Today@Sam Article

SHSU Update For Week Of Oct. 30

Oct. 30, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

 

 

Alumnae To Return For ‘We Are PR’  

Priority One—the Sam Houston State University on-campus, student-run public relations firm—will present “We Are PR!” on Tuesday (Nov. 1) at 3:30 p.m. in Dan Rather Communications Building Room 301.

“We Are PR!” will feature former SHSU students who were Priority One members and who have achieved successful careers in a variety of communications-related fields. 

Returning Priority One alumni include Kirsten Hinds (Spring 2015), Anthony Barnum Public Relations; Amanda Calderon (Spring 2013), On the Mark Communications; Dallas Tippett (Fall 2015), Dallas Kaye Communications; Stephanie Jones (Fall 2015), Texas A&M Experiment Station; Christina Bielstein (Fall 2014), The Houston Ballet; and Janayn Evans (Fall 2013), Spunky Social Media. 

The six alumni will discuss and take audience questions about what it is like to work in the communications and public relations fields and how Priority One helped in preparation for their current careers. 

"They are all Sam success stories, so it will be great having them back on campus to provide insights to current students interested in communications-related careers,” said Peter Roussel, adviser to Priority One and Philip G. Warner Endowed Chair in the mass communication department.

The event is free and open to the public. 

Priority One is a "hands-on" public relations course within the SHSU Department of Mass Communication that provides students with the experience of working directly with clients, creating communications plans, and promoting and producing special events.

For more information, contact Priority One member Savannah Sailer at sxs100@shsu.edu.


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Friday Forum To Examine ‘Caregiver’ Role In Literature

Diane Dowdey, associate professor of English at Sam Houston State University, will highlight the role of caregiver in two literary pieces written 150 years apart during the Department of English’s First Friday Faculty Forum presentation on Friday (Nov. 4). 

“Jane to Jasmine: Caregiving in ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Jasmine’” will begin at 3 p.m. in Evans Complex Room 212.

Dowdey’s talk will focus on the title characters in Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 novel “Jane Eyre” and Bharati Mukherjee’s 1989 novel “Jasmine,” both of whom are caregivers and social outsiders.

Focusing on the characters’ roles as caregivers, Dowdey will explore narrative structure in the novels.

“Through Jane Eyre’s perspective, Bronte presents a picture of the upper class in 19th-century England,” Dowdey said. “Mukherjee uses the same perspective in her character Jasmine to explore social class in 20th-century America.”

Dowdey, who earned her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin, focuses her scholarly studies on 20th-century literature, multicultural literature, literature and science, among others.

The Friday Faculty Forum is designed to highlight research by departmental faculty and graduate students. 

For more information on the English Friday Faculty Forum, contact Paul Child, professor of English and forum coordinator, at 936.294.1412.


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HeForShe Activities To Focus On Gender Equality

Every semester, Sam Houston State University’s Global Center for Journalism and Democracy takes on a prominent social issue in order to engage and educate the student body. This semester, GCJD is tackling gender equality through the HeForShe Campaign. 

GCJD will team up with the Kappa Alpha fraternity to present interactive demonstrations Monday (Oct. 31) through Thursday (Nov. 3) to bring the issue of gender equality to life.

“The HeForShe Campaign is a global mission,” GCJD assistant director Chris Arcos said. “It specifically encourages men and boys to engage in this movement because only through the participation of all can this mission be achieved.”

Each day, Bearkats are encouraged to visit the Lowman Student Center Mall Area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to take the HeForShe pledge and participate in the activities. 

On Monday (Oct. 31) female volunteers will be in a jail cell to demonstrate how women are trapped in the workplace. The only way for them to be released is for someone to sign the HeForShe pledge.

Tuesday (Nov. 1) is “That’s Not Okay” day, where students will be encouraged to write down what it means to do something “like a girl” or “like a man” in order to spark discussion about gender equity.

On Wednesday (Nov. 2) members of the SHSU KHAOS Step Organization will perform in the LSC Mall Area.

Finally, on Thursday (Nov. 3) volunteers will be scattered throughout the Mall Area wearing poster boards, the front of which will portray a victim of a gender equity issue and the back of which will detail the person’s story.

According to Arcos, this demonstration personifies the issue and makes it harder to ignore.

The HeForShe campaign expands into both female and male gender equality concerns, something Arcos said college students in particular should be interested and involved in. 

“I think it would be very easy to try and characterize this as a women's issue, but at its core, this is a fundamental human rights issue and so long as there is injustice for one, there is injustice for us all,” Arcos said. “Man, woman, boy, girl—the future of our society rests with us all and as college students, it is especially important to pay attention to because college students are often some of the most important change agents in such a movement.”


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Program To Bring Astronomical Presentations To SHSU

Sometimes college can feel like a different world entirely.  

This year, the Sam Houston State University Common Reader Program gave students the opportunity to view their education, social circle and day-to-day life through an astronaut’s eyes in its 2016 pick, “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth,” by Col. Chris Hadfield.

To expand on the book’s lessons about ingenuity, determination and preparation, the Common Reader program will host a number of events the week of Oct. 31.

First, Hadfield will relate his time in space to students’ time on Earth during the events’ keynote address on Tuesday (Nov. 1) at 2 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.

“Col. Hadfield will present a dynamic, multimedia account of what it is really like to experience space lift off, life on the international space station, and the re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere culminating in a landing back on the surface,” First Year Experience director Kay Angrove said. “He will relate his experiences and lessons learned to motivating and yet practical advice for conducting your life here on Earth to make the most of every opportunity.” 

Wednesday (Nov. 2) will consist of a panel discussion from mass communication, history and political science professors entitled “The Great Space Race: Past, Present and Future” from 11-11:50 a.m. in the LSC Ballroom.

At 2 p.m., education professor Lisa Brown will present “Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) at NASA” in the LSC Ballroom.

“NASA has been including women since before its inception when NASA was NACA (National Advisory Council for Aeronautics),” Brown said. “These women were the first computers and had degrees in mathematics. They worked in the 1950s where mostly unmarried or married women with no children were able to work. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to share the stories of these women.”

Finally, on Thursday (Nov. 3) physics professor Renee James will present her lecture “Bird’s Eye View: Seeing Worlds From Space” at 11 a.m. in the LSC Theater, followed by a recognition luncheon for faculty, staff and top student contest winners from noon to 1:30 p.m. in LSC Room 320. 

The week of events will end with a star gazing night at the SHSU Observatory, located at 26 Knox Circle. The view time begins at 8 p.m., when the Taurids Meteor Shower, a long-running minor meteor shower, will be visible. It is suggested that participants arrive while there is still daylight.

For more information, contact Angrove at kxa014@shsu.edu.


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Day To Connect Bearkats To Environmental Roots

arborday2016While faculty and students are stressing about grades, extracurricular activities and outside responsibilities, Sam Houston State University Leadership Initiatives will aim to remind everyone that “trees are the answer” in their third-annual Texas Arbor Day observance on Thursday (Nov. 3) at 2 p.m. 

SHSU has had an Arbor Day tree-planting event since 2013 and has been a Tree Campus USA since 2014.

“We have Texas Arbor Day in the fall and Sam Houston Arbor Day in the spring,” SHSU arborist Evan Anderson said. “Texas Arbor Day focuses on planting trees; everyone gets a chance to learn how to plant trees and how trees make positive change in our environment.”

This year SHSU will plant 31 trees, all of which will come from the campus tree nursery, according to Anderson.   

“Research has shown that just being outside around trees can improve our health, make us heal faster and decrease stress,” Anderson said. “That’s why this year’s motto is ‘trees are the answer.’ Planting a tree and watching it grow gives people a real connection to a place and time in their lives. The couple of hours we spend at Arbor Day are going to make a lasting change on campus for decades.”  

The location will be provided to participants after they register for the free event.

To register, fill out the application at http://tinyurl.com/ArborDaySHSU2016 by Tuesday (Nov. 1).

For more information, contact Anderson at eba004@shsu.edu.


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Council To Bewitch Staff With ‘Spooktacular’ Breakfast

The Sam Houston State University Staff Council will treat their colleagues to a hauntingly good time during its annual “Spooktacular Breakfast” on Halloween morning.

Breakfast will be served from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the small Lowman Student Center Ballroom, where staff members can participate in a costume contest that will recognize attendees for “Most Creative,” “Best Group” and “Most Spooktacular” costume. Staff are advised against wearing masks to the breakfast, however.

The biggest social event hosted by Staff Council each year, last year’s Spooktacular Breakfast attracted more than 300. 

“We are anticipating an even bigger event this year,” said Megan Foley, chair of the Staff Council special events subcommittee. “I encourage staff to attend this event because it’s the one time of year we can wear a costume to work while mingling with staff members from across campus. Come and have breakfast in the spooky, fun atmosphere.” 

In the spirit of Halloween, the Staff Council asks that all employees who attend the breakfast bring a non-perishable item to gain admission.

Items will benefit the SHSU Food Pantry, which is especially in need of seasonings, condiments and packaged tuna.

“Staff Council added the component of bringing non-perishable items because we saw it as a great opportunity for staff members to embody SHSU’s motto, ‘The measure of a Life is its Service,’ by helping stock the shelves of the SHSU Food Pantry,” Foley said. “This a great occasion to show off your costume and socialize with other staff members while helping out our students.”

For more information, email StaffCouncil@shsu.edu.


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Office To Answer Questions On Service Animals

What’s the difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal?

What do the different colored vests mean? When is it appropriate to pet a vested animal? 

All of these questions and more will be answered at the Services For Students With Disabilities Office’s presentation “Everything You Wanted to Know About Assistance Animals but Were Afraid to Ask” on Wednesday (Nov. 9) from 3-4:30 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 320.

The SSD office will explain the university policy on service animals and emotional support animals and will answer any questions attendees may have on the subject.

Persons requesting accommodations for the presentation are advised to contact SSD at least one week prior at 936.294.3512 or disability@shsu.edu.


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SAM Center To Give Details On Graduate School

GradInfo10116Students who are interested in applying for graduate school and want more information on how to get started are encouraged to attend the SAM Center’s “Grad Night 101 Workshop,” on Wednesday (Nov. 2) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building Room 262.

Graduate assistant mentor Roynesha Julius said that while the application for graduate school shares some similarities with undergraduate applications, students are often not prepared for the grad school requirements, such as standardized testing (GRE, GMAT, MCAT), letters of recommendation and a personal statement, to name a few.

In addition, Julius said financial aid looks different for graduate students.

Interested students only need to bring something to take notes on during the presentation.

For more information, contact Julius at 936.294.4456.


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Counseling Prof Discusses Relationships At UH Event

Richard Watts, a counselor education professor at Sam Houston State University, shared insights on work relationships during the University of Houston-Victoria School of Education’s Health Professions & Human Development Fall Symposium on Oct. 27. 

Richard WattsWatts’s presentation drew on perspectives in education, business and other disciplines to address the importance of being encouragement-focused in relationships.

“Actually success is more about ‘how’ than ‘who,’” Watts said. “The ‘who’ may get your foot in the door, but ‘how’ we engage and relate to others is the most significant influence on our success personally and professionally.”

Watts is the Texas State University System Regents’ Professor and director of the SHSU counseling education program. He has taught at SHSU for 11 years after previously serving as a faculty member at Baylor University, Kent State University and Texas A&M-Commerce.

His research interests include Adlerian, cognitive, constructivist, humanistic-existential, and systemic theories and applications to counseling with individuals, couples and groups.

Watts has written six books and has had numerous articles published. He has made presentations at conferences around the globe, including the 2016 Counseling Association World Conference in Montreal.

The event was the UH-Victoria education school’s first public event at its new Katy campus.

While the topic is a good fit for counselors and counseling education students, improving relationships is a goal that many people have no matter their line of work, according to Elsa Soto Leggett, a UHV associate professor of counseling education.

“As counselor educators, we understand the value of relationships and their potential and power,” Leggett said. “Dr. Watts will share that information in a way that allows people in other disciplines to build better relationships with students, colleagues and supervisors.

“He’s been involved in a number of significant research projects and received national research awards,” Leggett said. “He has a great perspective about relationships that has strengthened over the years through research.”


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Spanish Professor’s Collaborative Book Wins Award

A book by Debra Andrist, Sam Houston State University professor of Spanish, has been selected to receive the South Central Modern Language Association’s 2016 Book Award. 

“The Body, Subject & Subjected: The Representation of the Body Itself Illness, Injury, Treatment & Death in Spain and Indigenous and Hispanic American Art & Literature” was conceptualized, edited and introduced by Andrist.

The book examines how the body is used as a subject in art and literature by using the “selfie” craze as a metaphor. It is explored through a collection of critical essays on those topics from the Iberian Peninsula, pre-Columbian American and Hispanic American cultures.

“Hominids have always been obsessed with representing their own bodies,” Andrist wrote for the book’s back cover. “The first ‘selfies’ were prehistoric negative hand images and human stick figures, followed by stone and ceramic representations of the human figure. Thousands of years later, moving via historic art and literature to contemporary social media, the contemporary term ‘selfie’ was self-generated.”

She and colleagues from the SHSU Department of Foreign Languages also authored chapters in the book, including faculty members Enrique Mallén and Montse Feu, Spanish graduate student Jorge Chavarro, and former SHSU pool faculty Norma Mouton.

“The essays reveal critics’ insights when ‘selfies’ are examined through a focused ‘lens’ over a breadth of cultures,” Andrist wrote. “The result, complex and unique, is that what is viewed—the visual art and literature under discussion becomes a mirror image, indistinguishable from the component viewing apparatus, the ‘lens.’”

Since 1992, the SCMLA Book Award has annually recognized the best book by a member of the association with a $500 prize.

The book is available in both print and electronic form. Other books by Andrist and other SHSU collaborators include “Insult to Injury,” which will appear in December, and “S/He: Sex and Gender in the Spanish, Hispanic American and Mesoamerican Worlds,” which will appear mid-2017.


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Submit Experts, Story Ideas Here

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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