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SHSU Update For Week Of Jan. 16
- Drexel Prof To Give Physics Colloquium Lecture
- Concert To Reunite Orchestra Alumni
- Staff Pianist To Perform First Solo Recital At SHSU
- Fair To Help Students Find On-Campus Jobs
- Student Art On Display In Museum
- Workshop To Inform Instructors About Campus Resources
- Students Sought For Annual Legislative Trip
- Calendar Information Sought For Spring
- Send Update Items Here
Drexel Prof To Give Physics Colloquium Lecture
Roberto Ramos, assistant professor of physics at Drexel University, will kick off the spring SHSU Physics Colloquium series on Wednesday (Jan. 19) with a presentation on superconductors.
“Experimental Demonstration of Multiple Energy Gap Structure and Resonant Activation in MgB2 below 1 Kelvin” will be presented at 2 p.m. in Farrington Building Room 209.
Ramos’s research looks at a “first principle approach” to deriving the superconducting energy gap values of magnesium dioride.
“A great deal of theoretical modeling has been performed to accurately derive these values,” he said. “Currently, there are no published experimental reports confirming this distribution, and there is even some controversy as to whether it should be possible to observe.”
Ramos earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the University of the Philippines and his doctorate from the University of Washington.
He moved to Drexel from the University of Maryland where he was senior experimental postdoc of the UMD superconducting quantum computing group.
In addition to teaching at Drexel, he also leads an experimental Low Temperature Quantum Device group.
For more information, contact the physics department at 936.294.1601.
Athletics Launches GoBearkats.com Redesign
The Athletic Department recently completed an 18-month process to redesign GoBearkats.com, the official website for SHSU athletics.
One of the new features of the site is an expanded presence of video content. Up to 12 videos can be featured at one time on the front page.
Expanded online ticketing features are also available with a "choose your seat" option and the ability to see a photo of the arena from that seat location. Also, a donor management feature will be added soon.
The department is in the process of extending its contract with web developer Neulion for an additional three years. SHSU first re-launched GoBearkats.com with Neulion in 2006 and immediately began taking advantage of the live video streaming and ticketing features. This new site will enhance those features.
Concert To Reunite Orchestra Alumni
The SHSU School of Music will celebrate 100 years of the SHSU Symphony Orchestra and 30 years of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra with a reunion concert on Saturday (Jan. 22).
The concert, the culmination of a weekend of events for alumni of both programs, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
The SHSU Symphony Orchestra and the Huntsville Youth Orchestra will perform works by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Johann Sebastian Bach.
“There will be three works in the last half of the concert that will be performed by the members of the SHSU Symphony Orchestra, all alumni who bring their instruments to the performance and all the students from the four different orchestras of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra,” said Carol Smith, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of music and artistic director for the HYO. “That is an exciting prospect!
“One of the Bach works, ‘Arioso,’ will be performed by HYO with HYO principal cellist Grayson Means—son of Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Means—as soloist with the orchestra,” Smith said. “Grayson's sister, Amanda, is the concertmistress of the orchestra.”
SHSU music and HYO alumnus Carlos Lara—director of orchestras for Klein Collins High School in Spring—also will play one of the solo parts, along with former SHSU violin professor Andrew Wilson.
Alumni guest conductors will include Michael Alexander, a faculty member at Baylor University’s School of Music who received his Master of Conducting degree at SHSU, and Bingiee Shiu, the first conductor of the HYO and the director of orchestras at Memorial High School in Houston. Shiu was also a graduate assistant to Smith, receiving his Master of Orchestral Conducting degree at SHSU.
Other guest alumni conductors include Bryan Buffaloe, the first undergraduate conductor of the HYO and director of orchestras at Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake, and Cathy Fishburn, the recently retired director of orchestras at Doerre Intermediate School in Klein ISD. Fishburn is the SHSU College of Education’s student teaching supervisor for SHSU orchestral student teaching students.
SHSU students who are conductors of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra and will be conducting the musical works performed by HYO include Katie Reeves, Lee Rivera and Brandon Cornett. Special guest conductor for the evening will be SHSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Payne.
"It is amazing in any community to celebrate these kinds of special anniversaries; it is remarkable in a community the size of ours,” Smith said. “That point just says so much about the kind of local community we have and the kind of faculty and students we have enjoyed at the university for so many years.
“It fosters such hope for the future to know that the people of our university and local community are committed and invested in the arts and understand how that investment broadens our cultural horizons, expands our educational backgrounds and, literally, changes our lives for the better,” she said. “This should never be underestimated in its worth to all of us.
"None of this would be possible without the support of Dr. Mike Bankhead, director of the School of Music; Dean Jaimie Hebert, from the College of Arts and Sciences; Nancy Gaernter, chairman of the board of HYO; and Dr. David Cole, director of the SHSU Symphony," she said.
A reception will follow the concert.
There is no cost to attend the performance; however, donations will be accepted.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Staff Pianist To Perform First Solo Recital At SHSU
Collaborative pianist Mieun Lee will help the SHSU School of Music kick off the spring semester with her first solo recital at SHSU on Thursday (Jan. 20).
“My Favorite Songs,” featuring works by classical musicians, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
The program will highlight some of Lee’s favorite pieces, including Ludwig van Beethoven's “Sonata op.110,” Frederic Chopin's “Scherzo op.31” and Robert Schumann's “Humoresque op.20.”
Lee, who has served as a staff pianist at SHSU since 2009, is the winner of several competitions, including the Wood Concerto Competition, the University of Texas Concerto Competition, Brevard Music Center Concerto Competition, and Sydney Wright Accompanying Competition.
Admission is free.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Fair To Help Students Find On-Campus Jobs
Career Services will offer students seeking employment in the new year choices from at least 13 different SHSU departments during the on-campus job fair on Thursday (Jan. 20).
Offices will be set up in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to discuss part-time student assistant positions they are currently seeking.
These include SHSU Athletics, Career Services, the health and kinesiology department, Residence Life, ARAMARK, Financial Aid, foreign languages, Public Safety Services, Recreational Sports, the Student Advising and Mentoring Center, the Houstonian, the University Hotel and the SHSU Writing Center. Others are anticipated to participate as well.
The Financial Aid office also will be there to offer student support.
On-campus jobs are beneficial to students because they offer great hours, a great working environment and flexible scheduling, according to Paige Loft, Career Services job fair and special events coordinator.
“A huge benefit that I don’t think people talk about enough, but it was important to me, is when I graduated and I started this job here, I already had longevity with the state (as a former student assistant),” she said. “It’s a state job, so if you go to work for any other state agency, you have longevity and vacation time accrued.
“We had 500 students attend the fair last time, so departments get very high visibility,” she said.
Students can log on to Jobs 4 Kats on the Career Services Web site to see which positions are available from each participating department. On the day of the event, students should bring a completed State of Texas application and a copy of their class schedule and are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes.
In addition, students can find out if they are eligible for the work-study program at the fair.
For more information, contact Career Services at 936.294.1713 or careerservices@shsu.edu.
Student Art On Display In Museum
Art works from 233 students in the Huntsville school district that competed for the chance to showcase at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are currently on display in the Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr., Education Center Exhibit Gallery.
The Huntsville ISD Western Art Show, scheduled through Jan. 25, highlights art by students awarded blue, red and white ribbons but were not selected for HLSR art competition, according to Jennifer Barnes, Huntsville High School art teacher and the district representative for the HLSR.
Works are judged by members of the School Art Committee from HLSR, comprised of retired and current teachers, professional artists, and those who work in the art industry.
The pieces judged best of shows, gold medal, and special merit are taken to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where they are on display for the duration of the 2011 rodeo.
“The high school winners will go on to be judged again at the Grand Prix judging and the top 50 picks will be auctioned off,” Barnes said. “Last year the top artwork was auctioned off for $190,000, which was the first year that an artwork outbid the steers! Artwork has become a huge draw at the auction.”
A closing public reception will be held for the Huntsville ISD Western Art Show on Jan. 25, from 5-6 p.m. in the education center.
“It is a time for the community to come and visit the show to support the children and art program of HISD,” Barnes said.
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum has been hosting the Western Art Show for the past seven years.
For more information, contact Megan Buro, museum marketing coordinator, at 936.294.3839.
Workshop To Inform Instructors About Campus Resources
Sam Houston State University faculty members are invited to attend a workshop to raise awareness of campus resources available to instructors.
“Innovative Instruction: Little Known Resources to Energize Your Teaching” will be held on Jan. 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 320.
Sponsored by the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence and the Newton Gresham Library, the workshop will include NGL bibliographers Susan Strickland and Erin Cassidy as speakers.
“The goal of the workshop is to make instructors aware of these resources on campus that they can use to energize their lectures or classroom activities.” said Marsha Harman, PACE director. “Instructors will be able to multitask; learn about the new resources and have lunch.”
Lunch will be provided for all who attend.
For more information, or to reserve a space, contact Harman at 936.294.2688 or harman@shsu.edu.
Students Sought For Annual Legislative Trip
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| Students who participated in the 2010 Student Legislative Trip had the opportunity to talk with Sen. Ken Armbrister, legislative director to the governor and an SHSU alumnus. |
The SHSU Student Activities Department is accepting applications for undergraduate and graduate students to be a part of their annual legislative trip to Austin.
Twelve participants will act as official representatives of the university, attending committee hearings and actual legislative and senate sessions. They also will meet their local representatives/senators, various state agency officials and executive branch representatives.
“This is the third year we’ve done this, and it’s such an amazing opportunity for students to further their communication and leadership skills, as well as become more educated on the inner workings of government," said Student Activities assistant director Brandon Cooper.
"For those 12 students who are selected it is a wonderful life experience, career builder and a chance to represent their university."
The trip will be held Feb. 22-23, departing Huntsville at about 2 p.m. and returning by 5 p.m. Letters of excuse will be written for classes, as necessary.
Applicants should provide a detailed description of trip expectations, how the experience will be utilized and implemented upon returning to SHSU, and a description of any extracurricular/community activities they are currently involved with. Students are also asked to describe how they will establish connections with other students and people during the trip.
One recommendation letter from an academic adviser, faculty member, department head or college dean is also required.
Applications are available in the Student Activities Office, in Lowman Student Center Suite 328, or online at http://www.shsu.edu/~slo_sad/v2/. The deadline is Feb. 4.
“The Student Leadership Trip to Austin was a lot of fun,” said junior political science major Mariel Kanene, who attended last year. “I was allowed the opportunity to develop lasting friendships with other student leaders on campus, as well as meeting and listening to lawmakers give us insight on issues such as the upcoming state budget cuts, that will be directly affecting students.”
For more information, contact Cooper at brandon@shsu.edu or 936.294.3861.
Calendar Information Sought For Spring
The University Communications Office is currently collecting information on campus events for its spring calendar pages.
Send your departmental calendars or events to today@sam.edu or jenniferg@shsu.edu, or by fax to 294.1834. Please include the date, location and time of the event, as well as a brief description and a contact person.
Information collected for the Today@Sam calendar pages, at /calendars/, is used by various media outlets, as well as our own office for news stories and releases.
It is requested that information be sent to the office (to Julia, Jennifer or through the e-mail link on Today@Sam) a minimum of a full week in advance in order to make necessary contacts and write a story.
For more information, call 936.294.1836.
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
Jan. 14, 2011
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.
