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SHSU Update For Week Of Feb. 19, 2012
- ROTC To Host Annual Blood Drive For Troops
- H-E-B Regional VP To Share ‘Roots’
- Institute To Train Students For World’s ‘Social Climate’
- Caribbean Courses To Take Students To Costa Rica For Summer
- Groups To Recognize TRIO Day With Prizes, Drive
- Music Groups Tune Into Semester With First Concerts
- Program Works to Reduce Impaired Driving In The Workplace
- SHSU Students Earn Top Spots In AAF Competition
- LEMIT Works To Reduce Human Error In High-Risk Police Work
- Council Spotlights Karen Whitney For February
- Submit Update Items Here
ROTC To Host Annual Blood Drive For Troops
The SHSU Army ROTC Bearkat Battalion will share the “gift of life” with troops around the world through their annual blood drive on Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb. 21-22).
The drive, open to both the Bearkat and local communities, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Lowman Student Center Ballroom A.
"I think a lot of people are looking for ways to support our troops, and this is a great way to make a huge impact, an impact that could potentially save a life,” said 2nd Lt. A. J. Harms, Bearkat Battalion gold bar recruiter. “It is a very rare and outstanding opportunity for students and faculty to do something that makes such a big impact for our troops overseas.”
All donations, collected by the Robertson Blood Center from Fort Hood, will be sent to the Army’s support contingency missions overseas, including military hospitals and to Germany.
The annual drive collected 167 units of blood last year, which went to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“If the Armed Service Blood Program does not collect enough blood, the military must pay for it from civilian agencies such as the Red Cross, assuming they have blood available, in order to provide it for the troops,” said ROTC cadet Carolyn Tatum. "We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding community here in Huntsville that is always so supportive of our military forces."
Donors must bring a valid picture identification, weigh at least 110 pounds and should be in general good health, without any cold or flu symptoms.
For more information, call the military science department at 936.294.1306.
H-E-B Regional VP To Share ‘Roots’
Terry Williams, regional vice president for H-E-B, will discuss his life and career path, as well as answer questions, during the Student Advising and Mentoring Center’s Grassroots presentation on Tuesday (Feb. 21).
The discussion will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the SAM Center, in College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building Suite 170.
A regional vice president for operations with the Houston UrbanEast H-E-B grocery stores, Williams has more than 30 years of grocery experience and is highly regarded as an expert in the field.
A respected and influential leader and mentor, he has been recognized with the Houston Diversity Leadership Award, Manager of the Year award, the David Ashworth Humanity Award and has been cited among the Who’s Who of African American business leaders.
Williams is a 1983 SHSU graduate and has participated in executive studies at both Cornell University and the University of Houston.
He is an active member of his community, participating on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, and has served as an SHSU Alumni Association board member.
A meet-and-greet reception will immediately follow Williams’s presentation.
The “Grassroots: A Series of Conversations on Leadership in a Diverse Community” was created in 2003 with the aim of promoting the career aspirations and academic achievements of minority students by bringing to campus notable leaders from all over the state.
“Grassroots brings community and state leaders to our campus to speak about their leadership experiences, their paths to success, and lessons they’ve learned in diversity,” said Chrystal Golden, SAM Center student assistant. “Students not only listen to these speakers, but they’re also given an opportunity to interact with them in an informal environment.”
The lecture is sponsored by the SAM Center’s academic support programs; the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College; the International Business Society; the International Hispanic Association; Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.; the NAACP; the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program; Student Success Initiatives office; and Women United.
For more information, contact Bernice Strauss, SAM Center director for academic support programs, at sam_bss@shsu.edu or 936.294.4455.
Institute To Train Students For World’s ‘Social Climate’
The SHSU Counseling Center will help students gain a better understanding of current diversity issues and their impact on today’s society during the inaugural SHSU Diversity Institute on March 1.
The interactive discussion and activity-oriented diversity training workshop will be held from 1-5 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 320.
The institute will cover such topics as age, gender, race, ethnicity, body size, disability, family system, power, privilege, religion/spirituality and sexuality that will provide students with a venue for not only a dialogue regarding diversity, but also an experiential experience, according to counseling psychologist Maryam Ilahi.
“We are hoping that people will walk away from the meeting with more self-awareness about themselves in relation to their world not only intellectually, but more importantly, personally,” Ilahi said. “Sometimes people learn best when they have an emotional or personal experience of a concept and hear from others speaking from a personal perspective.”
This kind of diversity discourse will help students develop skills in multicultural communication and leadership, and also promotes greater awareness and openness to diversity issues.
“SHSU students who graduate with these multicultural skills will be better prepared to succeed in today’s global business world and social climate,” Ilahi said.
Snacks will be provided.
The registration deadline is Friday (Feb. 24). Space is limited and participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, or to register, contact Martha Bergen, Counseling Center post-doctoral resident, at mfb008@shsu.edu or 936.294.1720.
Caribbean Courses To Take Students To Costa Rica For Summer
Students will have the opportunity to study the experiences of Caribbean peoples from a place where some of those peoples lived during the English department’s Study in Costa Rica trip during the first summer session.
Assistant professor of English April Shemak will teach English 3338, “Multicultural Literature: Central American Literature,” and English 4378, “Studies in World Fiction: Caribbean Fiction,” as part of SHSU’s program at Conversa, near Santa Ana, Costa Rica.
Central American Literature will focus on fiction, poetry and testimony of Costa Rican, Nicaraguan, Guatemalan, El Salvadorian, Honduran, and Panamanian writers, considering how the literature reflects not only the complex make-up of Central American societies but how the writers portray the socio-historical realities, economic conditions and environments of their countries.
In Caribbean Fiction, Shemak will focus on contemporary fiction by writers from a variety of backgrounds to examine how Caribbean writers have portrayed the experiences of peoples in Central America, as well as how these writers have transformed the genres of the novel and short story to the Caribbean contest.
These two courses are among the nine being offered by SHSU this summer in Costa Rica. Other courses will be offered in marketing, Spanish and family and consumer sciences.
The cost to study in Costa Rica from June 5 through July 3 is $2,950, which includes airfare, lodging with a family, all meals, shuttle service to classes, four to six field trips, a weekend trip to Reserve Ecologica La Timbirina, weekly yoga and salsa classes, and access to wireless Internet. Students who sign up after March 1 will be required to pay an additional $200.
The cost does not include tuition, which is approximately $1,291.50 for six credit hours.
Scholarships are available through the Office of International Programs, the application deadline for which is March 1.
Scholarship information is available at http://www.shsu.edu/~int_www/abroad/.
For more information on the English courses, contact Shemak at aas004@shsu.edu or 936.294.1432, or for other courses, contact program director Frieda Koeninger at fol_fck@shsu.edu or 936.294.1443.
Groups To Recognize TRIO Day With Prizes, Drive
The McNair Scholars program and Project CONNECT will disseminate information about their programs and hand out prizes as part of their TRIO Day celebration on Thursday (Feb. 23), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area.
Also in honor of National TRIO Day this year, Project CONNECT participants will hold a clothing drive to support people in the local community who cannot afford nice clothing for special and important events, manning donation boxes in the LSC Mall Area on from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Feb 23.
The group will collect gently used clothing and shoes that are appropriate for church, job interviews and professional offices, and prom and school dances. According to McNair Scholars program director Lydia Fox. Drop boxes also will be placed outside of Garrett Teacher Education Center Room 339 for the entire month of February.
“TRIO programs are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Fox said.
The McNair Scholars Program is designed to provide talented low-income, first-generation and ethnic minority undergraduate students with effective preparation for doctoral study.
“The McNair program at Sam Houston State University encourages graduate studies by providing opportunities for undergraduates to define their goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and faculty mentor relationships that are critical to success at the doctoral level,” Fox said. “The McNair Program has been serving students at SHSU since 2003 and has served more than 100 McNair scholars.”
To apply for the McNair Scholars Program, visit www.shsu.edu/~mcnair/.
Project CONNECT is a TRIO Student Support Services program at SHSU that helps low-income and first-generation students, including those who have a disability, to succeed in and graduate from college.
Participants receive tutoring, mentoring, and advising and have access to workshops, study groups, cultural events, peer groups, and a private tutoring/computer lab in order to achieve their goals of college completion.
Project CONNECT has been at SHSU since 2001 and serves 165 Bearkats each year.
To apply for Project CONNECT, visit http://www.shsu.edu/~org_connect/.
For more information about the clothing drive, contact Kelly Stuckey at 936.294.1678.
Music Groups Tune Into Semester With First Concerts
The SHSU School of Music will host a trio of concerts featuring the Concert and Symphonic Bands, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, and the Jazz Ensemble beginning Tuesday (Feb. 21).
The Concert and Symphonic Bands will perform contemporary selections written in the 20th and 21st centuries on that day, beginning at 7:30 in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
The program will include the Concert Band playing “Shortcut Home,” “O Nata Lux,” and “Chorale and Shaker Dance,” as well as the Symphonic Band playing “Armenian Dances,” “Mock Morris,” “English Folk Song Suite,” Joyce's 71st New York Regimental March.
The Symphonic Band is directed by Brian Gibbs, who will be assisted in the concert by graduate conducting associates Rachel Denson, Jon Whitelock, and Cathy Benford.
On Thursday (Feb. 23), the Wind Ensemble will also perform contemporary pieces at 7:30 p.m. in the GPAC Concert Hall.
The concert, including guest conductor Whitelock, will feature “Tenfold,” “Concertino for 12 Instruments,” “Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2,” and “Snake Alley.”
Most of the Wind Ensemble's selections are being played in preparation for their concert at the College Band Directors National Association Convention in March, according to Denson.
Finally, the Symphony Orchestra will join with the Jazz Ensemble to feature the music of Duke Ellington on Saturday (Feb. 25) at 7:30 p.m. in the GPAC Concert Hall.
The concert will include “Take the ‘A’ Train,” featuring faculty soloist Marshall Davies and student soloists Luis Ayala and Louie Pardo; “Prelude to a Kiss,” featuring soloists Davies and student Justin Jones; “Rockabye River,” featuring student soloists Brennan Lamont and Jones. The program will also include a Duke Ellington medley, “Night Creature,” and “Grand Slam Jam.”
The Symphony Orchestra is directed by David Cole,, and the Jazz Ensemble is directed by Aric Schneller.
Ticket prices for all three concerts are $17 for adults, $5 for students with an ID, and $5 for children.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Program Works to Reduce Impaired Driving In The Workplace
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| Participants in the DITTE program examine the alcohol content of an energy drink, which are among the substances that may cause driving impairment. |
To promote safe driving in the workplace, the Impaired Driving Initiatives at Sam Houston State University is holding workshops throughout Texas to educate employers about the signs and symptoms of drug impairment among employees.
Drug Impairment Training for Texas Employers, which is funded by the Texas Department of Transportation in an effort to reduce fatalities on state roads, is a free program that educates supervisors and managers from both public agencies and private companies on how to identify drug or alcohol abuse among workers on the job and to address those issues with policies and procedures.
The DITTE program trains law enforcement officers, school employees and employers on detecting drugged drivers.
The mission of the program is to save lives, prevent traffic-related health care visits, and lower economic costs, according to Cecelia Marquart, director of the Impaired Driving Initiatives program at SHSU.
“Since October 2011, 160 participants have been trained demonstrating there is a need for the DITTE training,” Marquart said.
Participants are given an overview of the seven different categories of prescription and illegal drugs, including depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants and cannabis, as well as the signs and symptoms of impairment.
The program also includes common drug combinations as well as new drugs and substances on the market, including synthetic marijuana, bath salts, alcohol-infused whipped cream, Dust Off inhalants, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic energy drinks. It also discusses common devices used to hide drugs, including the computer mouse, batteries, golf balls, and energy drink containers.
“It’s neat; I know what to look for now,” said Brady Larson, who works in the Huntsville Wastewater Treatment Plant. “There were things I never knew, like someone could be walking around work drinking a Monster with alcohol.”
For more information on the DITTE program, contact Regina Guthrie at 936.294.4640 or icc_rae@shsu.edu, or visit the Impaired Driving Initiatives website at www.cjcenter.org/idi/DITTE.
SHSU Students Earn Top Spots In AAF Competition
The projects of six Sam Houston State University graphic design and marketing students brought home top prizes in a competition that pitted them against students from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana during the Houston American Advertising Federation’s 2011 Student Conference.
The two-day educational event brings together college-level advertising students from more than 15 universities to participate in what attending students and teachers have declared “one of the nation’s most outstanding educational experiences.”
SHSU seniors Zachary Hamblen and Melanie Floyd earned first place, Kimberly Aurich and Brenda Banegas earned second place, and Allyson Brown and Danielle Castelloe earned third place during the conference’s eight-hour creative competition, during which they worked in assigned teams to create an integrated communications plan for Sunkist, a brand of the sponsoring entity, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.
Hamblen, Aurich, and Brown are all graphic design majors, Floyd and Banegas are marketing minors, and Castelloe is a marketing major.
As part of the competition, each team was assigned to an operating firm in Houston, where they complete a full idea for a campaign project.
“The teams had to come up with the campaign theme, slogan, budgeting, marketing as well as design and many other aspects to get the campaign rolling,” said Taehee Kim, assistant professor of graphic design. “Students got to understand the collaboration between marketing, business and design.”
Projects are then evaluated by a panel of judges, who deemed all three of the SHSU students’ teams’ projects exemplary.
"The case study reflects a real-world situation to challenge students' critical thinking abilities and creativity,” Kim said. “Students must research the product and its competition, identify potential problems and develop an integrated communications campaign for the client.
“I am very proud of our students who ranked first, second and third in professional competitions with teamwork against more than 15 other universities' students,” she said. “As a result, Sam Houston’s name is out to the Houston graphic design industries.”
The conference also provided students access to a resume and portfolio review by industry professionals, preparatory workshops and an industry question-and-answer panel.
The Houston AAF is an association of advertising professionals encompassing all disciplines in the advertising, marketing and communications industries. Founded in 1911, the chapter is one of the oldest service organizations in Houston and has approximately four hundred members.
LEMIT Works To Reduce Human Error In High-Risk Police Work
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| Law enforcement officers test the dirty dozen of human error in a timed exercise building a model helicopter. |
To better prepare law enforcement for infrequent, high-risk situations, such as hot pursuits, use of force or felony car stops, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University hosted a training to identify common human errors and how to avoid them as officers and agencies.
“In the error chain, there is a series of events and if you can identify any link in the chain and break it, the accident or incident won’t happen,” said Steven M. Ghidoni, of Integrated Training and Performance Solutions.
The program, “Human Judgment Interference Factors Initiatives,” is based on tools developed to investigate the human factors in aviation accidents and to prevent future incidents. Human Factor Awareness Training is used in several fields, including aviation, medical and engineering, and has been adapted to law enforcement in instances where lives depend on performance.
The training will help law enforcement officers to identify policies or procedures that may increase the potential for mistakes and to review performance processes to minimize errors and to improve practices. The program was presented by the Missouri-Regional Community Policing Institute and funded by the federal Bureau of Justice.
“What we are doing is applying human judgment interference mitigation to high risk, low-frequency, no discretionary time incidents,” said Bryan Courtney, director of the Regional Community Police Institute at Missouri Western State University. “We are hoping that officers and agencies will understand that human judgment interference factor review of incidents can assist in explaining an officer's actions and if human judgment interference played a role in the actions.
“The overall goal is to give officers the tools to identify and mitigate human judgment interference factors that link the tasks of law enforcement to: complaints, litigation, loss of community trust and support, internal cynicism, damage and destruction of equipment and resources, and catastrophes."
The Human Judgment Interference Factors Program is one of the special programs offered by LEMIT, which provides leadership and management trainings to law enforcement officials throughout Texas. The special programs are designed to convey innovative concepts, techniques and knowledge that can quickly be put into practical use within an agency.
Council Spotlights Karen Whitney For February
Karen Whitney, senior administrative coordinator for SHSU’s Academic Affairs office, was selected by the Staff Council as the February “Staff Spotlight.”
An SHSU alumna who grew up in Huntsville after moving to Texas from New York when she was 13 years old, has worked at SHSU for 20 years, including in the Athletics, library science and biological sciences departments, as well as for the College of Arts and Sciences. She began working in Academic Affairs in 2009.
At SHSU, she has previously served on the Staff Council and as an Annual Fund committee member.
Outside of work, she enjoys camping with her family, gardening, and other outdoor activities.
Her husband, Neal, works for the SHSU Sign Shop, and together they have three children and six grandchildren.
Submit Update Items Here
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
Feb. 12, 2012
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office
Associate Director: Julia May
Manager: 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.
