Campus News

Students in Henderson State University’s biological science program have achieved a 100 percent acceptance rate to medical programs (M.D. and D.O.) and a perfect acceptance rate to pharmacy and other programs.

“Each spring, it is a pleasure for us to share the successes of our graduating seniors and recent alumni in gaining admission to graduate and professional programs and new employment,” said Dr. James Engman, professor of biology.

Three students have been admitted to the M.D. program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Others will enter medical programs ranging from veterinary school to nuclear medicine technology.

In all, almost 30 students will enter graduate and professional programs, start new jobs, or participate in summer research experiences and internships.

Henderson State University’s School of Business held its annual awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction on April 26. Rhonda Hunter, who served as senior vice president of Weyerhaeuser’s timberlands sector, was inducted into the School of Business Hall of Fame.

As vice president, Hunter was responsible for 13 million acres of U.S. timberlands, the wood supply for all manufacturing facilities, and all international timberlands.

Hunter graduated from Henderson State in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She joined Weyerhaeuser as an accounting trainee.

More than 260 Henderson State students, faculty, staff and other volunteers completed 43 community service projects April 28 for Reddie to Serve Day.

This bi-annual event, organized by the division of External Affairs, involves primarily students; however, faculty, staff, and friends also enjoy participating.     
 
Reddie to Serve Day focuses on community people who are in need of assistance such as the disabled, senior citizens, single-parent homes and non-profit organizations. Volunteers do yard work, cleaning, and general labor projects as well as litter pick-up and small maintenance projects.  

Henderson State University has hired Dr. Brad Patterson as vice president of student affairs and student success. He will start work at Henderson June 11.

 Patterson currently works for ACT as its state lead for Arkansas and Kansas where he consults with colleges and universities on enrollment initiatives, using data to increase student yield, and improving retention. From August 2014 to January 2017, he served as vice provost for student affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR).

 “I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Patterson to the HSU family,” said Henderson President Glen Jones. “His passion for serving students and his experience in student affairs and student success initiatives make him the ideal individual to lead this important area for our campus.”

 Patterson will lead Henderson’s co-curricular programs, activities, and services that enhance the overall experiences and engagement of its students, while supporting retention and graduation outcomes. He will be responsible for the following areas: student life, student activities, disability services, career and leadership development, TRIO programs, counseling and health services, and residence life programming.

 “My family and I are very excited about the opportunity to join the Reddie family and the Arkadelphia community,” Patterson said. “I am specifically looking forward to working with students, faculty, and staff to support student engagement and success.  We have been so impressed by the warm and welcoming community, and by the university’s clear commitment to students.  

 “It is my hope to partner with the outstanding team at Henderson State to capitalize on the great work already in progress. I know that together we will accomplish the ambitious goals that have been set for student success and I am eager to get started.”

 Patterson earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from UALR in 2012. He received both his B.A. in English (2004) and Master of Education (2006) degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

 Patterson serves as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. 

 From 2011-2014, he was assistant vice chancellor for student life research, evaluation and assessment at UALR, and served there from 2008-2011 as director of testing services and student life research.

Henderson State University’s Symphony Band, under the direction of Dr. Shaun Popp, will present its final performance of the spring semester at 7:30 p.m. May 2 in the Arkansas Hall Auditorium.

The concert will be highlighted by the Arkansas premiere of a multi-movement work by Kimberly Archer entitled American Labor Songs. The program will include a collaborative performance of Bert Appermont’s The Green Hill with Dr. Jamie Lipton as featured euphonium soloist.

The program also includes: Shadow Rituals by Michael Markowski; A Little Tango Music by Adam Gorb (conducted by Dr. Steven Knight); and Grace Before Sleep by Susan LaBarr and arranged by J. Eric Wilson.

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

Henderson State Theatre and Dance will present three performances of Dance Company in Concert beginning April 29. Original works choreographed by students, guest artists and director Jennifer Maddox will be performed in the Arkansas Hall Auditorium.

The student dance company will show its diverse abilities through choreography and performance. Guest artist choreographers include Michelle Gibson, Debra Knapp, Lisa Harper and Brandyn Smith. Maddox set Hope Begins in the Dark, to the music of Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka. Maddox is Henderson’s artist in residence.

Performances, which are open to the public, are April 29 at 2:30 p.m., April 30 at 7:30 p.m., and May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10, and free for Henderson students with ID.

For reservations or more information, call 870-230-5291 or email theatre@hsu.edu. The theatre box office is open Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. Credit and debit cards are now accepted.

NuFusion, Henderson State University’s exciting student jazz ensemble, will perform a free public concert outdoors on Henderson’s Quad Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. The performance, part of Spring Fling week, will feature a wide range of music, much of which was arranged by students.

“We’ll have the same great sound and lights as in recent years, thanks to the generous support of Henderson’s Student Activities Board,” said Dr. Rick Dimond, NuFusion director.

Dimond said the concert will feature instrumentals by Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Henry Mancini, Vulfpeck, Clifford Brown, and more. Songs by Stevie Wonder, Prince, Van Morrison, Panic at the Disco, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Yes, and Lenny Kravitz will be among the songs featured.

In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Garrison Center’s Grand Ballroom. Dimond said the band will perform an “unplugged-style” show if rain forces the concert indoors. But there will still be an impressive sound system and plenty of lights.

NuFusion includes about 20 student musicians and features a standard big band horn and rhythm section with lead and background vocalists.

The Quad area is located between the Garrison Center and Russell Fine Arts building.

For more information, contact Dimond at 870-230-5016.

Henderson State University’s Trumpet Guild will host Italian trumpeter Andrea Giuffredi for a one-day residency on Sunday, April 29.

The events begin at 1 p.m. with an informal discussion of Giuffredi’s career as a musician. Giuffredi will present a trumpet clinic from 3-4:30 p.m.

The Henderson State Brass Band, Faculty Brass Quintet, Dr. Hee-Kyung Juhn (piano), and the HSU Jazz ensemble will join Giuffredi for a performance at 7:30 p.m.

All events, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the Russell Fine Arts recital hall at 604 North 12^th Street.

For more information, contact Dr. Jim Buckner at bucknej@hsu.edu or 870-230-5410.

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.

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 9^th St.