ASU partners in Poinsett County project An economic development initiative announced Friday in Harrisburg will be beneficial for Poinsett County, according to County Judge-elect Charles Nix. ASU’s College of Business and the Delta Center for Economic Development (DCED), in partnership with the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, announced the selection of Poinsett County as the second participant in the “Powering Rural Development” model project at a press conference Friday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m. The “Powering Rural Development” initiative is designed to help rural areas of Arkansas build effective and sustainable county-wide economic development programs. Alan McVey, DCED executive director, and Jerry Smith, Economic Development Agency (EDA) University Center for Regional and Community Development, represented ASU at the press conference. For program details, contact Smith or McVey at ext. 3000, visit "Powering Rural Development," or see the NewsPage release. ASU divisions to co-host meeting on creative economy ASU's Delta Center for Economic Development (DCED), Arkansas Delta Byways, and Arkansas Heritage SITES (System Initiatives for Technical and Educational Support), will co-host a town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m.-12 noon, Grand Hall, Fowler Center. This meeting will present key findings of a three-year study of Arkansas’ creative economy by Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. The meeting is an opportunity to help shape a policy agenda for strengthening Arkansas’ creative economy, which includes architects, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, artisans, and a wide variety of vocations. The recommendations from the RTS study will be delivered to the state legislature. Those planning to attend the meeting should respond to Dan Broun or call (919) 933-6699. View three reports from RTS on Arkansas' creative economy here. For details, see the NewsPage release. Staff Senate sponsors Centennial Quilt Project The Staff Senate recently elected to participate in ASU's Centennial Celebration by creating a legacy quilt. This quilt will feature blocks of photos and accompanying text submitted by 100 staff members. Quilters can select and submit their fabric of choice. Cost ($10 per block) is being kept minimal in the hopes that all interested parties are able to participate. Deadline for ordering blocks is Friday, Oct. 31. Note that a waiver must be signed releasing claim of ownership to individual blocks, since the quilt will be donated to the ASU Museum for preservation and periodic display. The committee hopes to make a slideshow of the blocks and finished quilt for staff senate use and display. E-mail quilt@astate.edu to reserve a block, print and complete the order kit, and call any of the staff senators listed below before submitting the kit with photo and payment. Contact Jennifer Jasinski, ext. 2024; Cindy Bode, ext. 3323; Gail Rasberry, ext. 3382; Dena Bolar Graves, est. 2078; Jennifer Clack, ext, 3079; or Rosemary Freer, ext. 2038. ASU Torchbearers campaign is underway The 2008-09 Torchbearers campaign is underway. All members have been sent pledge cards or t-shirt order forms. A Torchbearer is any faculty or staff member who gives $50 or more to support the academic programs at the university. To see the t-shirt and a FAQ sheet, click here. To print or view the pledge card, click here. For details, contact Elaine Poynter, University Development, at ext. 2718. Back to the top