Changing Lives

Steady Pace Wins the Race

Tennessee’s state reptile, the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina), never ventures far from its place of birth during its typical lifespan of 30–60 years. The peaceful creature usually reaches a length of fewer than 6 inches and has a shell of black or brown with spots of yellow, orange, and red.

This familiar terrestrial turtle occurs across the entire state, with the three-toed box turtle (T.c. triunguis) subspecies found in the extreme southwestern corner of Tennessee and the Eastern box turtle (T.c. carolina) occurring across the rest of Tennessee.

Not unlike the box turtle, MTSU-led research and public service initiatives also canvas the state with localized impact. The often slow but steady progress of such endeavors best yields lasting solutions to the most difficult problems facing Tennesseans.

MTSU RESEARCH

Vol. 7, Nov. 1, Spring 2024

TAKING TIME

Research programs provide resources relevant to Tennesseans

COLLECTION

06 TAKING THE LONG ROAD

Armed with MTSU grant dollars, one Tennessee county’s battle against an insidious disease—and a lethal stigma—offers hope for recovering opioid addicts

16 STEP BY STEP

MTSU’s role in preserving a tiny east Tennessee church salvages the unique history of a rural community

26 SLOW AND STEADY

Wild ginseng farming in Tennessee is a story of tenacity (and True Blue community)

36 THE AGING PROCESS

MTSU’s Fermentation Science program plays a crucial role in Tennessee’s burgeoning distilling industry