Nov. 7, 2006 -- The "Race, Gender and Media" class in the College of Communications at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will host its 10th annual diversity panel on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. in the ASU-TV studio, located on the first floor of the Communications Building.

According to Dr. Lillie Fears, associate professor of journalism, the program "Many People, Many Cultures: Diverse Perspectives from Asia" will feature panelists from several countries inclusive of Asian people.

The guests will discuss some of the unique beliefs and customs comprising their respective cultures and ethnicities.

The program is free and open to the public.

Fears was a Japanese studies fellow with the Sasakawa Institute, San Diego State University, in June of 2002.

"Although I did the fellowship back in 2002, I have for some time wanted to work with my students to produce a program on Asian people and culture. I think the class has done an excellent job studying Black, White and Latino communities over the years," said Fears. "Now it is time to focus on other groups. And given the daily news reports about diversity in the U.S., the obvious addition to our dialogue on race and media was one that would focus on Asians, Asian-Indians and Asian-Americans and their cultures."

Five panelists have confirmed. Dr. Ahmad Syamil of Indonesia teaches in the Department of Computer and Information Technology in the College of Business at ASU.

Dr. Gauri-Shanker Guha of Kolkata, India, is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Finance in the College of Business at ASU. He also is the associate director of the International Resource Center.

Pradeep Mishra of Bombay, India, is an instructor of graphic communications in the College of Communications at ASU.

Jean Liu of China is a researcher in the Arkansas Biosciences Institute at ASU.

Hiromi Kubo of Japan is the reference and instruction librarian in the Dean B. Ellis Library at ASU.

Panelists also will discuss various stereotypes Asian people face in America and how they’ve coped with them in their personal lives. The goal of this is event is to better inform students and other audience members so they can become better citizens, leaders, journalists, educators, etc., as they prepare to work and live in an ever changing country.

For more information contact Dr. Lillie Fears at (870) 972-3210.