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SHSU Update For Week Of Feb. 16
- Pruitt To Read Excerpts, Sign Copies Of ‘Migration Book’
- Artists To Present ‘Double’ Message In Exhibit
- Self-Defense Course To Be Held Wednesday
- Musicians To Present ‘Energetic,’ ‘Playful’ Concert
- Therapy Group To Host Educational Seminars, Concert
- Fair To Set Students Up With Summer Jobs
- Sorority To Collect Baby, Female Items For SAAFE House
- Thorn Elected Vice President For Admissions Organization
- Submit Update Items Here
Pruitt To Read Excerpts, Sign Copies Of ‘Migration Book’
The “Great Migration” is a term used to describe the movement of millions African Americans from the south to northern industrial cities in search of a better life.
But associate professor of history Bernadette Pruitt points out that African Americans didn’t just migrate north.
Her first book details the “Other Great Migration,” in which, during the same time period (1900-1941), African Americans also moved to Houston.
"People don't realize this, but Houston's black community compared quite favorably with African American communities in major cities outside the South," Pruitt has said. "In the early 20th century, we were the wealthiest southern city. In 1929, we were third in per capital sales coming from African American businesses in select U.S. cities, only behind New York and Detroit. Black Houstonians were able to construct a community it could depend and rely on."
The SHSU History Department will celebrate Pruitt’s research and her first book, "The Other Great Migration: The Movement of Rural African Americans to Houston, 1900-1941," on Friday (Feb. 21), during a book signing beginning at 3 p.m. in Austin Hall.
During program, Pruitt will read from her work, refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase.
"The Other Great Migration," published in October by the Texas A&M University Press, has been featured in the New York Times and is considered “a landmark study of African American migration patterns and the making of Houston,” according to Jeffrey Littlejohn, associate professor of history.
For more information, contact Littlejohn at 936.294.4438.
Artists To Present ‘Double’ Message In Exhibit
Two artists whose mutual interests have evolved into bodies of work that deal with similar issues and use similar techniques will share some of those pieces with the Bearkat and Huntsville communities beginning Thursday (Feb. 20).
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| "Doppelgänger" examines feminine philosophies and will include Bari Ziperstein's "A Walk in the Woods" (above) and the untitled image by Elaine Bradford (below). |
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“Doppelgänger,” an art exhibit featuring the works of Elaine Bradford and Bari Ziperstein, will be on display through March 17 in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery.
Bradford and Ziperstein met while attending graduate school at the California Institute of the Arts, where their friendship was fueled by interests in mid-century modern furniture, architectural tours and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", to the point that it became a recurring joke that they were the same person.
While they haven’t lived in the same city for 10 years, their works deal with parallel issues.
“Both artists are using traditional craft techniques to create new sculptural objects and photographs dealing with feminine philosophies,” said Annie Strader, assistant professor of art and 3G committee chair. “Bradford and Ziperstein come to these bodies of work from completely different places, but both end up touching on ideas of female shamans and using personal cultural references. Doppelgänger is the first two-person exhibition for the pair.”
Bradford, based in Houston, will present her “Ceremonial Concealment” series. The series includes headpieces that draw from indigenous cultures and ceremonial clothing, which “conceal my true character” and “suggest an alternate reality,” as well as photographs that incorporate family artifacts as a away of “infusing the scene with the spirit of my ancestors.”
“I am inherently interested in the connotations associated with hiding oneself,” she said in her artist statement. “Through all this concealing I believe I am ultimately revealing myself.”
Ziperstein, based in Los Angeles, will present her series called “Decorative Protection,” which she says, “collapses the female figure by creating connections between the urban environment and decoration, while simultaneously wishing to protect and exalt the role of decoration, in both the arts and society at large.”
In her art, she examines how simple objects such as fences and iron window bars relate to the role of the female form in society, through totemic ceramic sculptures and photographs inspired by an ‘80s magazine ad for wrought iron window bars.
“The human scale sculptures in ‘Decorative Protection’ are suggestive of historic wooden totem poles, which were erected to represent the protective spirits of ancestors, record history, oral traditions and marks the boundaries of a village,” her artist statement said. “Historically the depicted totem animals (here replaced by figurative ladies) reveal supernatural animals or animal-human combinations, which can shape shift between human and animal worlds. This fragmented surrealism…allows a new mythic figure to emerge that has adapted and marks a new territory in our urban environment.”
An opening reception for the exhibit will be held Feb. 20, from 6-7 p.m. in the gallery, in Art Building F Room 101.
Prior to the reception, Bradford will present an artist talk from 5-6 p.m. in the Art Auditorium, in Art Building E Room 108. Ziperstein will present his talk on March 6, rom 5-6 p.m.
For more information, contact Strader at 936.294.1322.
Self-Defense Course To Be Held Wednesday
Sam Houston State University will take campus safety to a whole new level on Wednesday (Feb. 19) when the Student Services division will offer members of the Bearkat and Huntsville communities the opportunity to learn how to defend themselves.
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| Hapkido techniques can be used to fend off an attacker, as demonstrated above by a Martial Arts of Sam Houston club member. Gillespie will focus on those techniques during the free self-defense seminar on Feb. 19. —Submitted photo |
The one-hour self-defense seminar will begin at 6 p.m. at Bowers Stadium and will include basic techniques taught by Marcus Gillespie, an associate professor of geography who is a fifth Dan Black Belt in Hapkido.
The event demonstrates SHSU’s commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment and is part of ongoing programming designed to keep campus safe, according to Steven Begnaud, Student Activities program coordinator.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that anyone can be targeted for an attack; your chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Texas is about 1 in 245,” Gillespie said.
“One of the ways you can improve your odds is by learning self-defense, and so you should be prepared to deal with common types of grabs and choke holds that an attacker might use,” he said. “These techniques require no specialized training. They are simple and effective; anyone can do them.”
In honor of National Self-Defense Awareness Month in January, when the event was initially scheduled before being cancelled due to weather, Student Activities decided to kick it up a notch by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the most participants in a single class.
In order to do so, SHSU will need more than 2,212 participants for its seminar, Begnaud said.
Participants should arrive by 5:15 p.m. for check-in at the northwest Bowers Stadium entrance for the world record portion of the event.
Comfortable clothing also is recommended.
The seminar is free, and staff participants will be eligible to receive professional development credit through the SHSU Learning Academies. Tables will be set up at the north gate, designated for faculty and staff check-in, for development credit.
For more information, contact the Student Legal and Mediation Services Office at 936.294.1717.
Musicians To Present ‘Energetic,’ ‘Playful’ Concert
SHSU School of Music pianist Kaju Lee will collaborate with faculty and Houston Symphony musicians for a concert that will feature the music of American, French and German composers on Tuesday (Feb. 18).
The faculty recital will combine the talents of Lee, faculty saxophonist Masahito Sugihara, faculty pianist Kevin Clifton, and Houston Symphony violinist Rodica Oancea-Gonzalez.
The performance will begin at 6 p.m. in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
The program will include "Picnic on the Marne," by American composer Ned Rorem, which includes a sequence of seven contrasting waltzes for alto saxophone and piano that display events on a road trip to the Marn River in France that the composer made in 1950s.
The “energetic and playful” "Sonata for Four Hands," an early work by 20th-century composer Francis Poulenc, includes “a short three movements, influenced by Stravinsky and Bartók,” according to Lee.
Finally, "The Kreuzer sonata" for violin and piano by Beethoven “demands virtuosic technical proficiency from both performers,” Lee said.
“Written for British violinist George Bridgetower, it acquired its name when Beethoven fell out with him and re-dedicated it to violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer,” Lee said. “The fast, fierce outer movements are charged with volcanic energy contrasted by the charming middle movement.”
Admission is free.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Therapy Group To Host Educational Seminars, Concert
The SHSU chapter of the Mu Tau Omega national organization for music therapy will spread awareness about music therapy-related issues and the benefits of music therapy with a weekend of lectures and performances on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 21-22) in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
The MTO Music Therapy Awareness Weekend includes five lectures presented by board certified music therapists from across Texas, many of whom are SHSU alumni. The entire event is planned, organized and hosted by the students of MTO, according to Karen Miller, professor and director of the music therapy program.
The presentations will get started at 3:30 p.m. on Friday when Kim Dea will discuss “Music Therapy in the Psychiatric Setting.”
That evening, music therapy students and faculty members will perform a “Home on the Range” MTO Coffeehouse Concert from 7:30-10 p.m. in Music Building Room 201.
“Coffeehouse is a ‘popular music’ concert featuring music therapy students and faculty, as well as a guest mariachi band,” Miller said.
Saturday’s activities include coffee and donuts from 8:30-9:15 a.m., followed by four lectures: “Music Therapy Advocacy” by Kate Harrison, “Music Therapy in the Medical Setting” by Maegan Morrow and Daniel Stover, “Music Therapy in the Deaf Community” by Kasey Little, and “5 People, 5 Internships, 5 Stories” with SHSU alumni Jackie Cramer, Samantha Atwood, Lise Jorgensen, Marcus Hughes and Noelani Ascio.
The event will also include a meeting of the Gulf Coast Music Therapy organization, during which there will be a panel discussion and lunch at Old Main Market.
The MTO Awareness Weekend will wrap up by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Music Therapy Awareness Weekend is designed to show the community the benefits of music therapy.
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Miller at 936.294.1376 or musictherapy@shsu.edu, or call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Fair To Set Students Up With Summer Jobs
Students looking ahead to the summer for jobs or internships can learn about some opportunities in the great outdoors on Wednesday (Feb. 19) during Career Services’ Summer Camp and Job Fair.
Eighteen entities will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area to discuss summer employment in such areas as parks and camps, education, religion, sports and recreation, and the non-profit sector.
Representatives will discuss positions at such entities as Boy Scouts of America—Sam Houston Area Council; camps Balcones Springs, Olympia and Taconic; Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center; Oscar Johnson, Jr. Community Center; Redd School; Stoney Creek Ranch; and Texas 4-H Conference Center, among others.
Students who are registered on Jobs for Kats can get a jumpstart on finding a job or internship by logging on, at JobsforKats.com, to find a complete list of participating agencies, as well as descriptions of positions being sought.
All Career Services events are open to both students and alumni.
For more information, contact Career Services at 936.294.1713.
Sorority To Collect Baby, Female Items For SAAFE House
The Delta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega will continue its support of the Huntsville SAAFE House as its philanthropy by collecting toiletry items and diaper products during its annual “Hugs and Pampers” drive on Wednesday (Feb. 19).
Items such as diapers, baby wipes and other toiletry products will be collected from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Alpha Chi Omega House, at 1640 A Ave. I.
“The goal of this event is to collect as many items as possible to benefit the SAAFE House,” said Lauren Wilmer, vice president public relations and marketing for AXO. “The Delta Kappa Chapter has been holding Hugs and Pampers for 22 years, and we want this event to continue to grow and be successful each year.”
While providing much-needed supplies for SAAFE House residents, AXO will offer cash prizes to the two campus organizations that collect the most points from items donated.
The first place organization will win $250, and the second place organization will win $150.
Pizza will be provided for participants as well.
The event is part of Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy to prevent and raise awareness of domestic violence and provide an avenue for the community and students to help.
“Domestic violence is an ongoing problem in society today; it is sort of a hidden topic that nobody really talks about because the consequences of domestic violence can be life threatening,” said Anna Ward, sophomore criminal justice major and vice president risk management for AXO. “As a member of Alpha Chi Omega, we try to raise the awareness that domestic violence can happen to anyone.”
For more information, contact Taylor Buchel, AXO vice president for philanthropy, at taylorbuchel@yahoo.com.
Thorn Elected Vice President For Admissions Organization
Trevor Thorn, director of undergraduate admissions at SHSU, has been elected vice president of admissions for the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Thorn has been a member of the organization for 16 years and has presented and facilitated sessions at meetings and conferences.
The purpose of the organization is to contribute to the advancement of higher education in its fullest and broadest implications. Membership is open to registrars and admissions officers from public and private universities and community colleges across the state.
“I am very excited about this opportunity both personally and professionally,” Thorn said. “This will provide me the opportunity to continue to expand my knowledge about our profession and the impacts statewide and nationally.
“I will be able to share my experiences with other Sam Houston employees, including the staff within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, so that we can become more efficient and provide a higher level of service to our students as well as prospective students,” he said.
“Through this opportunity, I would like to get the staff of my office more involved in volunteer roles with both state and national organizations,” he said. “I look forward to working with leaders from across the state of Texas for the next two years.”
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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