The University of Central �������� Public Appearances’ Main Stage EdUCAtion Series will open the season with Playhouse Square’s “Velveteen, A New Musical” in two performances Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. and noon at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway.

Inspired by Margery Williams’ classic 1922 children’s book “The Velveteen Rabbit,” the magical new musical “Velveteen” introduces audiences to Lulu, her Gran, her beloved toys and a nest of legendary rabbits. Lulu confronts big changes, having just moved in with her Gran. To make things a little more comfortable, Gran gives her a velveteen rabbit — just like the one her mom had. Velveteen and Lulu form a special bond, making some of the other toys jealous and leaving Velveteen wishing he could live outside with the “real” rabbits he meets through the window. Ultimately, Velveteen discovers the transformative power of loving relationships and what it means to be Real.

Placing a hundred-year-old story in the modern day, this production brings magic and transformation to life onstage with a visionary set and playful costumes. “Velveteen” — at times thoughtful, playful at others — is an uplifting story about the importance of being one’s authentic self. Recommended for ages 4-10.

“Velveteen, A New Musical” is written by Molly Andrews-Hinders (libretto, music & lyrics) and Ananias Dixon (libretto), inspired by the book “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams. The original creative team includes direction by Joanna May Cullinan, choreography by Jailyn Sherell Harris, set design by Ian Petroni, costume design by Inda Blatch-Geib, and lighting design by Jeremy Benjamin.

Playhouse Square, the premier U.S. home for touring Broadway, is a globally recognized arts district and proud home of eight resident companies. A not-for-profit presenter and producer of performing arts experiences located in Cleveland, Ohio, Playhouse Square is a champion of arts education and has partnered to commission many performances for young audiences including “North” (2022); the New York Times bestseller “What do You do With an Idea?” (2020); the NEA award-winning “Cartography” (2019); “Hansel & Gretel” (2017); “Airplay” (2016); and multiple virtual productions. More information is available at .

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds box office or Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/publicappearances/mainstage, or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll free at (866) 810-0012.

UCA Public Appearances has continued to grow each year and now offers five unique series: Broadway, POPS, Night Out, An Evening With, and the Windgate Collection. Reynolds Performance Hall has also welcomed over 70,000 pre-K-12th grade students from across the state of �������� to experience live performing arts through the Main Stage Education Series. This series educates while entertaining and provides arts accessibility to all students.

Cooper Justus

The University of Central �������� will host Cooper Justus, manager of Post Production Services & Restoration at Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO, for a one-day residency on Thursday, Oct. 1, featuring events focused on post-production, the entertainment industry and careers in Hollywood.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cooper Justus to UCA as part of our Artists in Residence program,” Kuysik Gam, assistant professor of film, Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, said. “His visit offers our students a rare opportunity to learn directly from a Hollywood post-production professional and gain insight into the workflows behind major film and television projects.”

Justus’ residency will feature a student event exploring the global media landscape, a public event focused on getting hired in Hollywood, and a student discussion about the post-production workflow at HBO and Warner Bros. All events are located on the UCA campus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

The full schedule for Justus’ residency Thursday, Oct. 1, is as follows:

• 12:15 p.m. – Student Event: “The Next Chapter of the Global Media Landscape,” Stanley Russ Hall 109.
• 1:40 p.m. – Public Event: “Getting Hired in Hollywood,” Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce Street, Room 167.
• 5 p.m. – Student Event: “Inside Studio Postproduction Workflow: HBO and Warner Bros.,” Stanley Russ Hall 103.

Justus is the manager of Post Production Services & Restoration at Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO, where he collaborates with a bicoastal team of production and post-production professionals to help deliver some of television’s most celebrated and record-setting series, including “Succession,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Last of Us” and “Euphoria.” In addition to supporting current productions, Justus has played a key role in remastering HBO’s iconic library, contributing to high-profile projects such as “Sex and the City” and the recent 4K HDR Dolby Atmos restoration of “The Sopranos.”

Beyond his work in post-production, Justus is an active participant in the creative community. He has served as a screenplay competition judge for festivals such as Cinequest and continues to develop his own writing. His short script “Shadows” has earned multiple awards and recognition from organizations including ScreenCraft, the Nashville Film Festival and the Creative World Awards.

Justus holds an MFA in Cinema Directing from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Missouri.

More information about the residency is available by contacting assistant Gam at kgam@uca.edu.

The UCA Artists in Residence program is funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. More information about the Artists in Residence program is available at uca.edu/go/artistsinresidence or by contacting Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at gayles@uca.edu.

Doreen Ketchens

The University of Central �������� will host internationally celebrated jazz clarinetist Doreen Ketchens for a four-day residency Thursday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 4, with events showcasing her mastery of Dixieland and traditional jazz and her work as a performer and educator.

“We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to host the ‘Queen of Clarinet’ — Ms. Doreen Ketchens,” Dominic Talanca, associate professor and director of bands, Department of Music, said. “Don’t miss your chance to experience a performance by the UCA Wind Ensemble featuring this American icon who has made her mark in music, television and film.”

Ketchens’ residency will feature a series of student-focused events, including a session with the Studio Jazz Ensemble, a clarinet master class and an open rehearsal with the UCA Wind Ensemble. The residency will also include a public performance and meet-and-greet in downtown Conway, as well as a public concert featuring Ketchens as guest soloist with the UCA Wind Ensemble. All events are located on or near the UCA campus, open to the public and free of charge.

The full schedule for Ketchens’ residency is as follows:

• Thursday, Oct. 1, 12:15 p.m. – Student Event: Session with Studio Jazz Ensemble, Recital Hall, Snow Fine Arts Center.
• Friday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. – Student Event: Clarinet Master Class, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
• Friday, Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m. – Student Event: Open Rehearsal with Wind Ensemble, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
• Friday, Oct. 2, 5:45 p.m. – Public Event: Performance and Meet-and-Greet, “Neighbors, An Art Show,” The Brick Room, 1020 Front St., Conway. This event is presented in collaboration with Engage Management’s annual community art exhibition and Create Conway’s October Art Walk.
• Sunday, Oct. 4, 5 p.m. – Public Event: UCA Wind Ensemble in Concert Featuring Guest Soloist Doreen Ketchens, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce Street. While this is a free event, reservations are required. Tickets are available at uca.edu/go/doreenketchens.

Born in New Orleans’ historic Tremé neighborhood, Doreen Ketchens is an internationally celebrated jazz clarinetist renowned for her mastery of Dixieland, or traditional jazz, with a vibrant style that emerged in the early 20th century. She has often been called “Lady Louie,” “Miss Satchmo” and “The Female Louis Armstrong,” and Ketchens channels Armstrong’s virtuosity, charisma and exuberant stage presence while forging a musical voice entirely her own.

Her performances combine extraordinary technical skill, emotional depth and infectious energy. Equally at home in gospel, blues, R&B, classical music and jazz, Ketchens brings remarkable versatility to the clarinet. Her work has appeared in HBO’s “Treme,” Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” Tyler Perry’s “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, and “CBS News Sunday Morning.” A recent Instagram video of Ketchens performing “You Are My Sunshine” for her grandchildren received more than 18 million views.

More information about the residency is available by contacting Talanca at dtalanca@uca.edu.

The UCA Artists in Residence program is funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. More information about the Artists in Residence program is available at uca.edu/go/artistsinresidence or by contacting Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at gayles@uca.edu.

from left: Akropolis Reed Quintet members Matt Landry, saxophone; Tim Gocklin, oboe; Ryan Reynolds, bassoon; Kari Landry, clarinet; Andrew Koeppe, bass clarinet. Photo/Jason Walker

The University of Central �������� will host the Grammy Award-winning Akropolis Reed Quintet for a two-day residency Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 22 and 23, featuring performances and educational events highlighting classical chamber music and the unique possibilities of the reed quintet.

“We are so excited that the Grammy-winning Akropolis Reed Quintet will perform at UCA,” Dr. Kelly Johnson, associate professor in the Department of Music, said. “Just last year, students were studying Akropolis’s recordings while preparing for performances, and this year they will get to work with them and hear them in person!”

The Akropolis Reed Quintet’s residency will feature a student presentation on entrepreneurship and building a brand in the music world, a Woodwind Studios master class and a public concert Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce St.

All events are located on the UCA campus in Conway and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

The full schedule for the Akropolis Reed Quintet’s residency is as follows:

• Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1:40 p.m. – Student Event: Presentation by the Akropolis Reed Quintet, “Entrepreneurship and Building a Brand in the Music World,” Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. – Student Event: Woodwind Studios Master Class with the Akropolis Reed Quintet, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. – Public Event: Akropolis Reed Quintet in Concert, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Founded in 2009, the Grammy Award-winning Akropolis Reed Quintet is a sonically daring ensemble that specializes in performing new works with charisma and integrity. The ensemble has been described by BBC Music Magazine as a “sonically daring ensemble” and by the San Francisco Chronicle as “pure gold.” Akropolis has graced the Classical Billboard charts with each of its last three albums and has won seven national chamber music prizes, including the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal.

Having premiered and commissioned more than 200 works by living artists and composers, Akropolis has helped establish and champion the reed quintet as a new voice in classical music. The ensemble has remained together with its original five-member lineup since its founding and is known for its collaborations with young musicians. Akropolis performs more than 120 concerts and educational events worldwide annually at venues and institutions including Tanglewood, Bravo! Vail and Chamber Music Northwest.

More information about the residency is available by contacting Johnson at kjohnson@uca.edu.

The UCA Artists in Residence program is funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. More information about the Artists in Residence program is available at or by contacting Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at gayles@uca.edu.

Dr. Elrod joined the department in 2014 after teaching political science courses at Harding University in Searcy for nearly three decades. At UCA, Dr. Elrod taught sections of the introductory U.S. government & politics course, along with upper-division courses on the United Nations, international law, and American foreign policy. In addition, Dr. Elrod coordinated the annual �������� Model United Nations (AMUN) conference for hundreds of high school students from �������� and neighboring states each November. In his capacity as a co-faculty advisor for the UCA Model United Nations student organization, Dr. Elrod advised numerous UCA students who participated in collegiate Model UN conferences in �������� and Missouri.

Dr. Elrod earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Lipscomb College in Nashville in 1984 and a Ph.D. in political science at Vanderbilt University in 1995. Previously, Dr. Elrod served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation anti-submarine warfare operator from 1976 to 1980. Among his many roles on UCA’s campus, Dr. Elrod proudly served on the university’s veterans affairs committee in 2020-2021 and 2023-2026. Dr. Elrod was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe and served as a member of the Keep �������� Beautiful (KAB) Commission from 2014 to 2020. He was also an active member of the �������� Political Science Association (ArkPSA) for nearly four decades, including serving as president of the association in 2002-2003.

Dr. Elrod was a valued member of our university community, and we share in the grief of his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who knew and cared for him. His colleagues and students in the department will especially miss his sense of humor and dedication to higher education and public service.

A service for Dr. Elrod will take place at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, Saturday, Sept. 5, with visitation at noon and the service at 2 p.m.

The University of Central �������� (UCA) Film Program has been named to . Noting the impressive films by its students and faculty, top-notch equipment and facilities, its track record of visiting artists, and its affordable and competitive tuition, the magazine has included UCA’s film program with much larger and well-known programs, including those at the American Film Institute (AFI), University of Southern California (USC) and New York University (NYU).

“Being included on MovieMaker’s top 30 list of film Schools in the United States and Canada is a major honor, placing UCA in the same company as well-known film schools like AFI, USC, UCLA, NYU and Columbia,” UCA Film Program Coordinator Bruce Hutchinson said. “Our inclusion as a smaller state school attests to our focus on developing the voice and vision of our students, the dedication of our students to commit an incredible amount of time and effort to becoming practicing filmmakers, and a faculty that cares deeply for the students while maintaining active creative and scholarly careers.

“Additionally, UCA Film has accomplished this with one of the lowest tuition rates of any school on the list.”

UCA’s Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing offers a BA program focused on production, and a three-year MFA program oriented toward writers-directors that emphasizes technical skills and film studies. The 48-credit major consists entirely of film courses, and the university offers the only MFA Film Program in ��������. On average, UCA Film has approximately 200 majors, minors and graduate students in the program.

The current issue of MovieMaker () also features Hutchinson discussing . He notes that whatever directions AI may take the film industry, UCA remains committed to developing the unique voice and vision of each of its students.

The magazine describes UCA student films as “strikingly daring and well-made.” UCA student films have played at a wide range of festivals from the Madrid International Film Festival, to top-quality American film festivals like the Austin Film Festival, and a wide range of regional and state festivals, including the �������� Cinema Society’s Filmland. Many faculty members are also practicing filmmakers and have screened at festivals around the world from London, Paris and Berlin, to major American festivals in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New Orleans, Chicago and Los Angeles, among others.

The University of Central �������� Public Appearances will present “Ann Wilson the Voice of Heart and Tripsitter” Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Performance Hall.

Ann Wilson, known the world over as a founder and the lead singer-songwriter of the barrier-breaking band Heart, is here to stay. Widely praised among the greatest singers in the history of rock, Wilson’s extraordinarily powerful voice has helped form the bedrock of modern music for over five decades, earning record sales of more than 35 million, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. As one of the first women to front a hard rock band at arena scale, Wilson helped redefine the possibilities for female artists in rock, delivering era-defining hits like “Barracuda,” “Magic Man” and “Crazy on You.”

In addition to her work with Heart, Wilson has built a dynamic solo career that highlights both her range and restless creative spirit. Her solo albums, including “Hope & Glory,” “Fierce Bliss” and “Another Door,” blend rock, folk and orchestral influences while pairing her unmistakable voice with bold reinterpretations and original material. Her newest album, “Consecrated Ground,” is to be released in September of this year. The album was created in collaboration with her band Tripsitter. Tripsitter is composed of guitarist Ryan Wariner, bassist Tony Luciod, guitarist/keyboardist Paul Moak and drummer Sean T. Lane.

She further connects with audiences through her podcast “After Dinner Thinks,” where she reflects on music, culture and the artists who have shaped her journey.

In 2026, Wilson unveils her most intimate project to date: “In My Voice,” a documentary directed by Barbara Hall that traces her extraordinary life through rare archival footage, personal journals and candid storytelling, offering an unprecedented look at the artist behind one of rock’s most enduring voices.

Tickets range from $34.50 to $57.50 for adults and $11.50 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds box office or Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/publicappearances, or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll free at (866) 810-0012. Student and children’s tickets are only available by contacting the box office.

UCA Public Appearances has continued to grow each year and now offers five unique series: Broadway, POPS, Night Out, An Evening With, and the Windgate Collection. Reynolds Performance Hall has also welcomed over 70,000 pre-K-12th grade students from across the state of �������� to experience live performing arts through the Main Stage Education Series. This series educates while entertaining and provides arts accessibility to all students.

The Adventures of Robin Hood” with Adrian Hinojosa as Robin Hood and Rylee Boles as Maid Marian.

For their third annual season, UCA Summer Theatre will present “Ken Ludgwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Known for its fast-paced storytelling and sharp wit, the production offers a bold, theatrical reimagining of the legendary outlaw and his Merry Men.

Performances will be June 19, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and June 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 2 p.m. at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Written by Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig, “Sherwood” blends physical comedy, archery, swordplay and inventive theatricality into a contemporary take on a classic tale. The play follows Robin Hood and his band of rebels as they challenge corruption, defend the powerless and bring justice – and laughter – to the kingdom of Nottingham.

General admission tickets are $15 and can be purchased or at the Reynolds Performance Hall box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll-free at (866) 810-0012.

UCA Summer Theatre brings together professional artists and UCA Theatre students to create high-quality productions for Central �������� audiences. In just three seasons, the company has established itself as a vital part of the region’s professional arts landscape, committed to rigorous artistry, bold storytelling and meaningful community engagement.

Support for these performances is provided, in part, by the Conway Advertising and Promotions Commission and Engage Management.

“Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc., .

The University of Central �������� (UCA) Film Program has partnered with the �������� Cinema Society (ACS) and the Women’s Foundation of �������� – Girls of Promise Initiative (WFA) for the eighth annual Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls (FL4TG). The free educational program will be held June 8-26 at the �������� Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA). Space is limited, and applications are now being accepted at .

“I had the opportunity to serve as a directing mentor for the lab two years ago, and I was so impressed at the passion and drive by the young women,” UCA Film Professor and FL4TG Program Director Emily Railsback said. “I’m excited to be the program director this summer, mentoring the girls who will create their own film in collaboration with professionals in the region, including UCA Film alumni.

“The girls will get time to develop their own stories, make a movie and screen the finished product at ACS’ Filmland Festival. I think how lucky my UCA film students would be if they had this educational opportunity early on to help set them up for what they want to do.”

Taking place this summer in Little Rock, the FL4TG program gives young women a chance to experience screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, production design, lighting and sound recording, as well as ask questions about careers in the male-dominated world of cinema. ACS is taking one small step to help correct this inequity of women in the film workforce by giving young women the opportunity to take on leadership roles while learning the craft of this visual art under the watchful eye of industry professionals.

The FL4TG program is free for participants, which would not be possible without the generous support of the Women’s Foundation of ��������.

“The Women’s Foundation of �������� is thrilled to continue our support of the Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls,” Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of WFA, said. “Providing young women with hands-on experience in this dynamic STEAM industry is an investment in their future as creative leaders.

“This program exemplifies our commitment to empowering women and girls through education, fostering stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come.”

Participants will develop a short story rooted in women’s empowerment and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), followed by filming and editing the 5-minute short, which will screen during Filmland 2026 to be held Aug. 12-16 at AMFA. Past students from the Lab have had the opportunity for a private Q&A session with writer Lucy Alibar, Bert of directing duo Bert & Bertie, and award-winning actor and producer Jessica Chastain.

Additional information and past films are available at arkansascinemasociety.org/educational/filmmaking-lab-for-teen-girls.

About The Women’s Foundation of ��������

Since 1998, the guiding principles have been consistent – to understand the diverse needs and realities facing women and girls so we can respond through purposeful action and engaged philanthropy. An investment in women and girls is an investment in stronger families and communities. Households that are not self-sufficient create a cycle of poverty, which drains social service resources and hinders the pursuit of higher education. However, the cycle can be broken when women are educated, healthy and economically secure.

About the �������� Cinema Society

The (ACS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing a thriving film community in ��������. ACS provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, fosters connections among film lovers, and supports emerging and established talent throughout the state. Through festivals, screenings and educational programs, ACS aims to inspire more Arkansans to engage with and contribute to the art of filmmaking. To learn more or support ACS, visit .

About the University of Central �������� Film Program

The University of Central �������� (UCA) is a four-year public university in ��������. UCA’s Film program offers both undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate degrees (M.F.A.). The mission of the program is to develop creators, innovators and leaders for the future of filmmaking by combining new technology with the fundamentals of storytelling to produce creative, original stories, with an eye towards emerging technologies that enhance the production, distribution and exhibition of those works in the global marketplace.

UCA Assistant Professor of History Dr. Buckley T. Foster (right) receives the 2026 J.G. Ragsdale Book Award from the �������� Historical Association, presented by association president Rachel Patton, for his book “So Great Was the Slaughter: Market Hunting, Sportsmen, and Wildlife Conservation in ��������.”

University of Central �������� Assistant Professor of History Dr. Buckley T. Foster has received the 2026 J.G. Ragsdale Book Award from the �������� Historical Association for his book, “So Great Was the Slaughter: Market Hunting, Sportsmen, and Wildlife Conservation in ��������.”

The annual award recognizes the best nonfiction, book-length study on any aspect of �������� history. Named for founding member John Gails Ragsdale, the honor highlights excellence in historical scholarship and contributions to understanding the state’s past. The award was presented during the association’s annual conference in Monticello, ��������.

“I’m honored that the �������� Historical Association recognized this work and the history it represents,” Foster said. “From starting the research to the book reaching my hands, this was a 10-year project.

“This award makes me feel it was a worthwhile endeavor.”

“So Great Was the Slaughter” tells an important and compelling story about the origins of �������� wildlife conservation. It reveals the untold story of �������� conservation pioneers who attempted to save the state’s game and fish populations. As �������� entered the 20th century, the national demand for meat – combined with the ability to ship millions of animals to hungry cities like New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago – had driven many species, including bison, prairie chickens and passenger pigeons, to extinction in ��������. Many others, including deer, bears, turkeys, quail and many fish species, were in danger of disappearing. Through extensive research, Foster traces how an unlikely coalition of sportsmen, conservationists and policymakers helped establish early conservation laws, fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges that laid the foundations for sustainable management practices.

Foster also presented some of his research at the AHA annual conference in a session titled “Killing for a Living: Market Hunters on Big Lake.”

In addition to the Ragsdale Award, “So Great Was the Slaughter” was selected as an �������� Gem for 2025 by the �������� Center for the Book at the �������� State Library. Selection is based on the work’s literary or artistic merit, originality, and potential for local and regional interest. Titles with registered copyrights published within the current calendar year or the previous calendar year are considered. �������� Gems posters and bookmarks are introduced each year at the National Book Festival, highlighting recent regional literature to a national audience.

Foster is an accomplished historian and professor with over 25 years of experience teaching American, Southern, Military and �������� history at both two-year and four-year institutions across the South and Midwest. He holds a Ph.D. in 19th-century Southern History from Mississippi State University, with subfields in environmental history and the application of science and technology to the study of history. He earned both his B.A. and M.A. in History from the University of ��������, Fayetteville. His research explores Civil War military campaigns, rural life in ��������, and the history of hunting and conservation. Foster’s growing body of scholarship includes “Sherman’s Mississippi Campaign” (2006) and an edited Civil War diary of one of Stonewall Jackson’s colonels, “Fighting with Stonewall in the Valley,” scheduled for release in October 2026.

About the J.G. Ragsdale Book Award

John Gails Ragsdale, a 1919 graduate of the University of ��������, was a founding member of the �������� Historical Association and served on the University’s Board of Trustees for 14 years. In his honor, the association has since 2002 presented the annual J.G. Ragsdale Book Award in �������� History for the best book-length study of any aspect of �������� history. Eligible works include nonfiction book-length historical studies written in English and published within the last two years.