University Fast Links Academic Affairs Academic Calendar Academic Community Engagement (ACE) Academic Planning and Assessment Accepted Students Admissions (Undergraduate) Admissions (Graduate) Admission Requirements Analytical Laboratory Advising (Medical/Dental Related) Advising (SAM Center) Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology Alumni Association Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative Army ROTC - Military Science Athletics Banner Banking Bearkat Camp Bearkat Express Payment Bearkat Marching Band Bearkat OneCard Bearkat Transfer Scholarship Blackboard Blinn College Transfers Bookstore Books & Supplies Budget Office Bursar's Office Business Administration Calendars Campus Map Career Services Catalogs Class Schedule Computer Account Creation Computer Labs Continuing Education Controller's Office Correspondence Course Division Counseling Center Criminal Justice Current Students Dean of Students' Office Departments Department of Dance Dining Services Directory Education Educator Preparation Services Emergency Management Employment Opportunities English Language Institute Enrollment Management Environmental, Health and Safety Office Exchange Mail Facilites Management Facilities Space Management Faculty Senate Faculty/Staff Directory Final Exam Schedule Finance and Operations Financial Aid Fine Arts and Mass Communication First-Year Experience General Information Graduate Studies Great Names Health Sciences Honors College Homecoming Human Resources Humanities and Social Sciences IT@Sam IT@Sam Service Desk Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) Institutional Effectiveness Internal Grant Program Institutional Review Board (IRB) International Programs Joint Admission Students KatFacts Library (NGL) Lone Star College Transfers Lowman Student Center Map - Campus Marketing & Communications Math CAMP Medical & Allied Health Programs McNair Program Military Science Mobile Go Center Music Music Choir News Nursing Office of Business Services Office of the President Online Information Request Organization Chart Orientation - New Student PACE Parent Relations Office Parking Payroll Office Procurement and Business Services Procurement Opportunities Project Connect Property Prospective Students Public Safety Quality Enhancement Plan Reading Center Recreational Sports Registration Registrar's Office Research and Sponsored Programs Residence Life Risk Management Sam Shuttle SACS Reaffirmation Sam Houston Memorial Museum SamMenu (Download) SamWeb Sciences Services for Students with Disabilities Schedule of Classes Scholarships SHSU Marketplace Spirit Programs Staff Council Student Activities Student Government Association Student Health Center Student Legal Services Student Money Management Center Student Services Student Services Calendar Summer Camps Technology Tutorials Testing Center Theatre and Dance Today@Sam Tour the University Transcripts Transfer Equivalency Guide Transfer Students TRIES University Advancement University Center University Hotel University Park - Northwest Houston Campus University Police Department Veterans Visitor & Alumni Center The Woodlands Center Writing Center

Today@Sam Article

Incoming Freshman Discusses Her Early Impressions Of SHSU

June 28, 2012
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

 

Freshman Kelsie Gabel (right), with her New Student Orientation leader Lauren Fenn —Photos by Brian Blalock

 

Kelsie Gabel is an incoming freshman from Jacksonville, Fla. In the account below, Gabel describes why she chose SHSU, visiting campus during New Student Orientation June 7-8, and her impressions of her experiences here.

I was born in San Antonio, and when I was three I moved to Dallas. At the age of five I moved to Jacksonville, Fla., and have lived there ever since. While in Jacksonville, I spent my entire school career at a college preparatory school called the Providence School. As a high school student, I participated on the track and field team, cheered four years on the varsity cheer team (two years as a captain), and was a member of the school’s all-girl community service club, of which I was president two years. I also went on three overseas mission trips, one year to Roatan, Honduras, and two years to Costa Rica.

Once it came to deciding where I wanted to go to college, Texas schools were my only option. In my opinion, Florida schools can’t compete with the honor and sense of tradition at Texas schools. Plus, I have always wanted to come back home to Texas. SHSU seemed perfect for me. The school wasn't too big, or too small. There is lots of history and tradition at Sam and that is very important to me. SHSU was also a great pick for me because it was the first teacher's college in Texas, and I'm an education major. I chose to be an education major because of my love for students and the compassion I have for them. I have always wanted to be a good mentor and role model for young people, just like I had when I was young. I believe that all teachers have influences on their students, and I would like to be the positive influence that some children may not have in their lives.

When I came to SHSU for orientation, I had only been on the campus once before, last October for Saturdays@Sam. I really fell in love with the campus. Since Florida's completely flat, the hilly geography at Sam has been a nice change. It was definitely a new experience walking along the campus, especially from Lone Star Hall all the way to the HKC.

My orientation experience was wonderful; getting to know the campus and more about the school through orientation has been extremely beneficial. As an out-of-state student, orientation was definitely a must. Now I have the inside scoop of all the perks about being an SHSU Bearkat. Orientation gave me such a great opportunity to get to know my future home as well as giving me a chance to meet my fellow classmates. The program has been absolutely great! Time with our small groups was a good chance to get to know other students on a personal level. My orientation leader was Lauren Fenn. She was really open with our group and if we had any questions, she always had an answer. My favorite aspect of orientation was the “Passport to Sam.” Each organization on campus had a display set up for all of the incoming freshmen. It was very informational, and I’ve already picked out certain organizations I’d like to be a part of starting in the fall semester.

Orientation and visiting the campus have definitely impacted my feelings about choosing this school. I feel totally welcomed and at home when I'm at Sam. I know I'll have an awesome experience here when I come back in the fall. I cannot wait to officially become an SHSU Bearkat!

 

 

- END -

 

 

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.