MTSU faculty experts recently provided national media outlets with their views on a variety of topics, including elimination diets, sulfuric acid, outdoor festivals, voting, investing, hiking and the American flag, among others.

Dr. Elizabeth Ann Smith

Frank Baird

• Dr. Elizabeth Ann Smith, an assistant professor of nutrition and food science, advised people on elimination diets not to worry about bad symptoms during the first week for a July 1 article in U.S. News and World Report.

Her views can be read here.

• Frank Baird, an assistant professor of recording industry, talked about his and his students’ participation in planning Nolensville’s Star Spangled Celebration for a July 1 story in the Williamson Herald.

His comments are available here.

• Dr. Greg Van Patten, chair of the Department of Chemistry at MTSU, explained the uses of sulfuric acid for a July 3 story in the Times Herald of Port Huron, Michigan.

It’s available here.

Kent Syler

Dr. Greg Van Patten

• Kent Syler, a professor of political science and international affairs, analyzed the reasons people don’t vote for a July 5 article in the Nashville Ledger.

His views can be read here.

Syler also assessed President Donald Trump’s statement that four female members of the U.S. House of Representatives should “go back where they came from” if they don’t like America for a July 18 story published in several affiliates of the USA Today Network.

Those comments are available here.

• Dr. Jeff Clark, director of graduate studies in the Department of Information Systems and Analytics, explained the Wild Goose Festival, a progressive gathering in Hot Springs, North Carolina, for a July 6 story in the National Catholic Reporter.

His comments are available here.

Dr. Jeff Clark

Dr. John Vile

Dr. Rudy Dunlap

• Dr. John Vile, dean of the University Honors College and professor of political science and international affairs, wrote a July 8 editorial about the American flag designed by Betsy Ross available on the USA Today Network.

His commentary is available here.

• Dr. Rudy Dunlap, an associate professor of health and human performance and program coordinator for the leisure and sport management program, provided tips on hiking safely with children for the July 8 Olean (New York) Times Herald.

His comments can be read here.

• MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee commented on the July 9 grand opening of the Chris Young Café on campus for a report on WZTV-TV in Nashville.

Ken Paulson

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

His remarks are available here.

• Ken Paulson, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, also commented on the value of the Chris Young Café to students, this time for a July 9 report on WTVF-TV in Nashville.

His comments are available here.

• Dr. Benjamin Jansen, an assistant professor of finance, warned against the risk of chasing fast, huge investment returns over a long-term strategy for a July 9 article in U.S. News and World Report.

His comments can be read here.

Dr. Greg Pitts

Dr. Ben Jansen

• Dr. Greg Pitts, director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, was interviewed for a podcast posted July 13 by the National Association of Television Program Executives Foundation.

The audio is available here.

• Dr. Virginia Hemby, a professor of business education, contributed ideas to help people improve their professional status for a July 14 article in the Chicago Tribune.

Her comments are available here.

Dr. Virginia Hemby

Dr. Rhonda Hoffman

• Dr. Rhonda Hoffmann, a professor in the School of Agriculture and director of the MTSU Horse Science Program, offered tips for crafting a healthy diet for a horse for a July 15 article for The Horse magazine.

Her comments are available here.

• Dr. Perry Cotham, a professor emeritus of communication studies, wrote an editorial, published in the July 16 issue of The Tennessean, praising Walter Cronkite’s role in explaining the Apollo 11 moon landing to American television viewers.

His editorial can be read here.

Dr. Perry Cotham

Dr. Ben Stickle

• Dr. Ben Stickle, an associate professor of criminal justice administration, warned that thieves target people who collect scrap metal for an article in the July edition of Reader’s Digest Canada.

His comments are available 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 615-898-5081 or via email at gina.logue@mtsu.edu.