Student News

• Shiloh Goecke, Biology, spent 10 weeks in a summer research program (Aspirnaut) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  The program is administered by Henderson alum Dr. Billy Hudson and by Dr. Julie Hudson. Goecke’s work was titled  “Membrane Targeted YFP Sensor of  Volume Regulated Anion Channels.”  After presenting her work at Vanderbilt, she presented at Harvard University. Subsequently, she was selected to present her work at the American Society of Nephrology meeting, this October in San Diego. Goecke plans to attend medical school next year. 

• Ashley Hennessee, Integrated Studies, was awarded the first Hester A. Davis Training Program Scholarship by the Arkansas Archeological Society. Ashley used the award to attend the Society’s Training Program at Pea Ridge National Military Park in June as part of her ANT 4083 “Readings and Research in Anthropology” course in archeological research methods with Professor Mary Beth Trubitt.

• Theatre majors Dakota Mansfield, Colin Perry, Savannah Reynolds, and Jacey Russell presented their Senior Showcase Performances in April in Arkansas Hall Studio Theater.

• LaTaschya Harris, MLA, presented on her thesis, “Conversation of the Century: The Black Lived Experience from W.E.B. Du Bois to Kendrick Lamar.” Her study focuses on the plight of the black man in America through African American literature going as far back as slavery and ending with Kendrick Lamar, with  W. E. B. Du Bois’ Souls of Black Folk as the central text.  Through her research of the history of race relations, the history of riots, and the history of Hip Hop, she develops a conversation between Du Bois and Kendrick Lamar which answers Du Bois’ question of 1903. 

• Taylor Henry, MLA,  presented on his creative project, a magical-realist/neo-noir novel titled Honeybee. In his novel, Henry focuses on on the effects of nostalgia and its relative value in society.  [Read more…] about Ellis College student achievements highlighted

Zydrunas Jurgutis, an MBA student at Henderson State University, passed the June 2018 CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level I exam.

Worldwide, 43 percent of the 79,507 Level I candidates passed. The exam is one of three intensive 6-hour exams in the CFA Program leading to the CFA charter, the most respected and recognized investment management designation in the world.

All three exam levels were administered on the same day in 285 test centers in 185 cities across the world. The exams cover all aspects of investment and portfolio management to include considerable coverage in economics, accounting, and quantitative analysis.

Because Henderson is a CFA Institute recognized university, Jurgutis was able to receive the CFA Awareness Scholarship that reduced program and exam fees. He also received the Joshua and Taelor Jones Finance Award to defray the cost of the remaining fees. Jurgutis is now studying for the June 2019 Level II exam.

Ten McNair Scholar candidates presented their research Aug. 8 in the Caplinger Lecture Hall. The presentations are just one of the components of Henderson State University’s McNair program.

Presenting, from left, were:
• Rachel King – The Role and Effects of the Boys and Girls Club of America in Communities Across Arkansas
• Eric Gaither – Social Obstacles: Stigma’s Influence on Identity and Recidivism
• Gabby Calvin – Does Formal Education and Training Improve Workflow and Efficiency in the School Food Management System?
• Emren Akdamar – An Analysis of Problems and Solutions in Trombone Design from 1450 to the Present and Possibilities for the Future
• Colton Langford – Education of Displaced Children in Occupied Germany:  A Comparison across Camps
• Keanna Peck – The Role and Effects of the Boys and Girls Club of America on Communities Across Arkansas
• Jenny Martinez – Identifying Calculus Readiness and Factors Contributing to Introductory Calculus Student Success in Arkansan Colleges and Universities
• Misty Anderson – Teaching Children in Poverty
• Brittnee Dinger – Diversity and Inclusion in the General Education Classroom
• Bre Wolfe – Aromatic Fluorination of Vanillin that Leads to Fluorinated Curcumin
• Cenekeyia Tidwell – (Will present later)

The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) assists low-income, first generation college students and those from underrepresented groups in preparing for graduate education.

The program is federally funded and serves 25 undergraduates per program year. It champions scholarly excellence in academics and leadership by financially and academically supporting talented students who desire to achieve distinction in research and scholarship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

For more information, go to hsu.edu/TRIO/mcnair.html.

Henderson State University McNair Scholars Breanna Wolfe and Jenny Martinez recently attended the Arkansas Summer Research Institute at Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts in Hot Springs.

Arkansas college students majoring in STEM-related fields were invited to apply for the program. The selected students spent four days learning about research in different STEM fields.

Students were given opportunities to use MATLAB, design and print with 3D-printing software, write research papers and grant proposals, and conduct experiments in a lab setting. Students were also able to speak with leaders in their fields of interest, receiving advise on the students’ research topics.

At the end of the program, each student presented his or her research topic to other participants.

Henderson State University’s School of Business held its annual awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction on April 26.

Outstanding Student Awards were presented to: Nicholas Robertson of Corinth, Texas, Oren Harris Outstanding Business Law Student; Ophelia Akoto of Arkadelphia, Print Mania Outstanding Management Student; Zuzana Ondruskova of Czech Republic, Ross Godwin Outstanding Marketing Student; Rowland Brothers of Helena, Southern Bancorp Outstanding Finance Student; Abigail Ashlock of Whitney, Texas, ASCPA Outstanding Accounting Student; and Paul J. “PJ” Hawron of New Boston, Texas, CRC Outstanding MIS Student.

Student scholarship winners are:

ASCPA Accounting Scholarship – Colt Conway of Kemp, Texas

BKD Accounting Scholarship – Sydnee Parker of The Woodlands, Texas

Hudson, Cisne and Company Scholarship – Jessica Porter of Amity

Stella Spoon Accounting Scholarship – Brittany Ray of Pocahontas

Oscar and Eathel Greenberg Scholarship – Gissel Torres Robledo of Hot Springs

Deborah and William Nolan Scholarship – Cody Tilley of Ashdown

Dr. Louis Dawkins School of Business Scholarship – Brianna Donson of Arkadelphia

Christopher Castleberry Memorial Scholarship – Nicholas Robertson of Corinth, Texas

Chris and Debra Wewers Scholarship for Business – Dalton Guthrie of Arkadelphia; and Megan Skartvedt of Russellville

Robert C. “Bob” Fisher Scholarship – Shaelyn Goecke of Atlanta, Texas

Joshua and Taelor Jones Finance Scholarship – Zydrunas Jurgutis of Arkadelphia

Brenda and Lee Richardson Scholarship – Mariah McMillan of Hot Springs

Tad & Judy Krug Scholarship – Eunice Morgan of Arkadelphia

Lois Dodson Scholarship – Alexander Perez-Colina of Nashville

Gleim Scholarship – William Combs of Arkadelphia

Hendershot-Lacy Scholarship Endowment – William Prince of Malvern

Christina Peebles Lindgren Accounting Scholarship – Cody Lites of De Queen

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.

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.

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.

Shiloh Goecke, a junior biology major in pre-medical studies from Atlanta, Texas, has been selected to participate in the Aspirnaut Summer Research Program this summer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The paid, 10-week program provides hands-on and mentored laboratory experiences for undergraduate students interested in a career in biomedical research. It was cofounded by Dr. Billy Hudson, a 1962 Henderson State University graduate, and his wife Dr. Julie Hudson, in partnership with Billy’s siblings Johnny Hudson ’67 and Ann Kincl ’66.

“If I were to choose two words to describe Shiloh, they would be ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘curious,’” said Dr. James Engman, professor of biology at Henderson. “She is a true pleasure to have in class. She asks thoughtful and insightful questions, and enjoys participation.”

Engman said Goecke’s selection for Vanderbilt’s highly competitive Aspirnaut Program “should be seen as a strong vote of confidence in her abilities and personal characteristics.”

Goecke is the third Henderson biology student to be selected for the program. Hannah Deputy participated in 2016, and Quincy Gragg in 2017.

“As a junior, Shiloh is considered to be one of the top students in our major,” Engman said. “She took my neotropical course, which includes two weeks in Peru and Ecuador.

“It was on the study abroad trips that I really got to know her and to appreciate what a remarkable young woman she is.”