A Message from the President

To understand what we need to do and where we need to go as an institution of higher education, standing in front of a classroom of students is a great place to start.

This spring, I went back to my academic roots, teaching a course in advertising. I enjoy getting to know Sam Houston State students – their stories, viewpoints and optimism. Engaging with them in a classroom on a weekly basis is on a different level. I see firsthand the power of education at work and am reminded of our important mission.

I wish you all could meet our students. They are tremendously talented, driven, and committed to succeeding. They show up. They do the work. They make me excited about the future, because they’re going to be wonderful contributors to their communities. A reality is that many would never have the opportunity to attend college, earn a degree and build a greater future without scholarships from our generous alumni and friends.

Throw a stone into the stream and the ripples that propagate themselves are the beautiful type of all influence. Ralph Waldo Emerson

This issue of the Heritage magazine not only celebrates the act of giving but also highlights its outcomes. For 25 years, the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program has exemplified the extraordinary impact one individual can have on the lives of others. The generosity and vision of one anonymous benefactor and Robert Hutson, who manages the program on behalf of the donor, have opened doors for 668 students to date. Even more remarkable, seventy-seven percent of those accepted students are classified as first-generation—I can’t stress what a life-changing opportunity this represents.

We’ve all heard the analogy of throwing a stone in the water and the ripples it produces. The expanding ripples illustrate how a single action has the potential for a much greater and lasting influence. Whether individually or collectively, the support of alumni and friends not only helps students today but also shapes future generations. Just ask our Smith-Hutson scholars or the students I’ve had the honor to teach.

Thank you for supporting our students. You’re contributing to their success in a meaningful way, and they’ll make you proud.

Alisa White
President, Sam Houston State University