Dr. Erick Chang, chair of the entrepreneurship committee in the College of Business, is organizing the 7th annual Business Plan competition on Nov. 6.  A record number of students, including representatives from eight colleges, entered the first round.  Finalists will compete in the graduate, undergraduate and freshman categories, and an elevator pitch competition.  Top teams will be invited to enter the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup.  Congratulations to Chang and other faculty who are creating student opportunities, as detailed in a news release.

Donna McMillin, assistant vice chancellor for budget planning and development, completed her tenure as president of the Arkansas Association of College and University Business Officers (AACUBO) by presiding over the group's recent annual meeting at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.  More than 90 finance professionals from two-year and four-year public and private institutions of higher education participated.  McMillin has served eight years on the board including as member, treasurer, and vice president.

Every football game is preceded by "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem, but few on-field performances can match the rendition by choir members and alumni led by Dr. Dale Miller, professor of music and director of choral activities, at the Homecoming game.  Miller invited choir alumni from the College of Fine Arts to prepare and perform the a cappella arrangement with current students.  A-State posted a video of the singers, and it should make every American and Red Wolf fan very proud.

Dr. Dave McKinney, director of Parking Services, wrote an article that has been published in The Parking Professional, an international journal for the parking and transportation industry.  McKinney's article, "Meeting Conflicting Demands," is based on his analysis of results from his survey of college parking administrators across the country regarding management of diverse parking goals and expectations.

Dr. David Beasley, former dean and professor of engineering, is enjoying retirement from A-State but not from the engineering profession.  Gov. Mike Beebe announced last week that he has appointed Beasley to serve on the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors until July 1, 2016.  Beasley also continues his involvement with ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC), of which he is past chair, as a member of the executive committee.