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SHSU Update For Week Of Oct. 12
- Former Secretary Of State To Visit SHSU Thursday
- ‘Modern-Day Slave’ To Address Trafficking Tuesday
- Bearkats To ‘Carry The Load’ For Oct. 18 Ruck March
- Nominations Sought For Outstanding Grad Assistants
- Block Party To Welcome Students To New Center 80s Style
- Luminary Event To Highlight Domestic Violence
- Guest Musicians To Share Skills With Students, Audiences
- SHSU Seeks Educators For �Distinguished� Recognition
- Submit Update Items Here
Former Secretary Of State To Visit SHSU Thursday
James A. Baker III, former United States secretary of state, will discuss the work he did under three U.S. presidents on Thursday (Oct. 16) for the Sam Houston State University President’s Speaker Series guest.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Baker is no stranger to SHSU—he was the first recipient of the university’s Sam Houston Humanitarian Award, established in 1993 in honor of the 200th birthday of Gen. Sam Houston, and he delivered the spring commencement address for SHSU in 2004.
Baker served as the nation’s 61st secretary of state from 1989-1992 under President George H. W. Bush, during which time he traveled to 90 countries as the United States confronted the unprecedented challenges and opportunities of the post-Cold War era.
Previously, he served as the 67th secretary of the treasury from 1985-1988 and as White House chief of staff from 1981-1985 under President Ronald Reagan, and began his political career in 1975 as under secretary of commerce to President Gerald Ford.
Other duties have included serving as the personal envoy of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in seeking a political solution to the conflict over Western Sahara; an appointment to a special presidential envoy on the issue of Iraqi debt; and co-chairing the Commission on Federal Election Reform, the Iraq Study Group and the National War Powers Commission.
A native Houstonian, Baker graduated from Princeton University in 1952, and after two years of active duty as a lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps, he entered the University of Texas School of Law, from which he graduated with honors in 1957.
His memoir—"Work Hard, Study…and Keep Out of Politics! Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life"—was published in October 2006.
Baker currently is a senior partner in the law firm of Baker Botts, is honorary chairman of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University and serves on the board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
‘Modern-Day Slave’ To Address Trafficking Tuesday
Shyima Hall, who was sold into slavery at the age of 8 by her parents in Egypt, will discuss her experiences and her crusade against human trafficking on Tuesday (Oct. 14).
The Sam Houston State University Global Center for Journalism and Democracy presentation, “Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern Day Slave,” will begin at 5 p.m. in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
The wealthy Cairo couple who purchased Hall smuggled the then-10-year-old into California, where she slept on a squalid mattress in a windowless garage with only a bucket and some water to wash herself and her clothes.
Neighbors caught glimpses of a small, dark-haired girl during times children her age should have been in school, and in 2002, acting on a tip from one of those neighbors, child welfare authorities rescued Hall.
Thirteen at the time, Hall decided she wanted to stay in the United States. She hasn’t returned to Egypt or seen her family since.
Now 24 years old and a U.S. citizen, Hall speaks to groups across the country about combating human trafficking and has briefed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents about the emotional and physical trauma that victims endure.
“It is important to hear from Hall, who was held captive right here in the United States,” said GCJD executive director Kelli Arena. “Currently, there are more than 27 million modern-day slaves in the world. In Houston, more than 1,500 victims have been identified since 2007, according to the Polaris Project. We need to be aware that this is happening and how we can help stop it.”
In January, her memoir, “Hidden Girl,” was published by Simon and Schuster, and Hall will sign copies of her book after the lecture.
The event is free, and open to the public.
For more information on this event, contact the global center at 936.294.2479 or email jcs052@shsu.edu.
Bearkats To ‘Carry The Load’ For Oct. 18 Ruck March
For the fifth year, Sam Houston State University will join forces with U.S. military servicemen and women and symbolically “carry their load” during annual Military Ruck March on Saturday (Oct. 18).
The competitive, 10-mile march will begin at 8 a.m. at the Huntsville State Park, six miles southwest of Huntsville off Interstate 45 on Park Road 40. Registration will begin at 6 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony.
The foot march began in 2010 as both a fundraising endeavor and a way to commemorate and bring attention to the physical, mental and emotional “load” that military/veterans and civil service members carry daily, according to Jacob Bullion, recruiting coordinator for SHSU’s Veterans Resource Center.
Participants can enter the event individually or as two- or four-person teams. Prizes will be awarded in eight categories, with divisions for military personnel carrying 45 and 60 pound rucksacks, civilian and individuals.
The cost to participate ranges from $25 for individuals to $140 for a four-person team, with registration costs varying for military service and the weight of the rucksack carried.
All proceeds benefit the Red Lion Project, which was created by the parents of Cpl. Joseph Logan, a Willis native, who was killed in a helicopter crash along with five other marines while deployed in Afghanistan. They would later be named the “the Fallen Six.”
“The march is a great way to get out in the woods, get some great exercise while testing your endurance, and, most importantly, it is a great way to show support to our military, connect with our community and show some school spirit. It's all about competition and charity,” Bullion said. “The trails out there are really good at the state park and make for a great event; not to mention the scenery is outstanding.”
Participants can pre-register online at shsu.edu/ruckmarch or by stopping by the Veterans Resource Center, in Academic Building III Room 116. Early registration is not required but is encouraged.
For more information contact Bullion at 936.294.4079 or veterans@shsu.edu.
Nominations Sought For Outstanding Grad Assistants
Have a teaching assistant who demonstrates effective, innovative teaching, often going beyond the call of duty in his or her classroom?
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| Last year's "Outstanding Teaching Assistants" included (from left) Ruwan Chamara Karunanayaka, Kaylee Kerbs, James Taylor, and Leann Huddelston. Not pictured is Katherine Gaskamp. —Submitted |
The Office of Graduate Studies and the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence wants to recognize those exceptional graduate teaching assistants through their Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards program.
Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 3 by department chairs, graduate advisers, faculty and undergraduate students who feel their graduate teaching assistant is the best of the best.
“Both Dr. Marsha Harman, director of PACE, and I felt it was necessary to revive these awards in order to recognize the impact graduate teaching assistants have on undergraduate academic success,” said Kandi Tayebi, dean of Graduate Studies and associate vice president for Academic Affairs. “As our undergraduate enrollment expands, it is crucial to honor graduate students for their exceptional teaching skills.
“This is also only one of several awards for graduate students coming out of my office,” she said. “It’s important that we, as a university, support and encourage these talented emerging scholars.”
Eligible teaching assistants must have taught for at least one semester; be a degree-seeking graduate student, employed as a teaching assistant at SHSU; conduct him or herself in an ethical manner; display collegiality with peers, faculty, and students; possess a broad knowledge of the area taught; demonstrate exceptional teaching skills in the classroom or lab; exhibit innovative teaching techniques; and engage students in learning.
Nominees are not required to be the instructor of record.
Last year’s winners included Katherine Gaskamp, history; Leann Huddelston, dance; Ruwan Chamara Karunanayaka, statistics; Kaylee Kerbs, agriculture; and James Taylor, computing science.
Some TAs were solely nominated by undergraduates, and “these were some of the most touching letters of recommendation to read,” according to Weston Rose, Graduate Studies media and communications specialist.
Nomination forms can be found on the SHSU Graduate Studies homepage under “Award” by clicking “nomination forms,” or at shsu.edu/dept/graduate-studies/forms-and-publications.html.
They can be submitted by email, to gradstudies@shsu.edu; by fax, to 936.294.2409; or by mail to Box 2541 SHSU, Huntsville, Texas, 77341.
For more information, call 936.294.2408.
Block Party To Welcome Students To New Center 80s Style
The Student Health and Counseling Center will party like it's the 1980s, introducing students to the new facility to tunes and activities of that decade, on Wednesday (Oct. 15).
The 80s block party celebration will include tours, music, food, games and giveaways that will be provided from 5-8 p.m. in the center.
The collaborative event sponsored by the Student Health and Counseling Center and Residence Life, is an effort to show off the facility to both students who have and have not used its services since the move and to raise awareness of the center’s expanded services, according to Kyle Ashton, Res Life assistant director for hall staff and community development.
Students who take a tour will receive a free T-shirt or towel, and participants can visit booths set up by the SHCC and the Residence Hall Association.
The organizations will help set the 80s atmosphere with a DJ playing a mix of 80s music, as well as some other popular tunes, and there will be a carnival offering snack items such as cotton candy, candy, chips, and water, as well as games such as washers, ladder golf, bean-bag toss, and the electronic game Simon.
“We will have two Wii systems set up inside the Counseling Center conference rooms with carnival games and a dancing game,” Ashton said. “Other items such as glow in the dark bracelets and sunglasses will be given out for free as well.
“We will also have two photo booths with Polaroid cameras and 80s and other props available to participants.”
For more information, call the Counseling Center at 936.294.1720.
Luminary Event To Highlight Domestic Violence
The Alpha Chi Omega sorority will shine a light on domestic violence on Wednesday (Oct. 15) with a luminary vigil in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area.
The candlelight vigil, which will begin at 6 p.m., will include information on domestic violence, guest speakers, an observation of a moment of silence and refreshments.
The event is being hosted in honor of national domestic violence awareness month, in October, to raise awareness of domestic violence victims and honoring those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
The event will benefit SAAFE House and is part of AXO’s philanthropy.
Other events include tables set up in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area, beginning Monday (Oct. 13) to provide information about domestic violence awareness, during which time sorority members will hand out purple ribbons, koozies and other freebies.
The sorority also will sell T-shirts to benefit the SAAFE House.
On Wednesday (Oct. 15), the sorority will join forces with the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority to tie ribbons around campus trees in honor of both sororities’ philanthropies (ZTA’s philanthropy is breast cancer awareness).
In addition, AXO members will participate in “Go Purple Day” on Thursday (Oct. 16), which is a statewide initiative to bring attention to domestic violence fatalities and a commitment to one day achieve an entirely purple state.
Later events include a “Kendra Gives Back” event on Nov. 11 at The Woodlands location of Kendra Scott. From 6-8 p.m. that day, the women’s jewelry and accessories store will donate 10 percent of its profits to the SAAFE House.
For more information on any of these activities, contact Taylor Buchel, AXO vice president of philanthropy, at tnb014@shsu.edu.
Guest Musicians To Share Skills With Students, Audiences
The SHSU School of Music will harmonize with two guest musicians for a day of saxophone music and a clarinet performance.
Saxophone Day, on Sunday (Oct. 12) will feature two public master classes by renowned saxophonist and pedagogue Frederick Hemke.
The first master class will be from 10 a.m. to noon in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Recital Hall with the students of assistant professor of saxophone Mas Sugihara.
This class will feature performances by a saxophone quartet, saxophone duo, and saxophone and piano combination, performing a variety of music.
The second master class will begin at 1:30 p.m., also in the GPAC Recital Hall, featuring invited saxophone quartets from University of Houston and Stephen F. Austin State University.
The event will conclude with a fireside talk with Hemke, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Hemke was the saxophone professor at Northwestern University for 50 years, retiring in 2012. Both School of Music director Scott Plugge and Sugihara studied under Hemke, according to Sugihara.
His day of master classes is free, and anyone interested in the saxophone can listen in.
On Tuesday (Oct. 14), a trio of guest artists will work with student clarinetists for a series of master classes that will culminate with a 7:30 p.m. recital in the GPAC Recital Hall.
Afternoon activities include I-Ling Chen’s piano master class, at 12:30 p.m. in the GPAC Recital Hall; Richard Nunemaker’s clarinet master class, at 2 p.m. in Music Building Room 219; and Olive Chen’s cello master class, at 5 p.m., with the location to be determined.
That evening, Nunemaker, Olive Chen and I-Ling Chen will come together for a concert featuring the music of Johannes Brahms.
Selections include Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1 and Sonata in Eb Major, Ope. 120, No. 2, both of which were composed in 1894 for clarinet and piano; and, following an intermission, Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, composed in 1891-92.
Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for senior citizens and $5 for SHSU students.
For more information on either event, call the School of Music at 936.294.1360.
SHSU Seeks Educators For ‘Distinguished’ Recognition
The Sam Houston State University College of Education is seeking alumni educators who have made significant contributions to the field for its 2015 Distinguished Educator of the Year awards.
Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 15 in five categories: Distinguished Elementary Teacher, Distinguished Secondary Teacher, Distinguished Support Professional, Distinguished Administrator, and Friend of Education.
“The Distinguished Educator of the Year ceremony is truly a highlight for the College of Education each year,” said Stacey Edmonson, dean of the College of Education. “The event is an elegant celebration that provides an opportunity to recognize excellence in education.
“More than 250 persons attend the ceremony, and nominations are received from across the state for the prestigious honor,” she said. “The event has honored persons such as state Representative Lois Kolkhorst and endowed scholarship donor Eleanor Garrett, as well as organizations such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and H-E-B.”
Support professionals include, but are not limited to, counselors, specialists, diagnosticians and librarians; the Friend of Education award recognizes individuals or businesses that have made a significant contribution to the field of education.
Nominees must be an SHSU College of Education alumnus and have demonstrated excellence or outstanding service, current or retired, in the classroom, school, district, and/or community. The Friend of Education is not required to be an SHSU alumnus.
A letter of recommendation describing why the nominee should receive a Distinguished Educator of the Year Award should also be included with the application.
Self-nominations are also welcome.
A semi-formal (black tie optional) ceremony recognizing award winners and nominees will be held on March 7, 2015, in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
Nominations forms are available online at shsu.edu/academics/education/distinguished-educator and should be submitted to SHSU College of Education, Box 2119; Huntsville, TX, 77341; or by fax to 936.294.1102.
For more information, contact Sherry Hirsch, COE events coordinator, at 936.294.1101.
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 shsu.edu/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
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