During the quarterly Board of Trustees meeting held Friday at Arkansas State University-Newport, Chancellor Tim Hudson presented a video report highlighting recent developments and achievements by faculty and staff, including the record retention rate, fall semester enrollment increase, study-abroad programs, research, online-degree programs, and philanthropic gifts from Johnny Allison, Curt and Chucki Bradbury, and Perry Wilson.

The Delta Regional Authority has selected Peggy R. Wright, instructor in political science, for the 2015-16 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy.  Wright, who also serves as director of the Delta Studies Center, will participate in six three-day sessions in various cities across the Delta Region and in Washington, D.C., over the next 11 months.  Academy topics include transportation, health, education, entrepreneurship, culture, tourism, public policy and governance.

Amber Wooten, assistant professor and program director of diagnostic medical sonography, was one of only 20 individuals nationwide selected for a special honor. She was a participant in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Leadership Academy for Educators in Albuquerque.  The academy offers a special opportunity to build a foundation of shared values and resources to ensure the continued success of the radiologic technology profession.

Dr. Craig Collison, associate professor of music, is drumming up interest in percussion studies at A-State by bringing prospective students to campus. He is the principal organizer of the inaugural percussion clinic for high schools students. Participants will prepare for All-Region/All-State Band auditions and interact with current students who are percussion majors. They also will hear a performance by the A-State Percussion Ensemble, which Collison directs.

Dr. Bert Greenwalt, professor of agricultural economics, participated in a dinner meeting hosted by the Arkansas Agriculture Department in honor of a group of visiting international agricultural attachés. Representatives from the embassies of 24 countries toured the Arkansas agriculture industry, met with managers of crop and livestock farms in the state, and toured rice research facilities. The department is headed by Wes Ward, one of Greenwalt's former students.

Dr. Rollin F. Tusalem, associate professor and co-director of graduate studies in political science, authored an article for Politics & Policy, a leading peer-reviewed journal. The article, which appears in the August issue, investigates empirically whether or not the presence of minority government is more likely to induce the erosion of democracy; findings suggest such presence may generate ethnic tensions that precipitate longstanding political instability.