SHSU Update for Week of Oct. 7

• Visitor from Outer Space
• 'From Sea to Shining Sea'
• Gaertner Needs a Few Good Walkers
• SHSU Employees Contribute
• Mental Health Awareness and Screening
• Wind Ensemble Performs Wednesday
• Southwestern Bell Supports Small Business
• Get Hooked on Fishing
• Special Events for SFA Week

Visitor from Outer Space

Astronaut John Young has orbited the earth in Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle and Spacelab missions, and in 1972 landed on and explored the Moon on the Apollo 16. He is NASA's most experienced and decorated active astronaut.

Young will speak on "The Future of Human Space Exploration," at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium. Faculty, students and community residents are invited and there is no admission fee.

These days Young works as associate director of the Johnson Space Center, but he speaks often about three possible "bad events" that could change the Earth and humankind as we know it forever, making it necessary for a few true space pioneers to take life to the Moon, Mars, or elsewhere, to survive and start anew.

The events might include sunspot decline, volcanic activity, and asteroid/comet impacts.

Young now sees the challenge for him and others who advocate the continuation of space exploration by humans as how to overcome ignorance and apathy.

"The last 25 years of NASA's Solar System exploration including Earth is telling us what we need to do to preserve our species," Young has written. "This new knowledge is useless unless we act on it."

'From Sea to Shining Sea'

Also joining conductor Carol Smith for the concert will be SHSU faculty members Scott D. Plugge, Christopher Michel and Andrew Wilson.

Michel will perform the count's area from the third act of Mozart's "marriage of Figaro." Saxophonist Plugge will perform a J. Demersseman piece written for a student of Adolphe Sax, and first printed by the "House of Adolphe Sax, Patented Manufacturer of the Emperor's Military."

Violinist Wilson will perform Camille Saint-Saens' "Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso, Opus 28," which is said to crate the vision of a circus, with a sad, tragic clown or mime, ballet dancers, jugglers and acrobats, and a grand finale with all of the color and fireworks of a circus.

Also on the program are Mozart's "Overture to 'Titus'," John Williams' "Overture to 'The Cowboys'," Claudio Monteverdi's "Toccata and Ritornelli" from "Orfeo," and Modest Mussorgsky's "A Night on Bald Mountain."

The Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra is among the most talented on any college campus, with students from countries around the world and many of the 50 states. Presently, there are some 70 students in the symphony who come from as far away as Corpus Christi and McAllen to the south, Abilene to the west, Boston, Massachusetts to the east, and Michigan to the north.

Admission is $8 adults/$5 students, and free with SHSU student ID.

Gaertner Needs a Few Good Walkers

Gaertner is the campus chairperson for the American Heart Walk, scheduled for 8 a.m. Nov. 17 at Bowers Stadium.

Gaertner's team leaders include Debbie Birdwell for staff, 936.294.1017; Robert Case for faculty, 936.294.1160; and Kesha Garza for students, 936.435-0019.

"The intent of this health event is to draw attention to cardiovascular disease and stroke, and to raise funds for education and research," said Gaertner. "Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Please join in this fight to reduce heart disease by participating in this year's event."

Walkers who raise at least $50 will receive a T-shirt, and those raising more than $150 will eligible for a number of other prizes.

For more information, contact Nancy Gaertner at 936.294.1013.

SHSU Employees Contribute

The SHSU charitable campaign is a non-pressure personal choice event to allow the faculty and staff of the university an opportunity to make one-time cash gifts or payroll deduction pledge gifts to non-profit agencies of their own choice. Each faculty or staff member chooses the charity and the amount to be given to that charity.

"If you need a pledge form, please contact your nearest coordinator. Or call Emmette Jackson, 936.294.1194, or me, Mary Evelyn Collins, 936.294.1970, and we will deliver you the form and brochure," said Collins, co-chair of the committee with Jackson.

The deadline for returning the gift or pledge is Oct. 26.

The annual booklet describing each approved charity is available in the deans' offices and in the library.

The SHSU State Employee Charitable Campaign coordinators include Sandy Baker, Public Communication; Gayle Bullard, Student Life; Charles Capps, School of Business; Jeanette Collins, Cashiers; and Paula Culak, University Police.

Also, Allison Dean, Mathematics; Lovell Henry, Custodial-Grounds; John Holcombe, Political Science; Beverly Irby, College of Education; Melissa Morphew, English; Janet Mullings, College of Criminal Justice; Carol Reinke, Advancement; and Mac Woodward, Sam Houston Museum.

Mental Health Awareness and Screening

"These problems often can interfere with academic success and progress," said Pamela W. McManus, the event coordinator. "Early intervention and prevention can make the difference between an unsuccessful semester and a successful one." This year, the Mental Health Awareness and Screening Day falls on the one-month anniversary of the terror attacks.

"We had planned the Mental Health Awareness and Screening Day long before the terrorists struck," said McManus. "The Counseling Center now wants to use this event to connect with people who may be having trouble and do not know where to turn."

McManus said that as this one-month period elapses, people will be entering different stages of grief and anger and may be heading into clinical depression.

"We want them to know the Counseling Center is here to assist," she said. "In recognition of the impact of this tragic event on SHSU students, additional information and screening will be available concerning posttraumatic stress disorder."

McManus encourages anyone concerned about himself or herself or a friend to attend the Mental Health Awareness and Screening Day. Free information and screenings will be available, and screenings are confidential. There will also be "fun giveaways."

For more information contact McManus at 936.294.1720 or go by the Counseling Center in the Lee Drain Building annex.

Wind Ensemble Performs Wednesday

The Wind Ensemble is under the direction of Matthew McInturf, associate professor and director of bands in the SHSU School of Music.

Wednesday's program opens with William Bergsma's "March with Trumpets," and continues with Malcolm Arnold's "Four Scottish Dances," with Christopher Cantrell conducting.

John Barnes Chance's "Elegy" and Cindy McTee's "Timepiece" will be followed by the concluding piece, Benjamin Britten's "The Courtly Dances."

Admission is $8 adults/$5 students, and free with SHSU student ID.

Southwestern Bell Supports Small Business

Bob Barragan, left, director of the Sam Houston State University Small Business Development Center, accepts a check for $2,500 from Ron Snelson, director of external affairs for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company

Ron Snelson, director of external affairs for Southwestern Bell, made the presentation to Bob Barragan, development center director, in a Wednesday (Oct.3) ceremony attended by a number of city and university officials.

Barragan said the grant is intended to enhance rural economic development, and six recipients will be selected for funding beginning in January 2002.

This will be the 8th year the SHSU program has been funded by the Southwestern Bell Economic Excellence Program. The program promotes economic growth in the rural eight-county area serviced by the Small Business Development Center.

For more information, contact Ce Cowart Schlicher, development center training coordinator, at 936.294.3737.

Get Hooked on Fishing

The event is for elementary school age children and will be held at the Gibbs Ranch on Saturday (Oct. 13). Gibbs Ranch is on Highway 75 north of Walker Brothers Lumber Co.

For more information contact Patrick Antwi with the City of Huntsville Parks and Recreation Department at 936.294.5725.

Special Events for SFA Week

"Firefest" is Wednesday (Oct. 17) on Intramural Field 3 at 7 p.m.

On Thusday (Oct. 18) the Office of the Vice President for Student Services in collaboration with Athletics and Student Activities is hosting the 3rd Annual Student Services Football Family Day, with a pre-game tailgate party beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Bowers Stadium parking lot. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.

These events will be put on by the Department of Student Activities in conjunction with the Program Council.

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
Oct. 7, 2001
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