PHOTOS: O’Malley Family Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting 14 Apr 5:30 AM (4 days ago)
PHOTOS: “The Rebirth Fashion Show” 14 Apr 5:00 AM (4 days ago)
Dustin M. Hoffman Visits to Open the Zone 3 Writer’s Festival 14 Apr 4:00 AM (4 days ago)
Austin Peay State University held its annual Zone 3 Writers Festival. Opening the festival, award-winning author Dustin M. Hoffman visited for an immersive reading of selected stories from his latest collection, “Such a Good Man.”
During the event, Hoffman captivated the audience with his rich prose and witty humor, reading two select stories from the book.
Hoffman, who won the Prairie Schooner Book Prize for his “One-Hundred-Knuckled Fist” collection in 2015, is known for his fascinating portrayals of the working class. In “Such a Good Man,” he continues exploring flawed but relatable characters navigating everyday struggles.
The Zone 3 Writers Festival allows students to interact with established authors. For aspiring writers, his visit was a masterclass in empathy and finding meaning in the everyday.
Reverse Career Fair Puts Students on Display 11 Apr 10:14 AM (6 days ago)
Yesterday, Austin Peay State University hosted a Reverse Career Fair, giving students a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and passions directly to employers.
Held in the Morgan University Center, the event flipped the script: instead of recruiters behind kiosks, it was students eagerly showing off their portfolios as recruiters from businesses, nonprofits and government organizations roamed the venue.
This event allowed recruiters to engage in one-on-one conversations and witness firsthand the expertise APSU students bring.
Participating students remarked that they now feel more comfortable in corporate interview settings and created some much-needed business networks. The Reverse Career Fair proved to be a forward-thinking approach to career development, putting student potential front and center.
Discover Japan: JETS Bring Adventure To APSU 11 Apr 5:49 AM (7 days ago)
The audience applauded as a never-before-seen scene occurred at Austin Peay State University’s Japan Club. The club hosted representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville to have an info session with APSU students interested in receiving the opportunity to teach English in Japan as part of their Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JETS).
However, a surprising announcement was made on the spot as two APSU students, Christian Taliento and Jacob Gunther, were accepted into the JETS program.
A Surprise Twist
Jacob Gunther expressed his surprise during our interview. He mentioned that he noticed his application status was unusually on hold but never imagined that this was the reason.
Gunther shared some advice for students interested in the JETS program.
“Get involved with the Asian Studies minor and take Japanese, even if it’s not offered the semester you need. If it’s your passion, you should do it. The language skills aren’t necessarily needed for the JETS program, but they will help you. And don’t be afraid to get involved and volunteer” said Gunther.
The Journey to Japan
Christian Taliento was able to share what his application experience was like.
“The application process consists of a one-page summary of why you want to go to Japan, your qualifications and what you see yourself giving to the teaching community and the students. Then, there is a 12-page packet discussing your skills, capabilities, assets, accomplishments and degrees. Pretty much a living, breathing summary of who you are and everything you’ve done,” said Taliento.
He brought up his passion for teaching and how much more he wanted to do with it. He met David Rands, who introduced him to the JETS program and fell in love with the idea. He began educating himself on Asian history and culture and felt it was a fantastic opportunity. He left advice for future applicants of the JETS program.
“If you want to go out and do something, do it because life doesn’t stop. Here, you have four years where you’re dedicated to school, and you have summers off. So go out there, broaden your horizons, experience new things, try new things,” said Taliento. “Utilize everything that Austin Peay can give you with an Asian Studies minor, with all our study abroad and with our international community. We have a huge international student organization with over 30 countries sending their students to Austin Peay. It’s a great way to broaden your horizons, make new friends and connections, and exchange culture with people. It’s a great way to add and buff up your resume.”
Voices from the Field
David Rand, APSU history professor and immediate facilitator of a Japan Outreach Initiative Program, shared his experience as a JET in Hyogo, Japan from 1993 to 1996. He had the opportunity to attend festivals, make fireworks, and meet other JETS, an experience that will always stick with him.
Tye Ebel, JET Program and MEXT Scholarship coordinator shared stories of previous JET members, including Justin Randall’s story, who was in Hokkaido from 2017- to 2020. He got the experience of joining the city ice hockey team and working in the fish plant. He eventually moved to Hokkaido and worked as a writer for the Japan Times.
“You get to go and experience Japan, not as a tourist but as one of them,” Tye said. “It’s all about building these bridges between culture and people.”
He mentioned this isn’t something to do on a whim, and you should only sign up if you’re passionate about experiencing new cultures.
Scholarship Opportunities
Aside from working in Japan, the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville also offers MEXT scholarship opportunities. Tye Ebel shared that the opportunity is open to college graduates under 35 years of age, where you can receive a fully funded master’s or doctorate from a participating Japanese university. The application is available each spring, with interviews and examinations early in the summer.
Mochi Making and Testing
After all the presentations, attendees got to work with Shoko Matsuoka from Tokyo, Japan who showed all attendees how to pound Mochi. Students and professors could use the traditional items Kine and Usu, a large wooden mallet and mortar. Matsuoka explained the significance of Mochi in the Japanese community.
“We believe that Mochi bonds the community. It’s so sticky, so we always say it sticks people together,” said Matsuoka.
She also spoke on what Mochi represents.
“Mochi is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. In Japan, we usually eat Mochi at the beginning of the year,” said Matsuoka.
Looking Ahead
If you want to join JETS or APSU’s Japan club, contact Kayhin Teague, president of the Japan Club, and Jeremiah Louis, vice president. Whether you’re learning to prepare Mochi or pursuing a career abroad, APSU’s Japan Club shows that worldwide adventures can start right here on campus.
PHOTOS: APSU Tennis vs TSU 11 Apr 5:39 AM (7 days ago)
PHOTOS: APSU Baseball Celebrates Victory Over MTSU 10 Apr 7:11 AM (7 days ago)
What Went Wrong: Reevaluating the Predictions 10 Apr 7:02 AM (7 days ago)
Basketball fans were surprised on Saturday watching the 2025 NCAA Men’s Tournament. Despite my earlier predictions, Duke and Auburn lost their respective matches. So, what went wrong in my analysis?
The Numbers Aren’t Always Right
Firstly, let’s remember that sports, like all things, are unpredictable. Statistics can offer a snapshot of the future but not the full picture. In analytical terms, these two games are considered outliers, a result that differs from the norm.
Looking back at my model, I based it on the total points throughout the games the teams played this season. I need to note that I did not take many factors into account. Intangibles like morale, player fatigue and coaching adjustments often play a larger role than numbers alone.
Our initial breakdown favored Duke, citing their stronger offensive average of 57.34% and more structured defense. However, what I underestimated was Houston’s consistency. Though slightly behind in offensive stats and defensive numbers, Houston benefited from a better game plan. Duke’s high scoring in past games possibly came against weaker defense, while Houston’s slightly lower averages were hard-earned against tougher competition.
In the actual game, Florida disrupted Auburn’s rhythm and minimized scoring bursts. I misjudged their offensive capabilities with 343 points scored throughout this tournament against Auburn’s 313 points. This 30-point difference would’ve suggested that I explore further. Additional tests revealed that Florida had a 55% chance of winning against Auburn.
My apologies if you lost any bets because of me.
PHOTOS: Lady Govs Took a Tough Loss to Murray State at Cathi Maynard Park 9 Apr 6:24 AM (9 days ago)
The Power of Music Education 9 Apr 4:30 AM (9 days ago)
Austin Peay State University hosted the 2025 Choir Fest at the Mabry Concert Hall earlier this semester. This event brought together students from high school to graduate level for a night of harmony. Often overlooked in school curriculums, music is a fundamental human experience that deserves more respect.
Introducing music education to students early can enhance their cognitive development, encourage creativity, build social and emotional skills and preserve culture and history.
A New Way to Learn
The Children’s Music Workshop reports links between music education and language development and that attaching a melody to new information can support young minds (Brown, 2012). A great example is “The ABC Song,” which has been an effective tool in teaching the English alphabet since the 1800s.
In 2017, University College London experimented to study music’s effects on mathematics. The research showed links between musical engagement and improved mathematical learning, suggesting that music could boost skills in subjects far beyond the arts (UCL, 2017).
Preserving Cultural and Historical Awareness
Familiarizing students with different music genres and styles can foster a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. One way music preserves culture is through oral traditions. Songs are passed through generations, carrying the values, joys and hardships experienced.
The Choir Fest’s second-ever performance of Stacey Gibb’s composition “My Lord, What A Morning” perfectly exemplifies this. Gibb’s piece, composed specifically for APSU, is a rendition of a song originally sung by Marian Anderson, an American contralto who often performed songs from a genre known as spiritual. Spirituals, a subgenre of Christian Folk music, originated in African American communities during slavery, communicating messages of hope, resistance and faith.
These songs delivered solace for enslaved people during times of hardship. These songs also convey hidden meanings, such as directions for escape, an example being “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” where the “drinking gourd” is code for the Big Dipper star pattern, the point of reference for runaways not to get lost as they escape up North.
Through performances like Choir Fest, audience members are introduced to the beauty of spiritual music and allowed to engage with the history.
Encouraging Creativity and Self-Expression
Art is the purest form of human expression. The act of performing music breathes life into composed pieces, making the invisible visual and the unheard audible.
“Music is an aural phenomenon; if it’s not performed, it only exists as notes on a page,” said APSU music professor Korre Foster.
This phenomenon is a powerful realization for students—their interpretations and emotions can move themselves and those around them. Music education provides the foundation for creating such experiences; deeper knowledge can further expand their creative horizons.
“If you’re exposed to two authors, that’s all you know. Being exposed to more styles increases your bandwidth of expression,” Foster said.
Foster referenced music educator Edwin Gordon’s study, “The Source of Musical Aptitude,” where Gordon found that age nine is the most critical time to begin learning music since this is the age when children are most open to absorbing creative skills.
Unfortunately, music is often not considered a serious academic subject until students reach high school. This delay limits opportunities for early creative development.
Nevertheless, educators like Foster are committed to nurturing students regardless of prior experience. In introducing “My Lord, What A Morning” at the Choir Fest, Foster explained that he and Gibbs deliberately chose to include polyphony in the arrangement to raise the difficulty of performing the piece.
Polyphony is a musical technique in which two or more independent melodic lines play simultaneously. This technique requires sharp coordination to create a rich, complex texture. A well-known example of polyphony is at the 2-minute 42-second mark of the 2021 hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno“ from Disney’s “Encanto,” where multiple characters sing different lines.
Now that students have experience with polyphony, they can use it as a tool for self-expression, opening up a wide array of new ways to convey their thoughts and emotions.
Building Social and Emotional Skills
Many students participate in music-related extracurricular activities such as a marching band or a choir as a form of self-exploration, community and self-confidence. They also gain valuable teamwork, discipline and communication skills. The common goal of preparing a quality performance pushes students to collaborate and work together.
Erick Kellermann, a psychology major and APSU’s Governors Own Marching Band (GOMB) member, described how the experience had transformed him.
“I was where every freshman was—no sense of community or belonging,” he said. “The GOMB gave that to me.”
These musical groups also provide an emotional outlet, relieving stress and anxiety while boosting self-confidence. For Kellermann, the band was a second family.
“I’ve seen people at all their lows and highs, and they have seen mine. Without a marching band, I wouldn’t be who I am. I’d still be reclusive and quiet,” said Kellermann.
Kellermann believes music education is crucial.
“Music isn’t only a way of entertaining, an expression and an art. It can help anyone grow.” He said to those who underestimate its value, “The fine arts symbolize prosperity and peace. We don’t have to learn and prepare for war—we should focus on enriching our children in all subjects, including the fine arts.”
Conclusion
Music education is more than just an extracurricular activity—it is vital to a well-rounded education. Integrating music into school curriculums allows students to develop cognitive skills, improve academic performance, express themselves creatively and build essential life skills. Schools should prioritize music programs starting from early education to ensure students receive the full benefits of a comprehensive education.
References:
Laura Lewis Brown, The Benefits of Music Education, PBS Kids For Parents, May 7, 2012, https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-benefits-of-music-education
Sylwia Holmes* and Susan Hallam, The impact of participation in music on learning mathematics, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, November 2017, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1163197.pdf