MTSU faculty and staff appeared on WGNS Radio’s “Action Line” program recently to talk about a recent celebration of local K-12 educators and the challenges they face, a new $40.1 million academic building and the new university police chief’s plans for campus safety.

The live program with host Scott Walker was 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 Oct. 17 program.

Guests included:

• Dr. Pam Ertel, associate professor in the MTSU College of Education, who discussed a recent celebration to honor local K-12 educator mentors and the challenges facing today’s teachers.

After months of planning and preparation, about 70 local teachers came to campus recently to enjoy the MTSU College of Education’s inaugural Teacher Appreciation event. Also recently, Ertel was involved in the College of Education’s annual professional development Play Symposium event to help other educators do just that.

• Dr. Kelly Strong, director of the MTSU School of Concrete and Construction Management, who discussed the recent ribbon-cutting on state-of-the-art, $40.1 million new building on campus.

Middle Tennessee State University officials cut the ribbon Thursday, Oct. 13, to officially open the new $40.1 million, 54,000-square-foot School of Concrete and Construction Management Building students just began utilizing on the west side of campus as they prepare for professional careers in a high-demand sector throughout the Midstate and beyond.

The facility will be an integrated and experiential learning laboratory for 135 current Concrete Industry Management majors and 200 Commercial Construction Management students, and major change from their former home in Voorhies Engineering Technology.

• MTSU Police Chief Edwin “Ed” Kaup, who discussed his new role leading the university’s police force.

A few months into his tenure, Kaup has been busy making the rounds, getting to know his officers, attending campus events and grabbing lunch at the Student Union when time allows so that students get to know his face.

After 27 years in various leadership, administrative and frontline roles with the Chicago Police Department, Kaup has been chosen to lead the university’s 36 commissioned police officers, six full-time dispatchers, approximately 20 part-time student workers as well full-time administrative staff.

Oct. 21 ‘Action Line’

• Also, Dr. Elyce Helford, director of Jewish and Holocaust Studies at MTSU, and Dr. Ashley Valanzola, assistant professor of Holocaust Studies, appeared on the Oct. 21 WGNS “Action Line” program with Scott Walker to discuss the resounding impact the Holocaust had on the world, starting in 1933.

You can listen to a podcast replay of the Oct. 21 program.

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