Sam Houston State University Documentary to Air on PBS

"125 Years of Sam Houston State University," the newest addition to the Texas Foundation for the Arts' "Texas: Our Land Our People" series, will premiere on Houston's KUHT-TV Channel 8 on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m., with additional showings at 1:30 p.m. Jan.13 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3.

In addition, the documentary will be shown at the LSC Theater Wednesday Jan. 26, Tuesday Feb. 22, Wednesday March 23, and Tuesday April 19. Showtimes will be 6 p.m.

The campus showings will be open to all on campus and in the community with no admission fee. Copies of the video will be sold before and after the event at the entrance area of the theater.

Copies of the documentary are also available in DVD ($15) and videotape ($10) format by calling 936.294.3415 or 936.294.1018.

"125 Years of Sam Houston State University" provides a compelling look at the history of Sam Houston State, which was named for Texas hero General Sam Houston, who lived in Huntsville for 10 years while serving three terms as U. S. Senator.

Beginning as a teachers college in 1879, the school today is a multifaceted institution with an annual enrollment of more than 14,000 students.

The film provides a glimpse into the evolution of student life over the years and the development of respected academic programs. It includes interviews with alumni, including retiring CBS news anchor Dan Rather, past and present students, professors and administrators.

The program was underwritten by Arnold A. Allemang, American Bank, M. B. Etheredge, Gibbs Brothers, Russell and Glenda Gordy, First National Bank Huntsville, Heartfield Florist, HGS Self Storage, the Houston Chronicle, Leonard Keeling, KPMG, Gibson D. Lewis, the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association and Texas Community Bank.

Sam Houston State University, founded as the oldest teacher-training institution in the Southwest, is also the third oldest public university and fifth oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in Texas.

With nearly 100,000 graduates, SHSU has touched the lives of generations of Texans by helping to shape the economic, social, and cultural development of this state and beyond.

In 2004 SHSU celebrated its 125th anniversary. The establishment of Sam Houston Normal Institute was authorized by Texas Governor Oran M. Roberts on April 21, 1879. On October 10 of that year "the Normal" opened with 110 students and four faculty members.

Created to train school teachers, today's Sam Houston State University offers a broad range of academic programs leading to bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. Many of its academic programs and faculty have attained national and statewide recognition.

For more information on Sam Houston State University's 125th Anniversary, visit www.shsu.edu/125.

The Texas Foundation for the Arts, founded in 2001, is a Houston-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting a positive environment for the growth of the visual and performing arts. For more information on the Texas Foundation for the Arts and its programs, visit www.texarts.org.

Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
January 4, 2005
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