President Notes Fall Activities

James Gaertner

We have many activities which are open to the public. The Huntsville community and surrounding areas can, and do take advantage of the many performances, lectures, cultural activities and sporting events. This fall is no exception.

Our President's Speaker Series opens Oct. 1 with Debbi Fields, founder and former chairman of Mrs. Fields Cookies, at 11 a.m. in the Beto Criminal Justice Center's Killinger Auditorium.

Debra J. Fields has over 20 years of entrepreneurial, operational and managerial experience, all of it earned in a company that she built from scratch. Her success epitomizes the American dream.

She began her entrepreneurial career at the age of 20, when without any business experience, she managed to do what most people considered impossible - convince a bank to finance a business concept which had never before been proven and which appeared on the surface to have little likelihood of success.

Encouraged by America's cherished tradition of humble beginnings, she launched what has become one of the nation's most visible, successful, international dessert empires. She is one of the few innovators and entrepreneurs to see their name become a product brand symbol of quality known and respected throughout the world.

Debbi Fields' personal values have translated well into her role as a businesswoman. Her philosophy of excellence is mirrored by the company, which has built its reputation on providing the best in product quality and superior customer service.

The President's Speaker Series was established, through the generous gift of Mrs. Lu Ellen Gibbs, to bring prominent leaders to the Sam Houston State University campus for the benefit of our students and community. This event is free and open to the public and we encourage the public to attend.

This October is an especially big month for Sam Houston State University. In addition to the President's Speaker Series, we will bestow the Sam Houston Humanitarian Award on one of our distinguished alumni, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr. Taksin Shinawatra. He and his delegation will be on campus Wednesday Oct. 23, and we are now organizing a public ceremony and reception in his honor.

This very special award was established in 1993 in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of American statesman and Texas hero Sam Houston. Past recipients include former president, George Bush (1998), Lech Walesa (1997) and former secretary of state, James A. Baker III (1993).

Prime Minister Taksin will join as the fourth in this distinguished group of individuals all chosen for their responsible and distinguished leadership and service, notable contributions to humanity, record of civic and cultural involvement, pursuit of educational and scholarly quests, and empowerment of others toward equality for humankind.

That weekend is Sam Houston State University Homecoming, and this year we plan to "Paint the Town Orange." Many of you in the community are working to make this a year to remember with activities for all to enjoy, including the Homecoming Parade beginning at 10 a.m. and football game at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.

Other noteworthy events in October include the SHSU Chorale and Symphony, the plays "Laramie Project" and "Great Expectations" and many other music, art, and dance events. We will do our best to let you know about all these public events through our Web page and other media. If you and your family have a particular interest, we welcome you to contact our departments directly.

We invite you, we welcome you to join us in all the public events and activities Sam Houston State University has to share. I look forward to seeing you there.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Sept. 25, 2002
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