ASU to offer new Arkansas Promise scholarshipTM A new scholarship program, Arkansas PromiseTM, is now available for 2010 high school graduates who will be enrolling at Arkansas State University. The new scholarships are available to recipients of the Arkansas Academic Challenge/Lottery Scholarship. These combined scholarships are expected to cover the costs of tuition and fees for full-time students enrolled through the Jonesboro campus. ASU Chancellor Robert L. Potts has noted that when combined with the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship, the Arkansas Promise scholarshipTM at ASU-Jonesboro puts a college education well within financial reach of any high school graduate who has the necessary academic ability by covering tuition and fees. Each applicant must be an Arkansas resident who has been admitted to ASU upon spring 2010 high school graduation with a minimum ACT score of 22 or minimum SAT score of 1030. The student must have maintained a seven-semester grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and have completed the 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery in Arkansas was passed in 2008 and stipulates that the proceeds be used for scholarships for students attending two- and four-year colleges. The legislature approved funding for students attending four-year universities at $5,000 per year. The governor signed today Act 294 authorizing the funding. Additional Arkansas State University scholarship information is available at http://www.onehowlofanexperience.com. For details, see the complete NewsPage release. Dr. Tusalem publishes book on civil societies, democracy Dr. Rollin Tusalem, Political Science, recently had his book, “Civil Society in Transitional Democracies: Its Effect on Governance and Institutional Performance,” published by Verlag Press. This book draws on extant civil society theories in explaining how strong and dense civil societies help enhance the sustainability of democracy by improving governance and state institutional performance. Despite mounting criticism that civil society can be inimical to the stability of democracies and lead into institutional mal-performance, Dr. Tusalem argues that a strong civil society (even in the absence of a strong state) is a necessary element in the consolidation of democracies. He also investigates the empirical question by using a nested approach of combining a large  cross-national study that is supplemented by case study evidence in Nigeria, the Philippines, South Korea, Brazil, and Russia. The book's major implication is to provide empirical support to theoretical propositions about civil society's supposed beneficial effect on democratic governance that has not been adequately empirically evaluated and assessed among transitional democracies. The findings show that the pre-transition and post-transitional strength of civil society among more than 60 transitional states has a positive effect in promoting better governance and institutional performance. Office of Admissions recognizes Bridget Ingram as STAR The Office of Admissions congratulates its first Service Targeted At Recruiting Students (STARS) Employee of the Month, Bridget Ingram. The STARS program recognizes Admissions staff for their dedication and commitment to customer service. Ingram, a member of the Admissions processing staff, was nominated by her manager, Shannan Ellenburg, and voted for by her peers to receive recognition as the January STARS Employee of the Month. Over the holiday break, Ingram worked extra hours to process the large volumes of applications that came pouring into the Admissions Office. She came in early and stayed late on several occasions to be sure students’ documents were processed in a timely manner. In addition, Ingram always extends a friendly helping hand to all students who stop in and call the office, assisting them with a wide array of questions and concerns. For all of her hard work, dedication, and constant positive attitude Ingram deserves to be recognized.   CSI camp deadline for teachers, students, is March 1 Arkansas State University will offer CSI: Creating Student Investigators, June 7-11 and June 14-18, at the ASU-Jonesboro campus, where high school science teachers can participate and earn professional development hours. Science teachers who currently teach 7-12 grade science classes can participate and also earn up to $1,000 for completing the course. Teachers must commit to completing both weeks in order to participate. The program is made possible by a grant received by the university from the National Science Foundation (NSF 05-621 Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers – ITEST); it costs nothing for teachers to participate. Free room and board is also offered. The deadline to apply is March 1, and applications can be downloaded at the CSI: Creating Student Investigators Teacher page. The student program dates are June 15-18. Students will receive up to $40 per day for successful completion of projects. The deadline for students to apply is also March 1, and student applications can be found online at the CSI: Creating Student Investigators Student page. Check out the CSI homepage's pages for parents and school counselors. E-mail csi_science@yahoo.com or call (870) 761-8661 for details, visit the CSI homepage, or see the NewsPage release. Brother 2 Brother will present talent showcase March 1 The ASU student organization Brother 2 Brother will host a non-competitive Talent Showcase set for 8 p.m.- 10  p.m., Monday, March 1, in the Student Union Auditorium. Brother 2 Brother is a student organization designed to increase retention and graduation rates among African-American male students by providing African-American male students with a nurturing environment, academic support, character development and community service opportunities. Faculty, staff, students, and the public are all invited to enjoy some of the finest talent on the campus of Arkansas State University. The showcase will highlight spoken word poetry, interpretative dance, singing, rap, and other musical talents. All proceeds from the Talent Showcase will help provide scholarships for Brother 2 Brother members. For more information about Brother 2 Brother or the Talent Showcase, contact Melanie Richardson, Diversity Fellow, ext. 3734, or Harry White. ASU celebrates March as Women's History Month Arkansas State University-Jonesboro will celebrate Women’s History Month throughout the month of March. Special presentations include a live musical theatre work from the Core Ensemble, “Ain’t I A Woman?" (The Core Ensemble's production is part of ASU's Lecture-Concert series), and two residency programs from the Core Ensemble on Wednesday, March 3. The first program will focus on the History of African American women’s struggles and will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Spring River Room, Student Union. The second program will take place in Fowler Center's Riceland Hall from 1-2:30 p.m. and will be a presentation for theatre students and other interested parties. The ensemble will present an excerpt from “Ain’t I a Woman?” followed by a question-and-answer session. Other events include a film and discussion on Black hair, an international perspectives luncheon, a summit on the roles and lives of women across the globe, volunteer opportunities, and health care events. The film, “Good Hair,” a documentary by Chris Rock, will be shown in the Student Union Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2. For more information on any event, contact the Leadership Center at ext. 2055, or see the NewsPage release for a complete schedule of events. Alumni Association sets ASU Days at Chili's March 1-2 ASU Days at Chili's of Jonesboro will be Monday-Tuesday, Mar 1-2. Mark your calendar, and simply print and present the flyer to participate. Chili's will donate 10% of the meal check to an ASU scholarship fund for those presenting the flyer. Have a good time at Chili's on Stadium Blvd. in Jonesboro all day on Monday and Tuesday, enjoy a great meal and help ASU students at the same time! For more information, contact alumni relations director Pat Edwards in the Alumni Office, ext. 2438. Back to the top