Teams advised by Dr. Hai Jiang, associate professor of computer science, performed better than ever in the IEEEXtreme Programming Competition on Oct. 18.  One of the three participating A-State teams in the 24-hour contest ranked 19th in the United States and in the top 7.5 percent of the 2,500 teams competing worldwide. IEEE is the world's largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence. Details are in the news release.

Dr. Kat Carrick, assistant professor of social work, is chair of the conference committee for the Delta Health Disparities Conference to be held on campus Nov. 12.  Sponsored by the Department of Social Work, the conference will help identify tools to combat poverty and address health issues in the Delta region.  Authorities on health issues, medical screenings, and a silent auction in support of a scholarship are on the agenda.  Details are in a news release.

Dr. Temma Balducci, associate professor of art history, co-edited a volume of essays with Dr. Heather Belnap Jensen of Brigham Young University. Women, Femininity and Public Space in European Visual Culture, 1789-1914 challenges the long-held notion that well-to-do women were not an active and defining part of public culture in late 19th century Europe.  She also contributed an essay, "Aller a Pied: bourgeois women on the streets of Paris," that explores women's mobility on foot and on the omnibus.  Ashgate Press is publisher.

A paper co-authored by Dr. Brad Rawlins, dean, College of Media and Communication, was selected as the top faculty research paper at the Public Relations Society of America's Educators Academy session at the organization's international conference in Washington, D.C.  He and his five colleagues presented their research findings in "Public Relations Alumni in the Profession: Why They Stay, Why They Go, and What Educators and Practitioners Need to Know."

Nikki Arnell, assistant professor of graphic art, and Joe Ford, assistant professor of digital design, will present a public artists' talk regarding their recent work in the current exhibition, "Chimera," which is underway through Nov. 12 at Bradbury Gallery in Fowler Center.  They will speak today (Oct. 29) at 3 p.m.  Arnell's "Mandala (Dark)," is shown at left.  Read more about their work in the news release.