By TILISHA T. ALEXANDER

Staff Writer

Academic Excellence Week for the College of Liberal Arts will begin April 22-24 and will include a symposium and guest speaker Lee Hockstader.

Sandra Pardue, researcher for the department of history, said the symposium will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m., when faculty will present papers written on research from a variety of topics.

"The symposium shows the faculties commitment in making sure our students have the best information available and some of the best professors," Pardue said.

"The topics are interesting and can help other students and faculty to be well-rounded."

Brian Etheridge, an associate professor of history, said this is his first time participating in the event and believes it will be a big success.

"Our speaker for this event is Lee Hockstader, a journalist who was stationed in Jerusalem and will come to talk to students and faculty about his experience," Etheridge said. "I believe he will give some insight on his life as a journalist and life in Jerusalem."

Etheridge said the speaker was recruited by Dr. Reginald Owens, an associate professor of journalism and a F. Jay Taylor Endowed Chair recipient.

"I was introduced to Mr. Hockstader by a mutual friend," Owens said. "I mentioned him to Dr. Etheridge because of the issues in the world involving war so I thought Mr. Hoststader would be a good speaker for the faculty and students because he has actually been on the scene of what's going on."

Etheridge said Hockstader's background shows that he has a lot of experience to speak about and to tell about what is really happening in foreign countries and how it affects America and the people.

"Hockstader previously covered Russia, Central America and the Caribbean for The Washington Post," Etheridge said. "He will discuss the reaction in the Middle East to the attacks on America."

Pardue said the week will conclude Wednesday honoring two outstanding students from each department with awards.

"Each department within the School of Liberal Arts will submit two students who excel academically and show that they are exceptional," Pardue said. "The students possess strong leadership and honors."

Stephen Webre, head of the department of history and a professor of history, said these three days will be exciting for students and faculty.

"We are making plans to give the students and faculty a time of enlightenment for the sake of growth in areas that the normal person would not consider," Webre said.

"We are expecting a large turnout from all departments as we give important information about the Middle East, deliver research on various topics and honor students who exceed academically for the 2003-04 school year."