SHSU Update for Week of March 7, 1999

• SHSU Hosts Accreditation Teams
• Bowman to Leave Alumni Post
• Alcohol Awareness Program
• Teacher Job Fair
• Children's Literature Festival
• Air Force Band Heads Music Events
  

SHSU Hosts Accreditation Teams

The groups include a 13-member team representing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and seven-member team from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Both will be evaluating the quality of self-studies done over the past two years.

"The SACS team will evaluate the quality of our self-study focusing on whether Sam Houston State University has a purpose appropriate to higher education, is fulfilling its mission while continuing to improve the educational quality of its programs and services, and meeting regional standards set forth by the association," said James Goodwin, who chaired the self-study steering committee.

The teams are expected to do interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday. The NCAA review team has scheduled an open forum from 1:30-2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the team meeting room in the field house at Bowers Stadium for anyone who would like to comment on the athletics program.

Tom Davis chaired a steering committee that did an athletics program self-study concentrating on governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, fiscal integrity, and commitment to equity.

Hearings were held in November for anyone wishing to comment on either study. Drafts of the studies were available in the Newton Gresham Library, in the SACS Self-Study Office (AB3 217), and on the SHSU Internet home page.

The visiting team members and their affiliations include:
SACS--Gerald Lord, SACS; Grover Andrews, University of Georgia; Robert Appleson, Northern Kentucky University; Debra Buchanan, Jackson State University; George W. Clark, Florida A&M University; Bert Dillon, University of South Carolina; Linda D'Olive, Northern Kentucky University; Linda Doran, East Tennessee State University; Frank Franz, University of Alabama (Huntsville); Etta Gravely, North Carolina A&T State University; Jerry Stephens, University of Alabama (Birmingham); Charles Swanson, University of Georgia; and Laura Tucker, Georgia State University.

NCAA--John Bardo, Western Carolina University; Jack Bishop, Southern Utah University; Beth Chapman, Southland Conference; Robert Cochran, University of Wyoming; Sally Hattig, Eastern Michigan University; Richard Williams, Princeton University; and Delise O'Mealy, NCAA.

Bowman to Leave Alumni Post

Bowman plans to be married in June and to move to Lamesa, where her fiancé is a sergeant with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

"The past 18 years have gone by fast with many friends made and challenges met," said Bowman. "I will always be grateful for the opportunities given to me and the wonderful students that became a part of my family at Sam Houston State University."

Bowman came to Sam Houston State in 1981 as an area coordinator in university housing, transferred in 1983 to the Office of Student Life where she was an assistant dean, and became director of alumni relations in 1994.

"We are sorry to see Kathy go, because she has been an extremely energetic, enthusiastic, and innovative Sam Houston State University worker and adopted Bearkat," said Bobby K. Marks, Sam Houston president. "We wish her well in this new phase of her life."

While director of alumni relations Bowman has organized and traveled to alumni gatherings throughout the state and coordinated establishment of an Alumni Relations $500,000 Enrichment Endowment. She has also been active in the Huntsville community with such organizations and events as the First United Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, General Sam Houston Folk Festival and Walker County Fair Association.

Her awards and honors include a Residence Life service award (1982), Certificate of Volunteer Service from Texas Governor Ann Richards (1993), the SHSU Staff Excellence Award (1993), and a "Sammy" Award (1996) for campus service from the Division of Student Services.

A Louisiana native, she earned bachelor's (1977) and master's (1979) degrees from Louisiana Tech University. She worked as a resident hall manager at Illinois State University before coming to Sam Houston State.

Gary A. Bouse, executive director of University Advancement, said that a committee is being formed and a national search will be conducted for Bowman's replacement.

Alcohol Awareness Program

The Department of Residence Life and other campus organizations are sponsoring a number of Alcohol Awareness Week projects with the theme "Play It Safe--Spring Break."

Some of the week's planned highlights include placing a car that was involved in an alcohol-related accident in the Lowman Student Center Mall area, as well as drawing chalk outlines there representing 34 college students killed in alcohol-related accidents and placing 34 tombstones around the mall area.

A "brick" wall, made of paper, will be constructed in the Lowman Student Center, with students invited to share messages about how alcohol has negatively affected their lives. Birthday cards urging responsible use of alcohol will be sent to students turning 21 March 8-20.

Huntsville bars have been asked to support a designated driver program, offering free soft drinks to designated drivers March 8-12. March 9 has been designated "Dead Day," with 34 students wearing T-shirts with the words "Why Me" painted on them, and carrying cards describing the 34 college students who died last year because of alcohol-related accidents.

Three memorial banners, on which students can write the names of someone they know who died in an alcohol-related accident, will be placed on campus. Alcohol Awareness Week T-shirts will be given as door prizes at various events.

On March 10 "mocktails" will be provided in three locations, along with brochures about responsible party hosting and non-alcoholic drink recipes.

Spring break at SHSU is March 15-19.

Teacher Job Fair

Graduating education students and alumni now in the teaching field are invited to participate.

There is no registration fee, and pre-registration is not required. Call SHSU Career Services at 409-294-1713 for more information.

Children's Literature Festival

Mary Berry, festival coordinator, promises a "storytelling bonanza" with storytellers from across the United States, including Jay O'Callahan and Helen Ketteman.

The festival registration fee is $60. For more information contact Berry at the SHSU Department of Library Science, 409-294-1150.

Air Force Band Heads Music Events

Other events include a student recital featuring Melissa Scott on horn, at 7:30 p.m. Monday (March 8) in the Recital Hall, a performance of the SHSU Concert Choir at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 9) in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium, and a SHSU Wind Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (March 11), also in Killinger Auditorium. For more information on all music events, call 409-294-1360.

- END -

Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
March 5, 1999
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu