Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) recognized Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, associate professor of plant metabolic engineering, at the ABI Research Symposium in Fayetteville. ABI presented Medina-Bolivar with the "Established Investigator of the Year" award, based on his research into bio-production and discovery of plant natural products for human health. The annual award, presented by the ABI director, goes to an investigator from one of the five ABI institutions. 

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has selected the Arkansas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts, of which Dr. Dixie Keyes is president, to receive the "Teachers for the Dream" affiliate award. Keyes, associate professor of teacher education, said the award recognizes the group's efforts to recruit English language arts teachers of color. Keyes and the Arkansas group will be recognized at the NCTE convention in Minnesota.

Dr. Sarah Wilkerson Freeman, professor of history, received the presentation prize from the Arkansas Association of College History Teachers for her paper on the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate. In "Senator Hattie Caraway: Stealth Feminist and Enigmatic Liberal," Wilkerson-Freeman analyzed the tactics Caraway (left, U.S. Senate Collection) and Southern white feminists used in their 1930s-era activism and dispels the "Silent Hattie" label often attached to the Jonesboro politician and public servant.

Physical Education Matters, an international journal in the field of physical education and sport, recently published an article by Dr. Lance G. Bryant, professor of physical education. The article, "The Use of Skype within Physical Education Teacher Education: An International Collaboration," describes an initiative that involves faculty and students from the United Kingdom and Arkansas State and adds an international dimension to their respective teacher education programs, helping students prepare for an increasingly globalized society.

Dr. Paul Mixon, professor of engineering and interim dean, made an invited presentation on "Strategies for Partnering with a Local or Regional University to Grow Your Talent Pool" for the annual Hytrol Executive Summit meeting in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, Mixon and other College of Engineering faculty worked with Hytrol, which is based in Jonesboro, to establish a scholarship endowment program for A-State engineering students.