Faculty and staff updates and achievements
Dr. Joseph Patrick Key, History, has been asked to serve on a panel with the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in Arkansas; Dr. William McLean and Dr. Patrick Stewart, Political Science, have recently published an article in the Public Administration Times; and Dr. Jerry Farris and Jennifer Bouldin, Environmental Services Ph.D. Program, have recently authored research. Dr. Stan Trauth, Heath Rauschenberger, both of Biology, and Dr. Farris recently published an article in Applied Herpetology; Dr. J. David Gillanders, Engineering, has recently won a regional swimming competition. Read more details about these and other faculty members in Campus News.

Commencement this Friday, Aug. 6
This Friday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. the Summer Commencement Ceremony will be held at the Convocation Center. Approximately 400 students are candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees. A reception for all graduates, family and faculty will follow the ceremony on the mezzanine, between the blue and green entrances of the Convocation Center.

Encourage graduates to join Alumni Association
Graduating students (both undergraduate and graduate level) receive a free annual membership in the ASU Alumni Association as a graduation gift. Graduates have to sign up by contacting the Alumni Association personally or they can do it when they go to the ASU Bookstore for their cap and gown fitting. Recent graduates can join for half price for $18 until five years after they have graduated. Encourage students you know to participate and help them stay connected with ASU.

Payroll update regarding IRS letter to employees
Employees who worked at ASU during the calendar year 2002 should be receiving a letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding "unreported" wages for that year. When employees receive this letter, they should contact Payroll Services. Payroll Services will then provide a packet of information for each employee to provide to the IRS. Each packet will be tailored for each employee based on wages for 2002. Payroll Services is working diligently to assist ASU employees to make this process as smooth as possible.

Board of Trustees meeting update
The ASU Board of Trustees met yesterday via conference call and approved two action items on the agenda. They approved offering an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis and a Master of Business Administration at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Both proposals will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education for approval at the October  meeting of the Coordinating Board. If approved, the programs will become effective in January 2005 as program extensions of ASU-Jonesboro.

ASU Museum to open exhibit of women's art
The ASU Museum will host a reception Sunday, Aug. 15, to open the exhibition Originals! Arkansas Women Artists, 2004-05.  Everyone is invited to the 1:30-3:30 p.m. reception.  The exhibit is sponsored by the Arkansas State Committee of The National Museum of Women in the Arts.  Included are 32 works by 24 women from throughout the state of Arkansas.  Admission to the Museum is free.

Orientation on campus this week
The New Student Orientation began on campus yesterday and will continue today, beginning at  8 a.m. at the Convocation Center and Fowler Center. Students must be pre-registered to attend. If you see students or their family members around campus, please remember to help make them feel welcome.

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