A Message from the President
Presiding over Commencement is a privilege that I look forward to each semester.
The Magazine of Sam Houston State University, Summer 2022
Upward Mobility
Education and Tech: Evolving Frontiers
While many middle-income and blue-collar families have seen their incomes stagnate in recent decades, the economic returns to higher education have continued to increase each year since the 1970s.
Unlocking the American Dream
Class hierarchy is inevitable in a capitalist society, but also at odds with the American founding ideal of democratic equality. Social mobility—the ability to move up (or down) in the hierarchy on one’s own merits—reconciles this contradiction.
Our Economic Impact
SHSU creates value in many ways. In fact, according to a new economic impact study for fiscal year 2019-2020, SHSU added $2.4 billion in income to the Texas economy, the equivalent to supporting 30,788 jobs.
Transformational Force of Higher Education
Equipping SHSU students with the knowledge and skills for transformational change has advanced thousands of lives, and in many cases redefined their futures and the generations to come.
Centered on First-Gen Success
To optimize programs and information on how to succeed, the university has launched SHSU’s First-Generation Center under the direction of Lt. Col. Joe Contreras.
Frank Parker Plaza
To honor the former vice president for student affairs, the university has officially renamed a part of campus, outside the Lowman Student Center.
Sam Today, Sam Tomorrow
SHSU’s campus master planning is guided by a long-term vision. It allows the university to better understand how our campuses should evolve to address new trends in higher education.
Career Growth in Leadership
Updates and accomplishments from fellow Bearkat campus leaders.
SHSU's Youngest Graduate
While learning comes naturally for the 15-year-old, earning a college degree and maintaining a high GPA still came as a challenge for Nehemiah Juniel.
The Texas State University System Board of Regents
- Duke Austin, Chairman - Houston
- Garry Crain, First Vice Chairman - The Hills
- Alan L. Tinsley, Second Vice Chairman - Madisonville
- Charlie Amato - San Antonio
- Sheila Faske - Rose City
- Dionicio (Don) Flores - El Paso
- Nicki Harle - Baird
- Stephen Lee - Beaumont
- William F. Scott - Nederland
- Gabriel Webb, Student Regent - The Hills
- Brian McCall, Chancellor - Austin
Sam Houston University Foundation Board of Trustees
- Leo T. "Tommy" Metcalf, President - Conroe
- Preston Johnson, Jr., Vice President - Sugar Land
- Ferne S. Frosch, Secretary - Huntsville
- Robert E. Hutson, Treasurer - Katy
- Charlie Amato - San Antonio
- Richard A. Hartley - Houston
- John M. Hoyt - Waco
- C. Joel Michael II - Friendswood
- Erin M. Steele - Pearland
Heritage Archives
Heritage Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of University Advancement to keep alumni, donors and friends of Sam Houston State University connected to the campus community. For more information about the magazine email the editor - heritage@shsu.edu.
