Steve Fellers

Henderson State University’s debate team won the prestigious R. David Ray award for collective excellence at the University of Arkansas Monticello “Weevil Wars” debate tournament Oct. 7-8

“This award is given to the university with the highest winning percentage at the tournament,” said Dr. Darrel Farmer, assistant professor of communications and debate coach. “Our three-person team beat out 21 other universities and 187 competitors en route to a 72 percent winning percentage that was 14 percent higher than the next closest team.”

Kiana Davis, a senior from Camden, took third place in her division. Aubriana Scott, a senior from Camden, placed ninth in her division. And Alisha Davis, a junior from Jessieville, placed 17^th in her division.

“We are extremely proud of our students and all the hard work that made this success possible,” Farmer said.

Henderson State University’s science and mathematics departments will present the annual HSU Family Science Night Oct. 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Biology, chemistry, physics, and math clubs will provide a variety of fun demonstrations and activities for children.

Henderson faculty and representatives from the STEM Center will also be available.

“Family Science Night is an open house at the Reynolds Science Center where visitors are welcome to stroll through and stay for as much time as they like at each station,” said Dr. Shannon Clardy, associate professor physics. “The event grows every year. We hope that by encouraging kids of all ages to participate, we will share our passion for science.”

Demonstrations include frog hibernation, underwater fireworks, liquid nitrogen ice cream, a laser maze, and many more.

“Eight years ago, the Society of Physics students and I decided that we wanted to begin an outreach project that would show our community just how exciting science can be,” Clardy said. “This was an opportunity to show off the fun projects they were creating, to draw in community interest and involvement, and to show everyone that science isn’t just for nerds.

“Together with the biology and chemistry clubs, we planned activities and held our first Family Science Night. We have since grown to include mathematics, computer science, and the STEM Center.”

The event is free and open to the public. Reynolds Science Center is on 12th Street next to Arkansas Hall. For more information, contact Clardy at clardys@hsu.edu.

Henderson State University students, faculty, staff and others tackled more than 40 service projects throughout the Arkadelphia community as part of Reddie to Serve Day on Oct. 7. Volunteers performed a variety of yard work, cleaning, and general labor projects.

Reddie to Serve Day is a community based service event that is held once each spring and fall semester. The effort focuses on people in the area who are in need of assistance such as the disabled, senior citizens, single parent homes and non-profit organizations.

“The Reddie to Serve project is just one of the ways that faculty, staff and students from the Henderson community can give back to the Arkadelphia community,” said Dr. Lewis Shepherd, executive director of Henderson’s Center for Economic Development and Community Engagement.

More than 40 projects were been scheduled this fall, including some that were part of Arkadelphia’s Paint the Town initiative. Student volunteers painted fire hydrants on and around the Henderson campus to match Henderson’s traditional colors. They also repainted other hydrants in the community.

Since Reddie to Serve Day began in September 2010, more than 5,766 participants have completed 664 projects in the community.

It’s a tradition for the Showband of Arkansas to play the Reddie fight song as it exits the field following each halftime performance. Band members gather on the sideline and fire up the home crowd for the second half.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Henderson State University will present “Make a Marketing Map for Your Rural Business” Oct. 19 in Hot Springs.

During the interactive session, participants will map out a quick-action plan to target and reach more customers. Nicolas Mayerhoeffer of the ASBTDC will share specific ideas for boosting sales through marketing and promotions.

In addition, attendees will receive a sample market assessment. Customizable by city or county, the free market assessment report available through ASBTDC includes data on customer spending, demographics, and other traits.

“We want to help Arkansas small businesses, especially ones in sparsely populated areas, find and attract the customers they need to survive and prosper,” said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “This workshop, along with the free market assessment, will highlight opportunities for local businesses to grow their customer base.”

The workshop is set for 4-6 p.m. at Henderson State University-Hot Springs in the Landmark Building. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required. Register online at asbtdc.org/rural-marketing or call (870) 230-5184.

Henderson’s ASBTDC, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the HSU School of Business, serves new, existing and innovation-based businesses in a 10-county area.

For more information, go to hsu.edu/sbtdc.

Henderson State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a rally and march on campus Sept. 26 to focus on sexual assault awareness. The “Take Back the Night” event was held on the South Lawn and included a march around campus.

Take Back the Night is an international event and non-profit organization with the mission of ending sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all forms. Hundreds of events are held in more than 30 countries annually. Events often include marches, rallies and vigils intended as a protest and direct action against rape and other forms of sexual, relationship and domestic violence.

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A musical ensemble known for its energetic classical performances will be in residency at Henderson State University Oct. 4-5.

The New York Classical Players will conclude their visit with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Russell Fine Arts recital hall. The performance is free and open to the public.

The program includes: Omaggio a Gesualdo for String Orchestra by Eric Nathan; Piano Concerto No. 2 by Chopin, featuring Hee-Kyung Juhn, associate professor of applied piano at Henderson; Concerto for Two Violins in D minor by Bach; and Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 11 by Shostakovich.

Orchestra members will also present a conducting masterclass Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m. and a string masterclass at 2:30 p.m. Both events will be in the recital hall.

“The New York Classical Players (NYCP) are known for energetic performances where the conductor and the small-size ensemble really become one and create exciting music together,” Juhn said. “Some of their YouTube performances have become a sensation around the globe.”

Juhn said she and the ensemble’s conductor, Dongmin Kim, became acquainted as classmates at Indiana University’s school of music.

“We performed together on several occasions, and I remember we often talked about our unknown future as musicians,” she said. “He was also a strong Christian leader in the international student community on campus, and I had a lot of respect for his music and his values.”

Juhn said she is looking forward to collaborating with Kim once again when they perform Chopin’s Piano Concert No. 2.

“It surely will be the highlight of my career at Henderson,” she said.

The New York Classical Players are that region’s only professional orchestra that shares exclusively free performances. Comprised of creative and virtuosic young musicians, NYCP’s adventurous programming shares familiar masterpieces, bold new commissions and unexpected music treasures.

For more information, contact Juhn at juhnh@hsu.edu.

Henderson State University’s Wind Ensemble will feature works based on or inspired by music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance at its fall concert Sunday, Oct. 1.

The performance starts at 3 p.m. in Arkansas Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert can also be viewed online via Facebook Live at facebook.com/HSUBand.

The program includes: Courtly Airs and Dances by Ron Nelson; Shadows Ablaze by Kathryn Salfelder; William Byrd Suite by Gordon Jacob; and A La Machaut by Andrew Boss.

Dr. Steven Knight is conductor and Dr. Shaun R. Popp is guest conductor.