Those interested in taking advantage of an opportunity to learn more about Asia can do so beginning this spring at Southern Arkansas University, the only university in this region offering this minor.

This spring Asian Studies will offer three courses, Chinese 1013: Mandarin Chinese II (MW 3:40-5:00) History 3173: Modern South Asia (MWF 10:00), and English 3213: South Asian Literature (MW 2:10-3:30).

Dr. Charles Keller, who will be teaching the Modern South Asian course, said this minor stands to benefit students whose interests range from business, history, literature, language and culture.

“If someone has an Asian Studies Minor, that makes them a more attractive candidate for any kind of job,” Keller said. “That is the dollars and cents side of education. The other side of education, and what it really needs to be about, is offering the opportunity to develop a person’s intellectual capabilities.”

“To be ignorant of one sixth of the world’s population means you are not fully developed intellectually,” Keller said. “If you want to be truly educated, this is a minor you should take.”

Keller, a native of Henryetta, Okla., said he originally became interested in studying Asia while taking an introductory course in China and Japan at what was then Tulsa Junior College. And although his professor at the time seemed burnt out with his career choice, the material inspired Keller to begin on a path that would eventually lead him to receive his doctorate in East Asia studies. He is now able to teach about a place that continues to fascinate him, and to which he continues to travel frequently.

Keller, who worked in his father’s construction business before beginning college said people who knew him when he was growing up did find it odd that someone with his background chose to take a break and move to Taiwan for a year to study Chinese language and culture as he pursued his higher education.

“It was like going to another planet for someone from Oklahoma and people I knew wondered what this redneck construction worker was up to,” he said.

Although his courses examine Asian history and culture, Keller strongly believes the cornerstone of any study of other countries is the study of the language.

Dr. Juping Wang’s courses in Mandarin Chinese will concentrate on developing students’ proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking Chinese.

Wang, a native of Datong, Shanxi Province, China, choose to study Spanish and English while living in Asia and said she never imagined she would one day move to the United States and teach Spanish and Chinese. Although students may not be as familiar with hearing Chinese as they are Spanish, the upside to the study of the language is the lack of verb conjugation required, she said.

Wang said she doesn’t know if she agrees with Keller that China will one day surpass the United States as a super power, but the importance of learning about the culture is important nonetheless, she said.

“It doesn’t matter if people like it or not, the close interaction between China and the United States makes us more and more interdependent,” Wang said.

Professor Russ Chace will also offer a course which is part of the minor. Chace’s course is in South Asian Literature and investigates the development of Indian literature from the late nineteenth century to 1960 in the context of British representations of, and imperialism in, India.

Keller and Chase are pleased to be offering courses in the same semester that will allow the student to explore India from the complementary perspectives of history and literature. These courses will count toward the minor when it becomes official in the fall of 2008.

Requirements for the minor include six hours of Chinese (Chinese 1003: Mandarin Chinese I and Chinese 1013: Mandarin Chinese II) and twelve upper-level hours chosen from courses in business, history, and literature.
Interested students should contact Wang at 870-235-5069, jwang@saumag.edu) or Keller at 870-235-4232 at cakeller@saumage.edu for further information.

Brandon, an associate professor of anthropology at SAU and the Arkansas Archeological Survey’s Research Station in Magnolia, was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe this month to serve on the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. The commission’s main charge is to promote a suitable statewide observance of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary from 2011 to 2015. Brandon is one of only four members of the 16 member commission to be hand selected by the governor.

“I’m honored to be a part of the commission, but it is going to be quite a lot of work to organize and promote a state wide set of programs to remember the Civil War,” Brandon said. “One of the great things about being on the Sesquicentennial Commission is that it gives me the opportunity to promote the Civil War and help interpret the parts of the Civil War that people don’t think about. A lot of it took place in Arkansas, especially southwest Arkansas.”

After working for a decade in Northwest Arkansas in a community called Van Winkle’s Mill Community inside Hobb State Park in Benton County, Brandon set his sights on southwest Arkansas, particularly the area of Historic Washington in Hempstead County. He suspects that his project in northwest Arkansas, which eventually led to the creation of a historic trail there, as well as his dedication to doing archeological research in the 11 counties that make up southwest Arkansas, are the reasons he received the nomination.

Brandon divides his time between teaching anthropology classes in the spring at SAU and conducting archeological research in southwest Arkansas. The lion’s share of his work has been in studying the 19th century as well as the Civil War period. Brandon has almost 17 years of experience in the field of archaeology and has been involved with projects in a total of 13 southeastern states. He has also authored or co-authored publications and/or technical reports on research in seven of those states and has a strong background in both the academic and private sectors.

For more information about the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in Arkansas, go to www.arkansaspreservation.org/preservation-services/sesquicentennial-commission/.

Dr. Ngai’s research and publications have explored the development of American immigration policy and demonstrated how past decisions continue to influence the current debates over immigration.

In 2004 Princeton University Press published her Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America. This book won numerous awards as a ground-breaking study. It detailed how the identification of those who would be considered “illegal immigrants” emerged over time due to changing labor demands and assumptions about foreign workers.

A review of Impossible Subjects in the Los Angeles Times noted, “Ngai’s undeniable premise–as pertinent today as ever–is that the lawfully regulated part of our immigration system is only the tip of the iceberg.”

Dr. Ngai’s next book, Breaking the Rules: The Making of the Chinese American Middle Class, will be published by Houghton Mifflin. This volume will trace the story of a Chinese immigrant family from the late nineteenth through the early twentieth century.

Dr. Ngai taught at Bard College and the University of Chicago before taking her position at Columbia University. She earned her Ph.D. in history from Columbia University. She has been awarded fellowships by the Huntington Library, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and the New York University School of Law.

Dr. Ngai’s presentation at Southern Arkansas University is part of the Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecture Program.

Dr. Robert Walz taught history at SAU from 1958 to 1987 and was recognized as a leading scholar of Arkansas history. The Walz Lectureship was established in 1995 with a bequest from the estate of Mrs. Curtistine A. Walz, in honor of her husband’s long service to the university.

The Walz lecture is free and open to the public. A reception for Dr. Ngai will follow in the Reynolds Center.

Johnson, a native West Texan, began his position with Southern Arkansas University in 2001 as a professor of history. In addition to teaching, Johnson is also an author. One of his books, “John Barleycorn Must Die”, published in 2005, studied the history of alcohol in Arkansas. From September 2003 to September 2005 Johnson was the guest curator for “John Barleycorn Must Die: The War Against Drink in Arkansas,” an exhibit in the Old State House Museum in Little Rock.

Johnson, who replaces Dr. David Crouse as interim dean of the College of Liberal and Performing Arts at SAU, chose Arkansas history to be the one course he will retain along with his duties as dean. Engaging the student’s interest in their own state is something he sees as very important. “It is helpful for students to understand that history does not only occur in distant and exotic places. Ancient history is not confined to Egypt and Mesopotamia. Ancient history happened here, ancient people were here where we now walk,” Johnson said. “There is a rich and diverse history in this state and its right here at your doorstep.”

Johnson is vice president of the Arkansas Historical Association and serves on the State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic preservation Program. He is also on the board of editors of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly. He has served as the chair of the board of directors of the Arkansas Humanities Council, president of the Arkansas Association of College History Teachers, and on the board of directors of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives.

Johnson received the 2003-2004 Southern Arkansas University Faculty Excellence Award for Research. The dean earned graduate degrees in English and history from Texas A&M University in Commerce before receiving the Ph.D. in history from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1991. He taught history at South Arkansas Community College from 1979 until 2001.

Johnson is married to Sherrel Johnson, who graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a degree in political science. The Johnson’s are the parents of Dr. Jason Ellen who practices optometry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both Ellen and his wife Rona Ellen are SAU alumni. They have two children, Drake Anderson Ellen and Lucas Doyle Ellen.

Professional and avocational archeologists from all over the country will come together with members of the Caddo Nation to discuss Caddo archeology, history, and culture.

“This conference is both long established and unique,” said Dr. Jamie Brandon, director of the SAU research station.

Early registration begins Thursday, March 15.

From 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 16, there will be conference registration, welcomes, and paper presentations. From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. there will be paper presentations. In the evening there will be a reception and open house.

On Saturday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will be paper presentations and a business meeting. That evening there will be dancing by the Caddo Culture Club and the Hasini Society.

There will be a field trip at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 18, to two legendary Caddo sites, Crenshaw and Battle Mounds.

For more information call Dr. Jamie Brandon at 870-235-4229.

His article is “The Farmers Schools of 1909: Origins of Arkansas’s Four Regional Universities.”

As Arkansas entered the 20th century, agricultural leaders believed that rural youth be education in modern farming techniques. Willis explains “the state joined the front ranks of progressive reform” in creating institutions that were models for other southern states. He credits the Farmers’ Educational and Cooperative Union for laying the groundwork for the universities as they exist today.

The Farmers’ Union’s persistent demands and tough lobbying prodded the legislature to distribute schools throughout the state in each of four districts. The union triumphed over influential opponents who wanted to limit the number of farmers schools and attach them to existing colleges.

Arkansas funded the new agricultural schools more generously than almost any other state that set up similar institutions in these years. The state’s large investment in classroom buildings and dormitories ultimately allowed the schools to transform themselves into comprehensive four-year institutions serving Arkansans in all walks of life.

Willis is writing a centennial history of SAU.

The Arkansas Historical Quarterly is the journal of the Arkansas Historical Association.

Beginning in the fall, a new master of public administration degree will by offered by the Department of History, Geography, and Political Science through the College of Liberal and Performing.

The University was recently notified by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association that the degree has been accredited.

“Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to see this process completed,” said Dr. David Rankin, president. “The MPA degree will be a valuable addition to our graduate offerings at Southern Arkansas University.”

Two areas of emphasis – a local government track and a non-profit track – will provide internships in a corresponding setting. The curriculum is designed to enhance students’ values, knowledge, and skills in public policy, the organizational environment, the management of public service organizations, and the application of quantitative and qualitative analysis to decision making.

It is primarily for students with a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral or social sciences, though exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for candidates with an undergraduate major in other fields.

Dr. Patrick B. Edgar of Missoula, Mont., will serve as program coordinator.

For more information call the School of Graduate Studies at 870-235-4150.

“Being a member of the Residential College was amazing,” said the sophomore political science major from Little Rock. “We had so much fun, and we learned so much from each other.”

Beginning in the fall, Jake and his friends will be spread around campus in various residence halls.

“Of the 17 new resident assistants, 10 of them were from the Residential College,” Jake said. “Since we won’t be living in the same residence hall anymore, we are already planning activities for reunions.”

Jake believes that being the first students in the newest program on the SAU campus was a lot of fun. It also helped him grow up and adjust to college life.

“It was a learning experience,” he said. “It took me a while, but I finally settled in.”

Meeting new people and making friends is a natural trait for Jake. He plans to use his people skills to become a lawyer and then enter the world of politics.

“I have always been a people person and very outspoken,” said the 2005 graduate of Catholic High School. “I love public speaking. Speaking to a lot of people is something I’m good at and something I enjoy.”

Jake is gearing up for his future by serving as president of the East Hall Council and the Residential College. He also served as the freshman senator for the Student Government Association and will be an associate justice when school begins in August. His other activities include the Judicial Board, the Residence Hall Association, and the cheerleading squad.

“Being involved has helped me with time management and organizational skills,” he said.

In May, Jake was recognized for all of his campus involvement with the Donald Haefner Freshman of the Year Award.

“I was extremely excited to receive this award,” he said. “It was a very nice surprise. I tried to be as active as possible and still be able to keep up with my school work.”

Jessica Leigh Brown, a double major in criminal justice and political science from Prescott , was named the Outstanding Student for the entire College. She was also the Outstanding Student from the Department of History, Political Science, and Geography and the Department of Behavioral and Social Science.

While maintaining a 4.0 grade point average during her time at SAU, Brown has remained active in the Criminal Justice Club, Pre-Law Club, and Pi Gamma Mu, the international social sciences honor society. Off campus, she has served in a supervisor’s position at El Dorado High School, where she tutored students in history, Engish, business law, and ethics. She also trains new tutors.

During her summers, Brown has spent time with mission work. Her outreach carries on in the form of mission and foreign aid trips which she has taken with the Wyatt Baptist Church in El Dorado. These have led her to such places as Ghana, West Africa, and most recently to Nicaragua, Central America.
Brown is married to Logan, a student at SAU Tech and a former Operation Iraqi Freedom fighter. Logan received a Bronze Star for his actions while there.

The couple is looking forward to their future together as Jessica heads toward law school and more mission trips with their church.

The Department of Art and Design recognized Kassie Holloway as its Outstanding Student. Holloway is a graphic design major from Haynesville, La.

Holloway was the recipient of the Shirley Jeffcoat Combs Scholarship. During the spring semester, she worked as an intern at Southern Aluminum in Magnolia. After graduation, she will move to Shreveport, La., and look for work. She has also continued her work as a freelance designer while maintaining her duties as a student worker for the Department.

She has volunteered in campus and community projects and is a member of Pivot Point and the American Institution for Graphic Artist.

Sharee Robinson was named the Department of Music Outstanding Student. Robinson is a music major from Alma.

She served two years as the assistant music director for the First Presbyterian Church in Magnolia. She was also an assistant director of the Harvest Time Tabernacle Youth Choir in Fort Smith. Robinson plays the piano and bassoon. While attending college at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Robinson taught lessons for the Kimmons Junior High Band.

Jennifer Walsh, a mass communication-print journalism major from Magnolia, was named the Department of Theatre and Mass Communication Outstanding Student.

While at SAU, Walsh served as editor of The Bray, the student newspaper. She is also a member of Alpha Chi, Sigma Beta Delta, and Beta Gamma Sigma.

She currently works as an accounts payable clerk at South Arkansas Youth Services, Inc., in Magnolia.

The Department of English and Foreign Languages named Elena Yakunina as its Outstanding Student. Yakunina is a double major in English and psychology.

Yakunina has been on the English language track since she was 16 years old. She had to choose her field before leaving for the University of Sofia in Bulgaria, where she spent three years before coming to SAU.

Not too long after she arrived at SAU, Yakunina decided to add psychology as a second major to her studies.

Yakunina has membership in the Southwestern Psychological Association, Psi Chi, Alpha Chi, and the National Academic Honor Societies. She is an active member of Sigma Tau Delta and the French Club. She has also served as a part-time volunteer at the Women’s Crisis Center in Camden.

After graduation, Yakunina will continue her education at the University of Akron in Ohio to pursue her Ph.D. in psychology in the field of counseling adults.

Dr. James F. Willis, retired professor of history and political science, presented “The Farmers’ Schools of 1909: Origins of Arkansas’ Four State Regional Universities.” This paper resulted from his research on the history of SAU. He plans to publish its centennial history in 2009. Its tentative title is “Southern Arkansas University, 1909-2009: The Mulerider School’s First Century.”

As a member of the Association’s board of directors, Dr. Ben F. Johnson, attended the meeting and was re-elected vice president. In addition, Johnson has arranged for the Association to hold its annual meeting in 1909 in Magnolia and the University as part of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of SAU, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Johnson is an associate professor of history.