SHSU Update for Week of Feb. 3

Spring Enrollment Sets Another Record

The previous record was in the spring of 1993, when 11,896 students enrolled.

The 2001 Fall Semester enrollment was also a record for a fall semester as well as any semester, with 12,996 students registered.

Sam Houston Normal Institute opened in October 1879, as the first teacher training institution in the southwestern United States, with 110 students and four faculty members.

Enrollment milestones have included 1,021 students in 1932 (Sam Houston State Teachers College), 5,044 students in 1961, and 10,025 students in 1970 (Sam Houston State University).

Alumni Office Has Big Plans for 2002

Kevin Hayes, director of alumni relations, said that Presidential Receptions have been scheduled throughout the state to introduce President James F. Gaertner to alumni and friends. The receptions begin March 7.

A new social event called SamWorks...Bearkats in Touch, begins Tuesday and will continue the first Tuesday of each month from 5-7 p.m. at Zach's Bar and Grill, 1226 17th St.

"We're looking to make a difference in the lives of our alums and friends of Sam Houston," said Hayes. "Organizing SamWorks we believe will allow all Bearkats to network and come together because of the one thing that we all have in common, Sam Houston State University."

Hayes said that SamWorks was created and will be coordinated by Chrissy Price, alumni coordinator.

Service Award and Distinguished Alumni nomination forms have been mailed, with nominations due Feb.15th and the Service Awards Luncheon scheduled for April 19.

The Alumni Association Service Award recognizes SHSU alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and friends who have made significant contributions to Sam Houston State, exemplifying the University's motto "The Measure of a Life is its Service."

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor the association and Sam Houston State bestows upon alumni. It is for graduates or former students who have distinguished themselves through personal and professional achievements and who have made significant contributions to SHSU and/or society, and thus brought honor and distinction to the university.

Distinguished Alumni nominations are due April 12th. The awards will be presented during fall 2002 homecoming activities.

For questions concerning any of the nomination procedures or events, call the Office of Alumni relations at 936-294-1841.

Black History Month Events Scheduled

Two Program Council movie nights will take place during the month in room 214 of the Lee Drain Building. A screening of "Malcolm X" begins at 8 p.m. on Feb. 4. "Higher Learning," a film which focuses on college life and the importance of diversity, will be shown beginning at 8 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Comedian Dwight Scruggs, who has been featured on BET Comic View, performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Smith-Hutson Building's Mafrige Auditorium.

Closing the month-long activities will be a performance by The Word, an a cappella R&B/hip-hop group, at 7 p.m. Feb 27 in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium.

All Program Council events are free to SHSU students, faculty, and staff. For more information, call 936.294.FUN1.

Children and Youth are Conference Focus

The event is scheduled for Aug. 4-7 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is co-sponsored by the Family Research Laboratory and Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire.

Deadlines for the submission of abstracts, which will be used for selection of invited participants, is Feb. 19 for postal submissions and Feb. 26 for submission by e-mail.

"This conference is part of an ongoing series of family violence conferences dating back to 1981," said James Marquart, professor of criminal justice and director of the institute. "Children are among the most innocent of all victims, and we are pleased to participate in this event."

The National Institute for Victim Studies is a partnership between Sam Houston State University Mothers Against Drunk Driving. It opened in 1999, and works to promote national public awareness and understanding of victim issues, and to prepare victim services professionals through academic programs, continuing education, and scholarly research.

The international conference is funded in part by the Centers for Disease control and Prevention and co-sponsored by the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute.

For more information, contact the National Institute for Victim Studies by e-mail or phone (936.294.4295).

First President's Speaker is Thursday Morning

He will speak at Sam Houston State University Thursday (Feb. 7) on "Winning On and Off the Field." The event is open to all in the campus and area communities. Admission is free.

Stallings is the first guest of the new President's Speaker Series. His speech is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Beto Criminal Justice Center's Killinger Auditorium.

Stallings is one of football's most respected coaches, but his challenges have been on and off the field. In his memoir "Another Season: A Coach's Story of Raising an Exceptional Son," he tells about winning national championships and raising and loving a son born with Down's syndrome.

Stallings and his wife, Ruth Ann, have five children. Together they have devoted their energy and talent to many charities. In 1991 they began sponsoring a golf tournament for the Tuscaloosa Association of Retarded Citizens. Stallings is also a partner in Tuscaloosa's Stallings Center, which ministers to young children with disabilities.

For more background on Stallings, see Gene Stallings to Kick Off President's Speaker Series.

Weekly International Coffee Hour Planned

The first International Student Coffee Hour is scheduled for 4:30 - 6 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 7) in the Bluebonnet Room of the Beto Criminal Justice Center's University Hotel. A variety of coffees, teas, and snacks will be available.

The program was started at the suggestion of Fabian Boettchler, an international student from Germany. It is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural and International Services and the Office of International Programs.

The Bluebonnet Room is to the left of the hotel's front desk. It has been reserved for the same time each Thursday, so that the International Student Coffee Hour can become a weekly event.

The room has a pool table, sofa, chairs, and cafe tables, and all students, international and domestic, are invited to participate.

More information is available on the Office of International Programs Website or by calling 936.294.3892.

'Uncle Vanya' Selected for Competition

The SHSU production was one of six selected from 56 plays that were entered, for production at the festival. Other universities represented are Texas Christian, Southern University of New Orleans, Texas Woman's, Southwestern Oklahoma State, and Arkansas.

The TCU festival is one of eight nationally. Four to six of the best regional productions will be invited to a national festival at the Kennedy Center.

Four students from the cast of "Uncle Vanya" have been selected to enter the national Irene Ryan Acting Competition. They are Sofia Gomez, junior theatre major; Leanne Hill, senior musical theatre major; Spencer Plachy, junior theatre major; and Jeremy Sutton, senior theatre major.

Irene Ryan, who played Granny in "The Beverly Hillbillies," established the foundation. Two regional winners and their acting partners will be selected from each of the eight regions to participate in "An Evening of Scenes" at the national festival.

There they will be viewed by directors, producers and casting agents and compete for two $2,500 scholarships.

British Composers Featured

The concert will open with Antonio Vivaldi's "Concerto in B minor for Four Violins and Orchestra," with violinists Veronica Wilson, Josh Smith, Erin Daniel and Carlos Lara.

Britten's "Simple Symphony, Opus 4" will feature the Chamber Orchestra with Harold Turbyfill as guest conductor.

Turbyfill is retired from 23 years at Bryan High School, where he founded the string program and built it into one of the most respected in the state. He was also the coordinator of all orchestras in the Bryan school district.

He is the founder/conductor of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, is a past president of the Texas Chapter of the American String Teachers Association, and is a much sought judge for orchestra festivals and competitions.

Elgar's "Introduction and Allegro, Opus 47," will be performed by the Symphony Strings, under the direction of Carol Smith, with Cynthia Hill on viola and Michael Rose on violoncello joining Wilson and Smith as the featured performers.

Concert notes for the performance will be given by Clive Swansbourne. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students, and free to students, faculty and staff.

Sam Saves Trees

Since paper processors do not want shredded paper, because it takes up too much space during transportation, participants in the program should not shred, said Werner.

Also, participants no longer need to sort paper into white, colored, or other categories. All grades of paper such as computer, colored, white, newspaper, magazines, and others, can now be combined.

"If you haven't recycled before we encourage you to begin now that it is easier than ever," said Werner. "Remember our hotline for a pickup is extension 4-1877."

Help for Smokers

The program consists of four, one hour session held weekly.The program is designed to help participants to quit smoking.

For more information on the Smoking Cessation Program call 936.294.1805.

Planning to Graduate?

Effective March 4, students who fail to apply by the established deadlines will be assessed a $25 late application fee in addition to the $18 graduation fee.

SHSU Update

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
Feb. 3, 2002
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