The premiere of Hallmark Hall of Fame’s "A Painted House" on April 14 was not only a great event for fans of Jonesboro-born author John Grisham, it was an encouraging endorsement of Heritage Studies, the newest doctoral program at Arkansas State University.

    Instituted in the Fall 2001 semester, the program is designed to develop heritage professionals who identify, preserve, interpret, manage and promote regional history and culture for non-specialist public audiences. Dr. Clyde Milner, ASU professor of history and director of the Heritage Studies program, said graduates of the program will qualify for positions at the highest level in cultural and historical agencies, cultural and historical tourism, museums and archives, parks and historical sites, consulting firms and heritage-related businesses.

    "The Heritage Studies program is highly distinctive," Milner said, "in that it is an interdisciplinary program that is focused on serving the public sector as opposed to teaching. Our graduates will be giving back to their respective communities and enhancing related programs. This is the only Ph.D. program of its kind in our area of the South."

    Milner said many of the 17 students currently enrolled in the program are already established in their careers, but they recognize how this doctoral program will enhance their position and move them ahead in their respective careers.

    Dr. C. Calvin Smith is Presidential Distinguished Professor of Heritage Studies. He said he believes the national exposure garnered from the premiere will help attract additional quality students from around the country, as well as locally.

    "The program’s primary focus is the Delta region, a region that has remained largely untouched by scholarship," Smith noted. "We’ve just begun to scratch the surface of the culture. We want to train more people who are in public service. This program will enhance their skills, as well as reveal more about the Delta."

    Both men expect enrollment to increase by at least eight more students in the fall. The proceeds from the premiere will fund an endowment that will provide additional opportunities for the program to grow.

    Milner and Smith are grateful for Grisham’s interest and involvement in the Heritage Studies program, and Milner said Grisham has an amazing sense of place.

    "This sense of place, identity and heritage is what we’re all about," Milner said. "He obviously cares about the people and the heritage of our area.

    "I like to say we’re building a program that’s our own 'painted house' project."