MTSU faculty and staff appeared on WGNS Radio recently to share information about a new campus mental health training project, new sleep quality and positive aging consortiums and a special upcoming alumni event.

The details were shared during the May 20 “Action Line” program with host Bart Walker. The live program 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 show here.

MTSU faculty and staff appeared May 20 on the WGNS Radio “Action Line” program with host Bart Walker. Pictured are, bottom left from left, Dr. Deborah Lee, the new NHC Chair of Excellence in Nursing, and Dr. Brandon Grubbs, a professor in the Exercise Science Program; top left from left, Cynthia Chafin, associate director for Community Programs for the MTSU Center for MTSU’s Center for Health and Human Services, and Linda D. Williams, CHHS grant coordinator for the Mental Health First Aid project on campus; and top right, Rhonda King, assistant director of in the Office of Alumni Relations. (MTSU photo illustration by Jimmy Hart)

Guests and their topics were as follows:

• Cynthia Chafin, associate director for Community Programs for the MTSU Center for MTSU’s Center for Health and Human Services, and Linda D. Williams, CHHS grant coordinator for the Mental Health First Aid project on campus, discussed the Mental Health First Aid project recently launched on campus, an ongoing sleep study, and other projects coordinated by the center.

Open to students, faculty and staff, the Mental Health First Aid project has thus far resulted in five workshops over the past two months, providing two-year certifications to almost 100 students, staff and faculty members interested in mental health intervention for those around them who need it.

Also, CHHS has formed a research partnership to highlight the importance of sleep quality. The university’s new Sleep Research Consortium was formed this past year to perform research and increase public awareness of how important sleep is to human existence, health and well-being. The consortium is an academic partnership between MTSU, the Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee and a growing group of community partners.

• Dr. Deborah Lee, the new NHC Chair of Excellence in Nursing, and Dr. Brandon Grubbs, a professor in the Exercise Science Program, discussed a new Positive Aging Consortium on campus featuring a cross-disciplinary group of faculty members that aims to draw on a wide variety of disciplines at MTSU to collaborate and share resources for research, education, and community service.

Organized by Lee, who took the NHC Chair of Excellence in Nursing in January, the consortium will draw on a wide variety of disciplines at MTSU. When she and co-organizer Grubbs attended a Rutherford County Council on Aging meeting earlier this spring, they were met with excitement and interest on how to spread the word to the community. Senior centers, assisted care, and long-term care facilities would be among partners who can benefit from and help with some research topics, including in areas like fall prevention and independence in daily living.

• Rhonda King, assistant director of in the Office of Alumni Relations, previewed the 12^thannual Alumni Summer College scheduled for June 19-21 on the Blue Raider campus.

Only a few spots are left for this year’s event, which has the theme of “That’s Entertainment!” MTSU alums and supporters are invited to return to campus for three days of “edutainment,” Blue Raider camaraderie, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. Open to MTSU alumni and friends, the Alumni Summer College is an opportunity to expand your knowledge of interesting subjects with fellow Blue Raiders. A curriculum that combines informative classes and exciting tours has been designed to give participants a unique experience.

MTSU supporters should also mark their calendars for Homecoming Weekend, set for Oct. 25-26 and will again include the Golden Raiders reunion for the Class of 1969 in addition to the tradition parade, tailgating and other activities.

For more information, call the Alumni Relations Office, 615-898-2922, 1-800-533-6878 or email alumni@mtsu.edu.

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.