SHSU Update for Week of January 14

• Johnson Selected for Promotion
• Service Award Nominations Sought
• New Dining Options
• Student Government Sets Agenda
• Technology Forums Scheduled
• Briefs

Johnson Selected for Promotion

Johnson's name was on a list of 482 officers released Jan. 4. He expects that the promotion will become effective this fall.

Johnson, who became professor of military science at SHSU in July, was also selected to attend the U. S. Army's Senior Service College. That assignment will shorten his anticipated three-year tour at SHSU, he said, but he does not know by how long.

A native of Paris, Texas, Johnson graduated from Texas A&M and obtained his commission, beginning his service in May, 1979. He received a master's degree from Central Michigan University in 1991.

During his more than 20 years of service, his awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Army commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Master Parachutist's Badge. His foreign awards include the Ecuadorian and Venezuelan Parachutist's Badges.

Johnson said that he and his staff continue to work to rebuild the SHSU ROTC program. In 1990 it was named the top program in the United States, but participation has decreased.

Rebuilding efforts have included increased recruiting of top high school, on-campus and transfer students, emphasizing benefits of ROTC scholarships and skills received, making the program more fun by incorporating activities such as rappelling, weapons firing and visits to military bases, creation of facilities for more interaction between students with other ROTC students and faculty, and improving the corps image and visibility.

Johnson's wife, Laura, a 1978 graduate of Sam Houston State University, is a speech therapist with the New Waverly school district. They have two children--Ryan, 18, a senior at Huntsville High School, and Rachel, 11, a 6th grader at New Waverly Junior High.

Service Award Nominations Sought

The award recognizes Sam Houston State University alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and friends who have made significant contributions to the university and/or community, exemplifying the university's motto, "The Measure of a Life is its Service."

The association may present up to six awards each year, with no more than one recipient being a non-SHSU alum, faculty, staff or administrators.

Nomination forms will be sent to all dues-paying association members and are also available by contacting the association offices.

Any individual or group, excluding current officers or members of the association advisory board, may submit a nomination to the selection committee.

To make a nomination, complete the service award nomination form, attach supporting documents, and submit the nomination to the Sam Houston State University Office of Alumni Relations, Box 2022, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2022 no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9.

For more information, call alumni relations at 936.294.1841.

New Dining Options

"Many calls have come in requesting a location for hot food, vegetables and an extensive salad bar," said Lester. "We have begun offering a faculty/staff special price of $4.50 for lunch at Cafe Belvin."

Lester invites SHSU employees to dine-in, or get a takeout box with a beverage. The cafeteria is located on the ground floor of Belvin Hall, at 17th and Ave J. Lunch hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Additional food service operational changes have also been made since the Lowman Student Center reservations have begun. Catering options now include the White Hall Banquet Hall, which accommodates up to 240 persons.

A smaller area has been created in a room in Kirkley Hall, which accommodates up to 128. Call Denise Henry at 936.294.3296 for information on these facilities.

Another change has been the opening of Paw Print 2 in the area formerly occupied by the Kirkley Hall cafeteria. That operation offers Tater's N Stuff, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, TCBY, and Blue Bell products.

Paw Print 2 is now open 7:30 a. m. to 10 p. m. Monday-Thursday and until 3:30 p. m. on Friday. Lester said that usage will be monitored for about three weeks, and hours possibly altered after that.

Student Government Sets Agenda

Meetings have been moved to the Criminal Justice Center Courtroom due to the LSC renovations. Meetings are at 6 p.m., and open to the public, except when executive session is called, and all students are invited to attend.

Topics of action this semester include working with the Texas Legislation on a Tax Free Textbook initiative, active opposition of the TEATH proposal (a mandatory test for all college students), opposition to raising fees, and other issues that directly and indirectly affect students, said Jason Warren, speaker of the senate.

For more information call Warren at 936.294.4491, SGA president Amanda Kimbrell at 936.294.1933, or the SGA offices at 936.294.1938.

Technology Forums Scheduled

Jim Stevens, associate vice president for information resources, will host the sessions. Jacque Gilliam, associate vice president for finance and operations, and Robert Dunning, registrar, will also be available.

Briefs

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
Jan. 14, 2000
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