Scholarships, awards and honors were presented to students at Henderson State University during the annual Heart & Key awards assembly April 23. The event is presented each year by Heart & Key to publicly recognize the recipients and to show appreciation to the organizations, departments, and donors presenting these awards.
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A new look for Mooney Hall
The south entrance to Mooney Hall, home to Henderson’s School of Business, has undergone a facelift. Dr. Louis Dawkins, interim dean, said students wanted “a place to study and work together, hang out, relax and feel comfortable with fellow students.” He said students in the Business Mentorship Experience had been discussing and planning a picnic table/sitting area. “I clearly saw an opportunity to meet a need for students,” Dawkins said.
The outside entryway was cluttered and unkempt with a need for improvements that would result in low maintenance for keeping it neater and cleaner. A stamped concrete casting product was used to create a “hardscape” patio garden area. Bench and table seating provided an outdoor lounge area, which was enhanced by new landscaping.
Dawkins said the new patio garden was made possible with private donations, and is dedicated to the School of Business senior class of 2013. Student projects also contributed to the new area.
Honors College presents medallions
Twenty-two Honors College graduates at Henderson State University were awarded medallions during a recent ceremony. Dr. Maralyn Sommer, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, presented the medallions.
Students who have unusually high academic ability and interest are invited to join the community of Honors College Scholars. The students are involved with the Honors Faculty who are dedicated to the goal of honors scholarship and who provide challenging and rewarding opportunities for study and dialogue.
Entering freshmen with a composite ACT score of 26 or higher are encouraged to apply for admission to The Honors College. Sophomores with a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher petition for admission.
Governor speaks at commencement
Spring commencement ceremonies were held at Henderson State Friday, May 10, with approximately 420 undergraduate and graduate students receiving their degrees. The ceremony for the School of Business and Teachers College, Henderson, was held at 3 p.m. Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe was the speaker. State Sen. Bruce Maloch spoke at the ceremony for the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences at 6 p.m.
Turner appointed SGA president
Henderson State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) has announced the appointment of Philip Turner as president for the third consecutive year. Turner, a junior public administration/business major from Little Rock, will work directly with Dr. Veronikha Salazar, associate dean of students.
Turner has been an active SGA member since 2011, first serving as a student senator. As president, he worked in collaboration with other student organization presidents to create the Student Learning Center. He also advocated for longer recreation center hours and to regain control of the Student Foundation.
Senior nursing students volunteer
The 2013 senior nursing class at Henderson recently completed the Community-Based Nursing course, which included clinical at Hot Spring County and Clark County home health agencies and health departments. They also served at clinics such as the Christian Community Care Clinic in Benton, which is a non-profit organization that provides medical and dental services to Saline County residents. The students volunteered their nursing services to the clients there for a six-week period this semester. They also worked at the Charitable Christian Medical Clinic in Arkadelphia throughout the semester learning about case management for clients who are under- or uninsured and in need of medical services.
Retiring staff, faculty honored
As the 2012-2013 school year comes to an end, several receptions were held recently for retiring staff and faculty, including switchboard operator Deloris Williams, above, who leaves the university after 13 years working for computer and communication services.
Sharon West, institutional services assistant (11 years), and Gary Taylor, campus maintenance supervisor (32 years), were honored at a reception in the Garrison Center on May 7.
A reception was held for Martha Cobb, left, who has served as administrative assistant for the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Philosophy and the Honors College for the past 10 years. Bettie Buckley, center, institutional services assistant, was honored after 28 years of service at Henderson. And Dr. Anita Williams, right, professor of marketing, leaves Henderson after 25 years of service. She was honored a reception in Mooney Hall on May 9.
Here’s pie in your face
The Society of Physics Students (SPS) held its annual Pie-A-Professor fund-raiser in April, and the “lucky” victim was Steve Knight, interim director of bands. His jar had the most money, which earned him the honor of receiving a face-full of whipped cream on the Quad. The money in the winning jar goes to the club in the department of the professor, while the SPS keeps the money in the other jars to fund their outreach projects.
Reception honors Sharon Gardner
Sharon Gardner, right, administrative specialist for the office of provost and academic affairs, shares a laugh with Dr. Maralyn Sommer during a retirement reception held in Gardner’s honor on May 2 in Womack Hall. She has been with Henderson for 30 years.
President Emeritus Dr. Charles Dunn dies after battle with cancer
Dr. Charles Dunn, who served 22 years as Henderson State University’s president, died May 5 at his home in Arkadelphia of complications from pancreatic cancer. Dr. Dunn became Henderson’s 14th president in 1986 and retired on June 30, 2008. He served longer than any other president in the history of the university.
Dr. Dunn steered Henderson through many dramatic changes during his tenure. Numerous building and renovation projects have changed the face of the Henderson campus. Increased admission standards made Henderson students among the best in the South. The stronger academic focus also led to the success of the Honors College and membership into the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.
Sesser receives history award
David Sesser, special collections curator at Henderson State’s Huie Library, left, has received the Charles O. Durnett Award for his paper, Disease in Civil War Helena. The award, which consists of $250 and a framed certificate, is presented for the best manuscript article on some aspect of Arkansas’s Civil War history, whether military, social, economic or cultural. Entries are based, in part, on original research in primary sources. The award was announced at the Arkansas Historical Association’s annual conference in April.
School of Business inducts Bradford into Hall of Fame
From left: Henderson President Glen Jones, Jay Bradford, and Dr. Louis Dawkins, interim dean of Henderson’s School of Business.
Jay Bradford, Arkansas Insurance Commissioner and former state senator, was inducted into the School of Business Hall of Fame at Henderson State University during an awards banquet on April 25. Bradford is a Henderson graduate with a bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology. He has also been recognized by the university as a distinguished alumnus.
Bradford was appointed Arkansas Insurance Commissioner in 2009 by Gov. Mike Beebe. He has more than four decades of experience in the insurance industry, including 30 years as founder, chairman, and former shareholder of First Arkansas Insurance Group, a statewide network of independent property and casualty agencies. Prior to his appointment, Bradford served for two years as the director of the Division of Behavioral Health Services within the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Symphonic Band concert May 1
Henderson State University’s Symphonic Band, under the direction of Ingrid Larrogoity-Martin, will perform its final concert of the semester on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Arkansas Hall auditorium. The program, entitled An American Celebration, was designed around the idea of showcasing some of the amazing American composers of wind literature.
The selections consist of the iconic sounds of American wind music, typical American styles, and some exciting collaborations with faculty. The program includes: American Fanfare by John Wasson; Air for Band by Frank Erickson; George Washington Bridge by William Schuman; Fluffy Ruffles by Hamilton/Caehn, featuring guest percussionist Dr. Rick Dimond; Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copeland, featuring guest narrator Dr. William Higgins; Rough Riders by Karl King; and Apollo Unleashed by Frank Ticheli.
The concert is free and open to the public
HSU commencement May 10
Spring commencement ceremonies will be held at Henderson State University Friday, May 10, with approximately 420 undergraduate and graduate students receiving their degrees.
The ceremony for the School of Business and Teachers College, Henderson, will begin at 3 p.m. in the Wells Center gymnasium, followed at 6 p.m. by the ceremony for the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe will speak at the 3 p.m. ceremony, and State Sen. Bruce Maloch will be the speaker for the 6 p.m. ceremony.
Faculty charges will be presented by Dr. Nathan Campbell, assistant professor of management, and Jim Harper, associate professor of computer science. The student responses will be given by Julia K. Still of Bolivar, Mo., and Eric D. Torres of Twin Falls, Idaho. Henderson President Dr. Glen Jones will confer the degrees.
Steinmiller retires from HSU
Dr. Georgine Steinmiller, professor of special education, began working at Henderson in July 1987. After 26 years of service, Steinmiller is retiring from the university. A reception was held in her honor on April 25 in the Garrison Center. Steinmiller is pictured with fellow faculty members Carolyn McClure and Dr. Peggy Woodall after they presented her with a framed gift.