Dr. Bhattacharya named leader by national association
Dr. Gauri Bhattacharya, Social Work, was honored and recognized as a social work leader by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). Dr. Bhattacharya was profiled in an ACSW 50th Anniversary ad that runs in October 2010 issue of the NASW News and was featured in an interactive timeline about social work leaders through the decades. The ACSW, the NASW profession’s premier leadership credential, enjoys worldwide recognition from social work leaders and is a symbol of social work excellence. Dr. Bhattacharya was praised especially for her commitment to social work values; her drive to ensure social and economic justice for all; her leadership skills in promoting health equality in national and global contexts; and the professional knowledge and expertise that is present throughout her research, scholarship, teaching and public engagement at multiple levels. As both NASW and ACSW have noted, past Academy members have influenced America profoundly, and current members continue the legacy of leadership.

Fenner teaches course at conference
Starr Fenner, director, Environmental Health and Safety, taught a course on Continuation of Operations FEMA L-548 at the third annual Disaster Preparedness Conference in Paducah, Ky., in August.The conference was made possible in part by a grant from USDA NIFA. Conference Hosts include American Red Cross, Arkansas State University, Purdue Cooperative Extension, Tennessee Planning District, University of Illinois Extension, University of Kentucky Extension, University of Missouri Extension, and University of Tennessee Extension. The 2010 Disaster Preparedness project is to organize the vast amount of information available and to expand and spread that collection of information to the general public. Besides the conference, there have been workshops for K-12 educators throughout six states. Fenner was certified by FEMA in 2006 to train program managers on the Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan. The COOP course explains the benefits of developing a Continuation of Operations Plan and provides students with the tools to develop a COOP plan for their agencies. Fenner served on the planning committee for the third year for this conference, and this was the second year he presented at the conference. In three years, the Disaster Preparedness Conference has grown from fewer than 100 participants to hosting more than 250 participants this year.

Dr. Frey elected to association board
Dr. Len T. Frey, dean, College of Business, was recently elected to the board of the Southern Business Administration Association (SBAA). He will serve out the remainder of the term of Paul Bobrowski, former dean of Auburn University’s College of Business, who resigned from his position on the board to begin a sabbatical. The SBAA is theregional association of collegiate business programs offered by colleges and universities in the southern US. While the majority of the membership reflects its southern roots, any collegiate institution offering programs in business administration and/or business education as colleges, schools, or departments of business administration are welcome to join. In addition to the south, SBAA members are located in the northeast, the mid-Atlantic, the midwest, the west, and Canada.

Dean, Convocation Center staff win Betty T. Sloan award
The 2010 Betty T. Sloan award was presented to Tim Dean and the Convocation Center staff  recently at Jonesboro's annual Chamber of Commerce banquet. The Betty T. Sloan Award was established in 1985 by the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce to honor an individual or organization for outstanding promotion of Jonesboro through an event or series of events that elevates the image of Jonesboro and brings visitors to the area. The award was named in honor of Betty Sloan in 1991 after her many years of service as chairman of the Chamber’s promotion committee and her ongoing promotion of the city she loves. Dean and the staff of the Convocation Center have helped to bring in many top performers in the last few years. In addition to concerts, shows, and athletics, the Convocation Center holds hundreds of meetings as well as the Rotary Club's Arkansas Sports Show, the Lions Club Car Show, the Chamber’s Business Expo, Lit’l Bita Christmas, the NEA District Fair Rodeo, HMG Health Fair, three ASU commencements, and seven area high school graduations. In the last fiscal year (July 2009 - June 2010) the official count of visitors and customers to the Convocation Center was 455,345. Convocation Center director Tim Dean and his staff, following the acceptance of the Betty T. Sloan Award at the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce banquet. From left: David Carmack, assistant director/operations manager; Lesa Carmack, assistant director/booking manager; Tim Dean; Frances Hart, director of marketing; and Kenny Brewer, assistant director/box office manager.

ADHE board to meet Oct. 29 at Convocation Center
The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting Friday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. in the Hames Room of the Convocation Center at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Visit the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board online for other information, including agendas, policies, and more.

Bill and Alice Nix Petting Zoo is open Oct. 30
ASU's College of Agriculture and Technology will host the Bill and Alice Nix Petting Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The zoo is free and open to the public  The petting zoo is located on the ASU Farm at the Beef Barn, 203 Longhorn Drive. Horseback riding will be available in the pasture. The Bill and Alice Nix Petting Zoo, sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Technology, is open twice a year – once in the spring (usually during the month of April) and once in the fall (usually during the month of October). For details, contact Sherry Ellis, Agriculture Studies Office, at ext. 2087.

Jonesboro Community Night in Memphis set for Oct. 30
Jonesboro Community Night in Memphis, Saturday, Oct. 30, features the Memphis Grizzlies vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. in Memphis' FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, Tenn.. The Memphis Grizzlies invest in communities throughout the mid-south by providing quality services, programs, events, and in-kind donations that support the needs of area hospitals, schools, and nonprofit organizations. Marking Jonesboro's 150th year and ASU's Centennial year, this event will feature Jonesboro Parks and Recreation's 9 and 10-year-old basketball teams scrimmaging before the Grizzlies' game; the ASU choir singing the National Anthem prior to tip-off; and the ASU cheerleaders appearing during a Memphis Grizzlies' time-out. Ticket prices are $15 per Terrace ticket; $30 per Plaza ticket, and $35 per Club ticket. Tickets are available online. For details, contact Halsey Ward, (901) 205-1460.

Percussion Ensemble to perform in concert Nov. 1
The Department of Music at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will present the ASU Percussion Ensemble in concert on Monday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Riceland Hall, Fowler Center. The concert is free of charge and open to the public. The percussion ensemble is under the direction of Craig Collison. The concert will include performances of “Strobes” by David Skidmore, “Clapping Music” by Steve Reich, “Mixtures 2” by David Long, “Opus 1 from 24 Caprices” by Paganini, and “Stompin’ Music” by Bela Fleck and Victor Wooten, arranged by John Hearnes. For details, including personnel, see the NewsPage release.

ARE-ON lighting ceremony scheduled for Nov. 4
The Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) is scheduled for lighting on Thursday, Nov. 4.  A lighting ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., in Room 222 of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences on the Arkansas State University campus. All faculty, staff, students, and members of the ASU community are invited to attend. For details, contact ASU's Information and Technology Services, ext. 3033, or see the NewsPage release. 

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