MTSU on WGNS: Quantum initiative, Tennessee politics, literacy and math events

MTSU faculty appeared on WGNS Radio recently to talk about a new initiative to boost quantum education on campus, Tennessee’s politics on the national stage, and a partnership with local school districts to host math and literacy events.

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 a podcast of the April 17 program.

MTSU faculty appeared on the WGNS Radio “Action Line” program on April 17. The guests, from left in order of appearance, were Dr. Hanna Terletska, an associate professor in the MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy; Kent Syler, political science professor and political analyst; and Dr. Katie Schrodt, associate professor of literacy in the Department of Elementary and Special Education in the MTSU College of Education. (MTSU photo illustration by Jimmy Hart)

Guests and their topics included:

• Dr. Hanna Terletska, an associate professor in the MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy, who talked about the new “Quantum Computing for Everyone” course at MTSU that is enabling access to quantum education in Tennessee.

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences and Department of Physics and Astronomy launched a new website (www.mtsu.edu/quantum) recently to introduce the MTSU Quantum Science Initiative taking shape at the university, promoting faculty efforts in research, education and workforce development in the field of quantum sciences.

• Kent Syler, political science professor and political analyst, who discussed Tennessee politics in the national spotlight following the upheaval surrounding “The Tennessee Three.”

From MSNBC to Fox News and from The Tennessean to The Washington Post, Tennessee politics have been a hot topic following the expulsion of two young Black Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, from the General Assembly by the GOP supermajority and threat to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson, who barely survived an expulsion vote following their disruptive protest about gun violence and liberal gun laws on the House floor following the tragic murders at the Covenant School in Nashville.

• Dr. Katie Schrodt, associate professor of literacy in the Department of Elementary and Special Education in the MTSU College of Education, who discussed MTSU education students and faculty putting on periodic literacy and math events for local families.

The college partners with local school districts Rutherford County Schools, Murfreesboro City Schools and Maury County Schools to host around 15 literacy, math and combined literacy and math events a year. Education faculty and students fundraise and work with the nonprofit Read to Succeed to provide attending families with reading and math games and activities, snacks or dinner, take-home educational materials and free books.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, director of MTSU News and Media Relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.