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.

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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.

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.

Dr. Bob Steinmiller has been named this year’s Outstanding Faculty Advisor. The award was developed by the Academic Advising Center to recognize an individual who has proven to be a conscientious, supportive and inspiring advisor and mentor. Steinmiller was presented a plaque by Henderson President Glen Jones at a recent ceremony for faculty.

Vickie Faust, assistant director of Henderson’s Disability Resource Center, is retiring after 33 years of service at the university. A reception was held in her honor on April 24 in the Garrison Center. Faust, center, is pictured with Erin Poe, Beverly Quillin, Dr. Pam Bax and Lisa Ayres.

Five Years, from left: David Warren, Rhonda Harrington, Nathan Campbell, Carolyn McClure, Patricia Loy, Allison Vetter, Beth Maxfield, Tricia Baar, Penny Whelchel, Brandie Benton, Tommy Finley, Shannon Clardy, Elizabeth Wyatt, Charity Dawson, Vernon Miles, Peggy Woodall, and Dana Horn. Not pictured are; May Tsao-Lim, Greg Gibson, Debra Coventry and Rochelle Moss.

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Henderson State University honored faculty members for their years of service at a recent ceremony.

Dr. Patti Miley, professor and chair of family and consumer sciences, was recognized for 30 years of service.

Honored for 25 years of service were: Dr. Anita Williams, professor of marketing; Jimmie Harper, associate professor of computer science; Dr. W. Martin James, professor of political science; Janice O’Donnell, assistant professor of chemistry; Douglas Gilpin, professor of theatre arts; Lee Ann Alexander, associate librarian and director of Henderson Seminar; and John Ragni, associate librarian.

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A retirement reception was held for Dr. Gary Simmons, professor of art, on April 18 in the Garrison Center’s Jones Room Foyer. Simmons has been with Henderson for 22 years, joining the art department in 1991. He has been active in the Arkansas art scene since 1973, winning many awards and displaying numerous works.

Dr. Angela Boswell, professor of history at Henderson, has completed an 11-day trip that including driving 1,500 miles to visit five cities, research six archives, and present papers at two conferences in Texas. She researched at the Woodson Research Center, the Jefferson Davis Papers, and the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, all in Houston. Boswell also researched at the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, the Dallas Public Library, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

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Julia Correia, director of the Center for Language Proficiency and instructor for the departments of Advanced Instructional Studies and Curriculum and Instruction at Henderson, received the first “ARKTESOL Teacher of the Year” award at the Arkansas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Conference recently held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

Dr. Franc Hudspeth, assistant professor of counselor education at Henderson, presented at the 29th Annual International Play Therapy Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, and received the APT Service Award. The APT Service Award is given to a member who has “rendered outstanding voluntary service to APT, its Foundation for Play Therapy, and/or its chartered branches.”