SamWeb
My Sam
E-mail
SHSU Update For Week Of July 8
- Pioneering Events To ‘Pound’ In Historical Knowledge
- Center Works With Youth To Build Community Relations
- Andrist Discusses Hispanic Feminism For Documentary
- CJ College Bids Farewell To Third Cadet Cohort
- LEMIT Provides Procedural Training For Witness ID-ing
- Today@Sam Seeks Fall Calendar Info
- Submit Update Items Here
Pioneering Events To ‘Pound’ In Historical Knowledge
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum will offer three events on Wednesdays in July to introduce visitors to techniques utilized during Gen. Sam Houston’s time.
On July 11, children and youth can learn the Cherokee art of flower pounding at Bear Bend cabin, located on the museum grounds.
Museum staff will demonstrate the technique, which involves hitting flowers and leaves to become art, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with hands-on activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Flower pounding was used as a decorative technique,” said Danielle Brissette, museum historical interpreter. “Now it is used as a way to preserve flowers and memories, usually by quilters or embroiders. I’ve heard of women using flower pounding to save bridal bouquets or corsages from proms.”
The demonstration is open to children of all ages; however, those under 10 must have an adult to help them during the activity.
On July 18, visitors can investigate the techniques of pioneer architecture with a log-cabin construction demonstration, also at Bear Bend cabin.
“Bear Bend is a classic double-pen, two-story log cabin with a central dog trot featuring two differing notching styles,” said Helen Belcher, also a historical interpreter at the museum. “Using axes, adzes, and woodworking, we will investigate the techniques of pioneer architecture at the cabin built in the 1850s.
Finally, on July 25, the museum staff will offer adults the opportunity to learn the art of flower pounding, with demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and hands-on activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It is my understanding that the differences (between the youth and adult events) will be the degree of autonomy given the participants,” Brissette said. “With the kids, we will be much more likely to hover and direct. With the adults, we are likely going to demonstrate and then let them get as creative as they are able.
“Everyone is going to be given a piece of treated muslin, some plants to select leaves and petals from, and an area to work,” she said. “You’ll be able to take your fabric home and decorate it, turn it into a quilt block or a handkerchief, or do whatever you like with it. I’m planning on making a gift for a friend who is getting married soon with mine.”
Those participating in the flower pounding are encouraged to bring a hammer.
For more information on any of these events, call 936.294.4895 or 936.294.3936.
Center Works With Youth To Build Community Relations
Rural communities across the country have been realizing the seriousness of what is known as a “youth exodus,” rural youth leaving their home communities once they reach adulthood and not returning.
Because of this, the staff at Sam Houston State University’s Center for Rural Studies developed the curriculum for a Community-Youth Development Program, designed to educate youth on the functioning and operations of rural communities, as well as engaging youth with the intent of inspiring youth to remain in or return to rural America.
“The mixed messages that are being sent to rural youth, to: ‘leave and do something better’ have had some serious consequences for rural communities who have high demand for young people with skills and knowledge,” said Cheryl Hudec, associate director for the Center for Rural Studies.
This summer, the center selected eight Lee County high school students classified as at-risk or low-income to participate in the inaugural program, working with the Giddings Economic Development Corporation and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area to conduct the pilot in the cities of Giddings and Lexington.
At the beginning of June the students took part in a three-day summer camp, during which they completed a community mapping exercise, a tour of city hall and county courthouse and relevant offices, and an exploration of local businesses and organizations.
Students conducted a personal and community assessment to identify skills and supports that they need to be effective leaders as well as struggles that they encounter in pursuing their goals. They also were encouraged to think critically about community issues, received leadership education and training, discussed generational differences, and discussed and developed a community project.
“The varying students’ perceptions of their community that were expressed during the camp were interesting and surprising, as well as valuable insights for community leaders,” Hudec said.
The eight students were also tasked to complete a four-week paid internship with a specific local business or organization, after which a banquet was held to showcase the students’ and the communities’ experiences.
The Community-Youth Development Program intends to engage youth as partners in the development of external assets and in the development of opportunities for skill and competency development with the goal of establishing and building successful relationships with engaged adults.
These relationships have the potential to provide social capital for the involved youth. The investment in the youth by the community not only promotes youth development but also promotes community development and ensures the continuation of a healthy civil society, according to Hudec.
“Youth are often overlooked as a resource for communities, and the opportunity for investment in these youth for the betterment of the community is missed,” she said.
“This program is unique to Texas and the nation and through it implementation the Center for Rural Studies at SHSU aims to become one of the leaders in rural community development regarding youth engagement and investment.”
Andrist Discusses Hispanic Feminism For Documentary
Debra Andrist, chair of SHSU’s foreign languages department and professor of Spanish, shared her views on the contributions of women to the Hispanic world as part of a recent interview for a documentary film on femininity and feminism.
The project, by filmmakers Lorís Simón and RoseMary Salum and sponsored by the bilingual art and literature magazine and publishing house Literal: Voces Latino Americanas (Latin American Voices), is anticipated to be available by the end of the year.
“Hispanic women’s studies is little known, not only outside the academic area/to people in the U.S. but to a certain extent even in the Hispanic world, where the canon still focuses on work by men and there is still little pretense of equality in attitudes,” Andrist said.
“Maybe one of my young male (Hispanic) students in the class this first summer session this year at SHSU helped to express the value of Hispanic women’s studies when he wrote me, ‘I had an amazing time in your class. I was able to learn new things about women and especially about mothers.’ Usual comments from women in the course relate to pride in the artistic/literary accomplishments of women, about which they were previously unaware, enhanced confidence in their own abilities as a result of learning about those of other women, etc.,” she said. “In overview, the idea of (new) insights into human dynamics, whether in one’s own linguistic/cultural milieu or in another milieu offers not only intellectual broadening but changes lives in terms of relating to others.”
The documentary will be the 11th in a series associated with the magazine on topics of art and literature in the Hispanic world. Literal’s mission statement includes serving as a forum for “the most important Latin American creative expressions converge and as a vehicle for the expression of new voices” in an effort to critique and diffuse Latin American literature and art.
Andrist said she became associated with the production in part through Salum, who is one of her former graduate students from the University of St. Thomas and whose short stories are included in Andrist’s class on Hispanic women in art and literature.
“I am (also) included in the project because my scholarly specialty is literature by and about Hispanic women,” she said. “I have some well-known publications in the field, have been an officer in several associated professional organizations, and have been teaching Hispanic women’s studies classes my entire career.”
CJ College Bids Farewell To Third Cadet Cohort
 |
| Vincent Webb, dean of the College of Criminal Justice, congratulates Zhixiang Jiang, "Bonapart," as visting professor Renbin Hu, "Roger," looks on, during the farewell ceremony hosted by the college. —Submitted photo |
The third cohort of cadets from Zhejiang Police College recently completed a year of study at Sam Houston State University.
Under the exchange program with China, 16 police cadets from Zhejiang Police College spent their junior year at SHSU, where they attended courses in criminal justice and participated in a five-day internship at the Alvin or League City Police Departments.
Four of the students will continue coursework in China and at SHSU to earn the first dual degrees offered by the two institutions.
Among the cadets honored at a farewell ceremony at the College of Criminal Justice were Zhixiang Jiang (Bonapart), Rusong Xu (Daniel), Xiaoyun Sun (Elsa), Chiyun Zhang (Sally), Feibai Huang (Helen), Weiguo Xu (Eric), Qi Ye (Michelle), Diwen Wu (Steven), Subin Chu (Edison), Peihao Chen (Gilbert), Bin Zhang (Sam), Chi Zhang (Chester), Qilong Yuan (Charles), Yulu Ye (Crystal), Yan Tong (Grace), Yuanyi Zhao (Kira), and visiting professor Hu Renbin (Roger).
During their year abroad, the Chinese cadets were exposed to criminal justice theory as well as police practices in the U.S. and other countries around the world. The students will complete their fourth year of study in China, which includes an internship in a local police agency in their country.
This is the third year of the Chinese exchange program, which also offers teaching opportunities for SHSU faculty at Zhejiang Police College, study abroad and exchange programs for SHSU students in China, and professional police exchanges between China and the U.S. through the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas.
During the current program, several ZPC students participated in SHSU Undergraduate Research Symposium and prepared a two-class “Introduction to the Chinese Policing System” for interested SHSU students.
The fourth cohort of 16 students from Zhejiang Police College is expected in the fall.
LEMIT Provides Procedural Training For Witness ID-ing
 |
| Law enforcement trainers discuss the materials for conducting photo and live line ups as well as �show up� procedures, where suspects are presented to witnesses to identify shortly after a crime occurs. —Submitted photo |
Law enforcement instructors from across Texas participated in the inaugural training for eyewitness identification procedures offered by the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University.
Sixty-one representatives from state agencies, police departments, sheriff and constable offices, and school and campus police participated in a “Train the Trainer Program,” which provided information on the day-to-day applications of the policy in the field so they could teach officers in their agencies or region how to conduct the practice properly. It is one of four trainings offered by LEMIT and eight trainings provided by the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
“This ‘train the trainer’ is designed to get the teaching materials out to the entire state,” said Rita Watkins, LEMIT executive director.
During the eight-hour session, participants received hands-on practice in conducting photo and live lineups as well as “show up” procedures, where suspects are presented to witnesses to identify shortly after a crime occurs.
Based on 30 years of research, LEMIT recommends the use of blind or blinded sequential procedures, but showed instructors how to reduce false identification through other methods. In a blind sequential process, witnesses are shown photos one at a time by someone who does not know who the suspect is, so no cues can be provided about the suspect.
The training also provided information on how to select photos or fillers for the lineup, instruction that should be read and signed by witnesses, methods of documenting the procedure, and how to address witnesses who are illiterate or have limited English proficiency.
Finally, trainers also received background information on the research, legal cases, and the legislation as well as a “60 Minutes” video on a case study of a North Carolina man who was wrongly convicted of rape. LEMIT also received feedback from the trainers on issues they face in the field and how to clarify content in the training materials that will be provided to law enforcement agencies.
Texas leads the nation is the number of criminal cases overturned by faulty eyewitness identification practices. The Texas Legislature charged LEMIT with developing a model policy and procedures based on scientific evidence and best practices that could serve as a guide for Texas law enforcement. All Texas agencies that use eyewitness identification are required to adopt a policy by September 2012.
LEMIT has presented “Train the Trainer” sessions in Plano and Huntsville, and its final training will be held in Austin.
For more information on the LEMIT sessions, visit www.lemitonline.com.
Today@Sam Seeks Fall 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.
To see a full list of the Today@Sam submission guidelines, or to access submission forms for news or feature stories, calendar submissions, or hometown releases, visit /guidelines.html.
For more information, call 936.294.1836.
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.
- END -
SHSU Media Contacts: Julia May, Jennifer Gauntt
July 3, 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.
