SHSU Update for Week of March 4

• Giving is Up at SHSU
• Chorale Set for Concert Swing
• Debaters Do Well in Louisiana
• Alumni Award Nominations Sought
• Heart of a Champion Awards to be Made
• Teacher Job Fair is Wednesday

Giving is Up at SHSU

"Increases were experienced in several areas, such as gifts from private foundations, gifts from corporations, and the number of alumni donors," said Gary Bouse, executive director for university advancement. "The university continues to work with an increased number of individuals on planned gifts through their estates."

When compared to previous years, Fiscal Year 2000 shows the second highest fund raising year ever, said Bouse, surpassed only by Fiscal Year 1996, when the university received a $1 million cash gift.

"That year we raised $63,000 more than this last year," he said. "But when subtracting out the largest single gift in each year, Fiscal Year 2000 was the best year in our history."

In 1995, upon assuming the position of president of SHSU, Bobby K. Marks identified fund-raising as one of four major initiatives.

"In the five years since 1995 the dollar value of gifts to the university and the number base of those giving has increased," said Marks. "Our permanent endowments have increased 85 percent, and we hope by the end of this year they will have more than doubled.

"The state of Texas gives us enough money to offer quality academic programs, but not enough to reach the levels of excellence to which we, as a university, are committed. We must have private partners in education in order to achieve our goals of excellence."

For more information on giving opportunities at Sam Houston State University, contact Bouse at 936.294.3625.

Chorale Set for Concert Swing

The 39-voice Chorale will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Killinger Auditorium, after an area tour that includes eight performances in three days.

The tour includes performances Monday at Cypress Falls and Mayde Creek high schools, Tuesday at Oak Ridge, Montgomery and Caney Creek high schools and the First United Methodist Church of Livingston, and Wednesday at A&M Consolidated and Bryan high schools.

The chorale will present a heavyweight program of music by Wolfgang Mozart, Thomas Tallis, Johannes Brahms, Gabriel Faure, Vaclav Nelhybel, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Norman Dello Joio, Kenneth Jennings and Keith Hampton.

Accompanists include Joseph Fuller (piano), Kenny Johnson (percussion), Keith Williams (percussion and organ) and Jay Whatley (organ).

Information will be given to the high school music students attending the concerts on the SHSU School of Music, which has a 7:1 student:teacher ratio, which is among the lowest for university music programs in the United States.

Debaters Do Well in Louisiana

The Sam Houston State University debate and individual events teams both participated in the event.

Courville and Easley had preliminary round victories over Sacramento State University, Texas Lutheran University, University of Texas-Dallas, and Washington University. They won their quarterfinal and semifinal rounds against teams from Washington University on 3-0 decisions and finished the tournament with a win in the finals round over a University of Texas-Dallas team on a 2-1 decision.

Additionally, Courville was named the second place speaker for the policy division of debate.

The 9-0 record accumulated by Courville and Easley brings their record for the season to 32 wins and 19 losses.

SHSU debater Lawrence Williams competed in the public division of debate at the tournament, compiling a 5-1 record in preliminaries and advancing to the elimination rounds.

Lawrence won an award for being a quarterfinalist in the event. His loss in preliminary round competition and the quarterfinals round were to the same person, who went on to finish second at the tournament.

One of Debbi Hatton's individual events competitors won an award as well. Sarah Williams finished in third place in prose interpretation. This is the highest she has placed in this event all year after four sixth place finishes.

Clay Redding, director of debate, said that the debaters managed to come home with a few beads from a Mardi Gras parade they attended. They are now preparing for the national tournament March 24-27 at Middle Tennessee State University.

Alumni Award Nominations Sought

The selection criteria states that the award is for graduates or former students who have distinguished themselves through personal and professional achievements and who have made significant contributions to Sam Houston State University and/or who have made significant contributions to society, and thus, have brought honor and distinction to Sam Houston State University.

The award is presented each fall at a dinner during homecoming weekend. For a complete list of the selection criteria, information on the selection process, and nomination forms, contact Kevin Hayes, interim director of alumni relations, at 936.294.1841.

Heart of a Champion Awards to be Made

Eligible students include members of any registered student organization or individual students within student services who have brought recognition to SHSU through local, state, national or international competition from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2000.

Heart of a Champion Award winners will be recognized during a reception and program from 3-4:30 p.m. April 5 in the Banquet Room of White Hall.

Nominations for the award and names of those planning to attend the award program are being accepted by Frieda Turner at 936.294.3597 or 936.294.1804 (fax).

Teacher Job Fair is Wednesday

A total of 158 school districts from as far away as Detroit, Mich., will attend. Career services officials said that reservations were limited to 158 because of space.

Factors contributing to the high number of participating districts include a shortage of teachers and the reputation of Sam Houston State University's teacher education program.

Sam Houston Normal Institute was the first teacher-training institution in the southwestern United States, established in 1879.

Students and area alumni who attend the teacher job fair should bring a number of r�sum� copies. Any Sam Houston State student or graduate who needs help preparing a r�sum� should contact career services at 936.294.1713.

Career services is located at 919 16th Street.

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
March 4, 2001
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu