Psi Beta Attends Tennessee Psychology Association Conference

By Joan Edens

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

      SMYRNA, Tenn. – Five Motlow Psi Beta Honor Society student members and their sponsor attended the 2022 Tennessee Psychological Association (TPA) Conference in Nashville on Oct. 28, 2022, enabling them to engage directly with psychology professionals.

      Motlow Smyrna attendees included sponsor Psychology Professor Katherine Hayes, Psi Beta President Emily Alvarado, Vice President Joan Edens, Secretary Ellen Seifert, and Liberty Sexton. One Motlow Moore County Psi Beta member, Monica Rodriguez Varas, joined as well.

      The students started the day by attending their choice of professional continuing education seminars. They then rejoined for lunch at the TPA annual business meeting. These events allowed the students to interact with and learn from psychology professionals in a wide range of practice types and focuses.

 

      “I hope that the conference excites interest in psychology,” Hayes said. “I hope they get to form connections and network with other professors and professionals.”

Pictured (L-R) are Ellen Seifert, Liberty Sexton, Emily Alvarado, Joan Edens, Professor Kate Hayes, and Monica Rodriguez Varas.

      Hayes saw her wish for her students come true at the conference. Attendees Sexton and Alvarado both reported that their biggest interests included wanting to learn more about psychology in the presentations and taking advantage of the networking opportunities. 

      “I’ve never been to something like this. I like to learn. I’m working toward a career in psychology, so the prospects for networking are exciting,” Alvarado said. 

      “I’m interested in hearing professionals speak about subjects I don’t know much about,” Sexton said.

      Three of the five students attended the seminar, “Including People with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities into Practice: Treatments that Work,” presented by Dr. Susan Redmond-Vaught. Redmond-Vaught is the director of psychology at Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. 

      Two students attended a seminar given by J. Christopher Young, who has a doctorate in neuropsychology, “Dementia Toolbox: Essentials for Clinicians Working with the Diverse Population of Older Adults.” Young is a clinical neuropsychologist who practices at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation in Chattanooga.

      All attendees joined in the foyer of the host hotel, Sonesta Nashville Airport, during a break in the three-plus-hours-long session to network. The students engaged attendee, children’s mental health author, and licensed clinical psychologist Christine Manley of Nashville in a conversation about the pros and cons of private practice.

      Manley identified several paths to careers in psychology and left as many questions as answers for the students. A suggestion was made to set up a public panel of TPA professionals to be held at Motlow for all interested students to help answer some of them for a broader audience. Hayes agreed to the plan and proposed that the students coordinate a panel with the TPA for Spring 2023. 

      Once the seminars were completed, the group moved to the TPA lunch and business meeting. Lunch comprised three courses including salad, chicken and vegetables and a raspberry cheesecake dessert. The banquet tables sat eight each and seating was mixed. Three attendees sat at one of the round tables with a group of professionals and their spouses while the rest sat at another. 

      The table arrangement promoted networking and the students engaged in more personal conversations with doctors, psychologists, neuropsychologists and their spouses as they ate before the general meeting. Shared stories ranged from experiences with the TPA to gardening tips. 

      “What stood out the most to me was the conversations at the table. I was sitting with three past presidents of TPA. One of the ladies at the table continuously tried to involve us in the conversation, which I appreciated,” Alvarado said.

      The final presentations of the day were provided by the TPA officers who had coordinated the conference. The students learned about laws being discussed at the state level that may have an impact on psychiatric practices, how the TPA lobbies on behalf of member psychologists and their patients, continuing education opportunities provided by TPA and how professional members can serve fellow members and contribute to the health of the association. 

      After the business meeting, Hayes introduced the students to TPA Executive Director Elise Oehring, a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Nashville. Oehring invited the students to contact her with any questions they might have about obtaining their doctorates or about the TPA. She was excited to see Motlow participate in the conference. Other students had participated in Thursday’s poster presentation events, but the students from Motlow were the only ones to attend Friday’s seminars and TPA meeting.

      A couple of days after returning home, Edens approached Oehring about potential involvement in the suggested psychology professions panel. Oehring agreed, and Hayes gained approval for Psi Beta to co-host the panel during the spring semester with Motlow Smyrna campus. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 28.

      TPA panel members have been selected to represent a variety of psychology career paths and certifications to best answer a broad range of student questions. The event will be free and open to all interested students currently enrolled with Motlow or Middle Tennessee State University. Speakers, faculty and special guests will be available to network with the students following the panel. Box lunches will be provided to those who pre-register.

      To learn more about the club, contact Instructor Katherine Hayes at khayes@mscc.edu. To learn more about the Professional Pathways in Psychology speakers’ panel and obtain the link to pre-register, contact Psi Beta Vice President Joan Edens at jedens0106@mscc.edu. 

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How to Prepare for the Bonnaroo Festival

By Sarah Queen

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

Imagine arriving to Bonnaroo on a hot summer day. You start to unpack and set up your campsite. But oh no! You forgot to bring a tarp, and it is going to be 90' plus degrees in your tent without any shade! You don’t need to worry. I have been to Bonnaroo, and have you covered on what you need!

Bonnaroo is a music and arts festival that is staged annually in Manchester, Tennessee. In 2019, it will be held June 13-16. Bonnaroo started in 2002 and is held in the Great Stage Park.

Buy your ticket:

The first step planning for Bonnaroo is to make sure you’ve bought your ticket and a car parking pass if you plan to camp. The general admission tickets start off at $274.50 plus fees. The prices will increase the closer Bonnaroo gets. After you have purchased your ticket and registered your wristband, it is time to start packing. You can also add your card to your wristband and pay for everything inside of Roo cashless! This is a good way to avoid people stealing from you.

Selecting your wardrobe:

 If you have been to a music festival before, you know the outfits can be very creative and lively. I plan out an outfit for each day, and I also like to pack a couple extra outfits in case I decide I want to wear something else. It is also important to pack a swimsuit if you want to play in the fountain, even though it is totally acceptable to play in your clothes or underwear, but I prefer my swimsuit. Also, do not forget to pack comfy clothes to sleep in! Getting back to your tent and changing into something more comfortable after a long day of enjoying music is a great feeling.

 You should also bring sandals, towels and shower necessities. Roo has showers you can pay to use, and they also have a happy hour during which the showers are half price. If you do not want to pay for a shower you, can always shower in the mushroom fountain in Centeroo or bring a portable shower! If you do not want to buy a portable shower, I would bring baby wipes and a couple gallons of water to clean yourself with.

Consider the weather:

Last year when I went to Bonnaroo, the weather forecast was sunny for each day, so I pack accordingly. On the last day, Mother Nature changed her mind, and it rained pretty hard all night. This was nice because it cooled the camp down some, and I was able to sleep in. Unfortunately, I did not pack any rain boots or a poncho. When there are thousands of people walking in wet grass, it can turn into mud really quick. Unfortunately, I ruined a pair of shoes, but next year I will make sure I bring my rain boots.

Bathroom Horror:

You also want to bring toilet paper, not only for your campsite, but for when you are in Centeroo as well. Imagine that one of your favorite bands is about to start and you really have to use the bathroom. You leave to go real quick because you want to be sure you have time to make it back before they start. When you arrive at port-a-potties, there is a long line. You notice several empty stalls, so you pick one. After you’ve already started your business, you realize why the stalls were empty. There is no toilet paper! With your bathroom stall being a portapotty, and there being hundreds of strangers on the outside, your options are limited. This is why it is important to bring your own. You would rather be safe than sorry. I suggest bringing someone inside Centeroo with you just in case.

Now you are heading back into the crowd to find your friends. You thought you remembered where they were, but you do not see them anywhere. This is why it is important to bring a totem pole or flag, so your friends can find you in the crowd. I would also set up lights or a flag at your campsite so you can find it easier on the way home at night.

Food:

 Snacks, meals and water are all very important. The food inside of Bonnaroo can get very pricey, so it is important to eat at your campsite before Roo, and you can bring some snacks into Centeroo.

 Now besides all the obvious, you will need to bring camping supplies. Make sure you pack a tent, sleeping bag, and warm clothes. Even though the festival is during the middle of the summer, it can get cold at night, so bring a hoodie!

I also found it very helpful to bring a tarp to put over your tent, and tapestries to put inside of it. They will shade it from the sun some, and they are nice decorations! Sunscreen is also very important, and I brought a couple bottles of Pedalyte (https://pedialyte.com/?gclid=COjy0_mRkN4CFRTvgQodR5MNog ) to help restore some energy the sun took away from me.

Use a Map:

If you have never been to Bonnaroo before, you might want to take a look at the map and lineup to try to become familiar with where the stages are. Last year was my first year attending, and luckily I went with friends who have been multiple times, so they showed me around. If it is your first time going and you do not have any friends who have been before, I would look at the lineup and the map to figure out where you are going. Otherwise you might wait an hour for a set that is at another stage.

You can download a Bonnaroo app that has a mobile schedule and map. It also sends you any important alerts throughout the weekend. Whenever it stormed the last day of Bonnaroo, the phone alerts let us know that Centeroo closed, and what time it reopened!

Basically all that is left is to have a good time and enjoy yourself! Everyone at Bonnaroo is very helpful and friendly. Do not forget to spread good vibes! And remember no music festival is perfect, but you have to make the most out of what you got.

These are just some of the things I thought were important to know before going to Bonnaroo. Here is Bonnaroo’s official checklist, so you can make sure you pack everything you need!

Here is Bonnaroo’s official checklist:

https://www.bonnaroo.com/what-to-pack/

And also a very helpful checklist from Nashville Guru:

http://nashvilleguru.com/11446/bonnaroo-what-to-bring

https://www.bonnaroo.com/

Nationally Known Photographer Thomas Sanders Speaks at MTSU

By David Delgado

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Portrait and landscape Photographer Thomas Sanders spoke to students and faculty at Middle Tennessee State University on Nov. 9, telling them that “Photographing and honoring the veterans act as a an opportunity for them to tell their story.”

            Sanders has received national notoriety for a touring exhibition of photos called “American Heroes: Portraits of Service.” He traveled the country photographing and interviewing hundreds of veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

            More than 50 students and faculty gathered in the BAS State Farm Room at 6:30 p.m. to hear Sanders describe his war-related work and share some of the stories of the veterans he photographed. Storytelling has always been part of Sanders’ life. He was deeply inspired by his grandfather, who also dedicated his life and career to photography.

Photo by David Delgado   

  “My grandfather was a professional photographer for part of his life,” said Sanders. “Storytelling has been part of my whole life because of him.”

Sanders has used a good portion of his work to honor World War II veterans. Sanders used PowerPoint to show present-day images of the vets he photographed. He shared moving stories if soldiers provided them. One of the first World War II Vets he interviewed, Randel Paris, pulled down his pants to show a scar in his lower abdomen. He received the scar during a battle in Italy. He witnessed his accompanying commander triggering an S-mine and dying instantly. During the battle, Randel triggered an S-mine himself. The shrapnel hit his stomach and his intestines came out. He took his canteen belt and cinched it around his stomach to survive.

Photo by David Delgado   

A place where Sanders draws inspiration comes from fellow photographers Jeff Wall and Pieter Hugo. When the lecture was done, Sanders opened himself up for questions about his life and work. Several members of the audience asked questions.

When asked what adversities he sometimes faces, the artist said, “Challenges I face would be language barriers, and sometimes I would photograph the vets and ask them if they wanted to do an interview. Sometimes they did not.”

He added that he enjoys photographing current soldiers as well and would love to do a book on all of the wars. 

            Attendees were invited to visit the Baldwin Photographic Gallery at the College of Media and Entertainment to see the photos featured in his PowerPoint presentation. Many students snapped pictures while admiring the art with the people who organized the event. There was also a line to speak to Sanders and get autographs.

Photo by David Delgado   

“The Baldwin Photographic Gallery hosts up to four exhibitions each academic year,” said event organizer Jackie Heigle, curator and associate professor of photography. “It is important for the students to experience exhibitions of photographic works on and off campus, and to hear the stories of these ‘real world’ photographers who might inspire the students more directly to be aware of the challenges and the rewards of hard work, business acumen, and personal style." 

“I think he is a very interesting photographer who has done well in the span for himself,” said Andrew Miller, an MTSU student who attended the event. “I think the pieces are wonderful and very high quality. I love the expressions and the life you can feel coming from them. I hope this is a tribute that can live on to honor and memorialize these people and their place in history. For better or for worse, documenting history is important from an event standpoint as well as an individual.”  

Photo by David Delgado       

            To stay connected and learn about other events that are going on at MTSU, including the Photography Department, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/whatsup/ 

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Award-Winning Visual Artist Camille Engel to Speak at Motlow on Oct. 24

By Chuck Whiting

Motlow Buzz Editor-in-Chief

         SMYRNA, Tenn. -- Internationally awarded Nashville visual artist Camille Engel will share insights on her art exhibition at the Parthenon during a one-hour talk in the STAH Student Lounge on Oct. 24 (Tuesday).

         Engel will speak from 2-3 p.m. as part of Motlow Smyrna’s “Famous Communicators Speakers Series.” Her exhibition, “My Tennessee Home,” features original contemporary realism paintings that depict state symbols such as the state beverage, cultivated and wild flowers, fruit, wild animal, insects, butterfly, gem, reptile, fish and more.

         "I plan to encourage students at Motlow to follow their dreams," said Engel, who has won dozens of awards from organizations such as Southwest Art Magazine, International Artist Magazine, and the International Guild of Realism. "Every day is a fresh new opportunity to find extraordinary joy in the most ordinary things. My paintings spring from that joy."

         Students, faculty and others will be able to view some of her paintings during a PowerPoint presentation. The “My Tennessee Home” exhibition will continue at the Parthenon through Dec. 31, 2017. Engel has spent the past two and a half years researching, referencing and creating these contemporary realism, trompe l'oeil, and encaustic paintings that present unique and surprising depictions of state symbols.

         "I am thrilled to celebrate my beloved state in the 'My Tennessee Home' exhibition," added Engel. "I have had so much fun learning about each subject and creating these artworks."

 

         The “Famous Communicators Speakers Series” was created to give Motlow Smyrna students the opportunity to learn how authors, musicians, visual artists, journalists, government leaders and others have used their success to communicate to mass audiences.

            Highlights of Engel's "My Tennessee Home" paintings include

            * "Glory!," an oil painting on canvas measuring 66 inches by 44 inches that features the state cultivated flower, a purple iris. The artist’s focused view of this flower closely examines the inner quietude of a single iris to evoke much larger atmospheric feelings of awe. "I used a variety of soft lavender tones and flowing curves complemented by brilliant golden strokes to illustrate a breathtaking grandeur that is always within reach," Engel said. Interesting Fact: In 1919, the schoolchildren of Tennessee chose the wild passionflower as the state flower. However, in 1933, the Legislature designated iris as the “State Flower of Tennessee” but failed to formally rescind the passionflower as the state flower. To eliminate confusion, in 1973, the General Assembly designated the passionflower the state wildflower and the iris the state cultivated flower.

 

            *  "Tough Crowd," a 24-by-24 contemporary realism painting on panel, depicts a red tomato seemingly hurled and splattered against a crisp, white surface. "My choice portrayal of this fruit with its insides exposed and juices forming seed-filled puddles, intrigues the imagination with questions as to what actually happened and why," the artist added. Interesting fact: The tomato was designated Tennessee’s official state fruit in 2003. While commonly considered as a vegetable, the tomato is, botanically speaking, a fruit.

 

            *  "Little Rascal," a 24-by-24 oil on panel, features a friendly raccoon curiously popping through the artist’s crumpled canvas. "His eyes, though masked, shine with playful innocence," Engel noted. Interesting fact: Named the state's wild animal in 1971, raccoons were hunted aggressively in earlier times, mostly for their water repellent fur. In the days of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, the coonskin cap was a common clothing item.

            * "Revealed," a 24-by-24 trompe l'oeil on panel, is a painted display of simplicity. Engel’s linear composition of various river pearls is flanked by the iridescent interior of an opened shell. According to Engel, "the elegance of this shimmering arrangement against a pure white background brings forth the feeling of an enlightened balance." Interesting fact: Named the state's gem in 1979, Tennessee river pearls are remarkable iridescent products of nature, emerging from the indigenous washboard mussel in the fresh water rivers and come in various shapes and colors and are among the most beautiful and durable in the world.

 

            * "Fish Tale," a 12-by-12 trompe l'oeil on panel, is a clever trick of the eye. The artist suggests that an instructional card describing the smallmouth bass is taped to a weathered board. "A trick of surrealism suggests the fish tail is flipping up off the card," Engel continued.  Interesting fact: Named Tennessee's sports fish in 2005, the smallmouth bass will fight ounce for ounce harder than any other species of sport fish in Tennessee. The current state/world record of 11 pounds, 15 ounces, was caught by D.L. Hayes at Dale Hollow Lake on July 9, 1955. 

 

            * "The Way The Cookie Crumbles," a 12-by-12 trompe l'oeil on panel, suggests that a tasty photo is taped to a weathered board. "In truth, I have painted every last crumb, crease and indentation in this appealing rendition," Engel said. "The featured glass of creamy milk, the cookies and the jettison crumbs, all stir the viewer’s senses with memories of this legendary snack." Interesting fact: Milk became the state's official beverage in 2009. Tennessee is home to approximately 45,000 milk cows that live on 317 dairy farms.

 

            "Camille Engel’s trompe l'oeil paintings, with their clever ideas, take the Tennessee state symbols and make them active participants in each picture plane," said Susan Shockley, curator of The Parthenon Museum. "Her vision invites interest."

            Engel, whose paintings have been chosen or commissioned by art collectors from around the world, has emerged as one of America’s most respected realist painters. She was named an "Artist to Watch" by Southwest Art Magazine in 2014 and Fine Art Connoisseur magazine in 2010. A self-taught oil painter known for her passionate oil paintings with rich lighting, colors, textures and intricate detail, Engel works in the "indirect layering" techniques of the Dutch Masters to create her art.

            "Realism, for me, is the most intrinsic and true form of self-expression," the Nashville artist added. "Much like the notes in a musical composition, every stroke is a statement and each one an essential part of the whole."

            Pursuing the aims of the realist movement with passion and skill, her oil paintings have been accepted into prestigious museum tours and art exhibitions from California to New York City. She has won numerous awards, and her paintings have been featured in magazines such as Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, Western Art Collector, Southwest Art, The Artist's Magazine, American Artist, and International Artist. Major commissions include the Tennessee State Museum, Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, and Middle Tennessee Medical Center.

            Each painting in "My Tennessee Home" exhibition invites the viewer to momentarily step into her world and share in her joy of these subjects. For more information about this exhibition, including museum location and hours, visit http://www.nashville.gov/News-Media/Calendar-of-Events/Event-Details/ID/7130/begin/9-1-2017/My-Tennessee-Home-Paintings-by-Camille-Engel-at-the-Parthenon.aspx . To learn more about Camille Engel and view her award-winning artworks, visit http://www.Camille-Engel.com.

Tennessee Lawyer Jerry H. Summers Speaks at Fort Negley

 By Chanton Pace

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee lawyer Jerry H. Summers spoke at Fort Negley on April 12, 2017, telling the audience that “You don't just get anywhere on your own.”

Summers, a well-known Tennessee lawyer who has argued cases before the United States and Tennessee supreme courts, provided insights on one of the most forgotten trials of the 20^th century, Schoolfield 1958.  In his book, “Rush to Justice?”, Summers recounts the trials and tribulations of Judge Raulston Schoolfield.

            “I wanted to tell this story because I feel like it is a forgotten piece of history,” said Summers.

            About 53 people showed up to the event eager to hear what Summers had to say about the topic. Audience members lined up early to hear him speak.  Summers spoke for approximately an hour and even talked some about his personal life and how he became a lawyer.

 “I went to Sewanee to earn my bachelor’s and then to University of Tennessee Knoxville to earn a law degree,” said Summers.

            “Rush to Justice?” centers on Schoolfield’s influential 1958 trial in Nashville, Tennessee.

In his book, Summers writes about the legal career of Schoolfield, including his impeachment and removal from office as a criminal law judge on charges of bribery and extorting campaign funds from racketeers.  The Tennessee Senate convicted Schoolfield of three impeachment charges of unethical conduct, plus 19 other charges.

            “Schoolfield had a lot of enemies,” he said.  “A lot of politics were involved.”

            Summers also talked about how Schoolfield was a man of the people and how much the community loved him.  “A lot of people supported Schoolfield, especially Hamilton County. Those people loved him down there.”

            After his speech, Summers gave audience members about 15 minutes to ask any questions that they had about his career or the Schoolfield 1958 trial.  One man asked Summers to say who was right or wrong in the trial.  Summers responded back, “That my friend is for you to decide.  I know that is not the answer that you want to hear, but I wanted to tell this story for what it is and not who was right or wrong.”

After his presentation, audience members lined up to meet Summers and to buy his book.

 Summers signed autographs and posed for pictures.  He even gave one child a free book and an autograph.

            “Remember that you don’t just get anywhere on your own,” he told the boy.  “Someone always helps you get there.”

            You can find Summer's book,” Rush to Justice?”, at Amazon.com for $40.

            Summers is a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Hamilton County. Summers has served as president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and the Tennessee Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He has served on the national boards of the American Association for Justice and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and he is a life member of both the state and national organizations.  He also has another book, “The Turtle and the Lawyer,” that talks about the people who helped him get to the position where he is.

The event was hosted by the Tennessee Historical Society. The group's next event will occur at Fort Negley on May 3, when Dr. Abigail R. Gautreau speaks about the court case “State vs. Jane, a Slave in 1841.”  For more information about the event, visit www.Tennesseehistory.org.

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The Rise of Middle Tennessee State University Basketball

By Tyler Cobbs

Motlow Buzz Reporter

Middle Tennessee State University men’s basketball head coach Kermit Davis is in the mist of his 15^th season and has led the basketball program to a historic run in the last few seasons. Coach Davis has secured two Conference USA Championship titles, earned back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, and won at least 25 games in the last four seasons. Senior Reggie Upshaw Jr. and junior Giddy Potts are also responsible for MTSU’s recent success.  

Coach Davis has led the men’s basketball team to yet again another fantastic year, ending the regular season at 30-4 and becoming the 2016-2017 regular season Conference USA Champions. After this season, Kermit Davis is now the all-time winningest coach in program history with a total of 276 victories.

       Lightning Start for the Blue Raiders

The Blue Raiders started off this season with a bang, winning 10 out of their first 11 games. Also, early in the season, MTSU was invited to the Nashville “Music City Challenge,” a mid-season tournament held at Bridgestone Arena every year. Effortlessly, the Blue Raiders won the tournament title for the first time and defeated UNC Wilmington, Toledo, and Evansville along the way.    

Blue Raiders Gallop Through Conference USA 

After a grueling non-conference schedule, the Blue Raiders are focused and prepared for Conference USA play. Senior and four-year-starter Reggie Upshaw Jr. led the team to an incredible 10 game win streak to start of their conference schedule. On New Year’s Day, Upshaw scored a career and season high 34 points against the University of Alabama Birmingham in their conference opener. After the final buzzer, the crowed gave the senior a standing ovation after his unbelievable performance.

MTSU went on to finish with a record of 17-1 in the Conference USA, only suffering a loss to the University of Texas El Paso. Still with the best record in the conference, MTSU claimed the regular season conference championship for the fifth time in the last seven years.

  MTSU Thrives in Conference Tournament

The next big challenge for the Blue Raiders was the Conference USA Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama. The winner is crowned champions and earns a guaranteed spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Raiders were the victors over Marshall University, 83-72, in the championship game, and were led by junior standout-guard Giddy Potts, who finished the game with 36 points.

NCAA Tournament Bound

The Blue Raiders clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in a row. MTSU was rewarded the 12th seed in the South Region bracket and faced fifth seeded Minnesota University in the round of 64. The immaculate Blue Raiders advanced to the next round, defeating Minnesota, 81-72. In the following round, MTSU’s season came to an end. The Blue Raiders fought in a tough game and were defeated by fourth-seeded Butler University, 65-74. While at the watch party in the student union building at MTSU, students and I were left stunned after suffering from defeat.

        The Beginning of Something Great

The season may have come to an end for the Blue Raiders, but the start of a dynasty may be on the horizon. With head coach Kermit Davis at the helm and some talented incoming freshmen, anything is possible for MTSU’s men’s basketball program. The future looks bright for an already well-established ball club. Next year looks to be the year for the Blue Raiders to make the next big step towards greatness. 

To learn more about MTSU basketball, visit

http://www.goblueraiders.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

For more information about Conference-USA Men’s Basketball, visit

            http://conferenceusa.com/index.aspx?path=mbb

Historic Samurai Collection Is Here in Nashville Till Jan.16, 2017.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is presenting a historic samurai collections including weapons, armor, techniques and the Japanese way of life to the people of Nashville from Nov. 4, 2016 to Jan. 16, 2017.

The exhibition "Samurai: The Way of the Warrior” examines the traditions of this legendary class warrior, whose political dominance affected Japanese art and culture for nearly 700 years. The collection is drawn from the rich holdings of the Museo Stibbert, a museum primarily devoted to arms and armors in Florence, Italy.

“It is considered the largest museum in the world outside of Japan in samurai collection,” said Frist Center tour guide and teacher Keith McLusky.

 The exhibition features more than 90 different functional and decorative objects created between the 15th and 19th centuries, providing information and insights about the samurai's traditions, lifestyles, morals, culture and aesthetic code. The exhibition includes a mini-cinema room that displays a small part of the program, "Samurai and Cinema".

The selective collection includes up to nine full suits of armor, 12 expressive samurai helmets or so-called "Kabuto", and spectacular helmets or "Kawari Kabuto". While the samurai armor’s main function is to protect its wearer, it is also incredibly visually stunning, constructed from materials such as bearskin, silk, buffalo horns, and horsehair. The armors display the power, elegance and proudness of the individual samurai. The armors are usually displayed at home when they are not in use.

The sword of the samurai (Katana) is widely recognized and popular across the globe for its aesthetic design, cutting-edge technology, effort in its craftsmanship, and its performance. The katanas are not always the same. They vary in many sizes and designs and have their own purposes. However, the katana is not the only main weapon of the samurai. The long bow (Yumi) is also a very effective weapon of the samurai. The bow is incredibly tall, typically over 2 meters. Since the Yumi is not that much different from other types of long bows in other cultures, it is not as widely known as the katana.

The term samurai refers to elite warriors who played an important role in Japanese politics and society from the late 12th century until the mid-19th Century. The samurai is incredibly brave, courageous, honorable and loyal.

"Samurai are elite fighters, very well-trained,” said Keith McLusky. "They live to fight. Even if samurai don't fight anymore, they still train, wear uniform and armors, and get involved in civil life and politics. They will still display their armor and wear their uniforms at home to show that they are proud samurais, fighters."

The admission to the First Center is free for visitors that are 18 or younger and $12 for adults. College students with ID only need to pay $9. The Frist Center is open seven days a week on the following schedule: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; and 1 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information about the exhibit “Samurai: The way of the Warrior”, visit www.fristcenter.org/calender/detail/samurai-the-way-of-warrior.

Motlow State Community College Plans New Building

 By Trey Carter 

        SMYRNA, Tenn. – Motlow State Community College plans to add a third building to its Smyrna campus by spring 2019 that will offer more classes, programs and possibly a cafe space.

 Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Cheryl Hyland provided details for this new building. The college’s funding is awaiting approval from the Tennessee Board of Regents. If approved, the building will be built west of the Science and Applied Technology Building. Also, Motlow would be required to raise 10 percent of the total cost for the building.

“I am tremendously excited to be able to expand academic programs and service delivery to serve in the community,” said Hyland.

            Rapid growth of the Tennessee Promise scholarship program has created the need for new space on the Smyrna campus. Some 1,038 students are taking advantage of the two free years provided by the State of Tennessee, a 52.87 percent increase over fall 2015. By 2025, the number of Tennessee Promise students is projected to grow to include 895 more students.

However, Hyland said the proposed building is not a direct result of the Tennessee Promise scholarship. The third building was planned many years ago, with the original master plan laid out before the college opened a campus in Smyrna. The current campus has approximately 2,800 students.   

            The new building will be focused on providing more classrooms and labs for new or already existing programs. The school is looking to add a new nursing program and many classes to go along with it. While plans have not been finalized for what rooms will be included, there is discussion about adding an auditorium, an art room, a cafe, and more labs for science classes.

The school is in search of a restaurant to go inside the new building. The majority of students should be pleased with the inclusion of an outside food vendor.

            If all goes as scheduled, the new building will be expected to break ground in 2017. Once started, the building will take a projected 15 to 18 months to complete.

With a new building, the school will be required to expand the amount of parking spaces on campus. One new building with approximately 80,000 gross square feet must have 750 new parking spaces to accommodate students.

            “A new building sounds great,” said Austin Kraner, a Motlow student. “The campus will definitely need the space once new students come in.”

            For more information about Motlow State Community College, visit www.mscc.edu. 

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Cool Springs' Cars n' Coffee Hosts Biggest Event Yet

By Austin Mabe

            FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Thousands of car enthusiasts gathered for the annual Cars n’ Coffee event from 8-10:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 in Cool Spring’s Thoroughbred Theatre parking lot.

Cars n’ Coffee was started by a group of friends who own sports cars such as Porsches and Ferraris. Every Saturday, they would drive them after having coffee at Starbucks. They began meeting other people who loved driving their sports cars in the Franklin area, as well. They eagerly wanted to join in on the adrenaline-filled fun. As these weekend rides gained popularity, more and more people started calling to join as well.  

“Soon the crowd became too big for the local Starbucks,” said senior member Jonathan Price of Franklin.

Nevertheless, they all starting meeting at the Cool Springs Thoroughbred Theatre across the street from Starbucks after ordering their coffee in the drive-thru.

“The drive-thru line soon backed up to the main road, so most participants just went to the theatre parking lot instead,” Price said.  

Price, who owns a 2014 McLaren P1, said he loves to show it off. “It all got started by a group of close friends who owned sports cars and loved driving them”, Price said.

Franklin’s Justin Allison, who owns a 2013 Alpha 12 GTR, agrees. “I’ve been at least 230 mph on Highway 840 with this thing, “Allison said.

The cars they mentioned are nothing close to the cars one might see on the road today. The Alpha 12 GTR is capable of going as fast as 100 mph in less than six seconds, Allison added. The sports cars seen at Cars n’ Coffee are hard to forget. The owners keep the clean, tuned and ready to go so they can show them off as they please.

            The Cars n’ Coffee meet brought out over 1,000 sports cars and at least 2,000 observers on Nov. 5. The people in attendance are friendly and willing to talk about their cars to anyone curious enough to ask. The meets occur every Saturday from 8-10:30 a.m., with the first Saturday specializing in exotics. For more information about attending Cool Springs’ Cars n’ Coffee, visit http://www.carsandcoffeefinder.com/cool-springs/.