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SHSU Update For Week Of Sept. 14

Lecturer To Discuss Algebra’s Chinese History
Sister To Talk About Immigration Experiences
Rice Provost, Prof To Share ‘Roots’
‘Ranger Steve’ To Serve Facts, Straight Up
Students To Get More Than 80 Job Fair Choices
Alumni Relations To Party With Faculty, Staff
Tour To Showcase Fall Constellations
Group To Host Garage Sale For African Children
UNT Prof To Perform, Teach At SHSU
Conference To Address Early Education Issues
Department To Honor Historic ‘Cry’
Price Named ‘Professor Of Year’
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Lecturer To Discuss Algebra’s Chinese History

Roger Hart, assistant professor in the department of history and Asian studies at the University of Texas at Austin, will discuss his research in the history of Chinese mathematics and early Chinese linear algebra on Monday (Sept. 15).

“Reconstructing the Early Development of Determinants in China: Evidence from the Nine Chapters of Mathematical Methods and Later Commentaries," a Physics Colloquium presentation, will be held from 3-4 p.m. in Farrington Building Room 209.

Hart earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, respectively, as well as his doctorate in Chinese history and the history of science from the University of California, Los Angeles.

One of his current research projects, the completed “Early History of Linear Algebra: Chinese Sources” is a book-length manuscript tracing early developments in linear algebra, according to his Web site.

“While linear algebra is one of the core courses in most university undergraduate mathematics curricula, no book-length history has been written on its early development,” he says on the site.

The project, he says, contributes “to our understanding of the history of an important branch of mathematics and also presents an important example of the non-Western sources of modern mathematics and science.”

For more information on the colloquium, contact Barry Friedman, professor of physics, at 936.294.1604.

Sister To Talk About Immigration Experiences

Religious Sister of Mercy Kathleen Erickson will discuss her views on immigration on Friday (Sept. 19) in Evans Building Room 105.

The lecture, sponsored by the sociology department, will be held at noon.

“She will be speaking on her experiences with immigrant women who have been detained in the detention centers and generally her views regarding the immigration issue,” said Karen Douglas, associate professor of sociology. “Sister Erickson has traveled quite extensively speaking to people regarding the issues of immigration putting a human face to the thorny and contentious issue.”

Erickson, who has a background in education and administration, has spent the last 17 years at the U.S./Mexico border and is the co-founder and former director of the Women’s Intercultural Center in Anthony, N.M., a place for immigrant women.

For more than two years she has provided spiritual counseling to undocumented women in detention, worked with the Border Network for Human Rights and Desert Humanitarians, and participated in the Border Institute for Religious Leaders.

For more information, contact Douglas at 936.294.1513 or KMD007@shsu.edu.

Rice Provost, Prof To Share ‘Roots’

Rice University associate provost and adjunct professor Roland B. Smith Jr. will discuss and answer questions about his life on Wednesday (Sept. 17), as part of the Grassroots Speaker series.

The lecture will be held at 5 p.m. in Academic Building IV's Olson Auditorium.

Smith earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowie State University, a master’s degree from Indiana University and his doctorate from Harvard University.

Before coming to Rice, he spent 23 years at the University of Notre Dame, where he served as executive assistant to the president, concurrent associate professor of sociology and founding director of the Center for Educational Opportunity in the Institute for Urban Studies.

A Washington, D.C., native, Smith also worked with Congress as a research intern before working in higher education and was appointed to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, established by the 98th U.S. Congress and chaired by Coretta Scott King.

His teaching and research interests include ethnographic research methods, educational access, cultural diversity, school-university collaborative relationships, urban studies and the sociology of education.

Following the discussion, a meet-and-greet with refreshments will be held in the Student Advising and Mentoring Center, located in ABIV Room 210.

“Grassroots: A Series of Conversations on Leadership in a Diverse Community” is sponsored by the academic support programs of the Student Advising and Mentoring Center; the Elliott T. Bowers Honors Program; Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.; and the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

For more information, contact Bernice Strauss, director of academic support programs for the SAM Center, at 936.294.4455.

‘Ranger Steve’ To Serve Facts, Straight Up

Renowned Texas Ranger Steve Jeter will talk to students on a number of drinking- and drug- related violations on Tuesday (Sept. 16).

During “Ranger Steve,” at 2 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 307, students will learn the facts about violations such as underage drinking, MIP, DUI, DWI and serving, selling or providing to minors, as well as what other terms, such as zero tolerance, mean.

Jeter will also discuss the consequences being charged with such violations will carry, personally, profes¬sionally and financially.

“Ranger Steve” is part of the ADAI’s Six Weeks of Alcohol Awareness Training program, an educational series aiming to increase awareness of alcohol abuse issues among students.

Through the program, students earn prizes by attending events, which accumulate as students attend more programs.

For more information, contact Rosanne Keathley, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative coordinator, at 936.294.1171 or org_aai@shsu.edu.

Students To Get More Than 80 Job Fair Choices

More than 80 companies and organizations will be scouting out potential employees during the 2008 Career Expo on Wednesday (Sept. 17).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the City of Houston Public Library, CenterPoint Energy, the Disney Company and numerous banks and police departments from many of Texas’ metropolitan areas will be among those available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day in the Johnson Coliseum.

A number of graduate schools will also be on hand for those considering furthering their education.

“If students register on ‘Jobs 4 Kats’ (before the expo), they can get a specific, detailed list of the companies that are coming, what majors they are looking for and what positions they are hiring for, full-time, part-time or internship,” said Vinessa Mundorff, Career Services employment specialist.

Students also can register on Jobs 4 Kats after the job fair to find that information.

All attendees are encouraged to dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their résumés.

In addition, to ensure that students’ résumés are in order for the expo, Career Services will host a “Résumé Rescue” on Monday (Sept. 15), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

In the event of rain, experts will critique student résumés in the LSC Atrium.

For more information, call Career Services at 936.294.1713, or to sign up for Jobs 4 Kats, visit https://www.myinterfase.com/shsu/student/.

Alumni Relations To Party With Faculty, Staff

The Office of Alumni Relations will say “Aloha!” to the new semester on Tuesday (Sept. 16) during its annual Party on the Patio.

The “welcome back” for faculty and staff members will be held from 4-6 p.m. on the Alumni Patio of the John R. Ragsdale Visitor and Alumni Center, located at the corner of the Estill Building and University Avenue.

Appetizers and drinks will be served, and attendees will be given the opportunity to become members of the Alumni Association for a reduced fee of $25.

For more information, call 936.294.1841.

Tour To Showcase Fall Constellations

The physics department will give the public a tour of “what’s currently up in the autumn night sky” with its planetarium series program beginning Friday (Sept. 19).

The “Autumn Sky” and “Astronomyths,” which show attendees which constellations, stars and planets they can expect to see in the upcoming weeks, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Planetarium, located in Farrington Building Room F102.

“Astronomyths, takes the visitor on a journey with a grandfather and his grandson on a camping trip under the stars where they let their imaginations soar into the heavens with the heroic tales, such as Perseus and his rescue of Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus, with a bit of science mixed in,” said Michael Prokosch, staff laboratory assistant for the physics department.

The show will last approximately one hour, and admission is free.

The Planetarium seats up to 29 visitors and includes a dome that is approximately 18 feet in diameter and more than 20 feet high in the center, according to Prokosch.

Other showings for the semester will be held Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12 and Dec. 23, all at 7 p.m. An additional 2 p.m. showing will also be held on Dec. 23.

For more information on current show times for the Planetarium or the Observatory, call 936.294.3664 or e-mail Prokosch at mwp007@shsu.edu.

Group To Host Garage Sale For African Children

Students in the biological sciences department’s PaleoBiology Lab will provide needy children with clothes, shoes and toys by selling some of their own.

The Koanaka Kids Project garage sale will be held on Saturday (Sept. 20) from 6:30 a.m. to noon at 2114 Avenue S.

“The Koanaka Kids Project is dedicated to helping orphans from Botswana by providing them with clothing, shoes and toys,” said KKP member Sophia Aguayo. “All proceeds from the garage sale will be used to purchase items for these needy children, many of them AIDS orphans.”

The sale will include primarily clothing, shoes and books, and while donations will also be accepted, “no offer will be refused," Aguyao said.

For more information, contact Aguayo at stdsma29@shsu.edu.

UNT Prof To Perform, Teach At SHSU

Guest artist John Scott will give music tips to clarinet students and perform with School of Music faculty members on Wednesday (Sept. 17).

Scott, a professor of clarinet at the University of North Texas, will hold a clarinet masterclass, during which students can perform and have him critique their playing, at 2 p.m. in Music Building Room 328.

That evening, Scott will join assistant professor of piano Ilonka Rus and associate professor of clarinet Patricia Card in a concert featuring the works of Beethoven, Poulenc and Rota at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.

Scott has been a member of the UNT music faculty since 1981. He has also taught at Susquehanna University, in Pennsylvania, and Augusta State University, in Georgia.

He has performed in concerts world wide with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony and the Fort Worth Symphony, as well as with Chamber Music International.

Scott earned both the Master of Music and Doctor of Music degree in applied woodwinds and music literature from Indiana University—Bloomington.

Both events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.

Conference To Address Early Education Issues

The Sam Houston Association for the Education of Young Children will educate teachers and future teachers on dyslexia interventions, science and math activities for children and discuss the future of early childhood education during its fall conference on Sept. 20.

The conference, which will focus on the teaching of mathematics and science to young children, will begin at 8 a.m. that day, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m., in the Teacher Education Center.

The event will include a welcome and keynote address by Texas Association for the Education of Young Children president Kris Curtis, followed by two breakout sessions, for which attendees can select from eight workshops. State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst will also say a few words during the closing session.

The conference is beneficial for participants in that it helps them to increase their knowledge base, continue their professional development, and collaborate with their colleagues, according to Diana Nabors, SHAEYC adviser.

Participants will receive four hours of professional development credit or continuing education credit, and certificates will be given at the conference.

Registration is free for members of SHAEYC or the National Association for the Education of Young Children, $15 for SHSU students, $30 for non-members, $150 for program staff with an administrator and $250 for program staff without an administrator.

For more information, contact Nabors at 936.294.3950 or Tammy Walker at twalker@esc6.net or 936.435.8360.

Department To Honor Historic ‘Cry’

The foreign languages department will celebrate a historic day in the Mexican War of Independence by showing a video on a more current time in Mexian history on Tuesday (Sept. 16).

“Grito de Dolores” (the “Cry of Dolores”) will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third floor of the Evans Building.

“The idea (of showing the video) is the continuing saga of Mexico,” said foreign languages chair Debra Andrist.

Sept. 16, 1810, is the day when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Roman Catholic priest from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato, rang a bell outside his church and uttered the “Grito de Dolores” in encouragement to his congregation to revolt against the Spanish colonial government.

“The resulting Battle of Dolores, the first engagement of the insurgency, occurred 12 days later, with the massacre of the entire colonial garrison of the town, more than 500 Spanish and Criollo loyalist soldiers. The insurgents suffered more than 2,000 casualties,” according to Wikipedia.com.

Mexico's independence would finally be recognized by the Spanish crown on September 27, 1821, after a decade of war.

A statute of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is in front of his church in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato and the event is reenacted each year by the president of Mexico on the night of Sept. 15.

The film being shown by the foreign languages department, “Following the Spirit,” is the third part in a historical trilogy called “Darkness into Light.”

For more information, contact the foreign languages department at 936.294.1441.

Price Named ‘Professor Of Year’

Debra Price (left) was recently named "Professor of the Year" for her dedication to the field.

Reading professor Debra Price has been named “Professor of the Year’ by the Texas Association of Teachers of English and Language Arts.

Price was nominated for the award because of her dedication and passion for teaching literacy educators.

Her efforts to spearhead the creation of the reading doctoral program at SHSU and her support of the doctoral candidates enrolled in the program have resulted in three cohorts of doctoral students.

Cindy Benge, former master’s student and current doctoral student, credits Price with changing the way she viewed literacy and instruction.

“I’m the teacher and literacy leader I am today because of the amazing instruction I received in teaching reading at Sam Houston State,” she said. “Dr. Price has been and continues to be a huge influence on me and my teaching. At one point I won the Teacher of the Year Award in Aldine ISD, and it was hugely a result of my work with Dr. Price.”

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For electronic access to SHSU news see the Public Relations Web page Today@Sam.

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May, Jennifer Gauntt
Sept. 11, 2008
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Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.

SHSU 'In the News'

Brian Domitrovic, assistant professor of history, appeared on Book TV (C-SPAN) May 1-2, speaking about his recent book "Econoclasts: The Rebels Sparked the Supply Side Revolution and Restored American Prosperity" (www.econoclasts.net).

Houston Chronicle education writer Jeannie Kever recently turned to Regents Professor of English Paul Ruffin for his views on university presses moving toward "digital books" as opposed to traditional ink-on-paper."We're fulfilling the ancient role of the university press, and that is to produce books," said Paul Ruffin, the Texas poet laureate for 2009 and director of the Texas Review Press at Sam Houston State University. "I don't want to give up the book because it is an art."