Table of Contents
22 30
18
Traditional Approach by Drew Ruble MTSU takes the lead in Western drug development using traditional Chinese botanical extracts
24
Shell Shocked Cover Story by Allison Gorman A historic flood uncovers an active stratum of archeological looting
30
by Allison Gorman Music to the Ear Dr. Reed Thomas and his students help strike up the bands in Panama
32
by Randy Weller Laying the Foundation A crucial vehicle by which the University’s endowment is managed and grown celebrates the half-century mark
36
A Communications Convergence by Mike Browning MTSU’s new media center goes mainstream
Departments 4
Director’s Letter
6
Five Minutes with the President
8
Letters to the Editor
10 Discoveries 12
Ask an Expert
14 MidPoints
18
22 Teamwork 33
“I’m One!”
34
The Middle of It All
40
Class Notes
36 | 2 | MTSU Magazine • www.mtsumagazine.com
photo: Andy Heidt
cover photo: J. Intintoli
24
Features