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News from Henderson State University

Henderson State

Henderson collects food items for local program

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Counselors at Arkadelphia schools send food home with more than 170 hungry students each Friday. In an effort to help provide items for the students, a fun competition among Henderson State University students and faculty/staff evolved into a highly successful food drive.

Henderson partnered with Patterson Federal Credit Union to join local companies and businesses that have also made an impact in the community through The Backpack Program.

More than 3,500 food items were collected at Henderson and delivered to the schools.

New York Times publishes op-ed by Taylor

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An opinion piece by Dr. Michael Taylor, professor and chair of communication and theatre arts at Henderson State University, was recently published in the New York Times.

Entitled “Fighting to Save America’s Bats,” the column addresses the economic consequences of a pathogen that has decimated bat populations across the country.

Taylor is also a fellow of the National Speleological Society and the author of several books on caves.

 

 

 

Choirs to perform Beethoven masterwork

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Henderson State University choirs will perform Beethoven’s masterwork Mass in C major at 7:30 p.m. April 21 at First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature the University Chorale and Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Andrew Kreckmann.

First Methodist Church is located at 107 North 9th St.

Henderson adopts Canvas learning system

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Henderson State University has chosen the Instructure Canvas learning management system (LMS) following a long-term association with the Blackboard platform.

“Canvas is a clear leader in ease of use and functionality,” said George Finkle, senior instructional applications administrator at Henderson State. “It is a cloud-based LMS developed and owned by Instructure, Inc. Canvas has a simple and intuitive look and feel with integration for Henderson students’ Office365 suite.”

An LMS is an online tool that allows instructors to create and deliver all or part of their coursework online.

Fully online courses may include communication through discussion boards, email and announcements; and curricular content such as lectures (video and audio) and reading assignments, quizzes and exams, course calendars and grading, said Jennifer Holbrook, director of instructional technology and the Multimedia Learning Center.

“Both faculty and students can access the courses through desktop computers, laptops and mobile, devices,” Holbrook said.

Finkle said a committee, mostly consisting of seasoned online faculty members, spent several months reviewing proposal responses to a Request for Proposal (RFP). They also participated in online product demos, vendor interviews and reviewed other survey data.

Several vendors were invited to demonstrate their products to faculty and students.

“Canvas’ ease of use will help keep students engaged and successful at Henderson State,” Finkle said. “Courses will be delivered through Canvas starting with the first summer session this June.

Final Wind Ensemble concert April 19

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Henderson State University’s Wind Ensemble will present its final performance of the spring semester at 7:30 p.m., April 19, in the Arkansas Hall auditorium.

John Krance’s classic arrangement of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana will highlight the concert. The program will also feature Frank Ticheli’s An American Elegy which was composed in response to the tragic Columbine High School shooting that occurred in 1999.

“This performance of Ticheli’s emotionally stirring work will be dedicated to the victims and survivors of this year’s attack at Marjory Stonemen Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida,” said Dr. Steven M. Knight, director of bands at Henderson.

The ensemble will also perform Impulse Engine by Carolyn Bremer, directed by Dr. Shaun R. Popp, and Danzon from “Fancy Free” by Leonard Bernstein.

The concert is free and open to the public. It can also be viewed online via Facebook Live at facebook.com/HSUBand.

Lollies earns best of show at art exhibit

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Lauren Lollies of Texarkana, Arkansas, was awarded Best of Show for her oil on canvas painting entitled #Me Too Therapy in the 2018 Student Competitive Art Exhibition at Henderson State University. Lollies received a cash award for her winning entry.

Nancy Salas of Bonnerdale received first runner-up honors for her oil on canvas painting entitled La India Azteca Mexicano, and Sarah Ragen of Liberty, Missouri, was awarded second runner-up for Sevilla, an oil on canvas painting.

The Peer Choice Award went to Allison Wright for her ceramic, paint and mixed media work entitled Red Rabbit Study. Catherine Wachob of Hot Springs, and Julie Meyers of Biloxi, Mississippi, were awarded honorable mention.

Joshua Bradley of Ashdown won a certificate from Art Outfitters for his oil on canvas painting.

Neal Harrington, associate professor of art and gallery director at Arkansas Tech University, served as juror for the competition.

The selected pieces and other entries will be on display in the Russell Fine Arts Center gallery weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 4. For more information about Henderson’s Department of Art, go to www.hsu.edu/art.

From left: Joshua Bradley, Lauren Lollies, Nancy Salas, Sarah Ragen, Julie Meyers, Catherine Wachob, and Allison Wright.

Ellis College honors outstanding students

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Creative Accomplishment

Henderson State University’s Matt Locke Ellis College of Arts and Sciences honored 59 students for their creative and academic accomplishments at the annual Student Awards Ceremony April 12 in the Garrison Center Lecture Hall.

Outstanding Creative Accomplishment awards

Recipients of the Outstanding Creative Accomplishment awards are selected based on artistic accomplishment, research or service to others. Each department within the Ellis College selects a student to receive the award. The 2018 recipients are: Brandon Rimmer of Malvern, art; Allison Surf of Pearcy, biological sciences; Daniel Gibson of Bismarck, chemistry and biochemistry; Jennings Johnson of Heber Springs, communications and theatre arts; Celeste Fishback of Bentonville, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Raven Morris of Texarkana, Texas, music; Destanie Nelson of Arkadelphia, psychology; and Lorena Slatton of Murfreesboro, sociology, human services, and criminal justice.

 

Outstanding Graduating Senior awards

Each department within the Ellis College selects one student from each major to receive the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. The students must have a cumulative 3.00 GPA or higher and have either graduated in the fall semester or be eligible to graduate in the spring semester.

Awards were presented to: Catherine Wachob of Hot Springs, art education; Laiken Sorrells of Amity, biological sciences; Charlie Clem of Texarkana, Texas, biochemistry; Greta Goslee of Hot Springs, communication; Jacey Russell of Arkadelphia, theatre arts; LeighAnne Cowan of Hot Springs, English; Kayla Ann Kastner of Hot Springs, Spanish; Hunter Penfield of Arkadelphia, computer science; Olivia Cathey of Benton, music education; Frednesha Whiting of North Little Rock, music; Harlee Pennington of Sparkman, nursing; Jackson Baber of Little Rock, physics; Ben Johnson of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, engineering physics; Benjamin East of LaPlace, Louisiana, psychology; Megan Jackson of Rison, history; Zoie Otwell of Prescott, public administration/management; Jared Payne of Bismarck, political science; and Hannah Wahls of Nashville, social science education.

Outstanding Academic Achievement awards

The Ellis College recognizes up to 36 students for Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards. Selected students have a minimum GPA of 3.50. Other considerations might include difficulties overcome in maintaining high academic standards, quality of involvement in campus activities, leadership, and service to the university community.

Juniors

Awards for Outstanding Junior Academic Achievement were presented to: Erica Hamilton of Royal, art; Mercedes Thompson of Siloam Springs, biological sciences; Preston Stricklin of Benton, chemistry and biochemistry; Jacob Glasgow of De Queen, communications and theatre arts; Kassady Chandler of Donaldson, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Kayla Earnest of Malvern,  mathematics, computer science and statistics; Jordan Parker of Texarkana, Texas, music; Kayla Green of Smackover, nursing; Katlynn Williams of Arkadelphia, psychology; Eric Brown of Glenwood, social sciences; and Kaitlyn Hall of Star City, sociology, human services and criminal justice.

Sophomores

Awards for Outstanding Sophomore Achievement were presented to: Sarah Ragan of Liberty, Missouri, art; Chloe Cline of Benton, biological sciences; Colten Smith of Texarkana, Texas, chemistry and biochemistry; Harley Whisenhunt of Hot Springs, communications and theatre arts; Thomas Geigley of Hempstead, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Bryan Neal of Benton, mathematics, computer science and statistics; Justin Kennedy of Lewisville, music; Olivia Kinder of Benton, nursing; Rebecca Voss of Arkadelphia, engineering and physics; Sydney Calvert of Cabot, psychology; Mia Sheets of Cabot, social sciences; and Racheal Lewis, sociology, human services and criminal justice.

Freshmen

Recipients of the Freshman Academic Achievement awards are: Anissa Burton of Siloam Springs, art; Keairra Jackson of New Edinburg, biological sciences; Emily Harness of Cabot, chemistry and biochemistry; Tiara Burgess of Arkadelphia, communications and theatre arts; Whitley Cross of El Dorado, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Parker Williams of Prescott, mathematics, computer science and statistics; Kelly Foret of East Sheridan, music; Emmery Boyd of Amity, nursing; Thomas DePriest III of Lake City, psychology; and Joseph Gateley of Greenwood, social sciences.

Seniors

 

Juniors

 

Sophomores

 

Freshmen

Morris presents poster at conference

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Raven Morris, a junior music education major from Texarkana, Texas, attended the College Music Society, South-Central Chapter Regional Conference at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in March.

Morris presented a poster on “Multicultural Music Education: A Comprehensive Review,” and also served on a panel for Diversity and Inclusion in Music.

In October, Morris will attend the National Conference of The College Music Society in Vancouver, B.C. where her proposal, entitled “Multicultural Music Education: An Examination of Current Multicultural Music Education Practices,” was selected for presentation.

Out of 538 proposals, only 28 percent were chosen.

HSU Theatre to present ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’

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Pirates will invade Henderson State University’s Studio Theatre beginning April 12 as HSU Theatre and Opera Workshop combine efforts to present six performances of Peter and the Starcatcher. The Tony-award winning play by Rick Elice is based on a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, with music by Wayne Baker.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. on April 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17, and at 2:30 p.m. on April 15. A reception will follow the opening night performance.

A wildly theatrical play with music, Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.

Tickets are available at the HSU Theatre Box Office in Arkansas Hall from 1- 4 p.m. All seats are reserved. Admission is $12, or free with an HSU student ID, courtesy of the Student Activities Board.

For more information or reservations, call 230-5291, or e-mail theatre@hsu.edu. Credit and debit cards are now accepted.

The performance is recommended for the entire family.

[Read more…] about HSU Theatre to present ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’

Students attend chemical society meeting

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Matthew Chapa, a senior chemistry major at Henderson State University, and Daniel Gibson, a senior biochemistry major at Henderson, recently attended the American Chemical Society meeting and Expo in New Orleans. Both are doing research on cancer treatment options.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) organizes two national meetings & expositions each year, and each one attracts an estimated 11,000 to 13,000 chemists, chemical engineers, academicians, graduate and undergraduate students, and other related professionals. During the meeting, scientists present new multidisciplinary research, hear the latest information in their areas of professional interest, and network with colleagues.

Programming is planned by 33 technical divisions that cover all scientific fields, secretariats that focus on multidisciplinary programming, and ACS committees. Each meeting featured more than 7,000 presentations organized into technical symposia that highlight important research advances with over 250 exhibitors showcasing new technological developments.