Congratulations to nine individuals retiring from A-State who will be recognized for their career achievements and contributions today at Faculty Honors Convocation. The nine are Dr. Osa Amienyi, Dr. Steve Bounds, Linda Clark, Dr. Lynita Cooksey, Dr. Ruth Hawkins, Dr. Gregory Meeks, William Payne, Dr. Phyllis Pobst and Lisa Schafer. Together, they have a combined 244 years of service to A-State. Details are online.

Dr. Shivan Haran, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and five of his students concluded a seven-week project at Westside School to bring robotics education to second and third-graders. They work with students in small groups, led by the engineering students, to assemble robot kits and learn to operate their creations, concluding with a "bot battle." Haran started the robotics initiative more than three years ago.

Dr. Evelyn Taylor, assistant professor of social work and department chair, was director of the department's annual spring social work conference, which was Friday in the Reng Student Union. With a theme of "Understanding the Complex Brain with Special Populations," the conference involved numerous faculty members and attracted social workers and mental health professionals from throughout the region. Details are in the conference announcement.

Dr. Rick Stripling, associate professor of college student personnel services and executive director, student affairs project, spoke to the Southern Legislative Conference education committee at Campus Queretaro. In "First American-Style Residential University in Mexico: A Unique Public/Private Partnership," he explained how A-State worked with a private foundation in Mexico and took the project from discussion to opening for classes in fall 2017. Stripling also organized the conference.

Jim Brown, director, and other staff members at First National Bank Arena organized a session for marketing students to learn about the arena industry through a “Promoter 101” seminar. John Davis, a WWE promoter, spoke with students about the industry, changes that have transformed the business, and how marketing efforts evolve. Brown previously had spoken to students in Dr. Shane Hunt’s marketing class.