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SHSU Update For Week Of Sept. 4
- March To Raise Awareness, Money For Local Warriors
- Professor To Give Biology Seminar
- SHSU To Host Sept. 11 Memorial
- Professional Chamber Ensemble To Perform At SHSU
- Kat Klub To Host Gaming Tournaments
- SAM Center To Give Study Tips
- Fall Graduation Applications Due Sept. 20
- German Professor To Investigate Authenticity Of Rune
- Today@Sam Seeks Calendar Info
- Send Update Items Here
March To Raise Awareness, Money For Local Warriors
After a successful inaugural event, Sam Houston State University will help military servicemen and women “carry the load” during its second five-mile Military Ruck March on Sept. 24.
The five-mile foot march is in commemoration and to bring attention to the physical, mental, and emotional "load" that military/ veterans and our civil service brethren carry daily, according to Jacob Bullion, Veterans Success at Sam recruiting coordinator.
“Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, thousands of Americans have borne the burden of fighting and dying in multiple theaters of war as well as those civil service men and women that bear the brunt on the lines here at home keeping us safe,” he said. “This is a march to commemorate both the efforts of those still serving, those whom have served, and for those that never came home.”
The competitive march will begin at 8 a.m. at the southwest corner of the West Hill Mall parking lot. The deadline for mail-in registration is Friday (Sept. 9), but registration will also be held on the day of the event, beginning at 6 a.m.
Participants can enter the event individually or as a team. Prizes will be awarded in 18 categories, with divisions for military personnel carrying 45 and 60 pound rucksacks, civilian and individuals.
The cost to participate is $100 per military team of four, or $25 per military individual, carrying a 45-pound sack; $60 per military team of two, or $30 per military individual, carrying a 60-pound sack; $80 per civilian team of four, or $20 per individual; and $15 per individual civilian or military personnel carrying no rucksack.
"I hope that this year we meet or exceed the turnout that we had last year,” Bullion said. “Last year we had around 400 people show up and it turned out to be an outstanding event that raised a nice amount of funds for an extremely worthy cause."
All proceeds benefit the the Huntsville Police Officers Association, Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department, and the Warrior and Family Support Center (Brooke Army Medical Center) as an overall combined effort with the Walker County Wounded Warriors.
“This year it has truly become a community effort as several local individuals, community organizations and businesses have donated time and funding,” Bullion said.
For more information, or for registration forms, visit http://www.shsu.edu/~reg_www/veterans.html and click on the W&FSC Ruck March link, contact Bullion at 936.294.4079, or stop by the Veterans Success at Sam office, in Estill Building Room 104.
Professor To Give Biology Seminar
Yun-Xin Fu, the Betty Wheless Trotter Professor in the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health, will present his work on “Coalescent and germline mutational pattern in Drosophila melanogaster” on Thursday (Sept. 8).
The Biological Sciences Department Seminar Series lecture will begin at 4 p.m. in Lee Drain Building Room 214.
One of the leading population geneticists, Fu’s research interests span over many organisms, including human, according to Madhu Choudhary, SHSU assistant professor of biological sciences.
“The main focus of his research is to apply mathematical and statistical approaches in genetics, such as human genome diversity, coalescent theory and its applications, evolution of infectious disease, phylogenetic reconstruction and molecular evolution, and comparative genomics and functional genomics,” Choudhary said.
Fu received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics from Zhongshan University in China and his doctorate in statistics from Reading University in England.
He carried out his post-doctoral work in Wen-Hsiung Li’s laboratory at University of Texas at Houston, where he joined as a faculty in 1991 and promoted to full professor in 2001.
Fu has authored more than 100 research publications, and currently serves as an associated editor of “Molecular Biology and Evolution, and Genetics.”
The lecture is open to the public.
For more information, contact Choudhary at 936.294.4850.
SHSU To Host Sept. 11 Memorial
On Sept. 11, 2001, many Americans witnessed something that had never happened in their lifetimes: a large-scale attack by a foreign entity on American soil.
As the 10th anniversary of the attack that changed the country approaches, Sam Houston State University will commemorate the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including responders, in the four airplane crashes.
The event—which will include the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the University Police Department, the Huntsville Police Department, the Huntsville Fire Department, Walker County Constable’s Office, Emergency Medical Services, and the Department of Public Safety—will be held on Friday, Sept. 9, from 9:45-10:10 a.m. in Bearkat Plaza.
“We wanted to host the event on Sept. 9 instead of the actual date because we want people to remember the event throughout their weekend and to give special recognition on Sept. 11,” said Maggie Collum, director for university events. “This event has touched the lives of all Americans, and we don’t want to take away from the memorial services that will be held all over the nation on Sept. 11, but instead we want it to begin a weekend of remembrance.”
SHSU’s commemoration event will include performances by the SHSU band, a welcome and recognitions by university President Dana Gibson, the presentation of colors by the SHSU Army ROTC, and a city perspective by Huntsville Mayor Jay Turner.
In addition, cannons will be fired at the times when the World Trade Center Towers were hit (8:46 and 9:01 a.m., respectively), when the Pentagon was hit (9:45 a.m.), when the first tower fell (9:59 a.m.), when the airplane crashed in Pennsylvania (10:03 a.m.), and when the second tower fell (10:28 a.m.).
Commemorative bracelets also will be handed out throughout the week.
For more information, contact Collum at 936.294.3415.
Professional Chamber Ensemble To Perform At SHSU
The Houston-based Mercury Baroque Ensemble will return to campus on Friday (Sept. 9) to help kick off a semester of performances sponsored by SHSU’s School of Music.
“A Little Night Music” featuring “Mozart Under the Stars” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
The classical music ensemble will perform an all-Mozart program, including “Eine Klein Nachtmusik” (or “A Little Night Music” and “Serenata Notturna.”
“These are some of the most famous and universally recognizable pieces of classical music of all time,” said Alex Gilbert, Mercury Baroque marketing director. “We will also be performing two pieces referred to as ‘Divertimenti.’ These pieces were written by Mozart when he was only 16 years old.”
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and senior citizens. They can be purchased through the PAC Box Office at 936.294.2339 or tickets@shsu.edu.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Kat Klub To Host Gaming Tournaments
SHSU students, faculty and staff looking for the opportunity to compete against fellow Bearkats in a poker, pool or video game can do just that with a number of Kat Klub tournaments hosted throughout the semester, many of which kick off this week.
“As we all know, some of your best, and probably only, college memories stem are from outside activities with the people you meet who have the same interests as you,” said Rueben Pena, Kat Klub operations coordinator. “Everyone needs a break from classes, homework, outside organizations and even their jobs to take a little time out and have fun interacting with people of similar interests besides in the classroom.
“What better way to interact with fellow Bearkats than participate in a few games with people that equally love and enjoy that game,” he said.
The Klub will host “No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em” tournaments Sept. 14, 15, 28 and 29, as well as Oct. 12, 13 and 27 and Nov. 9 and 10.
Winners of each tournament receive a T-shirt and will be entered to compete in the Texas Hold ‘Em Final Table on Dec. 1 for a grand prize.
Billiards tournaments in 8-ball and 9-ball formats will be held Sept. 22, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17 for 8-ball, as well as Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 8 for 9-ball.
Winners for each tournament will receive T-shirts and are eligible to compete for a spot on the SHSU Billiards Team.
“If you enjoy the game at a competitive level, or just want to hang out for a couple of hours, members of the SHSU community should come and play free billiards on the best tables in Huntsville,” Pena said.
The Klub will host two dominoes tournaments, for which winners will receive a prize, on Sept. 20 and Nov. 15.
In addition, three video gaming tournaments will be held, all for the PlayStation 3.
The Madden Football 2012 tournaments will be on Sept. 7 and Oct. 17; NCAA Football 2012 tournaments will be on Sept. 6 and Nov. 1; and the FIFA Soccer 2012 tournaments will be on Oct. 4 and Nov. 29.
“I know we at won't be able to attract everyone from SHSU's campus to join us in these recreational events, and sometimes we may only have a few participants,” Pena said. “But if we can positively affect at least one person's outlook on SHSU with their content from participating or meeting someone at our tournament, I would consider it a huge success.”
All tournaments will begin at 5 p.m. at the Kat Klub, on the first floor of the Lowman Student Center.
For more information, contact Pena at rpena@shsu.edu or 936.294.1722.
SAM Center To Give Study Tips
The Student Advising and Mentoring Center will teach students to “study smart” with a workshop series beginning on Tuesday (Sept. 6).
The Study Skills Workshop Series is comprised of six one-hour sessions that focus on preparation, procrastination, time management, reading textbooks and note taking, test taking strategies and stress management.
“Study Skills is an academic support program designed for all students with the goal to help students improve study habits and increase their GPA,” said Chrystal Golden, SAM Center student assistant.
Sessions will be held on a variety of days and times to accommodate student schedules.
“We offer it everyday of the week and at many different times to ensure that students can work Study Skills into their busy, everyday lives,” Golden said. “They pick one day and one time and then come to the SAM Center at the same time for six weeks. Each session lasts no longer than 50 minutes.”
A second series will begin on Oct. 18.
All sessions will be held in the SAM Center, in College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building Room 190.
Space is limited, and students are encouraged to call or stop by the SAM Center to sign up.
For more information, call 936.294.4444 or e-mail samcenter@shsu.edu.
Fall Graduation Applications Due Sept. 20
Students who anticipate graduating this December should file degree applications by Sept. 20 with the Registrar's Office.
Those who fail to apply by the deadline will be assessed a $30 late application fee in addition to the graduation fee.
Students may fill out and submit an “Application for Degree” at the Registrar's Office, located on the third floor of the Estill Building.
The Registrar's Office is working to provide an online service for the “Application for Degree” and will post updated information to the website as soon as this option is available, according to Zachary Valdez, publication coordinator for the Registrar’s Office.
December graduation is scheduled for Dec. 16-17.
For more information, visit the Destination Graduation website at www.shsu.edu/reg_www/destination or call 936.294.1040.
German Professor To Investigate Authenticity Of Rune
James Frankki, assistant professor of German at SHSU, has been invited as a specialist in Old Germanic languages and runic inscriptions in North America to participate in a linguistic and archaeological study of a runic inscription recently rediscovered in Kansas City.
“The carvings on the Kansas City Rune Stone purportedly belong to an archaic Germanic alphabet known as the Anglo-Saxon ‘futhorc,’ which was used primarily in England and on the northwest coast of Europe from the 5th through 11th centuries,” Frankki said. “Preliminary observations of the inscription based on photographs, indicate that the symbols on the stone may belong to this ‘futhorc,’ or alphabet.
The Nov. 5 investigation of the Kansas City Rune Stone must take place in person to determine its authenticity, according to Frankki.
“There have been several known instances of rune stones being carved in modern times by hoaxers, and this cannot be ruled out as a possibility until a proper investigation can be completed,” he said.
Plans are to assemble a team of professional photographers, linguists, experts in older Germanic languages, researchers in ancient symbols and archaeologists to determine the provenance of the stone, possible translations, determine when it may have been carved, and by whom.
The investigation is sponsored by the American Association for Runic Studies.
Today@Sam Seeks Calendar Info
The University Communications Office is now collecting information on campus events for its fall calendar pages.
Departmental calendars or events can be sent to today@sam.edu or jenniferg@shsu.edu or faxed 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 the Communications Office for news stories and releases.
All information, including story ideas and update items for Today@Sam, should be sent a minimum of a week in advance of the event 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: Julia May, Jennifer Gauntt
Sept. 2, 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.
