Today@Sam Article

Update For Month of June

May 24, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Tammy Parrett

 

 

 

Program To Examine Loan Repayment Options

smmc524With the average student loan debt across the nation continuing to rise, the Student Money Management Center will host a summer session of its popular “After Graduation: Student Loan Repayment” program on June 22.

The presentation, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the Student Services Annex Room 129, will review various rebates and programs available to potentially help students reduce the total amount of student loan debt owed.

The presentation also will address tuition rebates and how to process the forgiveness feature of a “Be on Time” loan or TEACH Grant, as well as loan deferment or forbearance for students who are not able to immediately begin making loan payments.

“The Student Money Management Center wants to help future graduates learn how to thrive,” said Patsy Collins, SMMC director. “We are here to teach them about valuable resources that they may qualify for such as tuition rebates and student loan forgiveness programs.”

For more information, contact the SMMC at 936.294.2600 or smmc@shsu.edu.

 

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Museum To Offer Free Tours For Summer

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum will provide visitors an opportunity to explore the histories of Sam Houston and Texas with the help of experts by offering free guided tours with paid admission June 7 until Aug. 19.

Tours will leave at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from the Katy and E. Don Walker Sr. Education Center.

In addition to the guided tours of the museum grounds, the museum will revive its popular Bear Bend Wednesdays on June 22, which take place at 10 a.m. at Bear Bend Cabin on the museum grounds until July 27.

“There is no charge to stop by our Bear Bend Wednesday events, which are very laid-back demonstrations of pioneer practices such as blacksmithing and weaving,” said Megan Buro, museum marketing coordinator. “We’ve added some new programs like embroidery, needlepoint and doll making, but we still have our more popular demonstrations like pioneer skills on June 29 and flower pounding on July 13.”

Groups of all ages and sizes are welcome, though reservations are highly encouraged, according to Buro. To make reservations for a tour, contact the museum’s education department at 936.294.3153.

Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, $3 for children aged 6-18, and free to children aged 5 and under, as well as SHSU students. Active duty military personnel and their families can visit the museum for free through the Blue Star Museums program.

For more information, contact the Sam Houston Memorial Museum at 936.294.1832.

 

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Elkins Lake Artisans To Showcase Art On Campus

The Elkins Lake Artisans will debut their latest exhibit “Art is a Kaleidoscope for the Mind and Spirit” in the Sam Houston State University Lowman Student Center gallery June 6 until June 30.

The Elkins Lake Artisans is a group of local artists who share a love of drawing and painting and meet weekly to create artwork using numerous mediums, according to member Betty Liles.

The group has met weekly for five years and has grown from six members to 14. 

“The importance of art is enormous because art develops, sharpens and expands the mind, as well as increases light and color perception in everyday life,” Liles said. “Art is a reflection of the beauty of the world around us and its beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no matter the age.”

Artists featured in the exhibit are comprised of Peggy Egger, Adelle Emanis, Roberto Fernandez, Barri Green, Robin Griffith, Sue Jensen, Mary Elizabeth Jones, Betty Kirkland, Betty Liles, Don Lindsay, and Trish Roberts. 

“People should come see the exhibit because it has avariety of mediums from artists with many interests expressed in ways that will surprise and delight you. 

For more information on joining the Elkins Lake Artisans, contact Liles at selib@suddenlink.net.

 

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Students Assist Community With ACE Projects

aceSam Houston State University students in the College of Criminal Justice recently worked with community organizations as part of two Academic Community Engagement courses. 

Students enrolled in SHSU’s Master of Science in homeland security program recently provided more than 100 smoke detectors to families in low-income neighborhoods in Huntsville.

On average, seven people die and 36 people suffer injuries during home fires each day. These fires cause an estimated $7 billion in damage every year, according to the American Red Cross.

Students in assistant professor of security studies Magdalena Denham’s crisis management class worked with the American Red Cross, Huntsville Fire Department, United Way, and SHSU student groups to organize a Home Fire Safety Campaign aimed at reducing hazards from house fires.

“Future professionals in safety and security fields such as emergency management benefit enormously from contextualizing knowledge gained during the course of their studies,” said Denham. “The best way to understand how non-governmental, public, and private organizations contribute to fostering of community resilience against natural and man-made hazards and threats is through observing those interactions and processes in action.”

Students enrolled in doctoral teaching fellow Angela Collins’s juvenile justice and juvenile delinquency course recently served as volunteer court visitors to wards under guardianships supervised by Montgomery County Court.

The students were the eyes and ears for the court to ensure people with physical and mental disabilities are not abused, neglected or exploited.

Guardianship is a legal process designed to protect incapacitated individuals who are unable to care for themselves or make financial decisions, such as some minor children or those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, intellectual disabilities, autism, head injuries, or injuries related to stroke. There are currently approximately 500 people under guardianship in Montgomery County, and annual visits with all of them would not be possible without the help of volunteers. 

“My favorite part about volunteering for this program was seeing all that the court does for disabled people in Montgomery County and making sure that they're well taken care of,” said senior criminal justice major Sara Betts. “It allowed us to engage in our community as well as help out the Montgomery County courts and wards of our community. It allowed us to gain insight into everything Judge (Claudia) Laird and her team have done to positively influence and affect the people in our community and the safety of the wards.”

 

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Former Adviser To Be Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

SSG SchuderStaff Stg. Raymond “Jack” Schuder, former adviser to Sam Houston State University’s ROTC Schuder’s Ranger Company, will be recognized for his outstanding service and achievements on July 14, as he is inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Schuder served as the adviser to the Schuder’s Ranger Company from 1985-1996, until he passed away.

A World War II veteran, Schuder was among 3,000 POWs who were marched across Europe to prevent their liberation by the advancing Allies. During the end of his captivity, he was sentenced to death by firing squad on May 25, 1945, but American troops arrived on May 3.

SHSU ROTC honors Schuder’s achievements, dedication, service, and outstanding example by continuing the Schuder’s Ranger tradition, which is an extracurricular activity that extends far above and beyond the normal ROTC requirements, according to Maj. William Wiseman, professor of military science.

“Students volunteer to be tested to meet the outstanding example set by Schuder through extra physical fitness and tactics training along with a 16-hour crucible event.  This includes a five-mile run in under 40 minutes and a 12-mile ruck march in under 2.5 hours,” Wiseman said. “Schuder's Rangers must display a high level of teamwork and outstanding character under high-pressure situations and then they are voted into the Schuder's Rangers by their peers. The events and training conducted by the Schuder's Rangers mimics some of the requirements of U.S. Army Ranger School.”

 

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Residence Life Recognized For Recycling Efforts

The Sam Houston State University Department of Residence Life recently was recognized for its contribution to the American Textile Recycling Service’s Move2Recycle Clothing and Shoe Drive.

Through the drive, students are encouraged to donate clothes, shoes and bedding that they would no longer need to be donated to thrift stores, keeping the items out of landfills, while packing to move out of dorms. 

The Department of Residence Life has teamed up with the Department of Recreational Sports for several years to host the clothing drive, according to assistant director of marketing and guest services Melanie Saxton.

“It has become a sustainable effort each spring–when Earth Week and student move-out both occur,” Saxton said. 

Due to the number of students who donated items to the drive, SHSU was able to collect 1,994 pounds of textiles to be donated to ATRS.

“We had an outstanding turnout for this year’s clothing drive,” Saxton said. “This not only improves the campus’s carbon footprint, but also fosters a sense of responsibility for our planet and those in need. It’s a very simple but meaningful way for Bearkats to make a difference.”

 

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Intramural, Club Sports End Year With Big Wins

Several Sam Houston State University intramural and club sports teams performed well at their year-end tournaments.

The trap and skeet team had a good showing at their national tournament, with Jenni Clark placing first overall in the women’s division, winning five other individual events, as well as being named to the National Rifle Association All American Team.

Clark, along with teammates Zane Robinson and Justin Allmand, also placed third in the International Skeet Competition.

The powerlifting club traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, to compete in the national tournament, during which the women’s team placed fifth and the men’s team placed eighth. Six members also were named to the men’s and women’s All-American teams. 

Men’s rugby also won the 7s tournament that they hosted last month. 

For more information on intramural or club sports and how to get involved, contact the Department of Recreational Sports at 936.294.1985.

 

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Staff Council Spotlights Program Assistant For May

May-C.HardingThe Sam Houston State University Staff Council has selected Charlotte Harding, program assistant for the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, for its May “Spotlight on Staff.”

Harding began her career at SHSU 30 years ago as an administrative assistant to the food service director. She worked there for 20 years, until she began working at the Criminal Justice Center, where she worked for two years. She began working in her position at LEMIT nearly eight years ago. 

In her spare time, she enjoys participating in activities at Northside Baptist Church, where she is an active member. She enjoys leading the second grade Awana class, volunteering with Vacation Bible School, and working in the nursery.

She is inspired by the members of law enforcement that she encounters in LEMIT, 

“LEMIT provides executive training and professional development for law enforcement personnel,” Harding said. “Just meeting these brave individuals who put their lives on the line for us each day motivates me to do the best job that I can.”

Harding has lived in Huntsville with her husband, James, and their two children for most of her life. Their daughter Shelby graduated from SHSU in 2014 and is a second grade teacher at Scott Johnson Elementary School, and their son Garrett is in his second year at Lone Star College in The Woodlands.

 

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Graduate Studies Celebrates Teaching, Research

The Sam Houston State University Office of Graduate Studies, in partnership with the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence and the College of Education, recognized graduate students for teaching and research during their third annual awards banquet on April 7. 

The winners of the 2015-2016 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award were Faith Byrd, master’s student in biology; Lochana Kanishka Palayagoda, master’s student in statistics; Paige Loft, master’s student in family and consumer science; and Osama Qureshi, master’s student in biology.

Master’s student in computer science Luke Voigt was presented with the Capstone Award for his project “Creating Actionable Information From Raw Data:  Securing The Network Of Small to Medium Size Enterprises.”

The Thesis Award was presented to Harshani Jayabahu Arachchilage for “Synthesis and Structural Characterization of (μ-OXO)(μ-modified benzoate)diiron(III)tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine Complexes.”

Master’s student Jeanne Subjack was presented with the Dissertation Award for “Social Construction of Sexual Assault of a Child: Age Proximity of Victims and Offenders and Relationship to Sentencing.”

 

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Today@Sam Seeks Experts, Story Ideas

Are you an expert in a topic might be of interest to reporters? Or even a unique topic? Would you like to have your research interests highlighted or discuss your expertise with reporters seeking interviewees?

The university Communications Office is collecting information and story ideas for its ongoing projects, including the online SHSU Experts Guide, the SHSU home page and Today@Sam. 

The SHSU Experts Guide was established as a resource for the media, who turn to university experts lists for potential interviewees for news stories. Faculty who are interested in being a part of the university's database of experts can submit their biographical and personal information, as well as their areas of expertise, through the Experts Guide Submission Form available online at shsu.edu/dept/marketing/experts/submit-info.html.

Other story ideas, both news and features on faculty or student research and accomplishments can be sent to today@sam.edu or jenniferg@shsu.edu. For news stories, please include the date, location and time of the event, as well as a brief description and a contact person.

All information, including news story ideas and update items for Today@Sam, should be sent a minimum of a week in advance of the event in order to make necessary contacts and write a story. Feature story ideas for the SHSU home page ("sliders") should be sent a minimum of two months in advance.

To see a full list of the Today@Sam submission guidelines, or to access submission forms for news and feature stories or hometown releases, visit shsu.edu/~pin_www/guidelines.html.

For more information, call 936.294.1836.

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