Astronaut, Faculty To Present At Common Reader Book Forum

Oct. 5, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Dawine Bergeron

Col. Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut and author of this year’s Sam Houston State University Common Reader Program selection, has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space.

Col. Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space; he will share his story as the keynote speaker for the SHSU Common Reader Program's Book Forum activities on Nov. 2.

In his first book, “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth,” Hadfield offers readers extraordinary stories from his life as an astronaut and shows how to make the impossible a reality, according to his website.

Hadfield and several faculty members will delve into the book’s themes through presentations that highlight relevant and timely topics that affect students during this year’s Common Reader Book Forum.

The four-day series of events, held Oct. 31 through Nov. 3, will include a keynote address, a panel discussion, and presentations on women in STEM at NASA and seeing worlds from space.

The forum will begin on Monday, when the First Year Experience Office will recognize the winners of its art competition during a reception and awards ceremony from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Art Gallery. Awards will be announced at 5:30 p.m.

Immediately after the ceremony, guests can head over to “Rhyme and Flow,” a common reader spoken word showcase, that will be held from 6:30–8 p.m. in the LSC Theater.

On Tuesday, students will be able to visit Hadfield in the LSC Ballroom from 2–3:30 p.m. during his keynote presentation, which will be followed by a book signing.

On Wednesday, a panel discussion about the history of space will be held in the LSC Ballroom from 11–11:50 a.m.

Panel speakers include mass communication adjunct professor Frank Krystyniak; history lecturer Zachary Doleshal; and clinical professor of political science Mike Yawn.

The panel speakers will discuss the past, present, and future of space exploration.

“I imagine students will enjoy a fascinating insight into the ways in which space exploration has changed over time into what it is today and what it might become tomorrow,” Doleshal said.

At 2 p.m., secondary education assistant professor Lisa Brown will present “Women in STEM at NASA,” which will highlight contributions made by women of color who worked at NASA, the barriers to success they overcame and the significant factors that influenced them to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

“Students should come to hear inspiring stories of these women. Because of these women and women like them, barriers have been lifted and more opportunities exist for women of color in STEM careers,” said Brown.

Following Brown’s presentation, the department of mass communication and the Common Reader Program will host the SHSU Common Reader Film Festival: Sci-Fi, SHSU’s first edition thematic film festival, presenting the film submissions in the LSC Theater at 6 p.m.

For the contest, students are encouraged to produce short sci-fi films inspired by this year’s common reader book selection.

“Submitting a sci-film film to the festival is a wonderful way to challenge yourself. Challenges make you think outside the box and stimulate your creativity,” said festival director and mass communication assistant professor Elisa Herrmann. “You don’t need to be a film student to create a project. Simply use the public domain footage available from NASA and editing software to create something amazing, even without much experience.”

Best film, honorable mention and special common reader awards will be announced on Oct. 30. For more information and to apply, click here.

The final presentation will be on Thursday, when psychics professor Renee James will present “Bird’s Eye View: Seeing Worlds From Space” at 11 a.m. in the LSC Theater.

The presentation will take the audience on a journey over the landscapes of the solar systems as seen by various spacecraft that has been sent out over the past few decades.

“It’s important to be able to get a view beyond the chaotic day to day happenings in society and just marvel at the universe around us. These missions help us to see how important it is to just slow down and observe sometimes,” James said.

At 7 p.m., a star gazing night will be held at the SHSU Observatory to view the Taurids Meteor Shower, which is said to peak on the night of Nov. 3-4 of this year.

Participants should bring a flashlight that has a red or green filter and arrive while it is still daylight.

For more information on any of the featured activities, contact First Year Experience director Kay Angrove at fye@shsu.edu or 936.294.3423 or visit shsu.edu/fye-events.

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