Faculty & Staff News

Dr. Randy Duncan, professor of communication at Henderson State University, was featured in the July 20 edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Duncan is co-curator of the Marvel Universe of Super Heroes, a $3 million exhibit at the Museum of Popular Culture in Seattle. The exhibition includes interactive features, rare memorabilia, and life-size statues of characters many Marvel films and comics.

A comics fan since he was 8, Duncan started teaching comics classes at Henderson in the early 1990s. The university now offers comics studies as a minor.

Duncan is at Comic-Con in San Diego this week co-chairing the Comic Arts Conference he helped create there 26 years ago.

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Dr. Matthew Sutherlin has been named associate dean for Teachers College, Henderson.

Sutherlin came to Henderson State in 2014 from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Sutherlin is originally from El Dorado, Arkansas. He obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Central Arkansas, Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his Ph.D. in art education from the University of North Texas.

Dr. Nydia Jeffers, assistant professor of Spanish at Henderson State University, recently attended the Latin American Studies Association Conference in Barcelona, Spain.

Jeffers presented a paper to show that Silvestre Balboa, in his colonial work Mirror Patience, reverses the social and moral roles of white and black protagonists in the Spanish empire.

The conference fostered other race in literature discussions valuable for Jeffers’ further research.

Jeffers joined the Henderson faculty in 2014. Read more about her.

Staff employees at Henderson State University were honored for years of service during a luncheon and awards ceremony held May 29.

Leicia Franklin, controller, and Pam Ligon, associate dean of academic services, were honored for 30 years of service to Henderson. Brenda Barrett, women’s cross country and women’s tennis coach, and Doug Syler, financial computing coordinator, were honored for 25 years of service.

Recognized for 20 years were: Tami Arnold, student health services nurse; Becky Peters, cashier; Yvonne Saul, Advancement project coordinator for development; Vickie Shipley, accountant I; and Flora Weeks, assistant to the president.

Receiving awards for 15 years of service were: Brenda Callaway, administrative specialist for Teachers College, Henderson; Brenda Hagerich, assistant director for Student Support Services; Vicke Jones, Captain Henderson House innkeeper; and Troy Mitchell, sports information director.

Recognized for 10 years were: Sherry Callison, administrative specialist for the Educational Opportunity Center; Denise Cordova, administrative specialist for biology; Brandie Benton, associate provost for Enrollment and Admissions; Beth Jackson, women’s softball coach; Vickie Lowe, administrative specialist for Student Support Services; Willica Morgan, student services counselor; Scott Parrish, public safety officer; Rob Redding, assistant athletic director for athletic training; Pam Thomas, library technician-academic support; Renee Walls, Student Health Services Advanced Practical Nurse; and Melanie Wofford, scholar coordinator for McNair Scholars.

For five years of service, the following staff were recognized: Jennifer Boyett, vice president for University Advancement; Charles Dickerson Jr., public safety officer; Brenda Driggers, administrative specialist for Family and Consumer Sciences; Jennifer Harrington, education specialist/counselor for Educational Opportunity Center; Shelia Hollis, administrative specialist for academic affairs; Syleshia House, administrative specialist for general counsel; Susie Kirk, library technician for academic support; Veronikha Salazar, associate dean of students; Jerusha Schofer, administrative specialist for military science; Forrest Schultz, director of golf; Holly Schultz, assistant director for Davis-Baker Preschool; Salina Smith, administrative specialist for Ellis College of Arts and Sciences; Kimberly Stecker, education specialist/counselor for Disability Resource Center; Connie Testa, administrative assistant for Office of the President; Jill Thomas, women’s basketball coach.

Recent retirees were also recognized, including: Sandra Golden, Huie Library; Nancy Batchelor, business office; Doug Syler, computer and communication services; Christy Winston, business office; Becky Peters, business office; Gloria Williamson, Huie Library; and Harvey Grassi, computer and communication services.

Staff employees who earned a degree include: Jordan Argo, Master of Science in sport administration; Ariana Campos, Master of Business Administration; Lauren Avery, Master of Business Administration; Olivia Green, Master of Science in sport administration; Chanda Hooten, Master of Science in sport administration; Carrie Stanley, Bachelor of Business Administration; and Mallory Turner, Master of Business Administration.

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Beverly Quillin, assistant director of the Disability Resource Center at Henderson State University, received the Teresa Haven Distinguished Professional Award for providing access and success for students with disabilities at the higher education level. The award was presented at the ArkAhead conference in April.

Quillin also presented at a workshop entitled “Beep the Change, Lessions from a ’67 Volkswagen” which focused on being leaders of change.

At Henderson, Quillin teaches Intro to Human Services, Intro to Sociology, Minorities, and Social Problems,and has begun teaching Social Welfare Policy.

The Disability Resource Center provides a variety of resources that help to promote academic access for students with disabilities. From individual sessions or academic workshops to student-supported groups, along with participation in cultural events, DRC participants are encouraged and challenged to meet their full potential.

Outstanding Faculty Awards were presented at Henderson State University’s School of Business banquet April 26.

Debbie Francis was named Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher; Dr. Edward Akoto, Faculty Research Award; and Dr. Andrew Almand, Outstanding Graduate Teacher.

Dr. Paul Williamson, professor of psychology at Henderson State University, was appointed by Brill Publishers as an associate editor for the new “Brill Research Perspectives” series in Religion and Psychology.

Williamson will be responsible for recruiting authors and handling extended articles, each of which will be published in a stand-alone hardback edition in the series.

“It’s a new venture for the publisher, so I’m pleased to be a part of it,” Williamson said.

 

Henderson State University honored faculty members for their years of service at a ceremony April 19 in the Garrison Center Banquet Room.

Five faculty were recognized for 30 years of service, including: Doug Gilpin, professor of theatre arts; Janice O’Donnell, assistant professor of chemistry and director of Henderson Seminar; Jimmie Harper, associate professor of computer science; Lea Ann Alexander, director of library/associate librarian; William Martin, professor of political science.

Honored for 25 years were: Richard Miller, assistant professor of aviation; Michael Lloyd, professor of mathematics; and Gary Smithey, professor of AIS and coordinator of MSE in AIS.

Rick McDaniel, professor and chair of the Department of Physics, was recognized for 20 years.

Honored for 15 years were: Anna Smith, assistant professor of biology; Larry Monette, associate professor of political science and chair of social sciences; Paul Williamson, professor of psychology; Renae Clark, associate professor of business information systems; and Troy Hogue, instructor and director of aviation. [Read more…] about HSU honors faculty for years of service

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.

 

 

 

Dr. Steven Knight, director of bands at Henderson State University, and Dr. Shaun Popp, assistant director, recently attended the Southwestern Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Houston.

The conference was an opportunity for college and university band directors to discuss various topics relevant to the profession. It included clinics and presentations by notable music educators and performances by outstanding university bands within the region.

Twelve Henderson band students accompanied the professors to participate in the Intercollegiate Honor Band.