Belated congratulations are in order to Dr. Airek Beauchamp, visiting assistant professor of English, who was named January Professor of the Month by the Program-Level Assessment Committee and Office of Assessment. In an online video, he discusses his emphasis on building students' confidence with their writing ability, and a student in his science writing class attests to the value of the course in her study of genetics.

The four former faculty members known as The Circle, for whom the new graduate student housing on the west side of campus has been named, were honored last week. Dr. Wilbert Gaines, emeritus associate professor of physical education, also tells his own personal story of being the first African American referee to officiate games in Northeast Arkansas public schools. He shared his memories in an online video.

Dr. Julie Grady, associate professor of teacher education and director of the Rural STEM Education Center, led planning for the "Celebrating Future Women Leaders in STEM" conference Friday. Approximately 100 young women from seven Northeast Arkansas public schools heard presentations by A-State representatives Dr. Kathy White Loyd, Dr. Maureen Dolan, Dr. Amanda Lambertus, Dr. Kim Pittcock and Dr. Anne Grippo along with others from industry and business.

Dr. Erik Gilbert, professor of history, was interviewed for an article in Saturday's Jonesboro Sun regarding a bill introduced in the General Assembly by a local state representative with a goal of preventing foreign laws and governments from impacting Arkansas court decisions. Gilbert was asked for comments about Sharia law, based on his teaching knowledge of Middle Eastern cultures and the Islamic world.

Pam Towery, assistant professor of nutritional science and director of the program, talked about healthy eating habits with KLEK-FM listeners as part of the station's "Community Conversations" series. She is one of several A-State faculty and staff who recently have been program guests: Dr. Tom Risch, Biological Sciences; Dr. Shawn Drake, Physical Therapy; Dr. Rebecca Oliver, Honors College; Dr. Marti Allen and Jill Kary, Museum; and Renee Miller, Nursing.