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SHSU Update For Week Of March 30
- Book Award Finalists To Read From Works On Monday
- Lecture To Address Nutrition’s Effects On Exercise
- Friday Forum To Follow Author From Alaska To New York
- Theatre To Stage Peanuts Parody, Prize-Winning Drama
- Student Exhibit To Present ‘Fabricated Fixations’
- Recital To Create ‘Therapeutic’ Experience For Audience
- Program To Examine Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Options
- Inaugural Fair Targets Health Services
- Event To Offer Discounted, Professional Headshots
- Conference To Provide Development For Educators
- Fraternity To Host Drive to ‘Feed America’
- Benefit Fair To Provide ‘Fun’ For Area Children
- Submit Update Items Here
Book Award Finalists To Read From Works On Monday
The Sam Houston State University Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing, editing and publishing will welcome best-selling fiction writer Téa Obreht, poet Lucie Brock-Broido and graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang on Monday (March 31).
The inaugural “National Book Awards at Sam Houston” will feature readings by the authors, who will also engage in a moderated conversation, beginning at 7 p.m. in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.
The event was created through a partnership with the NBF to annually bring in National Book Award winners and finalists for a series of events celebrating literature and literacy.
“We are thrilled for this opportunity. We see it not just as a chance to bring some of the best writers in the country to campus, but to bring them into the community,” said Scott Kaukonen, MFA program director. “We understand the value of literature and the many ways in which it shapes us and informs us, speaks for us and represents us. We’re looking forward to reading and listening to and talking with talented writers who’ve found ways to do that particularly well.”
While in Huntsville, all three authors will conduct workshops with SHSU creative writing students, while Yang, a two-time National Book Award finalist for young people’s literature, will visit Huntsville Intermediate School to discuss his books and his work as a graphic novelist.
Obreht’s first novel, "The Tiger’s Wife," was published by Random House in 2011 and was named an NBA finalist that year. The novel also became a New York Times bestseller.
Brock-Broido, a finalist in poetry this year for "Stay, Illusion," is director of poetry at the Columbia University School of the Arts, where she was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2013.
Yang became the first finalist for an NBA for a graphic novel, for "American-Born Chinese," in 2006. He was a finalist again this year for "Boxers & Saints," which tells the story of China’s Boxer Rebellion from two distinct perspectives.
Yang teaches at Hamline University as part of their MFA in writing for children and young adults.
The “National Book Awards at Sam Houston” presentations will be free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Kaukonen at 936.294.1407, or Nowlin-O’Banion at 936.294.4109.
Lecture To Address Nutrition’s Effects On Exercise
John Ivy, the Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Chair Emeritus at the University of Texas-Austin, will discuss “Nutrient Timing and its Effects on Exercise Performance, Recovery, and Training Adaptation” on Wednesday (April 2).
Hosted by the Sam Houston State University health and kinesiology department as part of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Spring 2014 Lecture Tour, the presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 320.
Ivy’s research has pioneered the understanding of muscle metabolism and how nutritional supplementation can improve exercise performance, recovery and training adaptation.
His research also has focused on the effects of exercise and nutrition on muscle glucose transport and insulin resistance, and how appropriate levels of physical activity and diet can prevent type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
“We are honored to have a nationally renowned scholar such as Dr. Ivy speak to our students and faculty,” said Roseanne Keathley, acting chair of the health and kinesiology department. “His topic will relate to multiple disciplines across the University and will be beneficial to those wishing to develop healthy lifestyle choices relating to diet and exercise patterns.”
Ivy received his doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Maryland, and trained in physiology and metabolism at Washington University School of Medicine as a National Institutes of Health post-doctoral fellow.
He served on the UT faculty for 31 years and as chair of its kinesiology and health education department for 13 years.
Ivy is the author of more than 170 scientific papers, numerous book chapters and four books on sports nutrition, including the very popular “Nutrient Timing,” which has been published in four languages.
The American College of Sports Medicine is a national scientific society that promotes scientific and clinical knowledge in the fields related to sports and exercise. Over the course of a week, Ivy will deliver lectures at a series of Texas educational institutions on behalf of the Texas Chapter of ACSM.
The lecture is open to anyone interested in the effects of nutrition on exercise.
Friday Forum To Follow Author From Alaska To New York
Visiting assistant professor of English Amanda Nowlin-O’Banion will read an excerpt from her new book of creative nonfiction, provisionally titled "Forty-nine to Fifty," on Friday (April 4).
The English Friday Faculty Forum presentation will begin at 3 p.m. in Evans Complex Room 212.
“Forty-nine to Fifty” is set in Alaska in the summer of 2001 and in New York City the following fall, taking readers into two distinct communities to look at ways people voluntarily drop out of society.
It chronicles work in a wilderness lodge deep within Denali National Park, presenting the oddities of ultra-secluded populations, and considers Nowlin-O’Banion’s own seclusion inside America’s biggest city after 9/11.
Nowlin-O’Banion earned her doctorate in creative writing and literature from the University of Houston.
She has taught at SHSU since 2011 and previously taught at Texas A&M University.
The Friday Faculty Forum is designed to highlight research by graduate faculty and fellow graduate students.
For more information on the English Friday Faculty Forum, contact Paul Child, professor of English and forum coordinator, at 936.294.1412.
Theatre To Stage Peanuts Parody, Prize-Winning Drama
The Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre will present a “compelling drama” and an “unauthorized parody” with two productions Tuesday through Saturday (April 1-5) in the University Theatre Center’s Showcase Theatre.
The student-directed “Stonewater Rapture” will start the series of presentations at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright's short work is a compelling drama, set in a small Texas town, that explores the complex relationship between faith and inner desires as two teens struggle to deal with identity and sexuality.
The play is directed by graduate student Adriana Dominquez and stars Adrienne Whitaker and Mason Butler.
“Stonewater Rapture” is for mature audiences.
On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, at 8 p.m., senior musical theatre major Tyler Martin will direct a play that explores what would happen to Charlie Brown and his friends if they grew up.
"Dog Sees God," by Bert V. Royal, is an "unauthorized parody" that imagines characters from the popular comic strip as teenagers.
The cast includes Nathan Wilson, Christian Quiroga, Taylor Beyer, Chelsea Nance, Christine Saenz, Devin Harvey, Kendrick Lattimore, and Katie Porterfield.
Tickets are $10 for each play and are available at 936.294.1339.
Student Exhibit To Present ‘Fabricated Fixations’
A three-artist exhibition exploring identity and interpretively dissecting its foundation will be on display in the Student Satellite Gallery Tuesday through Saturday (April 1-5).
“Fabricated Fixation,” which features the work of Theresa Hamel, Chelsey Schaffeld and Naomi Zepeda, uses cloth, thread wrapping, metal cutting, photography and projections this show investigates each artist’s nurtured origins.
A reception and artist talk for the exhibition will be on Tuesday (April 1), from 5-7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 1216 University Ave. in the Huntsville downtown square.
Though normally a two-dimensional artist, Hamel is making endeavors into the world of three-dimensional art through her current body of work, which combines stuffed animal materials, yarn and various objects with sewing.
“This is in an attempt to continue a life-long and little-realized obsession with connecting and covering objects,” she said. “From these hours of sewing the objects interestingly warp and shrink, resulting in a rough texture, appearance and feeling of tightness.”
A Beaumont native, Hamel will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art.
Schaffeld’s art combines photography and CNC metal cutting to abstract and emphasize normally unnoticed subjects.
“My work with fingerprints deals with ones individuality, researching how identity is built, and how we connect with others along the way,” she said.
Originally from the desert farmlands of Eastern Oregon, Schaffeld will graduate with her BFA in photography in May.
Zepeda’s photographs convey an emotional weight formed through the mental and physical reality of her youth, she said.
“My work utilizes familiar family portraits and the strain of my relationship with my now-absent father,” Zepeda said. “These portraits and projections explore the idea of connections no longer connected.”
A Houston native, Zepeda will graduate in the summer 2014 with a BFA in photography and a minor in mass communication.
The SSG is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Recital To Create ‘Therapeutic’ Experience For Audience
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Hayoung Lim |
Three faculty members will share “Love, Passion, Expression (Dance), and Music" as part of a music therapy faculty recital on Thursday (April 3).
Assistant professor of music therapy and cellist Hayoung Lim will perform with faculty pianist James Cho and violinist Naomi Gjevre at 7:30 p.m. in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
The concert will feature music presented “as a vehicle of our expression of love and passion,” Lim said, and will include Bach’s “Suite No. 2,” a piece created for dancing at the time of its composition; Elgar's "Salut d'Amour;" an unaccompanied cello solo of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," arranged by Lim; Tchaikovsky's "Valse (waltz) Sentimentale;" and piano trio version of "Amazing Grace."
The program will also include the third movement of Rachmaninov's sonata for cello and piano; Piazzolla's "Oblivion," from the film "Heinrich IV;" and Gardel's “passionate tango” "Por Una Cabeza."
Because Lim is a music therapy faculty member, she said the music will create a “somewhat ‘therapeutic’” experience for the audience will experience in which they can express their own love and passion.
Admission is free.
For more information, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
Program To Examine Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Options
With the average student loan debt across the nation continuing to rise, the Student Money Management Center is bringing back its popular “After Graduation: Student Loan Repayment” program on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 1-2).
Presentations, which will be held from 6-7 p.m. on both days in the Lowman Student Center Theater, will review various rebates and programs available to potentially help students reduce the total amount of student loan debt owed.
The class of 2012 graduated with an average college loan debt of $29,400, according to figures released in December by the Institute for College Access and Success’s Project on Student Debt.
While those numbers constituted a consecutive increase from 2008-20012, during which time student loan debt had risen at an average rate of 6 percent per year, there are a number of loan forgiveness programs that are available to students who work in certain fields, according to SMMC director Patsy Collins.
Among those, the Public Service Loan-Forgiveness program provides loan forgiveness for public school teachers by allowing those who work in various governmental organizations and non-profit organizations to qualify for interest or, in some cases, principal forgiveness.
“Many of our students are specially trained in fields of public service, such as criminal justice and education majors,” Collins said. “These students may be eligible to have a portion of their federal student loans forgiven.”
The presentation will also address tuition rebate and how to process the forgiveness feature of a “Be on Time” loan or TEACH Grant, as well as loan deferment or forbearance for students who are not able to immediately begin making loan payments.
“The SMMC wants to work with students to learn that as college graduates, they don’t need to just survive living from paycheck to paycheck; they should thrive,” Collins said.
For more information, contact the SMMC at 936.294.2600 or smmc@shsu.edu.
Inaugural Fair Targets Health Services
Twenty-one agencies seeking full-time employees and interns will be on the Sam Houston State University campus on Tuesday (April 1) for the inaugural Health Services Career Fair.
The event, sponsored by Career Services, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
Students and alumni seeking jobs can meet with representatives from the health, kinesiology, nursing, medical and allied health, music therapy and dietetic fields.
Agencies scheduled to attend include Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health, Conroe Family Chiropractic, Health Management Systems, MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley, Snap Fitness, St. Joseph Regional Health Center, and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition, several school districts and universities will be on hand to discuss their employment needs and post-graduate opportunities.
“This our first annual Health Sciences Fair at SHSU and we are excited to offer our students a targeted opportunity to find employment with agencies and organizations that match up with their emphasis of study,” said Mitch Parker, Career Services marketing and events coordinator.
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.
Participants are encouraged to bring copies of résumés and dress professionally.
For more information, call Career Services at 936.294.1713.
Event To Offer Discounted, Professional Headshots
Students, faculty or staff whose careers may require headshots can have their pictures taken by a professional photographer in a “snap” on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 1-2), when Sam Houston State University's Public Relations Student Society of America chapter, in conjunction with Logan Hickle Photography, presents “Oh Snaps!”
The “professional headshot fundraiser” will beheld from 2:30-5 p.m. each day in the Dan Rather Communications Building Studio C.
For $10, attendees will receive three professional photos to use for auditions, applications, portfolios, business cards, social media and any other personal use.
The event will also provide tips for creating a professional LinkedIn account and applying for jobs or internships, courtesy of SHSU Career Services.
"We are excited to offer SHSU students of all majors, faculty and staff and the Huntsville community a unique opportunity to help develop their professional careers," said Holland Behn, project coordinator. "Headshots are beneficial because they're the first thing potential employers see when they check your online presence, portfolio or business card.
"Our event is ideal for those who don't want to spend a lot of time or money on professional portraits because it's quick, convenient and inexpensive," she said.
Participants will pose for five shots, and the three favorites will be emailed within three weeks.
Business attire is encouraged.
Proceeds earned from the fundraisers will help PRSSA members attend professional luncheons, agency tours, seminars and conferences in order to network with professionals, enhance their knowledge of the public relations field and prepare for their future careers, Behn said.
Credit cards, debit cards or checks will not be accepted.
For more information, contact Behn at hpb003@shsu.edu or visit loganhickle.com.
Conference To Provide Development For Educators
Early, literacy and bilingual education strategies will be among those discussed during the 19th annual Joan Prouty Young Child Winter Conference on Saturday (April 12).
The annual conference on early literacy for teachers and administrators, hosted by the Sam Houston Association for the Education of Young Children, will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
Registration and a continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the conference.
The event will include a keynote presentation by April Crawford and a featured speaker presentation by Sonya Coffey, both from the Children’s Learning Institute.
Booths will also be set up from such vendors as Barefoot Books, Bright Horizons and Lakeshore.
In addition, because the conference will be hosted by SHAEYC, scholarships and other LLSP departmental awards will be announced during the luncheon, according to Miki Henderson, assistant professor of early childhood education.
The registration fee is $85 for general registration, $65 for teachers or classroom aides, and $45 for students. Active SHAEYC members can register for free.
Registration is available online at shsu.edu/edu-conferences/registration.html, and the deadline to register is April 4.
All participants earn six hours of professional development credit.
For more information, contact Henderson at 936.294.4638 or mikihenderson@shsu.edu.
Fraternity To Host Drive to ‘Feed America’
Today, one in six people suffer from hunger in America, but SHSU’s Sigma Mu Zeta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha will do their part to end the growing problem through their annual canned food drive.
The drive will be held on Friday (April 4) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday (April 5), from 1-5 p.m., outside of Brookshire Brothers in Huntsville.
Part of the fraternity’s national philanthropy, the drive aims to help the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity, Feeding America, which helps more than 37 million Americans each year through their 202-member food banks and soup kitchens.
“This event is our chance to help the community in a big way,” ΛXA president Jon Alvarado said. “We feel that helping to end this problem can help change the world.”
All canned food and other non-perishable items are welcome, as well as monetary donations, which will be used to purchase more canned food inside the store at the end of the day.
“Our goal for this semester is to reach 1,000 cans,” Alvarado said. “We’ve already donated 200 cans at a previous event, so for this drive we’re trying to donate 750 cans.”
Every Bearkat and organization is encouraged to participate.
Fellow Interfraternity Council members Sigma Chi have already lent a hand with a donation of 100 cans, Alvarado said.
“We don’t get to see the faces of those we help but it makes us happy knowing we are helping others and spending our time making a difference,” he said.
For more information about the drive, contact Alvarado at jja013@shsu.edu or Luke Troxell at jlt030@shsu.edu.
Benefit Fair To Provide 'Fun' For Area Children
Huntsville's Kate Barr Ross Park will be transformed into a carnival with games and other special events during the fourth annual Fun with Friends Fair on Saturday (April 5).
Hosted by the College of Education, Sam Houston Optimists and other campus departments and student organizations, the fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include food, arts and fun for children from the Huntsville and surrounding areas.
Among the activities will be craft tables, games and food booths.
"SHSU students will provide a safe and fun atmosphere where families can enjoy one another's company without being barraged with merchants trying to sell them something," said Miki Henderson, assistant professor of early childhood education. "Parents and children can just come and play together."
Tickets are 25 cents each, with most games and crafts costing one or two tickets. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit CASA of Walker County, which serves children in the foster care system.
"CASA of Walker County provides a voice to children in our own community who cannot speak for themselves," said Henderson, who is a court appointed special advocate for CASA of Walker County. "These are the children that we see every day in our own neighborhoods and are our future students.
“We want to share our passions for volunteering with the students in our classes," said Henderson, who is giving her students nine hours of Academic Civic Engagement credit by participating in the event.
For more information, contact Henderson at cmh055@shsu.edu or 936.294.4638.
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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Telephone: 936.294.1836; Fax: 936.294.1834
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.
