MTSU STUDENT NEWS STATION MAKING REAL-WORLD IMPACT

By Hunter Russell

          MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee State University’s student run news station, which is part of the MTSU Center for Media Innovation, is making a real-world impact for the students involved.

          MT10 is MTSU’s completely student-run news station, and it’s getting the results educators strive for. Student after student are finding jobs in their field, and the experience they gained with MT10 is a main reason. The students train using all the same equipment the professionals use. They even produce live newscasts multiple times a week. The newscasts are textbook newscasts, and they feature current, timely local stories from Murfreesboro and the surrounding Middle Tennessee areas. They also have full weather and sports reports during the show.

          There are also job possibilities within MT10 in the Marketing Department. It is a completely self-sustaining operation and a crown jewel of the School of Media and Entertainment at MTSU. Michael Ward is one of the producers for MT10, and he’s soon to be one of the success stories from MT10.

            “The program is very in depth and they have jobs for everything from camera work, to production and even talent on camera,” Ward said.

         Ward will be moving to Michigan after graduation this December and starting his first job as a news producer, directly out of MTSU. Ward was one of the main producers for the live MT10 newscasts that air Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. The show airs live at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 10 on Comcast in Murfreesboro, and worldwide on a live stream on their website, www.mt10news.com. The stream is completely free and works best with a high-speed Internet connection.

          Ward was responsible for making sure every aspect of the newscast was in order. Starting hours before show time, Ward and the other producers prepared scripts, checked equipment, and prepped the talent. He even made sure to check run times for the evening’s programming. They have to abide by FCC rules and stay on time. Ward is very proud of the program and all that he and MT10 have accomplished.

            With another successful student jumping from the college ranks directly into the multimedia journalism field, MTSU’S claim to have the best mass communication college only grows stronger.

            “MT10 taught me so much,” Ward said. “I just feel like it’s a major part of where I am today.”

           Many former success stories from the school line the walls of the John Bragg Communication Building, and perhaps another plaque isn’t too far away.

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MTSU Fine Arts Students Exhibit Original Works at Todd Art Gallery

By Meredith G. White

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Fine arts students at Middle Tennessee State University debuted their original artwork in a new exhibit titled “Kinda Infinity & Sorta Beyond” from Nov. 18-26 at the Todd Art Gallery.

            The Todd Art Gallery, located on the MTSU campus at 1301 East Main St., spotlighted the works of seniors who are completing their studies toward Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. The artists who debuted their work were Sara Benton, Acacia Blue, Lindsey Isbell, Scott Sulfridge, and Russ White. Although the exhibit closed at the Todd Art Gallery on Nov. 26, the gallery regularly spotlights artists. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

            The gallery is located inside of the Todd Art Building on the MTSU campus. One can find the main room directly to the left after walking through the front doors. The spacious gallery continues on the right, across the hall from the main room. The exhibit is open to the general public, and it is always free for those who wish to take a look at the art inside.  

            “The artists are given a time period they are allowed to have, and they come up with the theme, title and design of the space,” said Gallery Director Eric V. Snyder. “They work together to put everything in place the way they want it.”

            The artists ask their supervisors and the gallery director questions if they have them, but the whole concept of the exhibit is up to the artists themselves.

            All of the pieces made bold statements that kept one staring at the work in hopes of figuring out where the artists were going and thinking when they created them. Every piece seemed to tell a personal story and have its own background story connected directly to the artists themselves. There were only four artists for this exhibit, but the gallery was filled with their different pieces, and there was not a blank space left in the room.

            One of the more interesting pieces was a mixed media installation titled “Le Chemin (The Way)” by Sara Benton. The work depicted an abandoned swing surrounded by fallen leaves and had a projection of  a girl swinging behind it. It was a hauntingly beautiful piece.

Sara Benton's piece "Le Chemin (The Way)"

        “My work deals largely with themes of identity, relationships and gender as they cycle from individual to communal,” said Benton when explaining the type of art she produces. Her installation art was displayed in a separate room across from the gallery because of its large size.

            One of the other artworks was a painting brushed by Acacia Blue. The acrylic on panel was titled “Comfort” and depicted three sections of a girl lying down with a floral print behind her. This piece struck viewers not only as different, but also very personal.

Acacia Blue's piece "Comfort"

         “I have taken the classic Venus of the old masters and replaced her passive languishing with strength and agency,” said Blue. “These bodacious babes appear within a visually playful, candy-colored oblivion landscape in which they turn their anxieties and longing into magic flowing from their bodies”.

          The “Kinda Infinity & Sorta Beyond” exhibit featured a mix of digital illustrations, videos, sculptures, paintings, screen prints, mixed media, and installation art, creating a very diverse experience for the public to enjoy.

Scott Selfridge's piece "Fused" (concrete). 

Russ White's piece "Robot Mastication" (acrylic).

          The Todd Art Gallery will host its annual Department of Art Seasonal Scholarship Sale from Dec. 1-3. Hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and 9 a.m. – Noon on Wednesday. All proceeds will go to the Department of Art scholarships with all art donated by MTSU art faculty, staff, alumni, students, working artists, and art enthusiasts. To learn more about the gallery, visit www.mtsu.edu/art/barngallery/ . 

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Vann Washington Performs at the Elks Lodge in Murfreesboro

By Candace Dowlen

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—R&B singer-songwriter Vann Washington, 20, performed his hit song “Ride or Die” on Nov. 14 at the Elks Club in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

             Washington, who was born in Washington, D.C., moved to Murfreesboro to attend Middle Tennessee State University. His passion for music led him to the university's Recording Industry program. 

            Last Friday, Washington performed his R&B hit “Ride or Die” in front of an audience of about 125 college students. Admission was $5, and everyone was required to have a college ID to attend. Emerging local rap artists Jmac and Eddie G opened for him. Washington's performance lasted for 30 minutes, with the artist performing a medley of his songs, “Ride or Die” and "Pyromaniac.” The entire event lasted for approximately two hours. 

As Washington took the stage, the building was filled with anticipation and silence. Washington’s first line in “Ride or Die” took the audience by surprise as they began to cheer and scream. During Washington's performance,  the audience pushed toward the stage as he began to rise from his seat. The fans near the stage reached out their hands in hopes of touching the artist as he sang to them. Fans expressed their appreciation after the show.

“For a first time listener, I became a fan instantly," said Meyashia Burnly. "I just wanted to crawl on the stage and have him sing to me personally. That boy can sing!”

 “Vann has a voice like an Angle it captures your soul,” said Latanya Green. “I never heard a male sing so soft, said Jesse Floyd he has such a light voice.”

Washington began writing songs at the age of 16 when he was still in high school. It wasn’t until June 2013 he began actually recording his music. Washington has many accomplishments.  He has gained substantial exposure and new fans by performing at a host of local venues in Murfreesboro, including The Elks Club, Club Social, and MTSU.  Washington-penned songs such as "Pyromaniac", "Protégé", and “Ride or Die” can be downloaded at www.soundcloud.com. The artist also has released a number of mixed tapes. He has been offered a distribution deal with Allegro Records. 

                                                         

          “I’ve thought about signing with Allegro Records, but I just don’t think that’s for me." The artist said. "Right now, I’d rather be independent and wait to see later if I can get any better offers.”

“I have came a long way from where I’ve started, but I’m still not nearly as close as I plan to be," Washington added. "The hardest part is getting recognized.”

Washington will perform on Dec.  20 at the Armory in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Admission is free.  He will be singing holiday Christmas songs for the children. Other upcoming showcases include a performance on Jan. 2 at the Elks. The “back to school” event will spotlight his  original songs. Admission is $2 for students with a college ID and $5 for others. His also will perform at the Listening Room in “Ride or Die” and “Pyromatic”downtown Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 3rd. Admission for that show will be $10 for everyone. 

          “To me, it feels good to have a hit song, "Washington said. "I’m not going to lie. I have a bit of a big head about it, but I’ve put in so much work. I’m just honestly happy to see that some of it has paid off.” 

  “My ultimate goal is to make it on the red carpet, on the big screen." The artist continued. "I want to win a Grammy one day. I just want to make good music that impacts many people. It feels good when you write and sing from your heart and your audience and fans can relate. That has to be the best feeling ever. It's like they finally understand me.” 

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Titans Continue to Struggle with Young Team

by Tyler Totten

           NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Titans’ struggles continued as they fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 at LP Field on Nov. 17 in a tough conference game.

            The 2-10 Titans lost another hard-fought game against the 7-5 Steelers on ESPN's Monday Night Football. The Steeler’s running back, Le’Veon Bell, steamrolled the Titans' defense by rushing for 204 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

            “It was pretty frustrating, knowing they were going to run and not being able to stop it,” Titans' linebacker Avery Williamson said. “(Bell) is just the kind of guy that sits back there and waits and waits, and when you try to figure out where he’s going, you get out of your gaps.”

            Although they lost, the Titans played a statistically sound game. Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Their defense also held the Steelers offense to only 206 rushing yards. The defense sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger five times for a loss of 27 yards.

            Titans play-by-play announcer Mike Keith was optimistic about the team's future after the game.

            “Mettenberger is getting more comfortable,” Keith said. “He’s adjusting well and played very well against the defenses of both the Ravens and the Steelers. He still has a lot to work on, but each week we see a little more out of him.”

            Mettenberger replaced veteran quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who was filling in for the injured Jake Locker.

            He made a key mistake in the first quarter by throwing an interception to Pittsburgh’s corner back William Gay, who returned the ball 28 yards for a touchdown. Mettenberger realized his throwing form caused him to throw the interception, and he accepted full responsibility for what happened.

            “I throw picks to the other team (with that form),” Mettenberger said. “I’ve been in a lot of situations in my life where it wasn’t looking good for me, so I’d rather take the blame than maybe some guy who can’t mentally handle it and put him in a jar.”

            Mettenberger was replaced by the original starting quarterback Jake Locker after suffering a right shoulder sprain in the third quarter while playing against the Houston Texans on Nov. 30. The coaching staff is optimistic, however, that he will start against the Giants.

            Over the off-season last year, the Titans defense shifted from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, causing the players to adjust to a new game style. Although much still needs improvement, they held Roethlisberger to 207 yards with a Quaterback Rating of 66.6.

            Titans' defensive coordinator Ray Horton feels confidant the players are getting more comfortable and will continue to improve.

            “You don’t need GPS to get home, do you?” Horton asked. “But if you’ve just moved into a new city, you have to watch where you’re going. You’re worried about everything. It takes awhile. But once you get comfortable with where you are, you just get behind the wheel and drive.”

            Although the light at the end of the tunnel is hard to see for the Titans, Keith remains optimistic about how they are performing and how well they are adjusting to changes.

            “(The Titans) have made a lot of changes,” Keith added. “We want for at the end of the season to be able to look and see that we are on the right track and moving forward. We are getting there slowly but surely, and I plan to see more positive signs as the year goes on.”

            The Titans are scheduled to play the New York Giants on Dec. 7 at LP Field. For more information about the Titans, visit www.titansonline.com.

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