Today@Sam Article
Rather's Return: Common Reader Event photos
Oct. 3, 2018
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton
Bearkats headed up the hill past Austin Hall every day, walk by a building dedicated to a legendary leader in journalism, the Dan Rather Communications Building. This week, Rather, the Texas-born journalist and Sam Houston State University alumnus, returned to the SHSU campus for the first time since 2004.
Rather served as a keynote guest speaker for the university’s Common Reader Program finale event on the stage of Payne Concert Hall at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center. Rather’s book was recently chosen from a campus committee as the Common Reader. After his time on campus, Rather came away impressed by SHSU students.
“To all who despair about America's future come meet the generation that will have to pick up the mantle of leadership and heal our nation. They are here. They are gaining strength. And they are not to be underestimated,” Rather said.
According to Kay Angrove, director of SHSU’s First-Year Experience and Student Success Initiatives, the program is designed to reach across a broad spectrum of areas of interest to connect with as many students as possible in a variety of academic fields. The program provides a campus-wide common intellectual experience, leading to informed and educated perspectives about complex subjects.
“Themes in Mr. Rather’s book address timely, relevant and cross-disciplinary topics affecting our students,” Angrove said.
In addition to the keynote address, Rather participated in two days of campus activities related to the Common Reader Program including a lunch with student contest winners and a film festival where students presented their original films that connect with the themes in Rather’s book.
Rather also generously provides a scholarship each year to students in the Department of Mass Communications, and since 1998 top-students have been a part of a special internship in New York.
If you have photos, be sure to upload them to social media using the hashtag #SHSUCommonReader. We will continue to add to our photo albums from the week's events in the link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/samhoustonstateu/sets/72157674349356978/
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