David Powell, a retired adjunct English instructor, has published his first book, Teacher Let the Monkeys Out. While at Belmont, Powell taught first and third year writing courses. Prior to that, he spent 33 years teaching in Ohio public schools.

The book is a product of 17 years of research, writing, and 44 years of teaching experience. Some of the earlier chapters were written in the mid-1990s, yet remain “freshly relevant,” as Powell states in the preface.

“(The book) should appeal to anyone interested in our schools and the growing angst that teachers face due to teaching to standards and other pressures often beyond their control,” he said.

It is part reflection and part analysis of the four and half decades he spent as an educator. He said the issues facing our education are far to large and complex for a single individual to fully comprehend and fix but offers up his advice and awareness. Click here for more information about Powell and his book..

Faculty from the Department of Public Relations were involved in the 2012 Southeast District Public Relations Society of America Southeast District Conference, held Sept. 19-21 in Chattanooga, Tenn. and hosted by the Lookout Chapter of PRSA. Kevin Trowbridge, a former president of the Lookout Chapter, served as program chair for the conference. He also gave a presentation on “#PRDefined and Redefined by Social Media.”

Bonnie Riechert, who is the webmaster and newsletter editor for the PRSA Southeast District, moderated a panel on “Advocating and Advancing Ethics in the Age of Me.” Panelists were Richard Friedensen, president of Forge Communications of Raleigh, N.C., Jessica Gisclair of Elon University and Brandon Wilson, chief executive officer of Wilbron Institute, Birmingham, Ala.

Conference participants included PRSA members from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Theme for the conference was “Creating Authentic Relationships in the Age of Me.” Keynote speakers included Lee Rainie of the Pew Institute, Nicole Goldman of Jim Henson Co. and Sally Falkow of Social Ally.

Susan Barnes, faculty member in the Department of Public Relations, moderated a panel of women public relations professionals about personal branding and business success at the University of Tennessee Knoxville on Sept. 22. Panelists were Cynthia Moxley of Moxley Carmichael Public Relations and Jennifer Holder of Pirate Girl PR, both in Knoxville, and Robin Derryberry of Derryberry Public Relations in Chattanooga. The event was part of the Patricia Pinkley Johnson Leadership Seminar sponsored by the UT Alumni Association Women’s Council. Barnes serves as current UTAA Women’s Council chair.

Assistant Professor of Music Business Cheryl L. Slay has had her paper “Where’s the Jazz in Music City?” accepted for presentation at the Jazz Education Network annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. in January.  Slay’s paper examines live performance business models in the jazz context with both a broad look at jazz audiences and geographical distinctions, as well as a particular focus on Nashville.