TWO CEREMONIES SCHEDULED FOR MAY COMMENCEMENT

Sam Houston State University will hold two commencement exercises May 17, in response to the increasingly large crowds which have overflowed the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum during recent ceremonies.

Graduates from the colleges of Education and Applied Science and Criminal Justice will be awarded their degrees at 10 a.m., with a ceremony for those in the colleges of Business Administration and Arts and Sciences scheduled at 2 p.m.

Dr. James E. Gilmore, vice president for academic affairs, said in announcing the plan that Dr. Bobby K. Marks, SHSU president, decided to schedule the two ceremonies after a poll of prospective graduates indicated a preference for that alternative.

Another proposal involved issuing eight tickets to each graduate, but 63 percent of those responding said they favored two ceremonies with no limit on guests.

"We want to ensure that our commencements are as safe and convenient and memorable as we can make them," said Gilmore. "I am confident that this solution is both wise and workable."

SEMESTER OPENS THIS WEEK

The 1997 Spring Semester at Sam Houston State University opens this week with dorms re-opening on Sunday, registration on Monday and Tuesday for those who did not register in the fall, and classes beginning Wednesday.

Some of the highlights of the semester include:

Jan. 20--University holiday in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King;
March 17-21--Spring break for faculty and students;
March 20-21--Spring break for staff;
March 28 (Good Friday)--Holiday for faculty and students;
May 7--Final exam study day;
May 8, 9, 12, 13--Final exams;
May 17--Commencement ceremonies, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Johnson Coliseum.

EXTENDED LEARNING COURSES SCHEDULED

Three courses offered by the Office of Extended Learning at Sam Houston State University begin this week, and a number of others are scheduled throughout the Spring Semester.

Certification Program courses to train mediation aides and a course entitled Introduction to Computers begin Monday, and a course to train certified nurse aides begins Tuesday.

Other Certification Program courses will be taught in the areas of emergency medical technician, basic real estate, phlebotomy, chemical dependency counseling, CPR certification, EMS instructor training, EMS continuing education, and financial strategies for successful retirement.

Additional computer courses include Basic WordPerfect 6.1 and Surfing the Internet, and Introduction to Computers for parents and children.

Language offerings include Spanish levels I and II and Basic Conversational Spanish for 6th graders and older.

Other offerings include Basic and Intermediate Sign Language, a one-day workshop in Using Art as a Tool When Working With Children, a four-day conference in San Antonio on Alternatives to Violence, and a three-day conference in San Antonio on Women in Leadership: Creating Balance in Your Life.

Registration deadline for the first three courses is Monday. To register, or to obtain information on other offerings, call the Office of Extended Learning at 294-3701.

COUNSELING ORGANIZATION FORMED

The Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling at Sam Houston State University has formed the Beta Kappa Tau chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international society of counseling professionals and counseling students.

"The purpose of Chi Sigma Iota is to promote and recognize exemplary attainment in counselor education and the practice of counseling," said Dr. Judy DeTrude, who along with Dr. Judy Crow will serve as a faculty sponsor for the chapter.

Officers for the new chapter are Kathy Stern, president; Susan Bajza, president-elect; Susan Brock, secretary; Amy Evans, treasurer; and Judy Owens, committee chairperson.

Graduates of the counseling program who would like to become alumni members may contact DeTrude at 294-1209 for eligibility requirements.

MATTINGLY HONORED

Dr. Glen E. Mattingly, who chairs the Department of Mathematical and Information Sciences at Sam Houston State University, is among six mathematicians nationally to be honored with distinguished service awards.

Mattingly was presented a Certificate of Meritorious Service Thursday by the Mathematical Association of America at a meeting in San Diego.

Mattingly, a member of the collegiate mathematics education organization since 1961, currently serves as governor of its Texas Section. He served as secretary/treasurer of the section from 1978 to 1990.

Mattingly has chaired the Department of Mathematical and Information Sciences at SHSU since 1967.

AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Sam Houston State University Department of Agricultural Sciences is accepting applications for more than $40,000 in scholarships to be awarded for the 1997-'98 academic year.

The scholarships range in amount from $500 to $1,500 per year. Incoming freshmen, transfer students, or continuing SHSU students majoring in agricultural science, agricultural business, ag education, animal science, agricultural mechanization, or horticulture-crop science are eligible to compete for the awards.

For further information, or to request an application form, contact the department office at 409-294-1224 or 409-294-1215. The department is located in room 222 of the Thomason Building on the SHSU campus. Deadline for applications is March 4.

CHEERLEADERS COMPETING

The SHSU cheerleaders are in Orlando, Florida, through Monday competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association's National Championships at Disney World Studios. Thirty-one students comprising two teams are representing the University.

Last year the SHSU cheerleaders finished first in Division I in the all-girl competition and 2nd among coed squads participating.

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Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak

Jan. 12, 1997