Cashion Writes History Book For Anniversary
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Ty Cashion |
Students and alumni will soon have the opportunity to purchase
a piece of history that chronicles the 125 years of Sam Houston
State University.
Ty Cashion, associate professor of history and author of four
books, is putting together a book that will detail the existence
of SHSU and student life experiences by tracing the presidential
administrations of the university.
Cashion said even though the book focuses on history, he believes
students of all ages, including alumni, will love it because
it highlights life with a timeless quality.
“This book traces the 125 years of the school but it
does so by appreciating the human life,” Cashion said.
“SHSU holds a special place and time in a lot of peoples
lives and reading this book will take you there.”
The book, entitled “Sam Houston State University: A
History, 1879-2004," will have plenty of fun features
for readers, including a foreword written by alumnus Dan Rather,
said Cashion.
“Every chapter will has two or three vignettes on famous
alumni and popular Sam Houston icons, like Tripod,”
Cashion said. “The chapters will also have a ‘So
You Think You Know Sam Houston?’ trivia quiz including
various questions on our university that most people wouldn’t
otherwise know. For example, ‘What is our campus motto?’”
Paul Ruffin, director of the Texas Review Press, said the
idea of book on Sam Houston has been attempted before, but
with the university’s anniversary looming the timing
now seemed right.
“The project started picking up steam after plans for
the anniversary were discussed and everything fell into place,”
Ruffin said.
Ruffin, who is also a distinguished professor of English at
SHSU, said he doesn’t have any expectations for sales
when the book is released in August, but the book has a lot
of advantages other books don’t have.
“We are all keeping our fingers crossed. Since it is
being published by the Texas Review Press, which is a member
of the Texas A&M consortium, it will be advertised around
the world for everyone to see,” Ruffin said. “It
is a large colored and detailed book, so it will be well worth
the money to purchase it.”
Tom Seifert, photography program coordinator at SHSU, is laying
out the book, combining the graphics and pictures with the
text itself, and Cashion said the amount of work they have
accomplished on this project is “amazing.
“There are pictures in this book that most people didn’t
know existed,” Cashion said. “Everyone at the
Peabody archives and my research assistants Joe Braden and
Tracey Derks helped research and document sources.”
Despite having assistance from many people, Cashion claims
that writing the book was a “humbling” experience.
“It’s very humbling to see your name on the cover
knowing that writing the book was just one part of a major
project,” Cashion said. “President (James F.)
Gaertner and his assistant Paula Vernick were gracious with
this project and helped with the budget to get things done.”
Cashion also said that the book is geared toward college students,
but anyone will be able to pick the coffee-table styled book
and relate to experiences detailed in it.
“Anyone can relate to this book because anyone that
goes to college knows that it is a special time in a person’s
life because they go through adolescence to adulthood very
quickly.”
The book will cost $49.95 and can be pre-ordered through the
Texas Review Press by calling 936.294.1992.
—End—
SHSU Media Contact: Eric
Barton
April 5, 2004
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