Gaertner Meets With Houston Alums

President James F. Gaertner met a number of Sam Houston State University alumni at a reception May 22 in Houston, including an SHSU master's of business administration alumni group. Shown are, back row from left, Mark Wisnieske, Marshall Martin, Alex Del Valle, Keith Dauzat. Front row, from left, Lisa Kubeczka, Marilyn Butler, President Gaertner, Mary Erato, Cynthia Smith.

In a word: Dynamic!

The visionary SHSU MBA alumnus, President Gaertner, revealed his plan to revolutionize Sam Houston State University making it a household name and tying it ever closer to the business community. He delivered his plan to a standing room only crowd at the elegant Houston Racquet Club, including a significant number of fellow SHSU MBAs.

President Gaertner covered his simple, but powerful plan: stronger academics, higher visibility, increased community involvement, and enhanced investment in the university. Under his leadership, the university has raised admission standards while raising the bar for incoming faculty and awarding tenure. To make SHSU more visible, President Gaertner is launching a full-media campaign and plans to personally interact with alumni and the community in many ways, including Presidential Receptions.

President Gaertner delivered exciting news:

• The university is considering rebuilding Old Main;
  
• Parking will be improved
  
• New housing will be built on the SHSU campus for the first time since the 1960s, making it even more competitive for attracting new students;
  
• Enrollment reached record highs in the fall and spring of 2002;
  
• New student-approved fees will raise $5 million a year for investment in SHSU;
  
• The SHSU alma mater song may be getting a facelift;
  
• A fountain paver-brick park for the alumni will be constructed near the Lowman Student Center;
  
• SHSU alumni will muster at a Houston Texans tailgate party preceding the Jacksonville game (fall 2002).

If you didn't make it to this year's Presidential Reception, you were missed. However, you will have an opportunity to come to next year's Presidential Reception and hear even more exciting updates on President Gaertner's campaign to strengthen Sam Houston State University.

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MBA Alumni Contact: Lisa Kubeczka, Keith Dauzat

SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
May 23, 2002
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