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SHSU Update For Week Of Oct. 9
- Marine Biologist To Present Seminar Lecture
- Seminar To Explore ‘What They Were Thinking’
- Teacher Job Fair Attracts 43 Schools
- SHSU Teams Sought For Walker County Heart Walk
- Sculptor To Give Archaeology Presentation Wednesday
- Conference To Address Infant Syndromes
- ‘Coach Of The Year’ Voting Still Open, Fritz In Third
- Literacy Methods, Special Ed Blocks Open Monday
- SHSU To Auction Property Oct. 15
- International Program Ties College, Costa Rica
- Today@Sam Submission Guidelines Change
Marine Biologist To Present Seminar Lecture
Joel Trexler, professor of biological sciences and director of the marine science program at Florida International University in Miami, will present the SHSU Biological Sciences Department Seminar Series lecture on Thursday (Oct. 13).
The lecture will begin at 4 p.m. in Lee Drain Building Room 214.
Trexler’s seminar will focus on research conducted by his laboratory on the ecology of aquatic animals living in the Florida Everglades.
“The work is conducted to support efforts to evaluate restoration of that ecosystem by analysis of aquatic animals that are sensitive to water-level fluctuation and water quality and that are the primary food of wading birds,” he said. “I will be talking about several studies of spatial ecology of aquatic communities, including analysis of fish movement in response to water level fluctuation and how this affects persistence of ecological relationships over time.”
Trexler earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida State University.
He has been teaching at FIU since 1991 and became director for the university’s marine science program in 2009. He previously taught at the University of Mississippi and Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The presentation is open to the public.
For more information, contact Madhu Choudhary, assistant professor of biological sciences, at 936.294.4850.
Seminar To Explore ‘What They Were Thinking’
Chris Bell, a professor of geology at the University of Texas, will ask “What Were They Thinking” on Monday (Oct. 10), during the Honors 3332 Journeys Seminar.
Bell will discuss aspects of his personal journey, including how and why he ended up where he is now, at 4 p.m. in Smith-Hutson Building Room 186.
“I understand that I’m the only scientist visiting the course, so I plan to talk a little bit about my interests in science and nature as a child, the near-elimination of that interest resulting from courses in high school and university education, and my rediscovery of, and happiness in, science as a career,” he said. “I anticipate that most of my time will be spent in open-forum discussion with the students through a question-answer session.”
Born in Georgia and raised in Virginia and North Carolina, Bell earned his bachelor’s degree in geology and anthropology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, his master’s degree in quaternary studies from Northern Arizona University, and his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley.
He joined the geological sciences faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in 1997.
Bell has conducted field-based research in zoology and paleontology in Nevada, Arizona, North Dakota, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Venezuela, Holland and Australia.
His current projects include the investigation of evolutionary morphology among agamid lizards from Australia and research on the impact of 20th-century wars, especially World War II, on the study of natural history, zoology and paleontology.
His lecture, sponsored by the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College, is part of a new class designed to show students what characteristics lead to success.
It is open to the public.
For more information, contact instructor Patrick Lewis at 936.294.3397.
Teacher Job Fair Attracts 43 Schools
Representatives from approximately 43 schools and school districts will be talking to potential employees during the Fall Teacher Job Fair on Wednesday (Oct. 12).
The fair, open to all students and alumni, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Recruiters from districts from Texas’ metropolitan areas, as well as smaller school districts and a few private schools, will be available, including Bryan, College Station, Conroe, Galena Park, Garland, Houston and Pasadena, among many others.
In addition, agencies such as the GETCAP Head Start, the Peace Corps, the Consulate General of Japan, and Education Service Center Regions 4 and 6 will be available to discuss other employment possibilities.
Because statewide budget cuts have made a significant impact on school districts and the hiring of new educators in particular, this year’s job fair is especially beneficial to students and alumni looking to enter the field, according to Career Services director Pam Laughlin.
“Although the number of ISDs attending this fall’s Teacher Job Fair is about 30 percent less than last fall, and 46 percent less than before the nation’s economic downturn three years ago, these school districts are hiring, and that they continue to seek out our quality teacher candidates speaks volumes about the outstanding reputation our SHSU College of Education and teacher preparation program has among school district personnel administrators across the state,” she said.
“In a meeting with these recruiters this summer I had one ISD representative state that they had reduced the number of job fairs they now attend from 200 to 30,” Laughlin said. “That that ISD will be attending our job fair next week is a testimony to the value of a teaching certificate earned from SHSU."
Students are encouraged to bring copies of resumes and dress professionally.
For more information, contact Career Services at 936.294.1713 or careerservices@shsu.edu, or to see a complete list of participating school districts, visit the Jobs 4 Kats Web site at https://www.myinterfase.com/shsu/student/.
SHSU Teams Sought For Walker County Heart Walk
The Huntsville community will take one step at a time to reach its $25,000 goal for this year’s Walker County Heart Walk on Nov. 19.
The three-mile Heart Walk, sponsored by the American Heart Association, will begin at 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. at Bowers Stadium, on the SHSU campus.
The Walker County Heart Walk is a fund-raising activity in which community members can earn prizes based on the amount of money raised. All proceeds benefit the AHA.
Participants can walk individually or as a group. Teams are currently being formed for this year’s event, and Sam Houston State University currently has no groups signed up to participate, according to event chairman Heath Clark.
“We would like to have at least five teams from SHSU if possible. They can be departments, organizations, friends, etc.,” he said. “There is no max limit on how many teams y'all can have. We are trying for 25 teams this year with a goal of $25,000.”
Sam Houston State University students, faculty or staff members who would like to participate in this year’s event or as a team, should contact Clark at hac001@shsu.edu, at his work at 936.291.0051 or on his cell phone at 979.777.3128, and he will give them a captain’s packet.
Teams can register and individuals can join teams at www.walkercountyheartwalk.org.
“Heart disease is this country’s No. 1 killer, but by exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk. That’s what the American Heart Association’s ‘Start! Movement’ is all about: Walk more. Eat better. Live a longer, healthier life,” Clark said.
“The American Heart Association is able to raise millions of dollars each year to fund research and educational programs nationwide to help keep our family, friends, and neighbors heart healthy,” he said.
For the event, sponsorships are still available at five levels: the “Platinum Heart Sponsor,” for $2,500; the “Gold Heart Sponsor,” for $1,500; the “Silver Heart Sponsor,” for $1,000; the “Bronze Heart Sponsor,” for $500; and the “Big Heart Sponsor,” for $350.
Vendors may rent areas for $25.
For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.walkercountyheartwalk.org.
Sculptor To Give Archaeology Presentation Wednesday
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum will participate in the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Archeology Month celebration by hosting an evening presentation with forensic sculptor and artist Amanda Danning on Wednesday (Oct. 12).
A reception for the “Face To Face With The Son Of America” will begin at 6:30 p.m. that day, followed by Danning’s presentation at 7 p.m., in the Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr., Education Center.
Renowned forensic sculptor and consultant for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., Danning will introduce the “Son of America,” also known as SAM, one of the two most important anthropological finds in North America in the last century.
Discovered buried in a cave near the Brazos River in Central Texas, SAM is estimated to be about 10,000 years old and is not related to Native Americans of today, according to museum marketing coordinator Megan Buro.
Danning will recount the story of how SAM was discovered, describe her forensic sculpting technique, and explain the significance of the trove of artifacts that were found buried with him.
The Walker Education Center is located at 1402 19th St.
The Texas Historical Commission sets aside the month of October as Archeology Month in Texas to celebrate the state’s archeological heritage.
According to the Texas Historical Commission’s website, this gives Texans an opportunity to learn about their heritage, the historical significance of the state’s archeological sites, the importance of appropriate archeological practices, and the contributions made by professional and avocational archeologists.
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum has hosted archeology speakers and an archeology fair for Huntsville Independent School District fourth graders since 2003 as part of the Texas Archeology Month activities sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission. Sandra Rogers, museum collections registar at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, coordinates the event.
For more information, contact the museum at 936.294.1832 or visit www.samhouston.memorial.museum.
Conference To Address Infant Syndromes
The Sam Houston Association for the Education of Young Children will recognize the growing need for information on Sudden Infant Death and Shaken Baby syndromes during their Fall 2011 Conference on Health, Safety & Nutrition for the Young Child on Oct. 22.
The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the Teacher Education Center.
The event will include a keynote lecture on how SIDs and Shaken Baby Syndrome can be prevented and reduced by Conrad Gonzalez, the chief executive officer of S.A.F.E. Familia and retired San Antonio firefighter, who has a CD of safety songs for children and does safety presentations for schools, according to conference chair and SHAYEC vice president Miki Henderson, an assistant professor of early childhood education.
The conference will also include seven sessions taught by various experts in health, safety and nutrition for young children.
“There have been several recent news stories about children suffering from Shaken Baby Syndrome because of something that happened in daycare,” Henderson said. “Also, there have been other health and safety issues brought up with regards to local childcare.
“We actually had an issue in the news about a local daycare center here in Huntsville a few months ago,” she said. “That is what prompted us to choose this theme.”
The cost of the event, which is open to the public but is specifically designed for childcare providers and teachers, is $15 for students and $30 for other participants.
For more information, contact Henderson at 936.294.4638 or cmh055@shsu.edu or Diana Nabors at 936.294.3950 or lls_dkn@shsu.edu.
‘Coach Of The Year’ Voting Still Open, Fritz In Third
Voting is still open for the Liberty Mutual the Division-1 Football Championship Subdivision “Coach of the Year,” and SHSU’s head coach Willie Fritz is now in third place.
Fritz has accrued 2,766 votes as of Friday morning, behind the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Russ Huesman and Georgia Southern coach Jeff Monken.
Bearkat football fans can show their support for head coach Willie Fritz online at http://www.coachoftheyear.com/Coaches/Leaderboard.aspx#fbid=Yn23DdXOU5h.
The Alumni Association that garners the most support in their division will earn a $10,000 Alumni Rally Award grant.
Literacy Methods, Special Ed Blocks Open Monday
Literacy methods and special education block applications for Interdisciplinary Studies students will be open from Oct. 10-28 for the spring semester.
“Students should apply even if they are pending eligibility; however they will not be placed until they have met all the educator preparation program admission criteria,” said language, literacy and special populations department secretary Randi Clower.
Students should check their educator preparation program status on their TK-20 homepage and complete any lacking requirements prior to placement.
Qualifications and instructions for applying in TK-20 are available on the LLSP website at http://www.shsu.edu/~edu_lls/literacyblock.html.
For more information, contact Clower at 936.294.1108 or elc_rxc@shsu.edu.
SHSU To Auction Property Oct. 15
SHSU will host a public auction on Saturday (Oct. 15) beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the property warehouse in the Sam South Complex, at 2424 Sam Houston Ave.
Items will be sold, “as is, where is,” piece by piece or in lots to the highest bidder.
Some auction items include televisions, VCRs, couches, bicycles, desks, air conditioners, dressers, and copiers, among others.
In addition, a 1988 Chevrolet half-ton pickup, a 1991 Ford half-ton pickup and a 1992 Ford Ranger pickup will be auctioned off.
Vehicles can be removed the day of the sale if paid by cash, or check with original current bank letter of credit guaranteeing payment. Otherwise, vehicles will be held for 10 working days to allow check clearance.
Cash or checks will be accepted with proper identification.
All items, except vehicles, must be removed after the sale until 2 p.m. or 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. the following week.
Sale items will be available for viewing on Friday (Oct. 14) from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m., as well as from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on the day of the auction.
For more information, call property coordinator Wayne Frosch at 936.294.1903 or 936.294.1908.
International Program Ties College, Costa Rica
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| College of Education Dean Genevieve Brown and associate dean Beverly Irby welcomed Marta Blanco, the executive director of the Costa Rica Multilingual Foundation to campus last week. —Photo by Brian Blalock |
Sam Houston State University’s College of Education is taking its mission internationally with a grant supported by the Interamerican Development Bank, Costa Rica USA Foundation, and Costa Rica Mulitlingual Foundation.
The project, for which COE associate dean for graduate programs and Texas State University System Regents' Professor Beverly Irby is the principal investigator, is testing the technology-assisted English-language learning under a longitudinal study of elementary students in Costa Rica.
Last week, Marta Blanco, the executive director of the Costa Rica Multilingual Foundation, visited with COE Dean Genevieve Brown and Irby regarding educational research in Costa Rica.
“A qualitative study across Costa Rica also is underway with English language teachers to determine their perceptions of ‘what works’ in their classrooms for teaching English as a foreign language,” Irby said. “We, as researchers on the project, are encouraging the promotion of English as a full second language.
“That concept was promoted through the former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Oscar Arias-Sanchez, when he supported the formation of the Costa Rica Mulitilingual Foundation which is housed at the Casa Presidencial (Presidental Palace) and which continues to be supported through the current Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla,” she said.
Irby and Brown also have visited with the Costa Rican Minister of Education Leo Garnier to review preliminary project results.
Doctoral students from the Center for Research in Educational Leadership and the Center for Research in Counselor Education also had an audience with Blanco and Garnier during their research internship in San Jose, Costa Rica, in June 2011.
While Blanco was visiting SHSU, she also visited two prison units and to learn about the prison school system and services.
“She indicated that she desires to create such educational programs in Costa Rica, particularly as they relate to language development,” Irby said.
Today@Sam Submission Guidelines Change
In order to assist members of the Sam Houston State University community in publicizing events, the SHSU Communications Office (Today@Sam) is now requesting that students, faculty and staff submit information about events, accomplishments or ideas for feature stories online.
Submission criteria and guidelines, including deadlines, have now been placed online, at /guidelines.html. This information is also accessible through the “Submissions” link in the right-hand navigation on Today@Sam.
From there, those submitting ideas can access forms that will allow them to provide detailed information about their idea, as well as attach event calendars, vitas/resumes or photos, depending on the type of submission.
Ideas submitted to the SHSU Communications Office are directly utilized in several ways: as news stories, “slider” or SHSU home page stories, hometown releases, and on the Today@Sam calendar.
If your submission qualifies for distribution, we will either contact you for more detailed information, or we will edit the information using SHSU/journalistic style and forward the final release to the appropriate media.
All information is verified before release, so please provide complete, accurate and timely information. Please type all responses in appropriate upper and lower cases.
For more information, contact the Communications Office at 936.294.1836 or today@sam.edu.
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SHSU Media Contacts: Julia May, Jennifer Gauntt
Oct. 7, 2011
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office
Director: TBD
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.
