Area's diversity is celebrated at Community International Night The 9th annual Community International Night was held in Edwards Commons Saturday with a large crowd in attendance. Co-hosted by Lyon and UACCB, the event is an evening of food and entertainment from around the world, and was part of Diversity Week at Lyon College, which ran from Jan. 14 - 20. Dana Davidson, administrative and tracking coordinator for the APPLE Project, said Community International Night was created to celebrate the area's international population. “The event started to celebrate our international friends, including international students, who live in Batesville and the surrounding areas and to promote peace, harmony, and diversity within our community,” she said. Entertainers for this year include groups from Eagle Mountain Magnet School (shown performing below), Batesville sixth grade Magnet School, UACCB Ensemble, and a short film presentation from the Ozark Foothills Film Fest.

Photos by David J. Thomas (all rights reserved)

Acclaimed sculptor to speak at Lyon College Wednesday

An internationally recognized artist known for his large-scale, public sculptures will soon bring his insights and perspectives to Lyon College.

On Jan. 24, John David Mooney will present an artist’s talk at 4 p.m. in the Barton Room of the Alphin Building.

His work has been showcased from Chicago to Australia to the Vatican Observatory, and has included a 133-foot-long rooftop light sculpture in Los Angeles; an aluminum and Waterford crystal work hanging in the atrium of the John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago; and light sculptures in the Chicago Tribune Tower and Adler Planetarium.

He is the founder and artistic director of the John David Mooney Foundation in Chicago, an organization that provides a postgraduate study program for international artists and architects. In addition, his training program for young international artists focuses on Chicago-based public art projects.

The John David Mooney Foundation is a not-for-profit public educational organization that seeks to transform the public domain through art, architecture, and urban planning in a way that fosters and demonstrates the unique societal responsibility of the artist.

The foundation fulfills its mission in three ways: By creating accessible art experiences within the public domain; by providing interdisciplinary, professional studio experience and leadership training in the arts; and by bringing the very best international art and architecture to Chicago.

Art, as a powerful tool of cross-cultural understanding and as a human right, is central to the foundation’s philosophy. In that spirit, the John David Mooney Foundation works to create a dynamic platform for creative and cultural discourse among artists, scientists, and the public in a way that demonstrates the relevancy of the arts in enriching and protecting a free, vibrant, and diverse society.

For more information on the event, contact Chris Valle, assistant professor of art, at 698-4336.

A man who entered one of the world’s deadliest area’s armed only with a video camera, a home-made press pass and a local guide will soon visit Lyon College to present the film he risked his life to make.

On Feb. 9, Portland, Ore.-based writer/director Mike Shiley will present his movie "Inside Iraq" at 7 p.m. in Nucor Auditorium. Shiley was compelled to learn what the reality of life in Iraq was like, the reality beyond what’s shown in the mainstream media.

The footage from Shiley’s excursions throughout the Sunni Triangle, the city of Baghdad, the northern Kurdish region and the Shiite-controlled south, put into deep personal context the stories shown in the news.

Rather than espousing any particular political views or ideologies, Shiley’s aim was to simply let the camera roll, capturing honest, real-life moments that speak for themselves.

Guided by his own narration and interspersed with cuts to the studio interview, viewers see an Iraq as it’s rarely seen, getting an unfiltered look at what it’s like to be a soldier and a civilian in Iraq today.

Amber Millwee, Lyon’s director of Student Activities, said Shiley will give a brief introduction to his film before showing it in its entirety. Afterward, he will host a question and answer period with the audience.

"I only saw 20 minutes of him and his film, and even that was powerful and informative," Millwee said. "He answers questions very honestly and articulately, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him again, especially since he constantly updates the narration of his documentary and keeps things as current as possible to address the ever-changing climate in Iraq."

For more information on the event or other Student Activities programs, contact Millwee at (870) 698-4369.

On Saturday, Jan. 27, Lyon College will open its doors to area high school students interested in learning how an education at the school will set them on the path to future success.

Denny Bardos, Lyon ’s vice president for enrollment services, invites all area high school seniors and juniors, as well as other potential students who have yet to visit the campus, to join in Preview Day

Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. at the Lyon Business and Economics Building rotunda, located on the north side of campus.

The schedule of events for the day includes presentations by faculty on the academic programs of the College, lunch on campus, and campus tours. Other presentations will focus on state, federal and institutional financial aid.

Parents and students will have the opportunity to participate in separate student and parent discussion panels at 11:05 a.m. The Student Panel for Students will be hosted in the Alphin Board Room. Current Lyon College students will share their experiences at Lyon. This presentation and discussion is intended to let potential students meet the people who matter most at Lyon College – the students.

At the same time, a Student Panel for Parents will be hosted in Nucor Auditorium. Current Lyon College students will answer questions from parents regarding campus life.

In addition, College admissions representatives will be on-hand to answer questions.

Held in Nucor Auditorium, hosted by Dr. Tim Lindblom and Dr. Bruce Johnston.

Tailored to students. Student leaders and the Directors of Residence Life and Student Activities will highlight the numerous opportunities you will be given as a Lyon student to become involved in student clubs, organizations and activities.

Athletic Director Terry Garner will outline what it takes to be a varsity athlete at Lyon College. Talk with the coaches and student athletes about their teams and programs. This session is recommended for students and family members.

This session features a brief overview of the federal financial aid process. A checklist and timeline will be provided as a resource. Alternative loan programs, Payment Plan Options and the College’s generous scholarship and grants program will be discussed.

Business with Dr. Alan McNamee; Fine Arts with Dr. Russell Stinson; Humanities with Dr. Ed Tenace; Language and Literature with Dr. Helen Robbins; Science with Dr. Mark Schram; and Social Science with Dr. Patricia Whitfield.

At 1:50 p.m., a Campus Tour led by student ambassadors will give parents and students a closer look at one of the most attractive campuses in the South.

The event will conclude at approximately 2:50 p.m. at Nucor Auditorium. Preview Day is free to all interested students and their families and lunch is provided.

To register, call the admissions office at (870) 698-4250 or (800) 423-2542.

A "joint effort" between a Lyon College professor and two library staffers who served as her editors has resulted in the publication of a trilogy of books. Dr. Martha Beck, associate professor of philosophy, wrote the manuscripts and Brenda Lindsey ‘00 and Judy Blackwell ’05 edited them into camera-ready galley proofs.

The title of the series is: Tragedy and the Philosophical Life: A Response to Martha Nussbaum. Beck disagrees profoundly with the interpretation of four of Plato’s dialogues in Nussbaum’s 1986 book, The Fragility of Goodness: luck and ethics in Greek tragedy and philosophy. Nussbaum’s book has been widely read, making her a well-known public intellectual in the United States today.

Beck found her inspiration to begin the books "in her mind" in 1986, but it wasn’t until she was on sabbatical in January 2004 that she actually began the writing process.

In the first volume, focused on Plato’s Protagoras, Beck defends Plato’s particular kind of moral absolutism against Nussbaum’s defense of Protagoras’ moral relativism. Plato shows his readers how Protagorean relativism led Athens into decline. Nussbaum’s advocacy of the same kind of relativism has led our own society into decline.

In the second volume, Beck argues against Nussbaum’s claim that Plato’s system of philosophical education in the Republic is intended to isolate philosophers from society and human tragedy. Rather, says Beck, the philosophical life demands confronting corruption in oneself and others constantly, even if it leads to criticism and even capital punishment.

In the third volume, Beck argues against Nussbaum’s claim that Socrates believed the philosophical life requires emotional detachment. Beck argues that Plato’s model of the philosophical life, described through the character of Socrates, was driven by a great passion that included close friends and a deep concern for the well-being of others.

Professor Mark Moes of Grand Valley State University said Beck’s books are, "an excellent introduction to the dialogues for readers who need an accessible entrance into Plato’s thought."

Beck said during her early years of studying Plato, she found that she disagreed with many traditional approaches, finding the interpretations to be too analytical and often meaningless.

Blackwell’s slant on the idea illustrates it plainly.

"You shouldn’t try to describe a chair, or talk about a chair or even look at a chair," she said. "Just sit in the chair and experience it for yourself."

Beck also disagrees with the interpretation of Plato’s Republic now made famous by the writings and policies of a group of "neo-conservative" political philosophers who studied Plato at the University of Chicago under Leo Strauss.

According to Beck, the neo-cons have used Plato’s Republic Book IV as their model to justify authoritarian policies within the United States and policies aimed at American domination abroad, all in the name of promoting "democratic values and principles." The Athenians also engaged in empire building in the name of promoting democracy and defeating Sparta, a closed, authoritarian, military state.

The neo-cons, Beck asserts, did not notice that half way through book V of the Republic Socrates completely rejects the model of the "ideal" city in Books II-V and begins "from the beginning," on an entirely different path, the philosophical path, toward understanding how to exercise political power.

Despite its lofty, esoteric subject matter, Lindsey said the books will appeal to everyone, not just scholars.

"Martha wrote it for the masses, and even people with no background in philosophy or Plato will enjoy it and learn from it," she said.

Blackwell said she learned a lot while editing the books.

"I consider it a valuable addition to my understanding of the world, and I strongly recommend the whole three-volume set," she said.

"Actually, all the books are interconnected," Beck said. "They’ve all been a joint effort between the three of us, and I couldn’t have completed them without Brenda and Judy’s help and input."

The trilogy is currently available in the Mabee-Simpson Library on the new book cart.

Lyon to host Ashley-Lewis Concert Feb. 1

A unique blend of musical styles including influences ranging from Bach, Brahms and Chopin to Led Zeppelin and Radiohead is set to take the stage at Lyon College. On Feb. 1, the Ashley-Lewis Concert series will present the Georgia Guitar Quartet at 7:30 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room in Brown Chapel.

The Georgia Guitar Quartet – comprised of Jason Solomon, Phil Snyder, Brian Smith and Kyle Dawkins – has emerged as an exciting new voice in today’s chamber music scene. These four young men from Athens, Ga., deliver a high-energy blend of breathtaking virtuosity and imaginative programming while taking an adventurous approach to classical music.

Audiences at their concerts experience an exciting musical journey through an expansive array of genres, continents, and time periods. Rousing Irish folk music and late Impressionistic masterpieces share the stage contemporary works. Accomplished composers themselves, the Quartet frequently incorporate their own unique works into their increasingly dynamic concert program.

The Quartet recently marked its 10th anniversary season with two sold-out performances in New York, a performance at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, and an appearance at the Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, Utah.

They have released three recordings and are currently completing work on a fourth album comprising all-original works by the group's members

According to Flagpole Magazine, "These four young musicians exhibit nearly flawless technique and interpretational finesse."

John Sutherland, head of Guitar Studies University of Georgia, said, "They are one of the finest groups of young talent I have seen in my 30 years of teaching."

The concert is free and open to the public.

The ancient, mystical sounds of chants, strange music and mantra recitation filled Holloway Theatre last week as Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery created a mandala sand painting throughout the coming week.

Lyon College’s Convocations Committee, Campus Ministries and the Student Activities Council sponsored the monks’ program, the "Mystical Arts of Tibet," as part of Lyon’s annual Diversity Week observance.

The monks worked on the painting for four days, beginning at the opening ceremony Tuesday and concluding with an elaborate closing ceremony Friday evening in Holloway Theatre.

The Student Activities Council also sponsored a community sand painting event. During the hours when the monks were painting, onlookers had the opportunity to use the same tools as the monks to help create a sand painting of the Lyon seal.

The mandala sand painting opening ceremonies were intended to consecrate the site and call forth the forces of goodness. The monks began the exhibit by drawing an outline of the mandala on the wooden platform. On the following days they applied the colored sands.

Drepung Monastery was established near Lhasa, Tibet in 1416 by Chojey Tashi Palden. It had four departments, of which Loseling, or "The Hermitage of the Radiant Mind," was the largest, housing more than three quarters of Drepung’s 15,000 monks. Drepung Loseling was especially close to the Dalai Lama incarnations; the Second Dalai Lama made his residence here in 1494, and subsequent incarnations maintained this link.

After the Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959 and the forced closure and destruction of its 6,500 monasteries, 250 monks from Loseling managed to escape the holocaust and rebuild their institution in Karnataka State, South India.

During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, one of the monks briefly explained why they dedicate themselves to spiritual study.

"We believe every individual has the potential to transform his own mind," he said.

An elaborate closing ceremony was held Friday. Traditionally, most sand mandalas are destroyed shortly after their completion. This is done as a metaphor for the impermanence of life. The sands are swept up and placed in an urn; to fulfill the function of healing, half is distributed to the audience at the closing ceremony, while the remainder is carried to a nearby body of water, where it is deposited. The waters then carry the healing blessing to the ocean, and from there it spreads throughout the world for planetary healing. Some of the sand from the monks' visit to Lyon was deposited in Bryan Lake and the White River.

Lyon College announces Dean’s List for Fall 2006

Eighty-four students have been named to the dean’s list at Lyon College for the fall 2006 semester. Students must attain a 3.75 grade-point-average or higher while taking a minimum of 12 hours in a semester to be placed on the dean’s list.

Students on the list are:

Andrea Higginbotham of Ash Flat; Steve Goacher of Bald Knob; Katee Castleman, Stephanie McSpadden, Julie Sandy, Nadine Sullinger, Eleanore Tebbetts, Holly Varnell, Jerry White and Joseph Wilder, all of Batesville; Laura McWilliams of Benton; Sarah Dunkerson of Black Oak; Justin Brown of Blytheville; Tristen Dean of Boise, Idaho; Rachel Miesner of Booneville; Leila Awwad and Danielle Bell of Cabot; Steven Bass of Cammack Village; Katie Howell, Kristen Limbaugh and Melissa Tate, all of Cave City.

Garrard Conley of Cherokee Village; Jessica Brents of Cleveland; Heather Parson of Des Arc; Jennifer Cross of Davie, Florida; Johnny Paysinger of Evening Shade; Amber Colvin of Cotter; Erin Moss and Katherine Ericksen of Fayetteville; Meagan Bates and Melissa Kuehl, both of Fort Smith; Ryan Harness and Tabitha Estes of Harrison; Samantha Lopez and Jennifer Shaw of Highland; Sarah Fendley, and Beatrice Scroggins, both of Hot Springs; and Matthew Bradley of Imboden;

Brittany Fiscus of Jacksonville; Kaitlin Beineke, Robert Frank, Mary Margaret Nester, Doug Rinehart, Glenn Ritter, Gretchen Rorex, Chris Schmitt, Haley Skinner and William Young, all of Jonesboro; Jaime Warrington of Kennett. Mo.; Aaron Baldridge and Michael Brown, both of Lake City; Leah Byers and Jeffrey Privett both of Lexa; Troy Frauenthal, Chris Middaugh, Malaz Moustafa, Sarah Sweatt, Paul Stapleton and Nathan Reinhardt, all of Little Rock; April Burns of Lowell; Tori White of Malvern; Emily Wilson of Maumelle; Alison Sablick of McKinney, Texas; Trey Holt and Pamela Schultz, both of Melbourne; Sydney Brown of Memphis, Tenn.; and Jerrijean Danielson of Mount Pleasant.

Ann Sullivan of Norfork; Rachel Rowe of Paragould; Michael Shaloski of Perryville; Megan Foll of Pleasant Grove; Jessica Throesch, Ben Thielemier and Matthew Bradley of Pocahontas; James Penman of Pottsville; Allyn Dodd, Ashley Dorsey and Keith Harmon, all of Searcy;

Kasey Parara of Sheridan; James Perkins of Smithville; Josh Looney of Springdale; Madeline Homer of Texas City, Texas; Kristen Scaggs of Violet Hill; Robert Bailey of Ward; and Shannon Alexander of Winnsboro, Texas.

Lyon College’s Mabee-Simpson Library is now offering a unique database

The RCL: Resources for College Libraries database combines the well-known handbooks for library collection development "Books for College Libraries" and "Choice Reviews." Faculty, who suggest book purchases from their respective departments to support the academic programs, will be able to compare the library’s collection with these two valuable resources.

They can search the library’s catalog from within RCL to see if it already has the materials and e-mail, download and create their own lists to send to the library’s acquisition department.

Almost every undergraduate college and university library in the United States uses "Choice Reviews" for collection development. RCL is a valuable tool that will enable the Mabee-Simpson Library and the faculty to make vital decisions about what to purchase for our library.

Access RCL at www.lyon.edu/webdata/groups/library/books.asp. Off-campus users must go through Citrix to access this.

LuAnn Baker, Lyon College’s new director of Wellness and Health, brings wealth of valuable experience with her to the job.

One of the most qualified and experienced medical health professionals in the area has become Lyon College’s new director of Wellness and Health.

LuAnn Baker officially took over the position on Jan. 4, bringing with her a wealth of training and experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the five-year program at UAMS and is both a registered nurse and a registered nurse practitioner.

A long-time Batesville resident, Baker worked in the intensive care unit at UAMS before moving to Batesville with her husband, Dr. Robert Baker of the Batesville Family Practice Clinic.

She worked in dialysis nursing until 1998, when she joined the intensive care unit at White River Medical Center. There, she became one of the original members of the hospital’s first heart bypass team.

"When they created the unit, they took a group of nurses and gave them intensive, specialized training in Little Rock," Baker said. "I was one of them."

Eventually, Baker decided to try something completely different and she became a kitchen and bath designer for Home Depot.

"I liked it," she said. "It was a lot of fun."

However, the "tug" of nursing began pulling at her again.

"I like making a real difference in people’s lives," Baker said. "There’s nothing more rewarding."

When she heard about the opening at Lyon College, she jumped at the chance to continue her career in nursing.

"I decided it was the kind of opportunity that doesn’t kind come around very often," she said.

Some of the most pressing issues facing students today include alcohol and drugs, safe sex, counseling, a healthy, fit lifestyle, and dealing with depression and stress. Baker said she will provide assistance in all these areas.

She will also be responsible for assuring Lyon’s compliance with state law regarding immunization records on all students.

Additionally, she’ll host a flu shot clinic for faculty and staff in December, and she’ll be participating in various Student Life activities such as screenings, student walks, and wellness programs.

"Students come in for a range of things like pains, wounds, counseling and even allergy shots," Baker said.

She’ll be in the Morrow Building clinic from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday when classes are in session.

Whether or not the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans is a uniquely American tradition, or if its roots reach back to 18^th century Scotland, the Kirkin’ o’ The Tartans ceremony is alive and thriving.

And on Sunday, Jan. 28, Jimmy Bell, Lyon College’s director of Scottish Heritage, and the college’s Pipe Band will participate in the annual Kirkin’ o’ The Tartans ceremony and Scottish Heritage Service at the First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro.

The church, located at 719 Southwest Drive, will host the event at 10:55 a.m.

In addition to musical performances by the Lyon College Pipe Band, Bell will also lead them in a bagpipe procession for the opening and closing of the service.

Scottish Psalms and Celtic prayers will be read, and tartan banners and Scottish flags from Lyon College and the Scottish Society of the Ozark Region will be on display

The Rev. Nancy McSpadden, Lyon’s chaplain, will be on-hand during the event, and Lyon College President Dr. Walter Roettger will deliver the sermon.

The word "Kirkin’" comes from the Scottish word for church, kirk.

Though the ceremony is a modern American tradition, its origins trace back to Scottish history. The Scots – both Catholic and Protestant – observed Sunday as the Lord’s Day, a day of rest and worship, when they wore their dress kilts, which were made of finer quality wool than their everyday attire.

Because of the significance of the family tartan in uniting the clans, a special event was held each year where the Scots, dressed in their finest tartans, rededicated themselves to service to God.

This service was known to have taken place during the time of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. However, following the failure of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 when the English defeated the Scots, the Disarming Act of 1746 forbade them from wearing their tartans. That gave birth to legends that Scots secretly took swatches of their tartans to church in the 18^th century when the wearing of tartans was illegal. At a predesignated time in the service, clansmen and clanswomen would touch their concealed tartans while the minister blessed the cloth in Scottish Gaelic.

Those legends bloomed into reality on April 27, 1941, in Washington, D.C., when Presbyterian minister Dr. Peter Marshall presided over the first formal Kirkin’ o’ The Tartans ceremony. Marshall was also chaplain of the U.S. Senate, chaplain of the St. Andrew’s Society and subject of both a book and a movie called A Man Called Peter.

Central to the theme of "kirkin’" is the presentation of the Tartans of Clan, Region and Regiment, symbolizing rededication of Scots everywhere to God’s service.

Sports

The Lyon College Scots took yet another shot on an already bruised chin on Saturday. The Scots lost their seventh straight TranSouth Conference game in a 63-58 loss to the Bethel College Wildcats at Becknell Gymnasium.

Lyon (9-10, 0-7) got 16 points and seven rebounds from guard Jonathan Donaldson and two big performances off the bench. Scots' forward Preston Butts helped out with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds while center Brandon Thomas pitched in 10 points, but even the bench scoring couldn't help Lyon find the magic elixir to halt the seven-game league slide.

Bethel's Derek Demaree notched the game's only double-double of the night with 15 points and 14 boards. Thomas Haynes shared game-high honors with Lyon's Donaldson, scoring 16 points.

The Scots led 54-53 on a Trey Salley free throw with 3:45 remaining in the game, but Bethel fired back with a 3-pointer from Thomas Haynes to swipe a 56-54 advantage.

Lyon tied the score twice down the stretch -- at 56-56 on a pair of Levi Taylor foul shots and at 58-58 on a Donaldson drive -- but never saw the lead again as Bethel held down the fort for the win.

The Scots are on the road this week. They travel to Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., on Thursday, then to Nashville, Tenn., to play Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday.

Snezana Jovanovic hit the game-winning shot on a drive down the lane with :23 left to hand the Lyon College Pipers an 83-81 triumph over TranSouth Conference foe Bethel College Saturday at Becknell Gymnasium.

The victory broke a two-game conference slide for the Pipers, who move to 9-9 overall and 3-4 in the TranSouth. Bethel falls to 11-6 and 2-5.

Lyon was virtually unstoppable from the 3-point arc and from the field in the second half, hitting 68 percent from field-goal range and 60 perecent from behind the 3-point line.

Guard April Carter led the Pipers with a game-high 22 points, hitting 8 of 9 shots from the field while knocking down 6 of 7 from 3-point range. Lyon forward Maribeth Waters chipped in 21 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field and pulled down seven rebounds. Jovanovic finished with 14 points.

The Pipers play Cumberland University on Thursday and Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday, both in Tennessee.