Newswise — As fall approaches, a variety of Central Michigan University faculty and staff experts are available to comment on topics related to the season, including its holidays, entertainment options, natural wonders and health issues.
Expert sources and their respective areas of expertise include:
TOPIC: Fall television lineupSOURCE: Patty Williamson, instructor of broadcast and cinematic arts
http://www.bca.cmich.edu/alumni/UBCAsite/facultyDetail.asp?employeeID=14
Fall is the season of new television shows. What will fly and what will flop in 2007? Central Michigan University's Patty Williamson, an expert on reality television — among other media-related topics — is available to comment on reality shows, reality stars, media criticism, popular culture and more. Among Williamson's additional areas of expertise are audience research and the film and television rating systems. She specializes in film criticism and theory. Williamson also can talk about television and radio programming.
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TOPIC: Fall foliage and pumpkinsSOURCE: Joanne Dannenhoffer, professor of biologyDepartment of biology
http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/danne1jm
What makes the leaves change color in the fall? How do our Halloween pumpkins grow? Central Michigan University's Joanne Dannenhoffer is a plant physiologist whose research focuses on the importance and function of a specific protein found in cells that make up the internal transportation system of plants, especially pumpkins. She also has analyzed the structure of corn kernels and the role of protein in their development.
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TOPICS: Ghost stories, "gothic" music and culture, vampires, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" SOURCE: Jeffrey Weinstock, associate professor of English
Ghost stories, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and all things goth are among the staples of the Halloween season. Central Michigan University's Jeffrey Weinstock is an expert on ghost stories and wrote the book "Scare Tactics: Supernatural Fiction by American Women as a Form of Social Protest," which examines the striking differences in ghost stories told by male and female writers. An authority on popular culture, American literature and literary criticism, Weinstock also can talk about vampires, "gothic" music and culture, and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
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TOPIC: Horror moviesSOURCE: Kenneth Jurkiewicz, professor of broadcast and cinematic arts
http://www.bca.cmich.edu/alumni/UBCAsite/facultyDetail.asp?employeeID=8
What's Halloween without the scary movies? Kenneth Jurkiewicz (pron. yer-KEV-itch) is an authority on film, television, popular culture and mass media and teaches classes on the history and appreciation of cinema. He can talk about how popular movies and television shows serve as statements about American culture. He specializes in film theory and criticism, especially science fiction and horror. He has reviewed hundreds of movies over the years and is an authority on and observer of the Academy Awards.
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TOPIC: History of ThanksgivingTimothy Hall, professor of history
http://www.chsbs.cmich.edu/history/faculty/hallt.htm
Thanksgiving — which will be celebrated Nov. 22 this year — is known as a day to gather with family, eat turkey and watch football "¦ but do most people know the true meaning behind and history of the holiday? Central Michigan University's Timothy Hall is an authority on early American history and the American Revolution, and he can talk about the Puritans and Pilgrims; the history of Thanksgiving; and American culture, nationalism and religious history.
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TOPIC: Hearing protection for huntersSOURCE: Michael Stewart, professor of communication disorders
http://www.chp.cmich.edu/cdo/faculty/michael-stewart.htm
While hunters make sure to wear brightly colored, protective clothing to alert other hunters to their presence, another safety hazard for firearm hunters is often overlooked: hearing damage. Licensed audiologist Michael Stewart of Central Michigan University specializes in noise levels and hearing preservation; he can talk about industrial noise, noise conservation programs, the effects of recreational firearm noise exposure and electronic ear protection.
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TOPIC: Fitness training in transitional weatherSOURCE: Thomas Cappaert, associate professor of physical education and sport
http://www.chp.cmich.edu/pes/faculty/thomas-cappaert.htm
The chill of the fall air calls for updates to outdoor exercisers' fitness habits, from wardrobe to workout. Central Michigan University's Thomas Cappaert is a certified athletic trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and certified exercise specialist who can talk about sports injury treatment and prevention, strength and fitness training, corporate wellness, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. He has performed research on exercise and the elderly, environmental factors in exercise, and treatment of low back injuries.
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TOPIC: Deaf Awareness WeekSOURCE: Christine Taylor, instructor of communication disorders
Deaf Awareness Week will be observed nationwide Sept. 23 through 29. Central Michigan University's Christine Taylor specializes in Deaf culture and can offer insights into the history and purpose of the week. She teaches American Sign Language and also serves as a researcher in the Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education, which provides audiology, speech-language pathology and psychology services, among others.
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TOPIC: National Coming Out DaySOURCE: Ana Guerriero, directorOffice of Gay and Lesbian Programs
http://diversity.cmich.edu/glp
National Coming Out Day is observed on Oct. 11 each year, and Central Michigan University's Ana Guerriero can speak about the history, purpose and impact of the day. She oversees the university's Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs, which provides support, educational resources and programming aimed at increasing visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.
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