Kathleen Ruth, Military Science, was recognized as recipient of the STAR (service, teamwork, attitude and reliability) award during the 28th annual Distinguished Performance Awards Ceremony, hosted by Staff Senate. Her nominator, calling her the “detailed quality assurance teammate,” noted her professionalism with handling Army contracts, coordinating campus housing for cadets each semester, supporting field exercises and commissioning ceremonies, and other military science activities.

Tiffany D. Johnson, director, Career Services Center, has concluded two terms as president of the Arkansas Association of Colleges and Employers. During the pandemic, she led three virtual conferences, including securing speakers and sponsorships, along with working with the group’s board on AACE’s various goals. During the most recent conference she also facilitated a panel discussion with young professionals. She will continue on the board as past president.

Dr. Kelly Damphousse, chancellor, was unanimously elected to serve a two-year term as president of the Sun Belt Conference at the league’s annual meeting in New Orleans. Effective July 1, his duties as SBC president also include chairing the conference’s Executive Committee. The Sun Belt Conference also selected Damphousse as its representative on the NCAA’s Board of Directors, starting Sept. 1. Board membership is a four-year appointment. Details are online.

Dr. Anne Grippo, professor of biological sciences and associate dean, Sciences and Mathematics, was recognized during Convocation of Scholars. Grippo, who joined the faculty in 1995, and her husband, Richard, are retiring to St. Croix. She earned her Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry at North Carolina. In addition to ongoing research, she also was very involved in advancing STEM education through initiatives to improve teacher preparation.

Congratulations to Dr. Richard Burns, associate professor of folklore and anthropology, who is retiring after a 28-year career at A-State. Burns, who earned his Ph.D. at Texas, specialized in African American, Southern and Mississippi Delta folklore. He was highly involved in planning the annual Delta Symposium, for which he often brought in blues musicians, and he won the Faculty Achievement Award for Research and Scholarship in 1997.