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SEGMENT ONE – 8:10 a.m.
GUEST: Dr. Tim Graeff, professor of marketing and director of the MTSU Office of Consumer Research
TOPIC: The latest Tennessee Consumer Outlook online survey
Outlook among Tennessee consumers recovered slightly from an all-time low the previous quarter, but pessimism remains high this holiday season as inflation fears linger, according to the latest statewide survey by Middle Tennessee State University.
The Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index registered a score of -93 in December, up from an all-time low in September of –106 but still in negative territory, reports the Office of Consumer Research in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU.
The slight improvement “was due almost entirely to improvements in consumers’ outlook for the economy’s future,” noted Tim Graeff, marketing professor and director of the Office of Consumer Research. “East Tennessee saw significant improvement in outlook, whereas overall outlook declined in West and Middle Tennessee.”
The current online survey current online survey of 627 Tennessee consumers was conducted between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10 and has an error margin of 4%. To see the full report and previous reports, go to https://www.mtsu.edu/consumer/tnoutlookreports.php.
Online shopping still popular, but in-store uptick
Consumers expect to do more Christmas and holiday shopping in physical stores versus online this year. Although online shopping remains the primary means for shopping this year, less than half (39%) expect to do the majority of their holiday shopping online this year, compared to 53% last year.
Read more: https://mtsunews.com/tennessee-consumer-outlook-dec2021/
SEGMENT TWO – 8:25 a.m.
GUEST: Heather Green, MTeach Program Coordinator
TOPIC: The MTeach Program at MTSU
MTSU’s MTeach program, which works to increase the number and abilities of mathematics and science teachers across Tennessee and the nation.
Middle Tennessee State University is one of four Tennessee universities selected to replicate the successful UTeach program of the University of Texas at Austin.
Designed to increase the quantity and quality of mathematics, science and agriculture teachers in our state and nation, MTeach begins with early field experiences for students and includes subject-specific pedagogical coursework; the program builds strong disciplinary and pedagogical foundations, and culminates with ongoing professional development support of new teachers.
With introductory courses led by Master Teachers from secondary education and advanced courses developed and taught by faculty from both the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and the College of Education, MTeach will change the way mathematics, science and agriculture teachers are educated in Tennessee.
With introductory courses led by Master Teachers from secondary education and advanced courses developed and taught by faculty from both the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and the College of Education, MTeach will change the way mathematics, science and agriculture teachers are educated in Tennessee.
Learn more: https://www.mtsu.edu/mteach/
SEGMENT THREE – 8:40 a.m.
GUEST: Matthew Hibdon, Strategic Communications Manager for the College of Liberal Arts, and MTSU Alumni Association board president
TOPIC: MTSU Arts’ “Joys of the Season” broadcast-only holiday celebration; Hibdon’s plans as Alumni president
The December 2021 edition of Middle Tennessee State University‘s “Out of the Blue” TV magazine show is a first: a presentation of the beloved “Joys of the Season,” the annual holiday-themed arts showcase of the College of Liberal Arts, that audiences can enjoy from home this year.
The hourlong special brings activities from students and faculty from the Department of Art and Design, the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance to TV and online for the first time.
Join us all month for:
- Performances of seasonal music by the MTSU Wind Ensemble, MTSU Men’s Choraleand MTSU Women’s Choralein the School of Music.
- Students from the MTSU Dance Programpresenting a faculty-choreographed version of a dance from “The Nutcracker”ballet.
- An original musical arrangement of “Jingle Bells”— plus a special student-choreographed dance — from MTSU Theatrestudents.
- An animated collection of Graphic Design Programstudents’ answers to the question “How do you find ‘Joy in the Season’?”
CLA Interim Dean Leah Lyons also explores the myriad options for study — and careers — available to students who choose liberal arts at MTSU.
You can watch “Out of the Blue,” with host Andrew Oppmann, anytime online on MTSU’s YouTube channel and on MTSU’s True Blue TV, airing on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, as well as on NewsChannel5+ at 3:30 p.m. Sundays.
There will be a special 24-hour showing of the broadcast from noon Dec. 24 to noon Dec. 25 on True Blue TV.|
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Hibdon is a proud alumnus of the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Education and took over as board president over the summer.
Here are excerpts from his opening remarks at the summer board meeting:
“My main goals are to: support the work of our Alumni Relations staff, continue the good work of the Board members who came before us, and to help prove that you do not have to live in Murfreesboro to be a champion for MTSU.
“As a liberal arts graduate, my other personal goal is to remind you all that Words Matter.
Words matter in our conduct each day and how we represent our Alma Mater, both in-person and online.
“Our Board should always be reflective of our Alumni and current students. This Board has alumni from every decade between the 1960s and now. We have the most geographically diverse Board and representation of our LGBT+ alumni. And we have members who hold degrees from all but one of our academic colleges.
“We are the most representative Board in the Alumni Association’s history, AND we still have more work to do.”
