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SHSU Update For Week Of Oct. 30
- Beto Lecture To Take Racialized Look At Crime
- Presentation To Examine Educator’s Various ‘Journeys’
- Physics Professor To Share Benefits Of ‘Pure’ Research
- Biology Seminar To Focus on Amphibian Parasites
- ‘Bare’ To Take Revealing Look At Identity Formation
- TLC Star To Explore ‘Extreme Couponing’ With SHSU
- Festival To Showcase Faculty, Guest Musicians
- Fair To Provide Central Location For ‘Exploring Majors’
- Celebration To Recognize Spanish Day Of Dead
- CJ Plans Study Abroad Trips To Italy, China, UK
- Center Gets ‘Outstanding’ Recognition
- Barragan Earns Global Business Professional Credential
- October Staff Council Spotlight: Justin Vick
- Today@Sam Submission Guidelines Change
Beto Lecture To Take Racialized Look At Crime
Two experts on the relationship between race and crime will present "A Theory of African American Offending" on Friday (Nov. 4) as part of the College of Criminal Justice’s Beto Chair Lecture series.
James D. Unnever, criminology professor at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, and Shaun L. Gabbidon, distinguished professor of criminal justice at Penn State University, Harrisburg, will speak at 9:30 a.m. in the Kerper Courtroom.
Unnever's research generally examines the relationships among race, racism, and crime. His latest research focuses on whether racial and ethnic intolerance predicts punitive attitudes cross-nationally, factors related to whether the public wants to "get tough" on corporate crime, and the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and delinquency.
His most recent publications investigate the racial divide in support for capital punishment, progressive religious beliefs and support for the death penalty, the relationship between religious affiliation and punitiveness, Colvin’s differential theory, the relationships among ADHD, low self-control, and bullying and criminal behavior.
Gabbidon has served as a fellow at Harvard University’s W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research and has taught at the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
The author of more than 100 scholarly publications including more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and 11 books, his most recent books include “Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Justice: An International Dilemma,” “Criminological Perspectives on Race and Crime,” and “A Theory of African American Offending.”
Gabbidon currently serves as the editor of the new SAGE journal “Race and Justice: An International Journal.”
The recipient of numerous awards, Gabbidon was most recently awarded the 2009 W. E. B. Du Bois Award from the Western Society of Criminology and the 2011 Outstanding Mentor Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
For more information, contact Beth Kuhles, CJ public relations officer, at 936.294.4425.
Presentation To Examine Educator’s Various ‘Journeys’
Walter Lewis, education assistant professor at the University of Evansville in Indiana, will display the “Road Signs” students should look out for in their life journeys on Monday (Oct. 31).
The Honors 3332 Journeys Seminar will begin at 4 p.m. in Smith-Hutson Building Room 186.
For his presentation, Lewis plans to relate a senior citizen's “look back at some of the principles which I believe have guided my life.
“Young and eager undergraduates are generally looking for direction and are interested in what has worked for others,” he said. “I will share some of the simple but important ‘road signs’ that they might choose to observe as they make their way along life's ‘journey.’”
Lewis’s personal journey has led to a career that has taken varied paths, from TV announcer to oil field worker, to lead singer in a rock-a-billy band and a racetrack worker.
“I am a retired lieutenant colonel from the Army Reserve, a retired high school principal, a former policeman, and I currently am an assistant professor of education at the University of Evansville,” he said.
Lewis, who also directs the University of Evansville’s student teaching program, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and his master’s degree from the University of Evansville, both through the GI Bill program.
He served 10 years in the active US Air Force and US Army and retired as a decorated lieutenant colonel from the US Army Reserve.
As an educator in various capacities for 35 years in Indiana’s public schools, he was named Indiana’s “Principal of the Year” in l993 before retiring in 2000.
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.
Physics Professor To Share Benefits Of ‘Pure’ Research
Over the summer, two events occurred that “broke the hearts of space enthusiasts:” the outright cancellation of the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, by Congress and the last launch of the Space Shuttle, according to physics professor Renee James.
“In the comments section on a news story about the last shuttle launch was this cynical question: ‘What do they plan on doing up there, anyway? Can they cure cancer?’” James said. “This made me realize just how little people understand about the process of scientific creativity and its capacity to spill over in unexpected ways.”
James will address this, telling people “Why You Should Give a Rat's @*$ About Pure Science Research” on Wednesday (Nov. 2).
The presentation will begin at 2 p.m. in Farrington Building Room 105.
“Lots of people seem to think that we should just take those degreed folks and force them to focus on the ‘practical’ problems of society, as though you could channel a passion for astronomy into social work,” James said. “But science is always working behind the scenes, as it were. Surprising discoveries made in researching something seemingly impractical have changed our lives.”
An example of this is occurred in the 1970s, when a failed search for theoretical objects resulted in a technology that is inside every single WiFi device on Earth.
“Scientifically this venture was a bust, but it's now an integral part of a $70 billion/year industry,” she said. “Another example that I'll talk about is that the attempt to understand how radiation flows through the layers of the sun has resulted in an effective cancer treatment, one that cancer researchers would likely never have hit upon independently.”
James said her presentation will draw from materials that will be in an upcoming article and book she has written, and she hopes to demonstrate that science research isn’t as expensive as it seems.
For more information on the lecture, contact James at phy_crj@shsu.edu or 936.294.4888.
Biology Seminar To Focus on Amphibian Parasites
Matthew Bolek, assistant professor of zoology at Oklahoma State University—Stillwater, will explain “How Frogs Get Their Worms” on Thursday (Nov. 3).
The Biological Sciences Department Seminar Series presentation will begin at 4 p.m. in Lee Drain Building Room 214.
Bolek’s discussion will focus on his work in parasite transmission ecology.
“We study the ecology and how parasites which have complex life cycles (use multiple hosts) move through the environment and successive hosts,” he said. “I will be using amphibian and insect parasites as model systems to examine how parasites distribute themselves among their hosts in nature.”
Bolke has taught at Oklahoma State since 2008. He previously taught at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Carroll College, his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and his doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also completed post-doctoral work.
The lecture is open to the public.
For more information, contact Madhu Choudhary, assistant professor of biological sciences, at 936.294.4850.
‘Bare’ To Take Revealing Look At Identity Formation
The Sam Houston State University theatre and dance department will explore finding one’s identity in the midst of a judging society with its presentation of “bare,” Wednesday through Saturday (Nov. 2-5).
Show times for the play, based on the book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, are at 8 p.m. each evening, with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee, in the University Theatre Center's Erica Starr Theatre.
“bare” follows a group of high school students in their struggle to find their own identity among their peers, parents and a church that sits in judgment.
Jason (Brandon Whitley), Saint Cecelia’s golden boy, is a graduating senior who finds himself caught between the tenets of his faith, the expectations of his family and the yearnings of his heart. Led to believe his relationship with his best friend Peter (Seth Cunningham) is wrong, Jason attempts to rewire his life by entering into a relationship with Ivy (Yliana Arredondo).
The play also stars Blair Carrizales, as Jason’s twin sister Nadia; Tyler Lewis, as Matt; and Michelle Ritter, as Sister Chantelle.
The cast also includes musical theatre majors Josef Anderson (Lucas), Melissa Molano (Diane), Cameron Davis (Rory), Thomas Williams (Zack), Caleb White (Alan), Kelley Peters (Claire), Dillon Wright (Priest). Ensemble members include musical theatre majors, Julia Green, Katie Porterfield, Ryan Smith, Rachel Studdard and Amanda Zaeske, as well as theatre majors Katy Butler (Tanya), Eboni Bell (Kyra), Gustavo Gomez, Nicholas Levingston and Richard McKinney.
“bare” is directed by SHSU theatre department chair Penny Hasekoester, with musical direction by SHSU theatre faculty member Jacob Carr. The choreography is by SHSU dance faculty member Jonathan Charles.
Senior theatre major Kelsey Sapp is stage manager and senior theatre major Jeff Lindquist is set designer. SHSU theatre faculty member, Eric Marsh, is designing the lights.
Tickets are $17 for general admission and $15 for SHSU students and senior citizens.
The show contains adult content and language; therefore, children under the age of three will not be admitted.
For more information, call the University Theatre Center Box Office at 936. 294.1339.
TLC Star To Explore ‘Extreme Couponing’ With SHSU
The Student Money Management Center and TLC’s Tiffany Ivanovsky will teach students how to “coupon” like a pro on Tuesday (Nov. 1).
"Extreme Couponing with Tiffany Ivanovsky" will be held from 6-8 p.m. in College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building Room C090.
The program, based on the TLC hit show by the same name, will show students the basics of couponing and provide tips on finding the best deals.
“The SMMC is always trying to educate the SHSU community on basic money management, and this includes savings,” said Jessica Correll, SMMC peer counselor. “Everyone needs to purchase groceries, cleaning supplies, and other daily necessities. These costs can take a large chunk out of anyone’s budget.”
This program, Correll said, will “bring a little fun and pop culture into this semester.
“Couponing has become this craze amongst college students and adults alike,” she said. “No longer do only older people cut coupons.”
The event is open to members of both the SHSU and Huntsville communities. However, tickets are required and can be obtained online at http://www.shsu.edu/~smmc/ExtremeCouponingTiffany.html. Registration will not be allowed at the door.
Free snacks and drinks will be provided.
For more information, contact the Student Money Management Center at 936.294.2600 or smmc@shsu.edu.
Festival To Showcase Faculty, Guest Musicians
The SHSU School of Music will present three consecutive days of concerts and workshops with guest artists and music faculty members during the 2011 Festival of Strings Saturday through Monday (Nov. 5-7).
The SHSU Symphony Orchestra will tune up festival activities on Saturday (Nov. 5), at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
On Sunday (Nov. 6), guest violinist Ferenc Illenyi and pianist Scott Holhauser will present a “Crossing Over Music Styles” lecture and workshop beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the PAC Recital Hall, followed by a guest artist recital at 2 p.m. in the Recital Hall.
A native of Hungary, where his first teacher was his father, Illenyi made his debut in Budapest performing the Beethoven and Tchaikovsky violin concertos. He has performed recitals in Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the United States and has recorded works for Hungarian radio and television.
He has a master’s degree in music from the Liszt Music Academy in Budapest and has done graduate work at the Banff Center in Alberta, Canada; the University of Notre Dame; Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music; and the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music.
Illenyi has been a member of the Houston Symphony since 1991.
A principal keyboardist with the Houston Symphony, Holshouser has been a member of the orchestra since 1980.
He began his musical training in Athens, Ga., and attended Florida State University before moving to Houston to continue his studies at the University of Houston.
He is also a member of the faculty at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music.
Later that afternoon, cellist Serafim Smigelskiy and pianist Anna Smigelskaya will present a “Guest Young Artist Recital,” beginning at 4 p.m. in the PAC Recital Hall.
Finally, the SHSU music faculty will present a chamber recital on Monday (Nov. 7). The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.
Tickets to the Symphony Orchestra Concert are $17 for general admission and $14 for SHSU students and senior citizens. All other festival performances and workshops are free.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Fair To Provide Central Location For ‘Exploring Majors’
SHSU’s Career Services will aid students in need of help making a major college decision—selecting a field of study—on Tuesday (Nov. 1).
The Exploring Majors Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
The event will allow students seeking a major to speak to representatives from more than 30 academic departments, as well as academic advising staff about choices of majors, in one central location and in a casual atmosphere, according to 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, and to register for some great door prizes to be awarded after the fair,” she said.
The Honors College, McNair Scholars Program and Project CONNECT will be available to talk about their programs as well.
The event is cosponsored by the Student Success Initiatives Office.
For more information, contact Career Services at 936.294.1713.
Celebration To Recognize Spanish Day Of Dead
The foreign languages department will present student arts and crafts and give students an “altar” upon which they can make offerings to the “souls” of loved ones no longer on Earth during their “El Dia de los Muertos,” the “Day of the Dead,” celebration on Wednesday (Nov. 2).
The event will begin at noon on the third floor of Academic Building IV.
“The ‘Day of the Dead’ is a holiday celebrated in Mexico, but it is known in a lot of different countries as of late,” said Spanish pool faculty member Silvia Huntsman. “It is also important in Texas because of the large population of Mexican origin.
“This celebration takes place Oct. 31 through Nov. 3,” she said. “It combines the indigenous traditions of the 'dead', and the Christian tradition of the day of All Saints (Nov. 1).”
During the event, the faculty members from the department will discuss the basic elements of the traditional “altar,” which is a way to welcome the 'souls' of the dead, according to Huntsman.
Pan de Muerto (“bread of the dead”) will also be served.
For more information, contact the foreign languages department at 936.294.1441.
CJ Plans Study Abroad Trips To Italy, China, UK
Students taking classes in SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice will have a world full of opportunities to study abroad, with programs scheduled for four countries next summer.
Faculty will lead trips to Italy, China, and Scotland/England to provide a firsthand look at the current and historical operations of law enforcement and corrections in these countries, according to Amanda Burris, administrative assistant for international/study abroad programs.
Students will earn three credit hours during these trips, which will allow them to interact with criminal justice professionals and see some of the top tourist attractions.
The trip to Italy with Will Oliver will be held from May 14-26. Travel will include Rome, the Vatican, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and a day trip to Venice, with visits to the crime museum in Rome, the Coliseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
The cost of the trip is $2,250 and includes airfare, in-country travel, lodging, museum entry and most meals.
The trip to China, led by Ling Ren, also will be held from May 14-26. This trip will provide CJ students with an overview of China’s law enforcement system and will explore historical and contemporary policing issues by exchanges with police cadets, interaction with police professionals, and visits to major and local police departments.
The course will introduce the students to Chinese culture, customs, and cuisine and travel to a number of sites in Hangzhou and Shanghai.
The cost is $1,500 and includes visa application fees, lodging, in-country transportation, museum entries, and most meals.
The United Kingdom trip will be led by Mitchel Roth. Travel will include tours/visits to prisons such as Wandsworth and Pentonville, the oldest working British prison; museums; the Tower of London; Parliament; and Old Bailey. Students will visit Bramshill Police College and also interact with police officials, probation officers, and other criminal justice professionals.
The cost of the trip is $2,450 and includes in-country travel, lodging, entry fees and some meals.
Tuition and airfare are not included in these prices. Scholarships are available through the Office of International Programs at http://www.shsu.edu/~int_www/scholarships/.
To reserve a seat in a CJ study abroad program, students must complete an application at http://www.cjcenter.org/resources/forms.html#abroad and submit a non-refundable $100 deposit by April 1.
Center Gets ‘Outstanding’ Recognition
Sam Houston State University’s Student Money Management Center has been recognized as “outstanding” by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.
The center will be formally presented the 2011 AFCPE “Outstanding Financial Counseling and/or Planning Center” award on Nov. 18 during a conference at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville—Riverfront Hotel, in Jacksonville, Fla.
The “Outstanding Financial Counseling and/or Planning Center ” award “highlights a financial counseling or planning center that has demonstrated its effectiveness in its local community,” according to the AFCPE.
The center should be responsive to target audience needs and materials and delivery must be appropriate for the audience, the award description says.
“AFCPE is really the gold standard in financial education and planning. This organization is the overarching umbrella for not only centers such as ours at a university level, but all financial education organizations such as Consumer Credit Counseling Services, the United States Military, and Extension Services,” said Jacki Brossman-Ashorn, Student Money Management Center director.
“This award means that SHSU has an outstanding financial education program that is now nationally recognized,” she said. “It means that we are leading the way and setting a standard by which all financial education can emulate.
SHSU’s Student Money Management Center offers financial literacy outreach to students in the form of e-learning modules, webinars and podcasts, seminars, workshops, special events, collaborative classroom presentations, campus radio and television segments, and one-on-one professional and peer counseling.
The center also works with underprivileged, low-income and first generation college students through their collaboration with SHSU’s Project Connect and TRIO, federally funded programs through the Department of Education that provide services designed to assist these students in their pursuit of higher education, according to Brossman.
“The SMMC provides the financial literacy component to their learning and has helped students from this program become financially stable and able to stay in school to complete their degree,” she said.
Barragan Earns Global Business Professional Credential
Bob Barragan, director of the Sam Houston State University Small Business Development Center, has been notified that he has passed the exam for the Certified Global Business Professional credential.
The exam is administered by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators International. The credential is recognized globally for people who work in all areas related to international trade.
Barragan has served as director of the SBDC since 1992. He provides free and confidential service to small businesses in eight counties in East Texas.
He is an adjunct faculty member for the College of Business Administration in the department of management and marketing at SHSU and teaches classes in small business management.
He serves on the advisory boards of the Huntsville Main Street Program, is an ex-officio member of the Huntsville/Walker County Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the City of Huntsville Economic Development Committee. He is also a member of the Houston-Galveston Area Council Loan Committee and the University of Houston Small Business Development Center Malcolm Baldridge Strategic Planning Committee.
Barragan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wichita State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.
October Staff Council Spotlight: Justin Vick
Student Advising and Mentoring Center administrative assistant Justin Vick was recently recognized by the SHSU Staff Council as their spotlight selection for October.
Vick is an SHSU alumnus with a Master of Education degree in instructional leadership. He also holds an academic advising certificate.
He has been with the university for over 10 years, starting first as a student worker with the Registrar’s Office before being promoted several times there.
He is married to Teresa Vick, who works in the Dean of Students’ Office, and has two stepsons, Taylor, 10, and Gaven, 7.
The Staff Council's "Spotlight on Staff" award is given monthly to a university employee as a way to learn about other staff members and to recognize and show appreciation for the work he/she does for the university.
Staff members are randomly selected by the council's public relations committee and are surprised with a certificate of appreciation and a basket of SHSU items, gift certificates and homemade goods.
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. 28, 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.
