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SHSU Update For Week Of Oct. 31
- Employee Flu Shots To Be Dispensed Nov. 9-10
- Melville Expert To Give ‘Moby-Dick’ Lecture
- Professor To Read From New Book During Release Party
- Archeologist To Discuss ‘Rock Art Of Pecos Canyons’
- Rec Sports To Offer Free Self Defense Class
- French Week To Bring Culture To Campus
- Annual Faculty, Staff Picnic Scheduled For Nov. 5
- Fair To Showcase SHSU Departments, Majors
- German Bands To Bring Oktoberfest To Campus
- Science Saturday To Create Fun Learning Environment
- Student Education Group Walks For Autism
- Barnyard Program Attracts 1,100 Children
- Send Update Items Here
Employee Flu Shots To Be Dispensed Nov. 9-10
The SHSU Student Health Center will administer the seasonal influenza vaccine free of charge to faculty and staff members on Nov. 9-10.
Vaccinations will be dispensed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Lowman Student Center Room 320.
In order to receive a flu shot, employees must present their Bearkat OneCard prior to receiving the vaccine.
The 2010 flu vaccine will protect against three strains of the virus including H1N1, also called swine flu, according to health center interim director Sarah Hanel.
“This added H1N1 protection means that a single vaccine is all that will be needed for most people this flu season,” according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
In order to speed the administration process, faculty and staff are asked to come prepared with sleeves that can be easily adjusted to expose their shoulder.
An area to disrobe with privacy screens will be available, but an easily accessible injection site will make the process faster and more comfortable, Hanel said.
Supplies are limited and will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Employees that miss the flu vaccine administration dates will not be accommodated and will be advised to obtain the vaccine through other means.
The vaccine is not available for employees who are pregnant or nursing.
For more information about the influenza vaccine or the administration process, visit http://www.shsu.edu/~uhc_www or call 936.294.1805.
Melville Expert To Give ‘Moby-Dick’ Lecture
Texas A&M English professor Dennis Berthold will discuss his recently published book “American Risorgimento: Herman Melville and the Cultural Politics of Italy” on Monday (Nov. 1).
"Melville's Vesuvian Inkstand: Italian Nationalism in Moby-Dick," the second English Department Speaker Series lecture, will begin at 3 p.m. in Evans Building Room 105.
Although Melville is typically considered one of America’s earliest cosmopolitan writers, scholars have focused primarily on his involvement with the South Seas, England, and the Holy Land, according to the book description on Amazon.com.
In “American Risorgimento: Herman Melville and the Cultural Politics of Italy,” Berthold extends Melville’s transnational vision both geographically and historically by examining his many references to Italy and Rome in the context of the Risorgimento, Italy’s long quest for independence and political unity.
In addition to this his most recent book, Berthold is co-editor of “Dear Brother Walt: The Letters of Thomas Jefferson Whitman” (1984), “Hawthorne's American Travel Sketches” (1989), and a new edition of “Joshua Slocum's Sailing Alone Around the World” (2005).
He is also an editorial associate for the last two volumes of the definitive edition of Melville's collected works, the Northwestern-Newberry “Writings of Herman Melville.”
Berthold teaches 19th century American literature and literature of the sea at Texas A&M.
The English Department Speaker Series is designed primarily to bring outside scholars and speakers to SHSU, though some SHSU professors participate as well.
“The goal of the program is to stimulate intellectual inquiry and growth among faculty, students, and the community, making available to them scholars and literary artists other than those on the faculty at SHSU,” said Julie Hall, professor of English.
A reception will follow the lecture, which is free and open to the public.
The event is sponsored by the English department and the Friends of English.
For more information, contact Hall at 936.294.1417 or eng_jeh@shsu.edu.
Professor To Read From New Book During Release Party
The SHSU English department will celebrate the release of assistant professor April Shemak’s new book “Asylum Speakers: Caribbean Refugees and Testimonial Discourse” on Friday (Nov. 5).
The book-release party, part of the English Friday Faculty Forum, will begin at 2 p.m. in Evans Building Room 417. During the event, Shemak will read from her book, which will be released in November.
“Asylum Speakers” takes an interdisciplinary approach to Caribbean refugees seeking asylum in the United States by examining their personal testimonies and stories.
In the book, she gives a voice to refugees by mixing current immigration issues and literature to examine stories told largely from the perspective of Haitian refugees. The book is a compilation of writings from Haitian-American and other Caribbean authors, as well as theoretical work, human rights and government documents, photography and historical studies.
“Although it is mostly literature, thematically it intersects with the human rights issue,” Shemak said. “I found the issue that refugees face the most is that they are largely silenced, because they are not part of an official discourse. They’re fleeing from their home, but they’re not officially immigrants. They’re in the middle of the journey.”
The book weighs the question of “truth value” associated with different methods of witnessing, showing how if channeled in the right way testimony can be a powerful resource for refugees.
“Sometimes there are a lot of restrictions on testimony, particularly if refugees have experienced some kind of trauma. Recounting those experiences in an asylum interview can be very difficult; issues of memory and history come into play for someone who is telling their story,” Shemak said. “At the same time, it can also be the most powerful thing they have, especially if they don’t have documents or legal representation to support their case.
“Sometimes the only thing that a refugee has to convince officials that they should be let into the country is their story,” she said. “A lot of times all they can rely on is the power of their own testimony.”
The English Friday Faculty Forum is designed to highlight current research by English faculty members.
For more information, contact Drew Lopenzina, assistant professor of English, at 936.294.1434.
Archeologist To Discuss ‘Rock Art Of Pecos Canyons’
Carolyn Boyd, executive director for the Studying Human Use of Materials, Land and Art school, will discuss her recent work regarding rock art and sign copies of her latest book on Wednesday (Nov. 3).
The presentation, “Ancient Narratives: Rock Art of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr., Education Center Auditorium.
Boyd’s discussion will include the archeological research and documentation being done by the SHUMLA team on the rock art of the Pecos Canyonlands.
Boyd will also sign copies of her book, “Rock Art of the Lower Pecos,” after the presentation. Books will be available for purchase in the museum store.
Photographs taken by Boyd of a 4,000-year-old rock art preserved in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands and other rock art images found in various parts of Texas are currently on display in the Walker Education Center Exhibition Gallery.
The event is part of Celebrating Texas Archaeology Month.
For more information, contact the Sam Houston Memorial Museum at 936.294.1832.
Rec Sports To Offer Free Self Defense Class
The Recreational Sports Department will provide students, faculty and staff members with tips on self-protection with a Self Defense Clinic on Sunday (Nov. 7).
Led by special trainer Aaron Gillespie, who holds the title as a Third Dan Black Belt Instructor, the clinic will begin at 7 p.m. in Recreational Sports Center Multipurpose Room 2.
“Knowing how to protect oneself is extremely important,” said Tina DeAses, Rec Sports senior assistant director for marketing, promotions and special events.
“Mr. Gillespie will provide self defense information that one would not want to miss, from basic information to more advanced skills to helpful tips that can remembered for a lifetime,” she said.
The event is free for all SHSU students, faculty, and staff with a valid Bearkat OneCard.
For more information, contact assistant director of fitness Laura Dougherty at 936.294.1985, or visit the Recreational Sports website at www.shsu.edu/recsports.
Events To Bring French Culture To Campus
Sam Houston State University’s foreign languages and Student Activities departments will spread the French culture across campus with poetry readings, film screenings and a cuisine sampling as part of National French Week beginning Thursday (Nov. 4).
The week will commence with the sixth annual French Poetry Reading Competition at 5 p.m. in the Academic Building IV Olson Auditorium, in Room 220.
On Friday, ”Les indigènes” will be the first of a series of movies played as part of the third annual French Film Festival. All four award-winning films will be shown at 5 p.m. in the Olson Auditorium.
”Les indigènes” is a film set during World War II, when four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate the French from Nazi oppression and fight French discrimination.
On Monday (Nov. 8), the film series will continue with “Les visiteurs,” about a medieval nobleman and his squire who are accidentally transported to contemporary times by a senile sorcerer.
On Tuesday (Nov. 9), students can get a taste of traditional French foods with a cuisine sampling at 6:30 p.m. in the Criminal Justice Center’s CJava Café.
“We will serve typical French foods—quiches, French breads such as baguettes, French cheeses such as camembert and brie, roasted chicken, crudites, creme brule, nougat and French beverages such as Perrier and Orangina,” said Shirin Edwin, assistant professor of French.
The film series will present “Le ballon rouge,” the story of a red balloon with a life of its own that follows a little boy around the streets of Paris, on Wednesday (Nov. 10).
Finally, on Thursday (Nov. 11), the film series will wrap up with “Au revoir les enfants.”
The movie looks at a French boarding school run by priests that seems to be a haven from World War II until a new student, who becomes the roommate of the top student in his class, arrives.
Students who would like to participate in the poetry-reading contest must sign up by Nov. 3 with Edwin, at see001@shsu.edu. Participants can pick their own poem.
For more information, contact French Club president Marisa Eaves at mee003@shsu.edu.
Annual Faculty, Staff Picnic Scheduled For Nov. 5
SHSU employees can have a free lunch courtesy of the President’s Office on Friday (Nov. 5) during the annual faculty and staff picnic.
Hamburgers will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Old Main Pit.
Employees are encouraged to wear orange to the picnic as part of Bearkat Spirit Friday.
For more information, call the President’s Office at 936.294.3415.
Fair To Showcase SHSU Departments, Majors
Students who are undecided in an area of study can survey more than 28 different fields when the Student Success Initiatives Office and SHSU Career Services Center host the first annual “Exploring Majors Fair” on Tuesday (Nov. 2).
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
The fair will allow students to visit with faculty, staff, and upper-level students representing a large number of academic departments and special programs on campus in one central location and in a casual atmosphere, said Pam Laughlin, director of Career Services.
“The event was designed with students still undecided about choosing a major in mind, but is open to all students who may still be uncertain about their current choice of a major, who are considering choosing a minor, or who wish to learn more about career opportunities available to them in their areas of interest,” Laughlin said.
“Students are encouraged to drop by the LSC Ballroom on a come and go basis to gather information, have their questions answered, enjoy a bag of fresh popcorn, and to register for some great door prizes to be awarded after the fair,” she said.
Also that afternoon, Career Services will show students what factors to consider while evaluating a job offer and strategies on navigating salary negotiations with a workshop from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Career Services Seminar Room, located in Academic Building IV Room 210.
For more information, contact the Student Success Initiatives Office at 936.294.3422 or Career Services at 936.294.1713.
German Bands To Bring Oktoberfest To Campus
The SHSU School of Music will provide “one last chance for a little Oktoberfest fun” when the 35-piece Markt Erkheim Kappelle Original Brass Band performs on Friday (Nov. 5).
The concert will begin at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
The Markt Erkheim Kappelle Original Brass Band, from the Allgau region of Germany, will perform Bavarian marches, popular German and American music and Oktoberfest favorites, according to Randy Adams, SHSU associate professor of trumpet.
The group of Bavarian musicians will visit SHSU as part of a Texas performing tour this month.
In addition, the German Folk Band Alpenfest will be perform outside the PAC beginning at 2 p.m. that day, featuring “great yodeling, lots of ‘oom-pah’ music, the alphorn, musical handsaw and much more,” Adams said.
The entire event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Science Saturday To Create Fun Learning Environment
Four SHSU science professors will present fun science seminars to approximately 150 students from Houston’s Aldine School District during Science Saturdays at Sam on Nov. 6.
The third annual event, part of College of Education associate dean Beverly Irby's Project MSSELL Grant, will be held on the SHSU campus and will give students lessons on biology, geology, chemistry and space.
Programs will include “Paper chromatography,” led by chemistry professor Thomas Chasteen; “Physical Properties of Minerals,” led by geography and geology department chair Brian Cooper; “Rockets and the History of Space Travel,” which will include a visit to the planetarium and outside activities, led by associate professor of physics Renee James; and a presentation on animals led by associate professor of biological sciences Joan Hudson.
“Students benefit from this experience since they are able to see what college is like in the science labs,” Irby said. “Many of the students have their interest heightened in the science fields.”
Participants will also be treated to a pizza lunch at the Sam Houston sStatue.
The MSSELL (Middle School Science for English Language Learners) project is funded by the National Science Foundation and implemented in conjunction with Texas A&M.
“The goal of the grant is to study the use of an advanced science curriculum to enhance English language and science achievement in students whose native language is not English,” said Marla Slaughter, graduate assistant for MSSELL, coordinated the event.
For more information, contact Slaughter at 936.294.3338.
Student Education Group Walks For Autism
The Sam Houston Council for Exceptional Children members recently helped raise more than $1,000 for autism through their participation in the 7th Annual Walk Now For Autism Speaks event on Oct. 16.
Forty-eight individuals registered to walk under the Sam Houston team, organized by the SCEC team captain, Courtney Cordova, vice president of the SCEC chapter. This is the first year that the SCEC chapter participated in the event and raised a total of $1,070 for the cause.
Cynthia Simpson, associate professor of education and co-advisor for SCEC, said she was thrilled that the students choose to participate in this event.
“Participation in these types of events supports the primary mission of the organization and lays the foundation for students to continue to engage in service activities after graduation,” she said.
“Walk Now for Autism” is the Autism Speaks signature fundraising event that is hosted annually, according to Simpson.
“The event brings hundreds of thousands of participants annually across the United States and Canada to generate funds for autism research and to raise awareness of the increasing prevalence of autism,” she said.
The national event, which is free to all, hosts kids games, live music and a community fair for autism-related service providers.
The SHSU SCEC participates in many activities that advocate for children and adults with disabilities.
Next March, the group will host its annual “Meeting the Needs of all Learners” conference that provides professional development opportunities for more than 300 individuals in the Huntsville area.
For more information on the conference or involvement in SCEC, contact Simpson at cindysimpson@shsu.edu.
Barnyard Program Attracts 1,100 Children
The SHSU Agriculture Complex was transformed into an interactive classroom on Oct. 12-13 when the agricultural and industrial sciences department held its annual Children's Barnyard and Greenthumb Days.
Approximately 1,100 preschool and early elementary students were in attendance.
“The barnyard introduces children to agriculture by allowing them to experience the thrill of sitting on a horse, pretending to drive a tractor and petting donkeys, rabbits, baby chicks and other typical farm animals,” said Kali Blume, agriculture graduate student. “At each station, the students learned how animal agriculture benefits their everyday life.”
The “greenthumb” component allows the children to get a closer look at nature.
“They hear about beneficial and harmful insects, discover how plants grow and disperse their seeds while also being introduced to various conservation practices,” Blume said.
The SHSU students play a critical role in the experience, as they are the ones responsible for interacting and educating the young visitors about the benefits of agriculture in a practical and enthusiastic manner, according to Blume.
“We feel that this year’s barnyard and green thumb was a true success and that we hope to continue having this event for a long time,” she said.
Send Update Items Here
Information for the SHSU Update can be sent to the Office of Communications electronically at Today@Sam.edu or to any of the media contacts listed below.
Please include the date, location and time of the event, as well as a brief description and a contact person.
All information for news stories should be sent to the office at least a week in advance to give the staff ample time to make necessary contacts and write the story.
For electronic access to SHSU news see the Communications Web page Today@Sam.
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SHSU Media Contacts: Bruce Erickson, Julia May, Jennifer Gauntt
Oct. 29, 2010
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office
Director: Bruce Erickson
Assistant Director: Julia May
Writer: Jennifer Gauntt
Located in the 115 Administration Building
Telephone: 936.294.1836; Fax: 936.294.1834
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.
