Dr. Hendricks holds book signing Nov. 4 at library
On Thursday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m., Dr. Nancy Hendricks, director, Alumni Communications, will sign copies of her new book "Dear Mrs. Caraway, Dear Mr. Kays" at a special event on the Arkansas State University campus. Hendricks will appear at the third floor exhibit space of the Dean B. Ellis Library, 322 University Loop West Circle. Along with opening a new exhibit of previously unseen Caraway photos and letters, Hendricks will read from the book and sign copies, which will be available for sale. The book is based on the private correspondence between long-time Arkansas State president V. C. Kays and Hattie Caraway of Jonesboro, the first woman elected to the United States Senate. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase at the cash-only discounted price of $10. For two years, Hendricks researched the Caraway material found in about a thousand documents in the V. C. Kays papers donated to the ASU Archives by his son Buddy Kays in 2001.The book contains the full text of the Kays/Caraway letters which Hendricks used in writing her play of the same name which was presented recently as the grand finale of the ASU Centennial Celebration. It also refutes what Hendricks calls the 'Silent Hattie myth' that Caraway was ineffectual as a Senator. In addition, the book includes a rare interview with Caraway's granddaughter, her last living direct descendant, as well as previously unseen photos from the Caraway family. Hendrix is an award-winning writer whose previous play, "Miz Caraway and the Kingfish," depicts Caraway's colorful 1932 election campaign with Louisiana Sen. Huey Long. Its New Orleans production was held over for an extended run and nominated by the American Critics Association for 'Best Play Produced Outside New York.' Hendricks has received the Pryor Award for Arkansas Women's History, the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award, and the White House Millennium Award for her writing. For details, contact April Sheppard, ext. 2766, or see the NewsPage release.

ASU Wind Ensemble performs Nov. 4
The Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble will present its second concert of the 2010-2011 season on Thursday, Nov. 4,  in Riceland Hall, Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Dr. Timothy Oliver, director of bands and coordinator of wind and percussion studies within the Department of Music. Dr. Oliver will lead the musicians of the ASU Wind Ensemble in a concert featuring the music of Vincent Persichetti, David Gillingham, and Percy Grainger. The concert will begin with “Divertimento for Band, Op. 42” by Persichetti. David Gillingham composed the next piece on the program, “Heroes, Lost and Fallen.” Written in 1989, this is a very powerful and emotional work. Gillingham loosely based this composition on the Vietnam War. The second half of the program begins with a trio of works written by master composer and arranger Percy Grainger. The guest conductor for two Grainger works, “Handel in the Strand,” and “Walking Tune,” will be Professor Dan Peterson, director of bands at Truman State University. His duties include artistic musical director of the two wind symphony bands, concert band, chamber ensembles and principal conductor of Wind Symphony I. He teaches graduate music education classes, graduate conducting, and undergraduate marching band techniques. Mr. Peterson is the director of the 120-member “Statesmen” Marching Band. For details about the concert, contact the music office at ext. 2094, or see the NewsPage release. 

ASU Museum presents Día de los Muertos event Nov. 5
The ASU Museum will hold its fourth annual celebration of Día de los Muertos on Friday, Nov. 5, from 5-7 p.m., 320 University Loop West Circle, Jonesboro. Día de los Muertos is free and open to the public and the university community, including faculty, staff, and students. This family event includes hands-on children’s crafts, refreshments, and surprises. An ancient tradition originating with the Aztec and Maya, Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, melded with Christianity in Mexico. Food, beverages, flowers, and a time to remember the dead are common to the celebration of Día de los Muertos everywhere.  A highlight of the event is trick-or-treating through the museum's Old Town Arkansas--a walk-through exhibit of a turn-of-the-last-century town-- offering a combination of the traditions associated with the Mexican Day of the Dead and American Halloween customs. 2010 marks the fourth time that the ASU Museum has collaborated with the staff at the Hispanic Community Services, Inc., of Jonesboro, to celebrate this festive occasion. Each year, the children of HCSI decorate an altar honoring deceased ancestors with traditional flowers, candles, and treats. Día de los Muertos is one of three free public programs in the ASU Museum’s Cultural Diversity Series. For details, contact Dr. Lenore Shoults, visit the ASU Museum online, call ext. 2074, or see the NewsPage release.

Torchbearer red carpet reception slated for Nov. 3
The Torchbearer reception is Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Cooper Alumni Center, 2600 Alumni Boulevard. Join other Torchbearers on the Red Wolf Carpet. For more information, contact Elaine Poynter, Alumni Office, ext. 2718.

McDaniel presents check to Beck PRIDE Center
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel was on the Arkansas State University campus Wednesday afternoon to present a check for $33,749 to school officials at the Beck PRIDE Center for America’s Wounded Veterans. The money will help the center to continue its mission to provide specialized personal rehabilitation and education services to injured military service members returning from combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, reach out to a greater number of veterans, and increase services to family members. The check was presented to Susan Tonymon, director of the Beck PRIDE Center. Interim ASU System President Dr. Robert Potts, interim Chancellor Dr. Dan Howard, interim Provost Dr. Glen Jones, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions Dr. Susan Hanrahan and Col. (Ret.) Jerry Bowen, a founding member of the Beck PRIDE Center National Advisory Council, were in attendance. The funds are the result of a settlement entered into by McDaniel’s office of a consumer protection lawsuit that was filed against American Veterans Coalition. In December of 2007, McDaniel filed suit against the Washington-based American’s Coalition, claiming that it had deceived Arkansas residents during solicitations for donations. McDaniel alleged that less than one percent of the donations raised were actually used to support veterans and “not one dime” had been given to Arkansas veterans. The $33,749 represents the total amount of money donated by Arkansas residents. Arkansas State University recently reached a special milestone with its selection as the 10^th best higher education institution in the United States and the only one in Arkansas for military veterans by Military Times EDGE magazine. For details, contact Susan Tonymon, director, Beck PRIDE Center, ext. 2624, view a list of Beck contacts, or see the NewsPage release.
 
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