News from Henderson State University
Henderson State University students are enjoying a well-deserved break from their studies as the university observes spring break.
University offices are open through March 21, but will be closed March 22.
Students will return and offices will reopen on March 25.
Henderson State University presented the annual Carol of Lights holiday program at Arkansas Hall Dec. 3.
Performing groups included: Opera Workshop carolers; herald trumpets; flute, horn, tuba, and clarinet choirs; Henderson Dance Company; New Fusion jazz ensemble; Angelic Voices of Christ; Perritt Primary School’s Nickelodeon Choir; the Ouachita Honor Choir; and Henderson Chamber Chorale, which concluded the program singing with the Nickelodeon Choir.
Dr. David Thompson also gave his traditional recital of “The Night Before Christmas” to children who gathered around him on stage.
Spring commencement ceremonies were held at Henderson State University Friday, May 11, with about 480 undergraduate and graduate students receiving their degrees.
The ceremony for School of Business and Teachers College, Henderson, began at 9 a.m. in the Wells Center gymnasium, followed at noon by the ceremony for the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences.
Faculty charges were presented by Dr. Alan Blaylock, associate professor of finance, and Dr. Malcolm Rigsby, associate professor of sociology. Student responses were be given by Dayne Yanai of Euless, Texas, and Lorena Elizabeth Slatton of Murfreesboro.
Henderson State University will celebrate homecoming with a variety of events beginning Oct. 18, and culminating Oct. 21 with the crowning of the 2017 homecoming queen and a key football game against East Central Oklahoma.
The 2017 theme is ‘Still Reddie After All These Years.’
A highlight of homecoming week will be a Reddies Homecoming Block Party Friday, Oct. 20, in downtown Arkadelphia. Free entertainment will include the Dixon Road Band featuring Henderson alumnus Greg Nation, and music provided by a DJ. Food trucks and drinks will also be available. The events begin at 6 p.m. and will take place at Slim & Shorty’s on Clinton Street between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Homecoming events include:
Wednesday, Oct. 18
Thursday, Oct. 19
Friday, Oct. 20
Saturday, Oct. 21
Sunday, Oct. 22
For more details about Henderson homecoming, go to hsu.edu/homecoming.
The Michelle Gibson Dance Project is coming to Henderson State University in September. Gibson will teach free master classes and work with the Henderson Dance Company in the Arkansas Hall Dance Studio.
Dance master classes will be held Sept. 12 and 14 from 3-4:30 p.m. Repertory rehearsals for the Henderson Dance Company are scheduled Sept. 11-14 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Master classes are open to the public for participation. The repertory rehearsals are open for observation. An “informance” and talkback session showcasing new work with the Henderson Dance Company will be held on Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.
As a choreographer, educator and performing artist, Gibson’s teaching practice and choreographic works include genres of the African Diaspora, contemporary/traditional modern, afro funk, jazz, and her own New Orleans Second Line Aesthetic.
Cultivating her craft over the past years in an effort to preserve her culture, Gibson has been teaching and creating works that are firmly rooted in New Orleans culture and has defined this idea as her own “Second Line Aesthetics” that involves both technical and improvised movement, brass music and the embrace of communal ritual.
Gibson received her B.F.A. in dance from Tulane University and her M.F.A. in Dance from Hollins University/The American Dance Festival at Duke University. She is a member of the faculty with the American Dance Festival.
Contact Jennifer Maddox, artist in residence at Henderson State, at maddoxj@hsu.edu for more information and reservations. The project is made possible by the HSU Foundation and HSU Theatre and Dance.