Congratulations to Dr. Susan Whiteland, assistant professor of art education, on being selected to receive the Arkansas Higher Education Art Educator of the Year award. She will receive the prestigious award next month during the Arkansas Art Educators Association annual fall conference in North Little Rock. Whiteland, who joined the A-State faculty in 2012, completed her Ph.D. at the University of North Texas.

Emily Devereux, director of research development/pre-award, has been elected chair for Region III of the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). She will serve a four-year term on the executive board for the 13-state region. NCURA advances the field of research administration by providing resources and professional development. She also was appointed at-large member of AASCU's Grants Resource Center advisory board. 

Dr. Gregory Hansen, professor of English and folklore, is serving as presentations chair for the Johnny Cash Heritage Festival in Dyess, Oct. 19-21.  Hansen, along with faculty members Dr. Deborah Chappel-Traylor, Dr. Gabriel Tait, Michael Doyle, Dr. Ed Salo, Joe Ford, Dr. Marcus Tribbett, and Chancellor Kelly Damphousse are moderating sessions during the festival, which focuses on the significance and impact of historic Dyess Colony. 

Dr. Ruth Owens, associate professor of Spanish, has been invited to serve on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program National Screening Committee. The committee of area specialists convenes in Washington, D.C., to review applications and nominate candidates to award sponsors. Owens will work on the selection of Fulbright English language teaching assistants in South America during a three-year term, beginning with this year's competition.

Bethania Baray, instructor in music and director of opera, and a music student from Mississippi State University collaborated to present a nontraditional opera performance during the annual luncheon of Latino Memphis at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis. The luncheon was attended by more than 800 people, including Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, corporate sponsors and other elected city and county leaders.