A wind ensemble composition by Dr. Derek M. Jenkins, assistant professor of music theory and composition, is a finalist for The American Prize in Wind Ensemble/Band Composition​. The piece was commissioned to commemorate 90 years of bands at A-State and was premiered at the A-State Wind Ensemble's CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference performance with Dr. Steven Riley conducting. Jenkins also is a finalist for The American Prize in Choral Composition. Details are online.

Research by Dr. Dinah Tetteh, assistant professor of communication studies, has been published by in Feminist Media Studies. In the article, she analyzes Canadian model and body-positive advocate Elly Mayday’s Instagram posts, documenting her ovarian cancer experience, to determine how she used her cancer narrative to disrupt and intervene in discourses about ovarian cancer, celebrity cancer experiences, and representation of the diseased female body.

A digital image art-directed and photographed by Kimberly Boyd Vickrey, professor of graphic design, is a winner in the 62nd annual photography competition conducted by Communication Arts. A jury of creative professionals selected 109 projects from more than 2,300 submissions. The selected projects will be reproduced in the July/August issue, both in print and digital editions of the professional journal for designers, art directors, and professionals.

Congratulations to John Salvest, professor of art, one of the long-time faculty members recognized during Faculty Honors Convocation in April. Salvest’s mixed-media objects and installations have been exhibited throughout the country, including several one-person shows. A National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship recipient, he is concluding a 34-year career at A-State. He earned Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees at the University of Iowa.

Best wishes to Dr. Sandra Bevill, professor of business communication, who is wrapping up her 30-year career as a faculty member at A-State. Her professional interests include image management, and she is a certified business etiquette and international protocol consultant. Her awards include Arkansas’ Marketing Educator of the Year. She earned her master’s at A-State and her doctoral degree at the University of Mississippi.