About Us
Van and Ruth Hawkins reside in Jonesboro, Arkansas. They have a son and daughter-in-law, Curt Hawkins and Amy Schmidt, who also live in Jonesboro.
Van Hawkins
Van Hawkins grew up in a farming family in the Missouri Bootheel. He has a degree in literature from the University of Missouri, as well as master's degrees in pastoral counseling from Loyola University in New Orleans, and heritage studies from Arkansas State University.
Van has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor and as an entertainment magazine feature writer. His books are written for general audiences on topics related to southern history.
Ruth Wehmer Hawkins
Ruth Wehmer Hawkins grew up in Florissant, Missouri. During her career, she has been a television reporter, newspaper feature writer and public school information officer. She served as a higher education administrator in various capacities at Arkansas State University for more than 40 years before her retirement in 2019.
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She is an inductee into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame and recipient of numerous state and national heritage tourism and preservation awards.
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Ruth holds undergraduate degrees from Christian College (now Columbia College) and the University of Missouri School of Journalism, a master’s degree from Arkansas State University and a doctorate from the University of Mississippi.