SHSU Update for Week of March 31

Congressmen to Visit Campus in Special Appearance

U.S. Representatives Jim Turner, who represents the Huntsville and East Texas area in Washington, and Kevin Brady, whose district includes Montgomery County and The Woodlands, will field questions on issues, the nature of their work, and other concerns raised by the audience. At the end, both will have an opportunity to sum up.

Area high schools and community members are also invited. SHSU�s President Gaertner will give a welcome.

The event is sponsored by the SHSU Political Science Department and the Institute for Civility in Government. The Institute regularly brings together members of Congress from different parties in public forums to give the public a chance to air their concerns and to show that political leaders can deal with hard issues in a civil manner.

Spring Festival Features Choirs

The concert will feature two performances, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m.

The Chorale will be joined by a chamber orchestra for a full performance of Bach's Cantata #140. The concert will include works by Bach, Gibbons, Mozart, Debussy and others.

Seating is limited to 150 per concert, and guests are encouraged to arrive early in order to obtain a seat.

Business and Government Career Fair

Companies and agencies will be recruiting all majors, and students are encouraged to bring multiple copies of resumes.

For more information, contact the Career Services office at 936.294.1713.

'The Sound of Music'

"The Sound of Music" is an America classic. Based on Maria von Trapp's book "The Trapp Family singers, the musical was an instant success on Broadway in 1959. In 1965, the stage play was made into a movie with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the roles of Maria and the Captain.

It is the story of Maria Rainer's (Haley Dyes) journey from postulant to governess to Baroness von Trapp. Along the way she acquires a husband (Daniel Hronek) and seven children (Katie Clark, Bobbi Bassett, Eric Mota, Amber Fussell, Austin Ainsworth, Kelsy Smith and Alexia Florentin). The final moments of the show find the family fleeing from Austria after the Anschluss.

The play is directed by Penelope Hasekoester and choreographed by Jonathan Charles. The musical director and conductor is Barbara Corbin. The set was designed by Shawn Fisher, with lighting by Patrick Pearson and costume design by Kris Hanssen.

Other principal characters include Maggie Wilhite, Stephen Pavalock, Sarah Collins, Brandon Travelstead, Sara Ripper, Nikki Thomas and Holland Vavra.

Tickets are $12 or $10 with a Senior Citizen or SHSU Student I.D. For reservations or more information, call the University Theatre Center Box Office at 936.294.1339.

Program Features Sacred American Art Songs

The program features Robin Fisher, soprano; Jack Coldiron, baritone; and John Cozza, piano.

Songs of faith from classical works to the children's favorite "This Little Light of Mine" highlight the program.

Dancers Receive Prestigious Invitation

SHSU has performed in eight of the ten biannual national festivals, including the last five in a row.

This year, two SHSU student works were adjudicated at the Southwest Regional Festival, which determines advancement to the national level. Trancescape, by Cotton, and No Peace in This House, choreographed by senior Melissa Perry, were selected.

Performers in Trancescape include Tabitha Anderson, Bethanie Gilliam, Leah Jordan, Lara Huff, and Nicole Nicholson. Performers in No Peace in This House include Jennifer Cruz, LeTisha Dabney, Melissa Duggan, and Melissa Perry.

SHSU was one of only two schools to have two student works chosen at the regional festival to participate in the Regional Gala Concert. Of the pieces selected for the Gala Concert only four advanced to the national level. Trancescape was selected from the 22 schools represented.

�Everyone associated with dance at SHSU is proud of Jilissa Cotton, Melissa Perry and their dancers,� said Dana Nicolay, dance program coordinator. The SHSU dance program has been recognized as one of the top 25 dance programs in the country.

Trancescape and No Peace in This House can be seen along with Veloria, choreographed by internationally renowned guest artist Bill Evans, at Dance Spectrum in Concert, April 25-27 in the University Theatre Center Mainstage Theatre.

Performances are at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 27. Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for senior citizens and SHSU students. For more information or to make reservations, call 936.294.1875 or 936.294.3988.

Polish Delegation to Visit Criminal Justice Center

During their visit, members of the delegation will meet with officials to discuss training and educational exchanges between SHSU and the Polish police. The delegation will also be meeting with chiefs of police and mayors of several Texas cities.

A study abroad program with the Polish police has been scheduled from June 30-July 13, 2002. This program is open to all Sam Houston State University students.

For more information contact Carolyn Martinez, Director, New Initiatives, 936.294.3102 or e-mail ICC_CXM@shsu.edu.

Want to Quit Smoking?

The program consists of four one-hour group sessions that are held once a week. The sessions offer education, resources, and support for those wanting to kick the habit.

For more information, contact Lorna Wadsworth RN at 936.294.1805.

Alumnus Featured in 'People' Magazine

Phillips builds houses from recycled materials and has truly turned "trash into treasure."

He has built two houses in four years, almost entirely from material headed for Dumpsters and dumps. He is able to keep the cost of the houses down using recyclable items and unskilled workers whom he trains on the job. He plans eventually to expand his output by building four houses a year.

Phillips hopes that he is helping individuals in Huntsville realize "the American dream." In the People magazine article, he is quoted as saying, "In a town this size, about 30,000 people, we throw away enough material to build a house every week. When we have families who can't afford a home, that's the height of arrogance."

Phillips taught dance at SHSU for much of the 1970s before beginning a business in antiques restoration in 1983.

SHSU Update

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
March 31, 2002
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu