2. Community Outreach and Engagement

The 15th Anniversary of the Third Thursday Thing Conference had over 450 participants from 12 states. The conference was coordinated by Dr. Marion Simon, designed to educate farmers, Extension Professionals, leaders, USDA agencies, and other organizations on sustainable agriculture.

3. Awards and Acknowledgements

• Jamal Charles, an undergraduate KSU student, received 1st place in the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences poster competition at the 2012 Association of Extension Administrator Conference in Memphis, TN. Mr. Charles, under the guidance of Dr. Kristopher Grimes competed with state specialists and other professionals from across the 1890 system.
• Ms. Marion Gibson, Area Agent, was awarded as the 2012 Champions for Children by the Board of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky for her dedication and commitment to children and families of Kentucky.
• Dr. Jim Tidwell, Professor and Chair of the Division of Aquaculture in the College of Agriculture, Food Science and Sustainable Systems, recently had a book published by Wiley-Blackwell titled Aquaculture Production Systems. Dr. Tidwell authored or co-authored four of the 16 chapters and edited the overall book.

College of Arts and Sciences

Mr. Kalomo Bailey, KSU Marching and Symphonic Band Director performed at the Indianapolis Colts Home Opener Halftime Show in September; at Chicago September Football Classic in Chicago; and for Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH National Headquarters in Chicago in September.

• Dr. Shannon M. Brogan and Dr. Erin E. Gilles presented a panel entitled "A Walk to Remember: Engaging Students through Art, Communication, and Service Learning" at the 2012 Kentucky Communication Association Conference in Carrollton, Ky. The panel led by three KSU undergraduate students, Julian Jeter-Davis, Lerone Simmons, and Suncearae Spears, earned the 2012 KCA Top Reviewed Panel Submission. The project aimed to broaden the horizons of KSU students through engagement in an off-campus community arts project.
• Hunt Butler, Associate Professor of Music, performed on saxophone with the Harry James Orchestra in Cincinnati on August 30 and with the Louisville Orchestra during their opening Fanfare concert on September 8 in the Kentucky Center for the Arts Whitney Hall in Louisville.
• Dr. Thomas McPartland, Professor of Liberal Studies and Director of the Whitney Young School had a paper on, “Historicity and Religious Experience,” to be presented at a conference hosted by the Eric Voegelin Society, at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, October 20, 2012. It was supposed to be presented at the American Political Science Association in New Orleans but Hurricane Isaac caused its cancellation.
• Dr. Mara Merino and Dr. Sierra Freeman with V. Dahir, V. Springer, D. Hammond, A.D. Dyer, and B.J. Found; Reliability and Validity in Forensic Document Examination: A Demonstration and Discussion of Eye-Tracking