Dean B. Ellis Library to obtain papers of John Robert Starr
The Dean B. Ellis Library has received a major historical gift to its Department of Archives and Special Collections.The family of renowned Arkansas journalist John Robert Starr has donated its entire collection of his career and literary papers to Arkansas State University. A former Associated Press Bureau Chief in Little Rock, John Robert Starr became managing editor of the Arkansas Democrat in 1978. He joined a dynamic team that presided over one of the great newspaper wars as the Democrat challenged the editorial, circulation and advertising revenue dominance of the Arkansas Gazette, the oldest newspaper west of the Mississippi. Ultimately, the Democrat won the war in 1991, and its owner, Walter E. Hussman, bought the Gazette’s assets to form one statewide newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Additionally, Starr, a Pine Bluff native who died in 2000, was known to have a contentious relationship with former Arkansas Governor and U.S. President Bill Clinton that was often highlighted in Starr’s column, which appeared seven days a week. Dr. Joel Gambill, chair of the ASU Department of Journalism, was pivotal in ASU’s securing of the John Robert Starr Collection. Dr. Gambill will have sole access to the collection for a period of up to five years, in accordance with the family’s wishes. Dr. Brady Banta, ASU archivist, states that it will take months to catalog the 35 boxes of materials that include correspondence, column clippings, information about the newspaper war from the perspectives of both newspapers, and information on former Governor and President Clinton. The Arkansas State University Department of Archives and Special Collections also houses collections from ASU’s beginnings, with the V.C. Kays and H.M. Cooley collections; regional interest collections, including the Judd Hill and Mabel H. Gieseck collections; and political papers of former Gov. Francis Cherry and former U.S. First District Representative E.C. “Took” Gathings. Additionally, the department is home to the Mid-South Center for Oral History. For details, see the NewsPage release.

Nursing to award five Robert Wood Johnson scholarships
Dr. Sue McLarry, chair, School of Nursing, RN and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), announced that the School of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions, is one of 63 schools that will receive funding to award five scholarships from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program (NCIN). Grants provided through this competitive program will be given to students traditionally underrepresented in the field of nursing. The program strives to prepare culturally competent leaders in the ASU School of Nursing's accelerated baccalaureate nursing program. NCIN was launched in 2008 to address the national nursing shortage and fuel the pipeline of diverse nurse faculty. At ASU’s School of Nursing, five scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each will be awarded to five students entering accelerated nursing programs during the 2010-2011 academic year. To date, the NCIN program has supported 1,917 students at 101 schools of nursing, and continues to develop culturally competent health professionals and future leaders of the profession. Dr. McLarry notes that the scholarships provide a great opportunity for  students who are from groups typically underrepresented in nursing, such as males and ethnic minorities. For details, see the NewsPage release.

HiStory Time at ASU Museum slated for July 10
The ASU Museum presents HiStory Time, Saturday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. HiStory Time features the reading of a different history-based children’s story each month and an exploration of the history of our region through various objects on exhibition. Every session of HiStory Time includes a hands-on activity--songs, games, or crafts--that varies according to the story. Children ages 2-8 are invited, and adults are asked to remain for the session. Older siblings are welcome to join HiStory Time or to enjoy the many exhibitions including Summer of Science. HiStory Time is free and open to the public. For details, visit the ASU Museum online, or call ext. 2074. 

KASU's Bluesday Tuesday presents Jeannie and the Guys
One of northeast Arkansas’ most experienced bands, Jeannie and the Guys, will perform at KASU’s fourth Bluesday Tuesday concert to be held at the Newport Country Club, 703 Walker Drive, Newport. The July 13 concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. KASU will pass the hat to help pay the musicians. Although the band has had various members over the years, the core lineup includes Jean Hendrix, Zyndall Raney, Marcus Grady, and Doug Greeno. Sonny Burgess, who co-founded the group, frequently performs with Jeannie and the Guys when not fulfilling obligations with his main band, the Pacers. Jeannie and the Guys play most Saturday nights for the dancers and the audience at the Silver Moon in Newport. Bluesday Tuesday concerts are held on the second Tuesday night each month at the Newport Country Club, 703 Walker Drive, on the southwest edge of town, near Newport High School. There is no membership fee or cover charge, and the public is welcome. For details, contact KASU station manager Mike Doyle at ext. 3486, or see the NewsPage release.

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