MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University representatives appeared on WGNS Radio recently to share information about the airing of this year’s “Joys of the Season” arts showcase, a new student-run branding agency, and a new course on aviation history.
They appeared on the live “Action Line” program with host Scott Walker broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to the podcast of the Dec. 16 program.
• Matthew Hibdon, strategic communications manager for the College of Liberal Arts and alumnus, discussed the 2024 broadcast of MTSU’s “Joys of the Season” arts showcase of students and faculty from the College of Liberal Arts.
The 30-minute broadcast, which premiered Dec. 9 on MTSU’s True Blue TV (with replays throughout the month) and YouTube channels, will also air in a special broadcast on Nashville PBS on Friday, Dec. 20, at 9 p.m. — which will also include the airing of the 2023 “Joys of the Season” concert. For more information on how to watch Nashville PBS programming, visit https://www.wnpt.org/watch/.
The program is a special edition of the university’s monthly TV magazine show “Out of the Blue” and highlights the work and creativity of MTSU’s School of Music, Department of Art and Design and Department of Theatre and Dance. The holiday special was recorded at several locations across campus, including Hinton Hall inside the Wright Music Building, Tucker Theatre, and the XR Stage in the Bragg Media and Entertainment Building.
• Dr. Tricia Farwell, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and faculty executive for Ever Blue Branding, discussed the new student-powered communications agency that serves as a learning laboratory for College of Media and Entertainment students by providing real-world experience.
The agency started earlier this year and helps clients with a wide range of communication materials and services ranging from strategic planning, brand building and integrated campaigns to trend reports, market research, consumer studies, SEO and communication audits.
To be involved with Ever Blue Branding, students must be enrolled in one of the three classes — Ever Blue Branding I, Ever Blue Branding II or Ever Blue Branding III. Students do not have to have a major in the College of Media and Entertainment to be involved.
• Dr. Sean Foley, Department of History professor who specializes in Middle East and Asian politics and culture, discussed his new MTSU course on The History of Global Aviation.
MTSU launched True Blue Core over the summer, an update to the university’s general education requirements. As part of this process, Foley created a new course exploring the global history of aviation from the late 19th century to the present and taught the course for the first time during the fall 2024 semester.
While developing the course’s syllabus and getting it approved by the university, Foley said he benefited from the expert guidance and strong support of Dr. Suzanne Sutherland, his colleague in the Department of History, who helped him design the course, ensure that it met True Blue Core’s requirements, and shepherded it through the university’s approval process.
Foley said he also benefited from the support and guidance of Dr. Chaminda Prelis, chair of the Department of Aerospace, along with his colleague Dr. Paul Craig, who not only reviewed the draft syllabi, but he also provided terrific suggestions for themes, readings, and exercises for the course. That included readings on Cornelia Fort — a Nashville aviator who was the first American to see the Japanese fighters attacking Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and later served in the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron during World War II.
Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, senior director of MTSU News and Media Relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.
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