Throughout February – Black History Month at MTSU
Feb. 3- The campus community is invited to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the “black national anthem,” at 12:30 p.m. on the Keathley University Center knoll.
Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27- Watch Eyes on the Prize, the award-winning four-part PBS documentary about the history of the Civil Rights movement, at 7 p.m. in the Keathley University Center Theatre.
Feb. 7- Visit the information table for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first floor of the Student Union building. Free HIV/AIDS testing will be available then and throughout the month.
Feb. 11- Michael McDonald, MTSU’s first African-American student government president, will be the keynote speaker for the annual Unity Luncheon at 11 a.m. in the Student Union ballroom, paying tribute to community leaders James L. Butler, Pearlie Mae Martin and Phyllis Hickerson-Washington. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Contact (615) 898-5797 or jonell.hinsey@mtsu.edu.
Feb. 17- Dr. Cleveland Sellers (pictured right), president of Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C., will deliver an address titled “A Voice from the Movement” at 6 p.m. in room 116 of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors College Building. An advocate for nonviolent social change, Sellers was the only person arrested at the “Orangeburg Massacre.” He received an official pardon 25 years after his release.
Feb. 19- See a presentation based on some of the “Myths of the Movement” at 4 p.m. in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. This event focuses on how some written and oral history skews the truth about the Civil Rights movement.
Feb. 20- Walks through the “Tunnel of Oppression” are scheduled from 1 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Tom Jackson Building. Participants experience current-day concepts of oppression, privilege and power. This event coincides with the World Day of Social Justice as declared by the United Nations.
Feb. 23- The Scholars Academy, in conjunction with the Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Center, will host “Sista and Brotha, You Rock!” from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Student Union ballroom. MTSU students of color will receive awards honoring them for their contributions to the community.
All events except the Unity Luncheon are free and open to the public. For a complete list of Black History Month events, go to mtsu.edu/aahm. For more information, call (615) 898-5797 or e-mail jonell.hinsey@mtsu.edu.

Jan. 31 – Feb. 1 – Southern Invitational Indoor Truck & Tractor Pull
Enjoy the Southern Invitational Indoor Truck & Tractor Pull Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B West Thompson Ln.) Admission charged. For more information, please call (615) 809-6154.

Feb. 4 – 39th annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
The 39th Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon begins at at 11:30 a.m. in Murphy Center (1301 E. Main St.) with head coach Jim McGuire and the Middle Tennessee baseball team kicking off the 2014 inaugural Conference USA baseball campaign. Enjoy hamhocks, white beans, tomato salad, green onions, corn bread, chocolate cake and ice cream. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (a table of 10 can be reserved for $250). Call (615) 898-5261 for reservations. The deadline to pre-order tickets is Jan. 31. The Blue Raiders open the 2014 home slate against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m., before hosting Dayton, Miami (Ohio) and Indiana State for the Mule Mix Classic Feb. 21-23. The Blue Raider ticket office is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Visit GoBlueRaiders.com for more information.

Feb. 5 – Home School Wedding Gown Exhibit Special Guided Tour
Special guided tours of the award winning exhibit of Wedding Dresses Through the Decades will be held at Oaklands Historic House Museum (900 N. Maney Ave.) at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult and museum tours are also available. Admission is $5 per person over 5 years of age. For more information, please contact (615) 893-0022, info@oaklandsmuseum.org, or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

Feb. 6 – High-school Business Leaders Compete for Prizes at MTSU
America’s future business leaders will test their mettle against their peers in a competition this month at MTSU. The Future Business Leaders of America’s Region 4 Conference is slated for Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Student Union ballroom. Some 150 youngsters from nine counties will vie all morning long for top prizes in categories such as business ethics, global business, management decision-making, entrepreneurship, marketing, client service, impromptu speaking, job interviews and public speaking. “This is an opportunity for these students to learn about business in high school, see what business is all about and determine if they’d like to enter the business world,” said Kay Blasingame-Boike, lecturer in the MTSU Department of Business Communication and Entrepreneurship. Dr. David Urban, dean of the Jones College of Business, will address the students at 1 p.m. Following Urban’s speech, there will be a drawing for two Samsung tablets and a number of Walmart gift cards for students. All teachers who attend also will receive Walmart gift cards. For more information, contact Blasingame-Boike at (615) 898-5687 or kay.blasingame-boike@mtsu.edu.

John Hood

Feb. 7 – Chamber to Honor John Hood, Sheri Morgan
The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce has named John Hood as the 2013 Business Legend of the Year and will honor him at the Chamber’s annual Business at its Best celebration at 5:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel & Conference Center (1200 Conference Center Blvd.), followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Hood’s career spans over six decades, with posts in radio broadcasting, banking, human resources, higher education and governmental service at the city, county and state levels. He currently serves as director of government and community affairs for MTSU, a position he’s held since 2008. From 1996 to 2008, he represented the 48th District in the Tennessee General Assembly House of Representatives. Prior to that, he spent 20 years of his career as vice president of marketing for SunTrust Bank, 10 years at MTSU, six years as personnel manager for Samsonite Corporation and 10 years in radio broadcasting for WGNS and WMTS. He is a military veteran, having served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Hood is a devoted community advocate, has volunteered for many civic and non-profit organizations, and emceed countless community events and fundraisers. Affiliations include the Exchange Club of Murfreesboro, United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties, Read to Succeed and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, where he has served as a diplomat for the past 18 years.

Sheri Morgan

Additionally, Leadership Rutherford has named Sheri Morgan, owner of Tri Star Title & Escrow, LLC in Murfreesboro, as the 2013 recipient of the Pinnacle Award, given to someone who has demonstrated significant leadership throughout his or her career. Morgan has owned Tri Star Title & Escrow, LLC since 2005. She manages six employees and on a daily basis, develops business relationships in the real estate industry.
“Sheri is very deserving of this award,” said Leadership Rutherford Director Stephanie Brackman. “She is an individual so passionate about leadership and her community, and gives of herself tirelessly. Sheri does whatever she can to bring joy and create better lives for those around her.”
Morgan currently serves on the board of directors for Special Kids and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as treasurer, and is past president of Leadership Rutherford. She is an active volunteer for Holiday Fest, Main Street, Special Kids, First Shot Basketball, American Heart Association, Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors, Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Homebuilders of Middle Tennessee, Rutherford County Homebuilders and DreamCatchers Therapy. She was a Rutherford County Chamber Diplomat for two years and a 2008 Leadership Rutherford graduate.
“I was always very shy and bashful growing up, and stayed to myself,” said Morgan. “All of this changed when I attended Leadership Rutherford with the Chamber of Commerce several years ago. I became a different person, opening up and speaking in public. This changed my personality and gave me self-esteem. Leadership Rutherford was the best thing I ever did for myself.”
Reservations for the celebration are $70 for Chamber members and $90 for nonmembers. To reserve your seat, call (615) 893-6565 or visit rutherfordchamber.org.

Feb. 7 – Winter Evening Exhibit Showing
Special evening viewing of the elegant and fashionable wedding dresses are on exhibit in Maney Hall (900 N. Maney Ave.) during extended evening hours of 5-8 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, contact (615) 893-0022, info@oaklandsmuseum.org or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

Feb. 8-9 – Intercollegiate Horse Show
Take part in the Intercollegiate Horse Show at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B West Thompson Ln.)
Admission is free. For more information, please call (615) 494-8961.

Tracie Peterson

Kimberly Woodhouse

Feb. 10 – Authors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse to speak at Linebaugh
Linebaugh Public Library is pleased to host authors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse for a book talk and signing of their newly released title, All Things Hidden, a novel set on the beautiful Alaskan frontier revealing a hidden past that threatens a new love, from noon to 2 p.m. in the 2nd floor Reading Room (105 W. Vine. St.). Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 90 novels. Kimberley Woodhouse is a published author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker/teacher, she’s shared her theme of Joy Through Trials with over 150,000 people at more than a thousand venues across the country. To learn more, call (615) 893-4131 or visit linebaugh.org.

Feb. 12 – Valentine Tea in the Leeman House
Celebrate the day of love in the 1800s Leeman House at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 4-6 p.m. Ages 7 and up dress in your Valentine attire and come for refreshments and a themed craft. Reservations required through Feb. 9. Space is limited. Admission is $3.50 per person. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

Feb. 15, 22 – Blue Raider Basketball Legends
The Middle Tennessee Varsity Club has announced the dates for the annual Basketball Legends events for 2014. The men’s basketball event will take place on Feb. 15 when the Blue Raiders host Southern Miss. The women’s event is scheduled for Feb. 22 when MT welcomes Charlotte to the Murphy Center.
All former players, managers and coaches are invited to return for the event. A pre-game reception will be held in the Emmett and Rose Kennon Hall of Fame two hours prior to the game. All returning alumni will be introduced at halftime of both games.
“When we began our ‘Legends’ events we planned to have them only once every few years, but the feedback from players and fans alike was so positive that we have made them annual events,” noted Varsity Club Director Jim Simpson. “The fans love to see their favorite Blue Raiders back on the floor again and our players love returning to campus.”
Letters were sent to all alumni earlier this month. If a basketball athlete, manager or coach did not receive a letter, please contact Simpson at (615) 898-5632.

Feb. 17 – MTSU Honors College hosts Presidents’ Day Open House
High school and transfer students and their families are invited to the fifth annual Presidents’ Day Open House at MTSU’s Honors College and Student Union from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit mtsu.edu/honors/OpenHouse.php for a detailed schedule and to register. Enjoy educational events, optional tours and fun activities for prospective students. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about admissions, financial aid, housing and more. A scholarship drawing will be held and students can take a presidential quiz and win prizes. Contact (615) 898-5464 or Laura.Clippard@mtsu.edu. Each student who attends will receive three tickets to dine on campus during the visit.

Feb. 17 – Science and Spirituality Discussion Group
Are you interested in exploring the relationship between science and spirituality? Science and Spirituality Discussion Group meets the third Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at Unity of Murfreesboro (130 Cannon St.). For more information, call (615) 907-6033.

Beginning in February – Project Reality Check
Youths experiencing discipline issues with parents or trouble at school might consider getting a free “Reality Check” beginning in February at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, said Sheriff Robert Arnold.
“Project Reality Check” is a two-hour educational program for at-risk youth ages 12 to 17 and their parents or guardians. The program shows at-risk youth the potential consequences of continued delinquent behavior and its impact on their lives and personal freedoms.
“At risk teens are often warned many times of the consequences of their unruly behavior but rarely believe these consequences will happen to them,” Sheriff Arnold said. “They believe their families, teachers, counselors and even law enforcement officers exaggerate the truth until it’s too late. I am committed to finding ways of diverting our county’s youth from the judicial system by showing them the reality of their delinquent behavior.”
Project Reality Check is coordinated by the School Resource Officers Division and the Adult Detention Center staff. One session will be conducted each month for 10 to 12 youths.
Youths will be chosen through Youth Services and SRO referrals. Parents may also contact SRO Sgt. Bob Weeks for information at bweeks@rcsotn.org or call 904-3066.
Students who participate in Project Reality Check will undergo an educational tour led by officers focused on making good choices at the Sheriff’s Office and the Adult Detention Center, Sgt. Weeks said. Meanwhile, parents and guardians will take a tour of detention followed by an informational program to discuss the challenges young people face.
Detention Lt. Chris Deal said the youths will tour a pod housing inmates. Three inmates will share personal stories with the youth, parents and guardians about the effects of poor choices and the impact on others.