, an assistant professor of biology education, participated in a panel discussion on “Intersectional Approaches to Diversity in STEMM Belief, Culture and Inclusion” hosted by the University of Birmingham in England. STEMM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. The video, which was posted to YouTube July 19, is available here.

• Dr. Andrew Owusu, an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, described his experience helping track and field athletes from Ghana prepare for the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in a July 19 article in the Baltimore (Maryland) Sun. His comments are available here.

Jon Huddleston

Dr. Adelle Monteblanco

• Jon Huddleston, a clinical associate professor in the School of Concrete and Construction Management, hailed the work of MTSU students on concrete barriers for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in a July 20 report on WTVF-TV in Nashville. The video and transcript can be accessed here.

• Dr. Adelle Monteblanco, an assistant professor of sociology, was interviewed about being a Latina in science in a July 20 report at www.compasscicomm.org. Her comments can be accessed here.

Dr. Catherine Ariail

Dr. Aliou Ly

• Dr. Aliou Ly, undergraduate director in the Department of History, praised alumna Hannah Solima for pursuing a master’s degree in Estonia in a July 21 story in the Murfreesboro Post. His remarks can be read here.

• Dr. Cat Ariail, a lecturer in the Department of History, addressed the pressure felt by female African American athletes to look “acceptable” in a July 22 story by www.19thnews.org. Her views can be accessed here.

Dr. Ken Blake

Dean Hayes

• Dr. Ken Blake, a professor of journalism, documented the number of Middle Tennessee hospitals that have seen recent increases in COVID cases in a July 26 report by WMOT-FM in Murfreesboro. The story can be read here.

• Dean Hayes, head track and field coach, discussed the Olympic Games experience in a report aired July 27 on WSMV-TV in Nashville. The video can be seen here.

Dr. Sean Foley

• Dr. Sean Foley, a professor of history, penned an article about an animated television series that is changing viewpoints in Saudi Arabia that was posted July 27 by the Middle East Institute. His views can be accessed 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.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)