The symposium is being sponsored by the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and the SHSU Department of History. It is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Museum's Walker Education Center.
"For 13 years Sam Houston struggled for solutions to the crucial questions threatening the Union and the future of Texas," said the Museum's Mac Woodward. "Facing adversity and attack, he made the most difficult decisions of his life."
While Houston's service as a U. S. Senator is sometimes overshadowed by events of the Texas revolution and republic, Houston held his ground among the likes of Adams, Clay, and Calhoun, Woodward said.
"This symposium is designed to examine Sam Houston, both personally and politically, as an important figure on the national stage," said Woodward. "We hope it will stimulate a long overdue interest, and possibly debate, on this aspect of his complex and enigmatic life."
Scheduled presentations include: "The Invasion that Never Was: Sam Houston's Project for a U. S. Protectorate Over Mexico," by Dr. Robert E. May of Purdue University; "Senator Sam Houston, Unionist," by Dr. Randolph B. Campbell of the University of North Texas; and "Houston's Senate Career-In His Own Words," by author and Houston descendant Madge Thornall Roberts.
The event is free, but reservations are required. Contact Woodward, the Museum's curator of collections, or Patrick Nolan, Museum director, at 294-1831.
The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the First Baptist Church.
Proceeds from the concert will be used to establish endowed scholarships in the name of Marks, who has taught at SHSU for 31 years, and Oliphint, who now chairs the Texas Southern University music department's vocal division after a distinguished career in professional opera and music education in the United States and Europe.
The Symphonic Choruses of SHSU and Texas Southern will join with the Sam Houston Orchestra for Marks' "Encore Toccata for Brass Choir," with Marks conducting. Oliphint will perform the "Gloria" by Francis Poulenc, with Kent Hatteberg conducting the mixed choir and orchestra.
The concluding work will be Poulenc's "Concerto in G minor for Organ, Strings, and Timpani," performed by the SHSU Symphony Orchestra with Carol Smith conducting and Alan Strong as organ soloist.
There is no admission charge, but contributions will be accepted and applied toward the scholarship endowments.
Dr. Robert Biles, professor of political science, will give the convocation address at the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Convocation at 2 p.m. Sunday (April 28) in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium. Biles will speak on "Women and Politics in Latin America: Lessons for Us?"
More than 160 outstanding students in the College of Education and Applied Science will be honored at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
Receptions are scheduled at the conclusion of both events.
The Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations will host a reception for Osburn, professor of education and program coordinator of reading and special education when she took early retirement in 1991, at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Austin Hall.
Osburn, who has taught at SHSU for 17 years, also served as program coordinator in elementary education, and worked on behalf of many organizations and committees. Contact Pat Sprott for reception information at 294-1108.
The Department of Agricultural Sciences will host a retirement reception for Schumann, professor of agriculture and coordinator of vocational education, from 3-5 p.m. Thursday in Room 207 of the ABII Building (Sam Houston Ave. and 17th St.).
Schumann, who has taught at SHSU for 22 years, has been active in district, area, and state Future Farmers of America leadership contests. He will continue to teach part-time under the university's early retirement program, and continue to work with student teachers. Call Karen McPike at 294-1215 for reception information.
Matthys, who is retiring after 21 years of service, will be honored at 3:30 p.m. May 10 in Austin Hall. Contact Debbie Birdwell at 294-1017 for reception information.
Christy Lowery, senior from Montgomery, was one of only 20 debaters nationally selected to the American Debate Squad. She was also named the outstanding debater in the Texas/Louisiana region, the first time a SHSU student has received the award.
Students who represented SHSU at the national tournament in San Diego in addition to Lowery were Kristi Kochensky, sophomore from Houston, Thomas Dougherty, sophomore from Houston, Michael Scates, sophomore from Baytown, Daniel White, junior from Houston, Ather Ali, freshman from Houston, Chris Kutalek, freshman from Montgomery, and Norah Howe, junior from Abilene.
Additional events this week which will conclude the spring semester musical performance schedule include a Chamber Music Concert at noon Wednesday in the atrium of the Fine Arts Building, student voice recital by Holly Walker at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Recital Hall, and student violin recital by Jedonne Carter at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Recital Hall.
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