SHSU Update for Week of June 17

• New Dean is 'Special Educator,' School Psychologist
• Summer Enrollment is Up
• DeMars 'Interning' at KPRC
• Traditional Music Has Home at Sam
• Bouse Accepts Reviewer Position
• Miles Davis on KSHU-FM
• Alumni Association Having Sale

New Dean is 'Special Educator'

Thomas A. Wood

He will take over in August from Carl Harris, who served as interim dean since June, 2000, after Ken Craycraft moved into a position with the Texas State University System.

Wood earned his bachelor of science degree in 1967 from Florida State University, his master of education in 1971 from Stetson University and his doctor of education in 1978 from Vanderbilt University, in the field of special education/school psychology. He was a faculty member and administrator at UT El Paso for 10 years.

He also taught and served in various administrative positions at Auburn University, Murray State University, Louisiana State University, Vanderbilt University, public schools in Franklin, Tennessee, the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, and the Hillcrest School and the Florida State Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

He has more than 40 journal articles, book chapters and other professional publications and has made more than 50 state/local, regional, national and international presentations, and has directed or co-directed more than $2.5 million in fund grants for training, research and demonstration and service delivery.

He has also been active in university and professional leadership, especially the Council for Exceptional Children, on which he has held several offices. This past year he served as president of that organization.

He has served as an adviser and consultant to numerous educational institutions and agencies, served on evaluation and accreditation teams, and developed 19 new programs or courses at the university level at Murray State, Auburn, and UT El Paso.

Summer Enrollment is Up

The Summer I 2001 figure is 150 students less than the summer of 1990, the university's all-time high summer enrollment, and ranks as the third highest ever for a summer session.

DeMars 'Interning' at KPRC

DeMars will spend part of his summer gaining behind-the-scenes experience at KPRC-TV (Channel 2 in Houston).

The purpose of the FDG program is to enrich university professors with an experience that reflects their teaching or research interests, and to give them the chance to gain exposure to areas in which they have no expertise.

"The beauty of this program is that the faculty participants get hands-on experience that they could not get otherwise," says Lew Klein, NATPE Educational Foundation president. "Then they bring that information back into the classroom to the benefit of hundreds of students, and ultimately, to the benefit of the entire media industry,"

To be certain that the experience will be mutually beneficial, before placement an interview is required between the cooperating professional and the faculty grant recipient to ensure that the faculty member can expect a worthwhile experience and the cooperating company can take advantage of whatever skills or knowledge the faculty member has to offer. The participating media company and the grant recipient set up the actual agenda for each "internship". Additionally, the Ed Foundation provides the educators with a weekly stipend for the duration of their "internship".

The Los Angeles-based program is a global alliance of business professionals engaged in the creation, development and distribution of television content as well as advertising and financial activities.

Traditional Music Has Home at Sam

The group meets the 4th Saturday each month. Previously they met at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum complex, but this month (June 23) and in the future will meet at the SHSU Fine Arts (music) Building.

Jamming starts at 4 p.m. and a concert and dance at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

"This month we will have old time dancing with instruction such as dancing the Virginia Reel instead of a concert," said Michael McManus, a member of the group who is working to alert both participants and spectators to the gatherings. "Students, facility and staff are encouraged to come and play, listen, dance or all the above."

The group will not meet in July because members will be participating in the SamFest held in Houston. More information is available on the group's Website.

Bouse Accepts Reviewer Position

The newly launched CASE International Journal of Educational Advancement will provide a forum for research and case studies for the academic research community and senior practitioners in the advancement field.

The journal plans three issues per year with content to include alumni relations, fund raising, communication and management and marketing. The publication is the only one of its kind in the United States, and possibly the world, said Bouse.

The journal will be international in scope, under the general editorship of Don Hossler, professor of educational leadership and policy studies and vice chancellor for enrollment services at Indiana University.

Miles Davis on KSHU-FM

The first of the eight-part series was aired June 14. Subsequent episodes will air at 4 p.m. each Thursday through Aug. 2.

The series is hosted by Danny Glover, and features extensive highlights of the life of Davis. Artists interviewed include Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Joni Mitchell, and Davis himself.

The program will also feature previous recordings by Davis, including rare radio broadcasts and live performances.

KSHU-FM (90.5) broadcasts jazz every Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. Paul J. MacArthur is director of jazz programming.

Alumni Association Having Sale

"We are currently trying to liquidate all of our current merchandise, so we can reorder for the fall," said Kevin Hayes, director of alumni relations.

Hayes is offering a 25 percent discount to members, and 10 percent discount to faculty and staff, which adds up to a whopping 35 percent discount for faculty and staff who are also members.

"As a special bonus, the first 20 new members to join the SHSU Alumni Association will receive a free t-shirt," said Hayes.

He urges anyone needing membership information, a list of merchandise, or who would like to place an order, to contact him or Bryce McDaniel at 936.294.1841.

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
June 17, 2001
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu