Today@Sam Article

SHSU 2020 In Photos

Dec. 22, 2020
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

Click through the album above to see a year in review at SHSU. 

January - Food Pantry Opens

The SHSU Food Pantry celebrated its grand opening in early 2020. An organization that started as a few bookshelves in a closet expanded into its own building this year. Born out of a need to serve students who struggle with food insecurity, the SHSU Food Pantry provides quality and nutritious meals during distribution days twice a month.

February - Dr. Hoyt Retires

After serving 10 years as the 13th president of SHSU, Dr. Dana Hoyt announced her retirement in February. In addition to being the first female president in SHSU’s history, Hoyt oversaw a remarkable decade of enrollment growth, campus improvements, and the launch of the TSUS’ first medical school.

March - Transition To Online

In March, SHSU leadership made the decision to transition all students online for the remainder of the spring semester due to COVID-19 precautions. SHSU Online, ranked as the #1 online program in Texas, was at the forefront of this monumental shift in education in order to best serve our students, faculty and staff.

April - New Athletic Branding Launched

A new era of Bearkat athletics was revealed in April of 2020. Bearkat fans were shown the new brand for a new decade, that kept the traditions of the SH and paw, and reintroduced a new Sammy mascot logo that resembles a throwback to the Sammy from the early days of Bearkat athletics.

May - SHSU Physicians Opens

In addition to the College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2020 also saw the opening of SHSU Physicians. Staffed by SHSU faculty, SHSU Physicians, now open in Conroe, provides a new brand of healthcare to the patients and families of Texas.

June - New LSC Expansion Opens

Over the summer, SHSU unveiled phase two of the Lowman Student Center renovation and expansion project. This included opening new office and study space, as well as a Starbucks.

July - Dr. Alisa White Named President Of SHSU

The Board of Regents of the Texas State University System unanimously confirmed Alisa White, Ph.D., as president of Sam Houston State University during a special called meeting in July. Dr. White, a Texas native, previously served as president of Austin Peay State University and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Tyler and provost at Midwestern State University.

August - First Medical Student Class Holds White Coat Ceremony

Sam Houston State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine made history in August by holding their first White Coat ceremony. The ceremony was the initial step for the inaugural class of 75 diverse, first-year medical students who symbolically entered the healthcare profession with the donning of their white coats.

September - SHSU Holds In-Person And Hybrid Classes

SHSU resumed classes and campus life in the spring. Although things were different, SHSU developed new and innovative ways to safely live, learn, and experience our Bearkat culture with Restart 2020.

October - On Campus COVID-19 Test Kiosk Opens

In addition to other testing capabilities, SHSU launched an additional option for free COVID-19 testing via campus kiosk. The walk-up testing kiosk provided students, faculty and staff with results within 24 to 48 hours after administration.

November - Record Enrollment Announced

SHSU announced a record enrollment of 21,918 students for the fall semester. The university’s first-time graduate student population saw a growth this semester with a 22 percent increase and 40 percent of the current student population report being first-generation students, meaning the first in their family to attend a four-year college or university.

December - In-Person Commencement Held At NRG Stadium

SHSU chose to hold in-person ceremonies at NRG Stadium in Houston and allowed graduates to bring limited guests while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Several precautions were also taken to meet health and safety standards, including requiring face coverings, physical distancing, temperature checks and thorough sanitizing between ceremonies.

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