VOLUME XI NUMBER 1 SPRING 2011

The Magazine of Sam Houston State University

INSIDE A NEW CAMPUS IN THE WOODLANDS p8

PICTUrE-PErfECT COMMENCEMENT p10

NursingDegree NursingDegree The Bachelor of Science in

NursingDegree atSHSUOpening doors for additional

health-related programs p2

ANEWHORIZON

Morethan100yearsagoJean-BaptisteAlphonseKarr,theFrenchcritic,novelistandauthor,wroteastatementthathasevolvedinto,“Themorethingschange,themoretheystaythesame.”Thatphrasehasbecomealmostlikeaproverbandaccuratelydescribeshowthefaceofourcampushaschangedwhileouruniversityremainstruetoitstraditionsandvalues.

Newconstructionandrenovationhavebeenaconstantsince2002asourfacilitieshavegrownsignificantlytomeettheprogramandacademicneedsofagrowingandtalentedstudentbody.Weopenedthewonderfulstate-of-the-artJamesandNancyGaertnerPerformingArtsCenteraboutsixmonthsago.Bynextfall,wewillhaveaddedanewresidencehallandaneagerlyanticipateddiningfacilitytowelcomeyetanotherrecordenrollment.

GroundhasbeenbrokenforournewclassroomfacilityinTheWoodlands,whichwillprovidecourseofferingsattheupperandgraduatelevels.Thisprojectisessentialtoprovidingeducationalopportunitiesforareastudentsandforouruniversity’slong-termfuture.ThislongawaitedbuildingistheresultofaneffectiverelationshipwithLoneStarCollege.

AlsolocatedinTheWoodlands,weareexcitedabouttheopeningoftheSamHoustonStateUniversityRegionalCrimeLab,whichbeganacceptingevidencefromstateandlocalagenciesjustbeforeThanksgiving.The5,000-square-footfacilityisexpectedtohandleupto5,000casesannually.

Thisspring,wewelcomedourfirstclassof26studentsintoournewnursingprogram.ThisaddressesapressingneedformoreprofessionalnursesandisbeingconductedinpartnershipwithHuntsvilleMemorialHospital.

Theuniversity,faculty,andstaffcontinuetoreceivesignificantrecognition.WearehonoredthatSamHoustonStatewasselectedbyTheCarnegieFoundationfortheAdvancementofTeachingtoreceivethe2010CommunityEngagementClassification.Weareamong115collegesanduniversitiesinthenationtoreceivethisimportantdesignationandonly311institutionsofhighereducationhavebeenawardedtheclassificationsinceitwasestablished.

Whileouruniversityplansforcontinuedprogressandgrowth,Texasisexperiencingadifficultfinancialcrisisthathasalreadyaffectedhighereducationadverselythroughasignificantlossofbudgetsupportforstateuniversities.Additionalreductionsarecertainandouruniversitywillshoulderitsshareresponsibly.Itisimportanttonotethatwepossessarecordofgoodstewardshipofthestate’sresources,operatingefficientlyandeffectively.Whilewearesecondtothebottominperstudentfunding,receivingabout2.7%oftheformula,weperformwelloncoordinatingboardaccountabilitymeasures,receivingabout5%oftheincentivefunding.Weareleanonouroperations,withonly10.7employeesper100students,whilethestateaverageis25employeesperstudent.

Wehaveapressingneedfortwoneweducationalfacilitiesthroughstatetuitionrevenuebond(TRB)funding.WearerequestingconsiderationtoreceiveTRBfundsfora$39.6millionbuildingforbiology,nursingandalliedhealthand$19.5millionforaforensicsciencefacility.Again,weranknearthebottominTRBfundsperstudent.

Toaddressneedsforourregionandstate,weareseekingTexasHigherEducationCoordinatingBoardapprovalforanEngineeringTechnologyprogram,whichwouldbethefirstofitskindinthestateandmodeledafterprogramsatPurdueandUtah.Ifweareabletomoveforward,theuniversityhastheveryrealpossibilityofgainingmillionsofdollarsinprivatesupport.

Yourcontinuedinterestandinvolvementareappreciated.YouradvocacyofSamHoustonStatewithprospectivestudents,withinyourcommunityandwithyourstatelegislatorswouldbeincrediblyhelpfulinmaintainingourmomentum.

Weareoptimisticaboutcontinuedenrollmentgrowth,thedevelopmentofoutstandingacademicprograms,andtheexpansionandimprovementoffacilitiestomeettheneedsofourstudentsandthestate.WewillcontinuetoencourageandembracechangewhileretainingthevaluesandbeliefsthathavemadeSamHoustonagreatnameineducation.Themorethingschange,themoretheystaythesame.

Sincerely,

DanaGibsonPresident

Editor JuliaMayjmay@shsu.edu

Writers JasonBarfieldAmyBarnettJennifergaunttJuliaMaypaulRidings

Photography BrianBlalock

Design & Layout ClockworkStudiosStateoftXhUB-certifiedwww.clockworkstudios.com

Masthead Design FordDesign281.992.4042

Vice President for University Advancement FrankR.holmesholmes@shsu.edu

Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications KristinaK.Ruizkruiz@shsu.edu

Director of Alumni Relations CharlesViennealumni@shsu.edu800.283.7478

thegoalofHeritageistokeepyouinformedaboutSamhoustonStateUniversity.HeritageispublishedtwiceayearbytheofficeofUniversityAdvancementforalumni,donorsandfriendsofShSU.tocontacttheofficeofUniversityAdvancementpleasecall936.294.3625orvisitusatwww.shsu.edu/giving.

SamhoustonStateUniversityisaMemberofthetexasStateUniversitySystem

ONTHECOVER

10University Focus picture-perfectCommencement,AnEngagedCampus,provostAnnouncesRetirement,EnrollmentMilestone,CJprogramAnniversary,pACgrandopening

20Building The Vision SteelesgiveBackWithScholarships

22Scene At Sam pictureshighlightingActivitiesAtShSU

Eye On The Kats 24NewBowlingteamgetsNoticed,BattleofthepineyWoods,Student-AthletesprovideModelForinvolvement,hallofhonor

30Alumni Look KoyFamily’sAthletictradition,FaulkSharesSuccessWithothers,“WhereAretheyNow,”DistinguishedAlumni,ClassNotes,UpcomingEvents

thehighlyanticipatedBachelorofSciencein

thEtEXASStAtEUNiVERSitYSYStEMBoARDoFREgENtSNursingdegreeisnowareality.

Charlie Amato Jaime Garza,MD,DDS David Montagne Michael Truncale Chairman, SanAntonio Beaumont BeaumontSanAntonio

Kevin J. Lilly Trisha Pollard Christopher Covo Donna N. Williams houston Bellaire StudentRegent,SanMarcosViceChairman,

Ron Mitchell Rossanna Salazar Brian McCall ArlingtonhorseshoeBay Austin Chancellor,Austin

Spotlight

Nursing Program Opens Doors 2Anewdegreeiscausinga“buzzallovercampus.”

Prehistoric Passion 6FromAfricancavestoatexasprairie,anShSUresearcherconnectsthepasttothefuture.

SHSU To Open New Campus 8In The Woodlands thefacilitywillprovidemoreopportunitiesfornon-traditionalstudents.

DEpARtMENtS

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For Future Health-Related Degrees For Future Health-Related Degrees For Future Health-Related Degrees

OpensDoorsOpensDoorsOpensDoorsNURSING PROGRAM

ByJuliaMay

2 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

Spotlight

SHSU’s newest degree program is helping to combat the critical shortage of nurses in Texas.

hehighlyanticipatedBachelor

tofScienceinnursingdegreeprogramatSamhoustonStateUniversityisnowarealityandhastakenitsfirst

cohortof26students.thestudentsbegantheprogramthis

semester,andthosewhosuccessfullycompletetherequiredcoursesandclinicalswillgraduateinDecember2012.

“thisprogramwillopenthewayforadramaticexpansionofSamhoustonStateUniversityofferingsintoavarietyofalliedhealthprofessionalprogramswhichwillbedevelopedoverthenextfewyears,”saidDavidpayne,ShSUprovostandvicepresidentforacademicaffairs.

Notonlydoestheprogramlaythefoundationfortheadditionofnewhealthprograms,itgivessomeofthe240-pluscurrentlyenrolledpre-nursingstudentstheopportunitytocompletetheirundergraduateworkatShSU.Beforenow,allpre-nursingstudentsatSamhoustonhadtotransfertootheruniversitiestoreceivetheirdegrees.

MichelleEstis,ofhuntsville,enrolledinShSUin2008asapre-nursingmajor.Asinglemotheroftwo,Estisspentmostofherprofessionallifeteachingpre-school.ShewaslookingforacareerchangewhensheheardthatShSUhadplanstoestablishanursingprogram.

“Nursingisa‘giving’occupation,andiwantacareerwhereicangiveandhelpothers,”shesaid.“it’salsochallenginganditwillhelpmestrivetobebetter.

“ihaveacaregiverpersonality,andiderivehappinessfromdoingforothers,”shesaid.“i’mnotnaïve,though.iknowthatwithacareerinnursing,therewillbechallenges,strugglesandsadness.Buttherewillalsobejoyandhappinessandgoodoutcomes.”

Estissaidsheworkedhardanddedicatedherselftoherstudiesinthepre-nursingprogram,andsheearnedgoodgrades.

“Welookforwardtotheexpansionofthenursingprogramintoarticulationwithothernursingprogramsandgraduateprogramsinadditiontothebasicbaccalaureateinnursing.”

SHSU Provost David Payne

inreturn,shewasselectedasamemberofthefirstcohortofShSU’snursingstudentsandwasnamedthefirstrecipientofthe$5,000peryearMaryEllenRagsdaleNursingScholarship.

“thescholarshipmeanstheworldtomeandmyfamily,”shesaid.“itallowsmetodedicatemyselftomystudieswithoutworryingabouttheexpenseofmyeducation.”

Estissaidsheisproudtobeapartofsomethingthathasbeensowellreceived.

“thereisabuzzallovercampusabouttheprogram,”shesaid.“peopleaskmequestionsaboutwhatwewillbedoing,andsomeoneinthelocalvocationalnursingprogramatthehospitalsaiditwasabouttimeweofferedanursingdegreeatShSU.”

thenursingprogramiswithintheCollegeofArtsandSciences,headedbyDeanJaimiehebert.hebertwasinstrumentalinlayingthegroundworkfortheestablishmentoftheprogram,accordingtopayne.

louiseplaisancewashiredin2009asassociatedeanofnursingtodevelopthecurriculumforthenewprogramandserveasitsdirector.Shehas28yearsofnursingeducationandadministrativeexperienceandholdsundergraduateandgraduatedegreesinnursingaswellasadoctorateinnursingscience.

Sincethen,fouradditionalfacultymembershavebeenhired,includingKerriCravey,loriNeubauer,MaryAnneVincentandSusanMathew.

theprimarygoaloftheprogram,accordingtoplaisance,is“toprepareandproducegraduateswhoareeligibletotakethenationallicensureexaminationtobecomeregisterednursesandcontributetoalleviatingthecriticalshortageofnursesintexas.”

SpR i Ng 2 011 3

Notonlydoestheprogramlaythefoundationfortheadditionofnewhealthprograms,itgivessomeofthe240-pluscurrentlyenrolledpre-nursingstudentstheopportunitytocompletetheirundergraduateworkatSHSU.

therearenoprofessionalnursingeducationalprogramswithina40-mileradiusofhuntsvilleandonlyonevocationalnursingprograminthelocalarea.

inadditiontocivicleadersfromhuntsvilleandsurroundingcommunitieswhohaveendorsedthenewnursingprogram,physiciansintheareaacrossseveralspecialtiesalsosupporttheprogram,accordingtoplaisance.

localhealthcarefacilitieshaveindicatedtoSamhoustonStatethatspaceisavailableandstudentsarewelcometodotheirclinicalworkatthoselocations.

“theuniversityhasagreementswithhuntsvilleMemorialhospital,EasttexasMedicalCenterinCrockett,andtwolong-termcarefacilitiesinhuntsville,”saidplaisance.

“WearealsoworkingwiththreelargehospitalsintomballandtheWoodlands.otherswillbeadded,”shesaid.“Wewantthebestpossibleclinicalexperienceforourstudents.”

theDepartmentofNursingiscurrentlylocatedinAcademicBuildingiiion

thenursingfacultyinclude(from left): louiseplaisance,loriNeubauer,SusanMathew,MaryAnneVincentandKerriCravey.

campus,whichhasbeenrenovatedtoincludespaceforclassrooms,offices,aconferenceroom,andaskillslaboratory.

“theprogramisdesignedforstudentstogainnursingskillsthroughlaboratorysimulationexperiencesbeforetheydohands-onpatientcarelearningactivities,”saidplaisance.

AlthoughthenursingprogramisnewtoSamhoustonState,universityofficialsarealreadyexploringthepossibilityofaddinganRN-to-BSNprogram.inthisprogramstudentswhohavecompletedatwo-yearassociate’sdegreeprogramwouldbeabletotakecoursestotallyonlineforthecompletionofabachelor’sdegreeinnursingscience.

“Welookforwardtotheexpansionofthenursingprogramintoarticulationwithothernursingprogramsandgraduateprogramsinadditiontothebasicbaccalaureateinnursing,”saidpayne.

FormoreinformationabouttheDepartmentofNursingatSamhoustonStateUniversitylogontowww.shsu. edu/~nursing orcall936.294.2371.O

4 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

Spotlight

theofficeofMedicalandAlliedhealthprogramshasopenedtoassistShSUstudentswithgainingadmissiontoadvanceddegreeprogramsin

thespecializedareasofmedicine,dentistry,veterinarymedicine,pharmacy,physicaltherapyandnursingprofessionsaswellasrelatedareasofalliedhealth.

Atonetimetheuniversityhadapre-professionaladvisementprogram,butitwasdiscontinuedwhentheuniversity’sgeneraladvisementstructurechanged.Sincethattime,studentsdesiringtogointoadvancedmedicalstudieswereeitheradvisedthroughthebiologydepartmentorthroughtheStudentAdvisementandMentoringCenter.

“Economicschangedthepicture,”saidJackturner,thedirectoroftheoffice.“Withthedownturninbusinessopportunities,peoplebeganlookingforcareerswithstabilityandthosethatwouldprovidefinancialsecurity.theybeganlookingtowardjobswithinthehealthprofessions.”

Withmorethan25yearsofserviceatShSU,13ofwhichwereservedaschairoftheformerpre-professionalprogram,turnerwasapproachedin2008byDeanJaimiehebertoftheCollegeofArtsandSciencestodirectthenewMedicalandAlliedhealthprogramsoffice.

Atthebeginningofthatyear,theofficeadvised121studentswhowereinterestedinfurtheringtheirstudiesinhealthprofessions.in2010,thenumberofstudentshadincreasedtoalmost900.

“Althoughnotallofthosestudentswillendupashealthprofessionals,theyallhavetheopportunitytotry,”turnersaid.

“throughourprogram,weopendoorsforourstudents—wedon’tpushanyonethroughthem.Weadviseandguidethemsotheyareabletomakeinformeddecisionsabouttheirfuture,”hesaid.

turnersaidhisofficedoesn’tpromoteorencouragestudentstomajorinoneparticulararea.

“Eachprogramisdifferentandhasitsowndemands,”hesaid.“therearedifferenttimeandenergyrequirementsanddifferentassessmentsoftestscoresandgradepointaverages.

“Allstudentswillgetachance.Butafterayearoftakingclasses,iftheyarenotwheretheyshouldbe,weencouragethemtore-thinktheiroptions,”hesaid.

“Atthatpoint,theyhavenotinvestedsomuchthattheycan’tre-direct.Wesavemanystudentsalotof‘wearandtear’.”

inadditiontoprovidingcurrent,individualizedmedicalcareer-specificadvisement,thenewofficeoffersadviceastotheappropriatecourseworkrequiredbythemultiplestateprofessionalschools.

theofficealsoprovidesassistanceinpreparingin-stateandout-of-stateprofessionalschoolapplications,aswellasindividualizedreviewanduniversityendorsementforstudentsapplyingtoprofessionalschools.

Whenfullyimplemented,theofficewillprovidecomputer-basedtutorialsandreviewassistanceforsuchadmissiontestsastheMedicalCollegeAdmissiontest,DentalAdmissiontestandpharmacyCollegeAdmissiontest.

“WebelievethatSamhoustonStateUniversityisamongtheleadersinprovidingthebestguidanceanddirectionforstudentsplanningtogointomedicalandalliedhealthprofessions,”saidturner.Manyofourstudentsaresuccessfulintheircareers,andit’sbecauseoftheirhardwork,determinationandwillingnesstolayholdoftheopportunity,thetoolsandthesupportofferedhereatShSU.Wehavealotofgoodstudentswhobeginhere.”O

NEW OFFICE PREPARES STUDENTS FOR DEGREES IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS

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SHSU NAMES TEACHER EDUCATION CENTER

PREHISTORIC PASSION

PatrickLewisandhisteamofstudentstravelaroundtheworldtoresearchthepastforabetterunderstandingofthefuture.

AsachildgrowingupinEvansville,ind.,SamhoustonStateUniversitybiologyassociateprofessorpatricklewiswasalways

fascinatedwithfossils.“iwouldsitinmygraveldrivewayand

findhundredsoffossilseverysummer,”saidlewis.“iwasageekykidwhobuiltdinosaurmodelsanddrewpicturesofthem.”

Soitwouldseemonlynaturalforlewistowanttopursueadegreeinarcheologyoranthropology.Eventhoughheendeduptakingthatpathineducation,itwasn’thisfirstgameplanoutofhighschool.

lewishadplanstogotomedicalschoolaftergettinghisundergraduatedegree.

ButduringhisthirdyearatindianaUniversity,hedroppedoutofcollegeandjoinedtheUnitedStatesAirForce.heservedeightyearsbeforefinallyrealizingthecareerpathhewantedtotake.lewismovedtotexasandattendedtexastechUniversity,wherehereceivedabachelor’sdegreeinanthropology,followedbyamaster’sdegreeinevolutionarybiology.

helatergothisdoctorateinbiologicalanthropologyandanatomyatDukeUniversity.

in2006,lewisandhiswifedecidedtomovebacktotexaswhereshehasfamily.that’swhenhecametoShSUtoteach,doresearchandrevisithischildhoodpassionofsearchingforfossils.

By Amy Barnett

“iwasalwaysinterestedinthepast,soiknewiwouldenjoydoingthat,”saidlewis.

lewisiscurrentlyinvolvedinseveralresearchprojectsthatcoveravarietyoflocationsandperiods,butmostcenterontheeffectsofenvironmentalchangeontheskeletalanddentalmorphologyoffossilanimals.

onesuchprojecthastakenlewisandhisteamofresearchers,whichincludesseveralShSUstudents,totheKoanakahillsregionoftheRepublicofBotswana,acountryinsouthernAfrica.

“there’sacavetherethatdatesbacktothepleistocene(twomillionyears),”saidlewis.“ithasdeeplayersoffossilsthatprettymuchspanthepasttwomillionyears,andmostareofsmallmammals.

“Smallmammalsarereallygoodatrebuildingpastenvironments.Sowe’reinterestedinhowtheenvironmenthasbeen

6 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

“SeveralsitesinEasttexasdatetotheendofthelasticeAge,butthere’snotanythatdatetothisagewhenthingsareattheircoldest.We’retalkingaboutatimewhenthelasticeAgeisreallygettinggoing.We’reinterestedinseeingwhatanimalswerelikethen,sowecancomparethemtotheendoftheiceAge.”

lewisandhisteam,alongwithresearchersfromtexastechUniversity,theUniversityoftexasandtexasA&M,plantoreturntotheKatysiteinMaytocontinuediggingfornewevidenceofprehistoriclife.

Whatmakesthissiteevenmoreexciting,accordingtolewis,isthatitallowsmanyShSUbiologystudentstogetinvolvedintheresearch.

“ittakesalotoftimeandmoneytoworkinBotswana;it’sdangerousandyoucan’tincludeeverybody,”saidlewis.“Butwiththissite,whenwewentdownlastyear,wetookthewholelab.Wehad10Samstudentswithus.”

Whiletheactofdiggingupfossilswasenoughtokeeplewis’sattentionasachild,hesaidhehasanentirelydifferentreasonfordoingittoday.

“Somuchisbeingdrivenbyclimatechange.Weneedtolearnhowclimatechangesinthepastaffectedanimalsandplantsatthattimesowecanbetterunderstandwhat’sgoingtohappeninthefuture.thenwecanlearnwhatwecandotohelppreventarealcrashinthemammalpopulation.”O

changingoverthepasttwomillionyearsintermsofglobalwarmingandiceages,andhowmammalpopulationsrespondtolarge-scaleclimatechanges.”

Since2007,lewisandhisteamhavemadethreetripstoBotswana.Althoughthey’vegoneeachtimeequippedwithtools,food,waterandadetailedplanofwhattheyneedtoaccomplish,theobstaclestheyfacearecountless.

First,theyhavetoflyintoSouthAfricaanddriveforthreedays,partlyoff-road,togettothecavesite.

“thenwehavetogetdownintothecave,”saidlewis.“itisanastycave;wehavetowriggledown150feetbeforeitopensup.it’sfullofsnakesandbats,andthereareevenleopardslivingdownthere.plus,it’sveryhot.”

Aftertheirfirstvisitin2007,lewisdecidedtobringprofessionalcaverswiththemtomakesuretheymadeitinandoutofthecavesafely.

hecontactedStevethompsonfromtheShSUoutdoorRecreationprogram,who,alongwithstudents,wenttoBotswanaandtaughtlewisandhisteamhowtoclimbandrappelandhelpedthemgetinandoutofthecave.

theBotswanamilitaryalsojoinedthem,focusingonkeepinglewisandhisteamoutofharm’sway,oftenwarningthemofnearbyelephantsandlions.theyalsosuppliedresearcherswith10,000litersofwater.

“ourfirstplanwastogetfossilsandcomparethemtothemodernenvironment,butwerealizedwedidn’tknowaboutthemodernenvironmentbecausenobodyhadeverbeenouttheretotrapanything,”saidlewis.

lewisinvitedShSUbiologyprofessorMontethies,whoisamodernmammalogist,togoaswell.thiesspenthistimeinBotswanatrappingandkillinghundredsofreptiles,amphibiansandsmallmammalstocreateabaselineforthestudy.

thegroupmadeanagreementwiththeBatswanatosharethecollectionofmodernanimalsforresearch.Botswananowhasacollectionofporcupines,honeybadgers,bats,snakes,frogs,lizards,scorpionsandapproximately25differentspeciesofsmallmammals.

lewisandhisfellowresearcherswillcontinuetoevaluatethemoderncollectionsotheywilllaterbeabletocomparetheclimatesoftodayandthoseofthepleistocene.

thenexttripwilltakethemtoAfricaduringitssummersotrapperscanfinddifferentanimalsandplantstostudy.thatwillalsomeanlewisandhisstudentswillbeupagainstmoresnakesanddangeroustemperatures.

“i’malittleworriedaboutit.itisamalarialareaanditwillbe10timesashardtogetouttherebecauseeverythingwillbealiveandgrowing,”lewissaid.

Untilthen,lewishasotherprojectstokeephimbusy—oneiskeepinghimclosetohome.

thissitewasdiscoveredwhenanamateurcollectorfoundseveralmammothtusksinatrenchnearCypressCreekintheKatyprairieConservancyinKaty.

hecontactedaprofessorattexasA&MUniversity,whocontactedlewis.togetherteamsfromthetwouniversitiesmadeadiscoverythatcouldchangethewayscientistsviewtheeffectsofthelasticeAgeonNorthAmerica.

“Wefoundamolarfromatoxodon,”saidlewis.“probablynotmanypeoplehaveheardofit,butitisabigrhinocerostypeofanimalthatwasonlyknowntohavelivedinSouthAmerica.SothisisthefirsteverknowninNorthAmerica.”

thegroupsalsorecoveredfossilsfromtwodifferentspeciesofhorses,camels,sloths,mammoths,andproboscideans,whicharerelatedtomammoths.

“thissiteinKatypreservestheheightofthelasticeAge.it’sabout50,000to60,000yearsold,wethink,”saidlewis.

Spotlight

lewisinacaveinBotswana

S pR i N g 2 011 7

WithSamhoustonStateUniversityprofessorscurrentlyteachingover90percentofstudentsattheUniversityCenter

intheWoodlands,theuniversityislookingforwardtohavingitsownfacilityatthecenterin2012.

thenewShSUcampuswillhouseafour-story,144,164square-footstructurethatwillincludeclassrooms,labs,enrollmentcounselingandadvising,andadministrativeservices,aswellasaparkinglotandafive-storyparkinggarage.

thebuildingwillprovidemorespacefortheprogramsShSUhasbeenofferingattheUniversityCenter.theloneStarCollegeSystemdeededShSUsevenacresoflandadjacenttothecurrentcenterwherethenewfacilitywillbebuilt.inreturn,loneStarwillhavetheuseof50percentoftheclassroomsandfreeparkingfrom7a.m.to2p.m.forthenext10years.Afterthattime,loneStarwillhaveuseof25percentofclassroomsandparkingforanadditional10years.

thenewShSUbuildingwilladdressseveralissuesthattheuniversityhas

facedoverthepastfewyears,withsteadygrowthofbothstudentsandcitizensintheMontgomeryCounty/NorthharrisCountyarea.itwillalsoprovideaserviceforthoseindividualswhowouldliketofurthertheireducationbutareunabletoenrollonthehuntsvillecampus.

“ourexperiencewiththeUniversityCenterhasshownusthatthereareanumberofstudentsinthehoustonareaforwhichdrivingtohuntsvilleisnotpractical,”saidRichardEglsaer,ShSU’sassociateprovost.

“thesestudentsincludefull-timeprofessionals,aswellasstay-at-home

Whencompletedin2012,SHSU’snewcampusinTheWoodlandswillserveagrowingpopulationofmaster’sandnon-traditionalstudents.

By Julia May

WWWOODLANDS OODLANDS SHSUToOpenNewCampusInThe

8 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

parents,”Eglsaersaid.“Competitionforstudentenrollmentishigh,andwedon’twanttoloseanyofourstudentswhoworkinthisarea,especiallysincemanyofthestudentsintheareahavetypicallyoptedtogettheirdegreesfromShSU.”

Samhoustonofficialsalsohopetoseeafinancialbenefit.

intheoriginalcontractwiththeUniversityCenter,eachuniversityofferingclassesinthebuilding(ShSU,University

ofhouston,texasA&MUniversity,theloneStarCollegeSystem,andtheprivatesector)paidrentbasedontheirpercentageofenrollment.BecauseShSUhasalwaysmaintainedatleast70percentoftheenrollments,theuniversitypaysmorethan$1millionannually.

“We’vebeenteachingthemajorityofclassesinthebuildingsincethecenterwasestablished,”Eglsaersaid.“Byhavingourownbuilding,ourmoneywillgotowarddebtreductionratherthanonaleaseagreement.”

themajorityofclassesforbaccalaureateanddoctoraldegreeswillcontinuetobeofferedonthemainShSUcampus.however,manyclassesforthemaster’sprogramswillbeattheWoodlands.

“Mostofourdoctoralprogramsareresidenceprogramswithmuchoftheclassworkandactivityassociatedwith

fellowshipstakingplaceinhuntsville,”Eglsaersaid.

“theexceptionisthedoctorateincounseloreducation,inwhichmostofourstudentsarefromschooldistrictsinthehoustonarea,”hesaid.“Forthatreason,wewillhavethemajorityoftheclassesintheWoodlands.”

professionalstaffemployedbytheuniversitywillincludeabuildingliaisonandcomputerandlibrarysupportstaff.

AdvisersandtestingpersonnelwillvisittheWoodlandscampusasneeded.

ShSUhasplayedaleadershiproleattheUniversityCentersinceitopenedin1998.thecenterwasthefirstofitskindintexasandreflectedwhatwasthenanewtrendtowardmakinghighereducationopportunitiesaccessibletonon-traditionalstudents.

AlthoughShSUwillofferavarietyofprogramsatthenewcampus,therewillbenoduplicationofprogramsofferedbyloneStarCollege-Montgomery,texasA&MortexasSouthernUniversity,accordingtoEglsaer.

“itwillbeacontinuationofwhatwearealreadyproviding,withmoreopportunitiesfornon-traditionalundergraduatestudentsandgraduatestudentsworkinginthehoustonarea,”hesaid.“itwillprovideconvenientaccesstohighereducationformanytexansworkingandresidinginthenorthhoustonarea.”O

Spotlight

BACHELOR’S DEGREES B.B.A Accounting B.A.A.S. Applied Arts and Sciences B.B.A Banking and Financial Institutions B.A. or B.S. Criminal Justice B.A. English B.A. or B.S. Family and Consumer Science B.B.A Finance B.B.A General Business B.A. History B.S. Interdisciplinary Academic Studies

in Elementary Certification B.B.A Management B.B.A Marketing B.A. or B.S. Political Science B.S. Psychology B.A. Sociology B.A. Spanish

MASTER’S DEGREES M.S. Applied Geographic

Information Systems M.B.A. Business Administration M.A. Communication Studies M.S. Criminal Justice M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction

with EC – 12 Physical Education Certification

M.Ed. Educational Leadership: Educational Administration and Certification

M.Ed. Educational Leadership: Instructional Leadership

M.A. English M.A. History M.A. Kinesiology—Sports Management M.A. Political Science M.A. Psychology M.A. Sociology M.Ed. Special Education: Educational

Diagnostician Certification

SPECIAL PROGRAMS Ed.D. Doctor of Education

in Educational Leadership Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy

in Counselor Education Post-Bac. Post-Baccalaureate

Teacher Certification

DEGREES OFFERED AT THE UNIVERSITY CENTER

ThenewSHSUbuildingwilladdressseveralissuesthattheuniversityhasfacedoverthepastfewyears,withsteadygrowthofbothstudentsandcitizensintheMontgomeryCounty/NorthHarrisCountyarea.ItwillalsoprovideaserviceforthoseindividualswhowouldliketofurthertheireducationbutareunabletoenrollontheHuntsvillecampus.

S pR i N g 2 011 9

CommenCement HOWmaNyLITTLEDETaILSDOESITTakE

TOmakEaPICTURE-PERfECTDay?

“Graduation is a huge task, and it takes help from several different areas as you can see. It is definitely a collaborative effort to pull

commencement off each semester.” Teresa Ringo, University Registrar

88900

FoCUSUNIVERSITY

MONTHS EARLIER: On behalf of the students, faculty, and administration, SHSU President Dana Gibson invites special guests to speak at commencement ceremonies.

The Registrar’s Office has a checklist on the Destination Graduation website (www.shsu.edu/~reg_www/destination/) to be used as a guide for completing the graduation process and participating in commencement ceremonies. The checklist covers such details from applying for a degree to checking that the student’s name is actually in the program.

ONE MONTH PRIOR: Degree candidates are reminded to confirm the date and time of their commencement ceremony. SHSU has three ceremonies at the end of the spring and fall semesters and two in August.

The Registrar’s Office has been working for months with students to make sure that all their academic requirements have been met. As graduation day approaches, the staff in Johnson Coliseum goes into ‘high gear’ and begins transforming the building from a sports arena to a place for pomp and circumstance. Among the items on the “To-Do List” are:

While students dream about that one magic moment when their name is called and they walk across the stage at graduation, the rest of Sam Houston State University has been working for days, weeks, even months in advance to make the day a reality.

Arrange for Coliseum windows to be cleaned

Schedule golf cart drivers Request wheelchair ramps and other graduation equipment

Clean every seat and chair back in the Coliseum

Sweep all arena seating areas Lay and tape the entire cover for the master sub-flooring

Push in floor bleachers Build stage Mop stands Tape sub-flooring Set up chairs Set up stage Place skirt around the stage Build handicap ramp

Clean all floor chairs and replace damaged chairs with newer ones

Clean and stock concession stands Clean and polish showcases Sweep and dust entire concourse Retouch handrails with paint Clean and polish water fountains Set up sound system Clean every nook and corner Place platform party chairs on the stage

Tape down microphone lines Arrange interpreter stand, gonfalon, and gold cord table

Adjust heating/air conditioning Obtain pop-up tents for golf shuttle Place commencement programs

Let the CeLebration begin!

SpR i Ng 2 011 11

Increasedretentionandgraduationrates,newacademicprograms,andrecognitionsandawardsarejustafewofthethingsthathavetakenplaceundertheleadershipofProvostDavidPayne.

‘AccompliSHed’ AdminiSTrATor

TO RETIRE THIS SUMMER

After14yearsofservicetoSamhoustonStateUniversityasitssenioracademicofficer,provostandVicepresidentfor

AcademicAffairsDavidpayneisretiringonJuly31,2011.

“provostpaynehasestablishedastrong,objectiveacademicculturethatcontinuestoraisethebaronthequalityoftheacademicprogramsandservicesatSamhoustonStateUniversity,”saidShSUpresidentDanagibson.

“hisrigorousexpectationforqualitybenefitsourcurrentstudents,andsince

12 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

itpermeatestheacademicunits,theseexpectationswillcontinuetoenhancestudentandfacultyexperiencesforyearstocome,”shesaid.

DuringhistenureatShSU,paynehasledtheDivisionofAcademicAffairswith600facultylocatedinsixcollegesoffering78undergraduateand49graduatedegrees,includingfivedoctoraldegreeprograms.

payneearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreeinsociologyfromBrighamYoungUniversity.hecontinuedhisacademicstudiesinsociology,earningbothaMasterofArtsdegreeandadoctoratefromtheUniversityofNorthCarolina.

hebeganhiscareerattheUniversityofiowa.AfterpositionsattheUniversityofiowa,UniversityofNorthDakota,UniversityofNeworleans,SoutheastMissouriStateUniversity,SangamonStateUniversity,andEmporiaStateUniversity,hecametoShSU.

“iwasinterviewingfortwopositionsatthesametimeinthespringof1997,”paynesaid.“onewasattheStateUniversityofNewYork—BuffaloandtheotherwasatSamhoustonState.Atonelocation,thesnowbankswerehigh,andattheotherlocation,theazaleaswereinfullbloom.itwasnotadifficultdecisionforus.”

FoCUSUNIVERSITY

payne,andhiswife,grettle,hadneverlivedintexas.however,itwasnotlongbeforetheyfeltathome.

“isupposeyoucouldsaywewerecapturedbytexasandallthingswonderfulaboutthestate,”hesaid.“Wehavetrulyenjoyedbeingtexans.”

hedoesn’tmindexpressinghisaffectionfortheSamhoustonStateUniversitycommunityaswell.

“thequalityofpeopleihaveworkedwithisoutstanding,”hesaid.“Everypersonisreallyafinehumanbeing.theadministratorsareskilledandthathasmademylifeasprovostpleasant.

“iamthrilledthattheuniversityhasbeenrecognizedasoneof97collegesnamedasoneofthe‘BestColleges’inthecountrytoworkforandoneofthetop100businessesinthehoustonareatoworkfor,”hesaid.

paynesaidhewashesitanttoisolateanyoneaccomplishmentthathadoccurredattheuniversityunderhisdirection.

“thecreditforanythinggoodthathastakenplaceshouldbespreadacrosstheentireuniversity,”hesaid.“itwasn’tbecauseoftheworkofjustoneperson.”

however,severalfacultyleadersfeelthatpayne’sinvolvementwasthedrivingforceinmakingthingshappen.

“throughhisleadershipandstewardship,andworkingwithotheradministrators,thequalityofacademicsandnumberofstudentshereatSamhoustonhaveskyrocketed,”saidtexasStateUniversitySystemRegents’professorandDistinguishedprofessorofCriminalJusticeRolandodelCarmen.

“hehasbeenahighlyapproachableadministratorandalwayshadtimeforanyonewhowantedtomeetwithhim,”delCarmensaid.“itisamazingtomehow,throughoutalltheseyears,hewasalwaysavailableformeetingsone-on-onewiththefacultyandhowhelistenedtogenuineconcernsaboutacademicsand

othermattersintheirowncolleges.hewasalwaystheretolistenandbesympathetic.hisheartandmindwereintherightplaceandhetrulycared.”

“inmyopinion,Dr.paynehasdonemoretoelevatetheacademicstandardsofstudentsandfacultythananyotheradministratorinthepast40years(mytimeatShSU),”saidtSUSRegents’andDistinguishedprofessorofhistoryJamesolson.

“intermsoftenurestandardsandresearchexpectationsforfaculty,hehasbroughtShSUintothemodernworld,andhehasmanagedtodosowithgentilityandgrace,”hesaid.

“today,thequalityofourfacultyinmanydepartmentsrivalsthefacultyatsuchpremierinstitutionsastheUniversityoftexasandtexasA&M.ManyadministratorshavepushedShSUinthatdirection,butinmyopinionDavidpayneistheindividualmostresponsibleforthattransformation,”olsonsaid.

“Dr.payne’sstyleofleadershiphasgrownourdemocraticcampusenvironment.heencouragesratherthandemands;heinvitesinsteadoftells,”saidJoyceMcCauley,professorandgraduatereading/languageartsprogramadviserfor

theCollegeofEducationandchairoftheAmericanDemocracyprojectatShSU.

“heisaleaderwithvisionandcourageandhelpstofindwaystomakethingshappen,”shesaid. “heissincerelyinterestedinconnectingthestrengthsoftheuniversitycommunitywiththestrengthsofthelocalcommunityforthemutualbenefitofboth. Now,morethanever,facultyandstudentsareunderstandingthepoweronepersoncanhavetomakeadifferencebybeinginformedandengagedincommunity.”

“Dr.paynehasbeenawonderfulmentortomeandmanyoftheadministratorsoncampus,”saidRichardEglsaer,associateprovost.“Asaleader,herefusestomicromanage.Ratherhequietlyshareshisexperiencestohelpusputourdecisionsintoperspective.

“ihavebenefittedtremendouslyfromhiswisecounseloverthelast11years.heconsistentlymaintainsfocusonthebigpictureashemakesdecisions,”Eglsaersaid.

“ihavebeenmostimpressedbyhishumility.Asaleaderhehasdeflectedcreditawayfromhimself.Effectivechangehasbeentheonlyrewardhehassoughtoraccepted,”hesaid.

provostpayneserveslunchattheAdministrationandorganizationFair,sponsoredbyStudentActivities.

S pR i N g 2 011 13

“I have been most impressed by his humility. As a leader he has deflected credit away from himself. Effective change has been the only reward he has sought or accepted.”

—RichardEglsaer,associateprovost

amONGPayNE’SaCCOmPLISHmENTS,aNDUNDERHISDIRECTION,SHSU:

inreflectingonhisworkatShSU,paynesaidhealsoseesabrightfuturefortheuniversity.

“thereiswonderfulleadershipinacademicaffairsatalllevels,andibelievetheuniversitywillcontinuetomoveforwardafterihaveretired,”paynesaid.

“Enrollmentwillcontinuetogrow,thegraduateprogramwillbestrong,andthedistancelearningcomponentwillenhancetheattractionoftheuniversity,”hesaid.

“thenewnursingprogramwillopenthedoorfortheexpansionofalliedhealthprograms,anditwillgiveawholenewdimensiontotheuniversity,”hesaid.

“AndtheperformingArtsCenterwillallowtheuniversitytobetterfocusonthoseacademicprograms,”hesaid,notingthatShSU’sstrengthintheperformingartswasoneofthethingsthatattractedhimtotakethejob.

EventhoughhisjobasauniversityadministratorwillendinJuly,paynehasseveralprojectsthatwilloccupyhistime.

“i’vealwaysbeeninterestedingenealogy,andiplantopursueitmoreaggressively,”hesaid.“i’veserved23yearsasachiefacademicofficer,andthroughtheyearsi’vebeenaskedtodopresentationsandprovideadviceonhowtobeasuccessfulprovost.Soi’mplanningtowriteabookaboutthat.

“And,ofcourse,iwillbeplayingwithmy10grandchildren,”hesaid.O

14 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

• increased freshman-to-sophomore retention by 26 percent • increase six-year graduation rates

by 42 percent • introduced a freshman reader program • increased enrollment by 27 percent •moved the university from a

carnegie classification of masters University to the classification of research doctoral University •established internal connections with

18 universities in eight countries •established the professional and

Academic center for excellence to enhance teaching •opened a multi-institution teaching

center in north Houston •led a faculty development initiative

more than quadrupling the number of semester or year-long faculty development leaves •conducted a major revision of the

university’s core curriculum • increased 40-fold the student

scholarship funds •doubled the size of all

graduate assistantships •established academic enrichment

centers to assist students with special needs in language and mathematics •established an innovative advising

center, which was recognized in 2005 as one of the six best in the nation

•established and staffed an office of international programs •Brought to approval two doctoral

programs and many master’s and baccalaureate programs, including the new baccalaureate program in nursing •led the institution through successful

discipline-specific accreditations and two institutional accreditations •restructured Academic Affairs,

adding two colleges • implemented a new automated

degree-monitoring program •established benchmark

community college articulation and transfer programs •led institution involvement with the

American democracy project and the political engagement project • increased externally funded research

by 450 percent •established a distance learning

office which has more than 5,000 online enrollments per semester in 12 full degree programs •established the office of Student

Success initiatives, which sponsors such programs as the First Year experience, the common reader program, the learning communities, and an introduction to University life course

FoCUSUNIVERSITY

ENGaGEmENTCOmmUNITySHSURECEIVES

NaTIONaLRECOGNITIONfOR

theCarnegieFoundationfortheAdvancementofteachinghasselectedSamhoustonStateUniversitytoreceivethe2010Community

EngagementClassification.ShSUisamong115collegesand

universitiesrecognizedandistheonlyinstitutionwithinthetexasStateUniversitySystemwiththedesignation.only311U.S.institutionsofhighereducationhavebeenawardedtheclassificationsinceitwasestablished.

Collegesanduniversitieswithaninstitutionalfocusoncommunityengagementwereinvitedtoapplyfortheclassification.theapplicationaskedforevidencethatcommunityengagementisincorporatedintotheuniversity’smission,campusculture,institutionalassessment,resourceallocation,academicresearch,teaching,student-learningoutcomes,facultyevaluationsandactivitiesofstudentorganizations.

thecommunityengagementinitiativeatShSUwasdevelopedbyprovostDavidpayne,whoassembledagroupoffacultymembersinterestedinhelpingstudentsbecomemorecivicallyengaged.

“hewantedourstudentstousetheskills,knowledgeanddispositionslearnedatShSUtomakeadifference,toimprovelifeinourcommunitybyunderstandingtheirrolesascitizensoftheUnitedStatesandtogiveback,”saidJoyceMcCauley,chairoftheEngagedScholarsCommittee,whichpreparedtheapplication.

inadditiontoMcCauley,whorepresentstheCollegeofEducation,committeemembersincludeSanjayMehta(BusinessAdministration),leeMiller(humanitiesandSocialSciences),SergioRuiz(ArtsandSciences),andRaymondteske(CriminalJustice).

therecognitionisparticularlyrewardingforpayne.

“Wearedelightedtobeclassifiedascivicallyengageduniversitybythe

“With this recognition we join an elite group of universities that in practice care for the total development of their students.”

—Davidpayne,provost

CarnegieFoundationfortheAdvancementofteaching,”hesaid.

“itisavalidationoftheworkofmanyofourfacultywhoforseveralyearshavepreparedourstudentsforalifetimeofcivicengagementaspartoftheireducationatSamhoustonStateUniversity.Withthisrecognitionwejoinanelitegroupofuniversitiesthatinpracticecareforthetotaldevelopmentoftheirstudents,”hesaid.

toseethemanywaysShSUisanengagedcampus,gotohttp://www. shsu.edu/~pin_www/T%40S/2011/ CarnegieCommunityEngagement.html. O

SpR i Ng 2 011 15

EnrollmentReachesMilestone

SamHoustonStateUniversity’senrollmentreachedanotherrecordhighinthefallsemester,exceedingeventheprojectedgrowth.

official20thclassdayfiguresindicatedthat17,214studentswereenrolledinShSUthisfall,constitutinga2.8

percentincreaseoverFall2009’senrollmentof16,772.

thisbreaksdownto14,659undergraduatestudents;2,256post-baccalaureateandmaster’sstudents;and299doctoralstudents.

Enrollmentgrowthisbasedonthreeareas:newfreshmen,witha4.1percentincreaseoverFall2009;newtransferstudents,withan8.1percentincrease;andthegraduatestudentpopulation,whichincreasedby18.1percentover2009,accordingtoheatherthielemann,vicepresidentforenrollmentmanagement.

thetotalnewundergraduateincreaseforfall2010is256studentsforanincreaseof5.7percent.

“ithinknewstudentgrowthisessentialtotheuniversity,andthesethreeareasimpactnotonlyShSU,butalsohelpusreachthestatewidegoalsinthesetargetmarkets,”thielemannsaid.“thefreshmengrowthisimportantbecausebasedonstatisticsfortexashighschoolgraduatesfromMayof2009,75percentofthemattendedacommunitycollege,soforustocontinuetoincreaseinourfreshmanclassisasuccess.”

thielemannattributesthegrowthtofocusedrecruitmenteffortsandscholarshipmoneyavailablefortransferstudents.

“Studentswhotransferin30ormorehourstoShSUarethemostsuccessfulatcompletingadegree,buttheycanalsoreceivetheir

associate’sdegreewithourreversetransferprogram,”shesaid.“Asforthegraduateprogram,wehavetargeteddifferentgroupsofstudentswithmarketingandrecruitment.theyhaveafull-timegraduateadmissionscounselor

The2010Fallenrollmentbreaksdownto14,659undergraduatestudents;2,256post-baccalaureateandmaster’sstudents;and299doctoralstudents.

forgeneralrecruitment,andeachcollegerecruitsforspecificprograms.

“ialsothinkthenewwebsitehascontributedtoimprovementincommunicationsandcurrentinformation,”shesaid.O

16 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

FoCUSUNIVERSITY

CriminalJustice’sDoctoralprogramCelebrates40Years

thebrainchildoftwovisionarymen—georgeJ.Beto,formerdirectorofthetexasDepartmentofCorrections,andArleighB.templeton,

formerpresidentofSamhoustonStateCollege—wastoestablishaprogramofexcellenceincriminaljusticeeducation.

Fortyyearslater,ShSU’sCollegeofCriminalJusticehasproduced259doctoralgraduates,includingprominentleadersinacademiaandinpracticeacrosstheUnitedStatesandworld.

“overtheyears,theCollegeofCriminalJusticeatSamhoustonStateUniversityhasproducedqualitydoctoratesthathaveworkedacrosstheStateoftexas,thenation,andinternationally,”saidMichaelVaughn,assistantdeanforgraduatestudies

fortheCollegeofCriminalJusticeanddirectorofthedoctoralprogram.

“Samhoustongraduatesserveontheboardsandareofficeholdersofkeyacademicprofessionalorganizationsinthediscipline,includingtheAcademyofCriminalJustice

SciencesandtheAmericanSocietyofCriminology.Moreover,theteaching,researchandscholarshipconductedbySamhoustonstudents,alumniandfacultyhavemadetheworldabetterplace.

“the40thanniversaryofourph.D.programisatimetohonorthecollegeaswellascelebrateourgraduateswhohavecontributedsomuchtotheacademicdisciplineofcriminaljusticeandcriminology.”

theCollegeofCriminalJusticecelebratedits40thyearofdoctoraleducationwithareceptioninMarchattheAcademyofCriminalJusticeSciencesconferenceintoronto,Canada.O

“The40thanniversaryofourPh.D.programisatimetohonorthecollegeaswellascelebrateourgraduateswhohavecontributedsomuchtotheacademicdisciplineofcriminaljusticeandcriminology.”

—MichaelVaughn

professorJerryDowling(left)andthen-DeangeorgeKillingerin1977.professorJerryDowling(left)and

SpR i Ng 2 011 17

The James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center formallyopenedits

doorsonSept.30,2010,witharibboncuttingceremonyandanexcitingeveningofmusic,theatreanddance.

the arts grand opening the arts the arts grand opening PACgrand opening grand o

18 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

The James and Nancy Gaertner

opening grand opening grand opening

SpR i Ng 2 011 19

SteelesShareBlessingsthroughgiftsofScholarships

lindaCowles(left), directorofKeeppearlandBeautiful,receivesacheckfromErinandRobertSteele.theSteelessupportanumberofphilanthropiesaswellasShSUscholarships.

ThroughtheirSteeleCharitableFoundation,RobertandErinSteelearetakingtheirgivingonestepfurther.

WhenRobertandErinSteelelookbackto1980,theyhavemanyfondmemoriestocherish.itwastheyear

theybecamehusbandandwifeandSamhoustonStateUniversitygraduates.

theSteelesmetin1977whileRobertwastakingpartintheuniversity’s3/2program,allowinghimtoearnadegreein

physicsfromSamhoustonwhilesimultaneouslyearninganengineeringdegreefromtexasA&M;Erinwasworkingonadegreeinspeechpathologywithaminorinspecialeducation.

thecoupledidverywellduringtheirtimeatSamhouston.RobertwasawardedtheoutstandingJuniorphysicsStudentAwardin1978andgraduatedwithhonors;andEringraduatedSummaCumlaude,servedas

anorangeKeyandwasinductedintotheKappaDeltapiEducationhonorSociety.

Whilethistimeintheirlivesbroughtaccomplishment,Erinsaidshecan’tlookbackwithoutrememberingthestrugglesshefacedaswell.

“iwasaverygoodstudentinhighschool,butididn’tgetanyscholarships,”shesaid.“icamefromafamilywithfivekidsandastay-at-homemom.iwasthefirsttogotocollege,anditwasveryhard.

“ihadtoworktopayforatleast,ifnotmore,thanhalfofmyexpenses.ididlaundryforgreenAcresNursinghome,watchedtheafter-schoolkidsatadaycareinhuntsville,andevenworkedoffandonatJCpenney.”

20 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

ViSioNBUILDING THE

ByAmyBarnett

AlthoughRobert’sfatherpaidforhiseducation,hesawfirsthandthestressErinhadtoface.theyknewearlyon,iftheywereeverinapositionwheretheycould

“giveback,”theywould.“ialwaysthoughtwewouldgivebackto

students,becauseirememberhowistruggledandthestressiwasunder,”saidErin.

theSteelesbeganpavingthewaytothatopportunityassoonastheygraduated.

ErintaughtatgarfieldElementaryinpasadenawhileRobertbeganworkingattexashoning,inc.,thecompanyhisfatherstartedjustfouryearsearlierwithtwobusinesspartners.

thecompanybecamefamilyownedin1982,andtwoyearslater,whenhisfatherretired,Robertandhisbrother,Will,boughthisinterest.in1995,RobertboughtWill’ssharesandbecamesoleownerofthecompany.

thiprovidesarangeofprecisionservicesincludingboring,straighteninganddrilling,andin1998,itbeganofferingsomethingalittledifferent—scholarships.

theSteelesstartedtheSteeleCharitableFoundation,offeringscholarshipstothechildrenoftexashoning,inc.,employees.

onerecipient,AmandaStephens,whograduatedfromShSUinMay2010withdegreesinmasscommunicationandphotography,saidthescholarshipwasablessing.

“Youdon’tseemanybusinesseshelpingthechildrenoftheiremployeeslikethis.Collegecanbesoexpensive,especiallywhenyouhaveadoublemajor,sothescholarshipreallyhelpedalot,”shesaid.

theSteeleCharitableFoundationhasprovided$100,000sofartofamiliesoftexashoningemployees,andeventhoughtheSteele’ssold90percentoftheirinterestinthecompanyin2008,theycontinuetoprovidefinancialaidtofamiliesoftheemployees.

Nowtheyaretakingtheirgenerosityastepfurther,providingscholarshipstootherstudentsaswell,bysettinguptwonew

endowments,pledging$1milliontoSamhoustonStateUniversity.

theRobertandErinSteeleScienceEndowedScholarshipisdesignedtoaidfull-timeShSUundergraduatestudentsmajoringinascienceorengineering.

theErinandRobertSteeleEducationEndowedScholarshipisforfull-timeundergraduateswhohavebeenadmittedintoShSU’seducatorpreparationprogram.

theSteelescalltheirdecisiontogivethemoneytoSamhoustonan“easyone.”

“thereissuchabigdifferencewithSamhoustonStateUniversitythanwithotheruniversities,”saidRobert.“theprofessorsmakesuchabigdifferenceby

makingthemselvesmoreavailableandreallyspendingtimeone-on-onewiththestudents.”

“thathasnotchangedovertheyears,”saidErin.“Wealsosawitwithourdaughter,laura(whograduatedinDecember).Shewasabletotalktoherprofessorsanytime.Asaparent,i’mverypleasedthatSamhoustonhasnotchangedthatpolicy.”

theSteeleshavetwosons,travisandglen,whoarealsocollegegraduates.Asparents,RobertandErinfirstsetouttoteachtheirchildrentheimportanceofaneducation.Nowtheystrivetoteachthemthevalueofphilanthropy.Andtheydoitbyexample.

RobertisontheboardofdirectorsforthehoustonlivestockShowand

RodeoandservesonthecommitteefortheJuniorpoultryAuction.thecouplealsocontributesannuallytoscholarshipsprovidedbythehlSR.

ErinisapastpresidentandactivememberofKeeppearlandBeautiful,aswellasWomeninleadershipSociety,whichoffersscholarshipstosinglemomsattendingcollege,amongotherthings.in2010,shewasnamedarecipientofShSU’sAlumniServiceAward.

“ithinkeveryoneshouldhavetheopportunitytogotocollegeiftheychoose,but,unfortunately,somanydon’thavethefinancialmeanstogetthere.Sowhenwegivemoney,wewantittogotoeducation,”saidRobert.

“Ialwaysthoughtwewouldgivebacktostudents,becauseIrememberhowIstruggledandthestressIwasunder.”

—ErinSteele

WhentheyarenotspendingtimewithacharitygroupormanaginghoustonNationalgolfCourse,whichtheypurchasedinJuly,theyarelikelyspendingtimewiththeirchildrenorfellowmembersofFirstUnitedMethodistChurchinpearland.

Butnomatterwheretheyare,theyarefocusedonsettingagoodexamplebygivingback.

“Weusuallytellourscholarshiprecipients,whenyouareinthepositiontohelpsomeoneelse,whetheritiswithascholarship,orbyhelpingsomeonewhoneedstheircarrepaired,youneedtogiveback,”saidErin.“Wegivebackbecausewe’vebeenblessedsomuch.”O

SpR i Ng 2 011 21

SAM SCENE

at ThepicturesonthenextpagearefromeventsthattookplaceatSHSUduringtheFallsemester.

22 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

TreeofLightCeremony Sammypalooza FallFestival

GoldenCircleReunion

TreeofLightCeremonyTonyDorsett,President’sSpeakerSeriesDedicationoftheEricaStarrTheatre

FallFestival Firefest

Firefest

SpR i Ng 2 011 23

National Title InaUGURaLbowLInGTEam

SETSSIGHTSon

innearlyacenturyofintercollegiateathleticsatSamhouston,theBearkatshavewoneightnationalchampionships.thelasttitlecamein1982insoftball.

NowaBearkatteamappearstohavethepotentialtoincreasetheuniversity’snationalchampionshiptrophycollectiontonine.

theopportunitycomesintheuniversity’snewestsport—women’sbowling.

headcoachBradhagen’ssquadofsevenbowlersburstontotheNCAADivisionibowlingscenethisfallinspectacularfashion.

playinginmajorintercollegiatetournamentsinMissouri,DelawareandNewJersey,theBearkatsfinishedasrunner-upinoneeventandthirdintwoothers.

thebowlingteam’sfallrecordof29victoriesandonly12lossesincludes18winsoverteamslistedintheNationaltenpinsCoachesAssociation2010preseasontop20.

Samhoustonhasdefeatednineofthetop10teamsincludingvictoriesoverdefendingNCAAchampionandNo.1rankedFairleigh-Dickinson,2008nationaltitlistandNo.2

Maryland-EasternShore,and2007NCAAchampionandNo.4Vanderbilt.

“Wecertainlyhavegottentheattentionofeveryoneinthecollegebowlingworld,”hagensaid.“oursevengirlshavedoneatremendousjobthisfall.ourlevelofpreparation,competitivenatureandNCAArecordprovethatwearenotjustanotherfirst-yearprogram.WewanttoremainoncoursetowardsourgoaloftheNCAAchampionshipinDetroitinApril.We’veturnedheads,butwestillhavetogooutandprovewe’reacontender.”

hagen,aU.S.BowlingCongressSilvercertifiedcoachwithmorethan15yearsofcompetitiveexperienceattheregionaland

SHSU’snewestintercollegiatesportisstrikingbiginitsfirstseason.

Neishka Cardona Dayna Galganski

24 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

KAtSEYE ON THE

nationallevels,joinedtheBearkatstaffin2009.thenativeofupstateNewYorkhitthegroundrunning,recruitingalloverthecountrytobuildateam.

“Wewentlookingforqualityoverquantity,”hagensaid.“Wewantedwomenwhounderstandtheimportanceofacademicsandtheabilitytolearn,adaptandretaininformationonandoffthelanes.”

haganalsohassucceededinbuildingcorporaterelationshipsforthenewteamthatwillbenefittheprogram.theBearkatsaresponsoredbytrackBowling,abrandofEboniteinternational,inc.,andturbogrips,abowlingaccessoriescompany.

“Welookfortrackandturbogripstobekeyinfluencesinourpresentandfuturesuccess,”hagensaid.“it’sexcitingtohaveinfluentialcompaniesbeapartofourvisionandgrowthfromthebeginning,andibelievethesynergyisaperfectfit.”

theSamhoustonbowlingteamopeneditsfirstseasonwithavictoryoverrivalStephenF.AustinattheinternationalBowlingtrainingandResearchCenterinArlington.

“Startingtheprogram’shistorywithawinoverourarchrivalwasatremendousmotivationalfactor,”hagansaid.“AsoneofthefirsteventsinthenewArlingtonfacility,italsobroughtSamhoustonmajorexposureinthebowlingworld.i’msoproudofhowourteamhasperformedonthenationalstage.”

theinauguralSamhoustonbowlingsquadconsistsoftexanslisaCummins,KimiDavidsonandlisaMacAllister;

Florida’sDaynagalganski;NewYorkerShainaWoolbaugh;NeishkaCardona,ofpuertoRico;andAidaSanchez,oftheDominicanRepublic.

thebowlingsquadhasearnedareputationnotonlyforsuccessonthelanesbutalsoasstrongsupportersfortheother16sportsteamsatSamhoustonState.

“Everyhomegame,unlessthey’reatatournament,thebowlingteamisinthestandsgivingtheirsupport,”associateathleticdirectorforstudentservicesChristhompsonsaid.“theseyoungladieshaveembracedthecollegeexperienceandarehavingagreattime.”

galganski,ajuniorfromWestpalmBeach,Fla.,whowasagoldmedalistatthe2009tournamentoftheAmericas,lovesthecollegegame.

“thebiggestdifferencebetweenintercollegiatebowlingandplayingasanindividualishavingsixteammatesrighttherewithyou,rootingforyouandgivingencouragement,”galganskisaid.“thewholeteamspiritthingisgreat.oneofthebestthingsaboutSamhoustonStateisalltheactivities.it’sgreatgoingwithmyteammatestoeventslikeFirefestandhomecomingandsupportingourothersportsteams.it’sexcitingandfun.”

CompetitionintournamentsacrossthecountrymakesuptheBearkats’schedule.Duringthespringsemester,SamhoustonwilltraveltoArkansas,Nebraska,AlabamaandtennesseeseekingtoearnaberthintheNCAAchampionshipsApril14–16inDetroit.

therearetwotypesofteammatchesatthetournaments.ononedayteamsplaytraditionalmatcheswitheachindividual’sscorescombinedforateamtotaltodecidetheresult.SquadsalsomeetinBaker-formatmatchesthatarelikeatennisdualmatchormatchplayingolf.thebowlerssquareoffinone-on-onematch-upswiththefirstteamtowinfourofthepairingsdeclaredthewinner.

Resultsfromthefirsttwodaysofcompetitionareusedtodetermineseedingforthefinalday,withthetopfourteamsbattlingforthechampionship.thisfall,Samhoustonqualifiedforthetopgroupingineachofthefinalscompetitions.

“inbowling,strikesarefunbutspareswin,”galganskisaid.“We’vesetgettingtotheNCAAnationalsasateamgoalandsofarwe’reontracktogetthere.”O

Lisa MacAllister Shaina Woolbaugh Coach Brad Hagen and Aida Sanchez Kimi Davidson

on march 30, it was announced

on the ncAA national Selection

Show that the SHSU bowling

team would compete in the ncAA

division i national championship

in detroit April 14 16.

CHamPIonSHIPboUnD

on march 30, it was announced

on the ncAA national Selection

CHamPIonSHIP

S pR i Ng 2 011 25

BATTLE OF THEPINEY WOODS

The 85th “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium on Oct. 23, was a smashing success. The crowd of 24,685 was the largest in SHSU-SFA series history and the ninth biggest audience ever for a Bearkat football game. The event provided a stage for Sam Houston to gain exposure in the city in which more than 65,000 SHSU alumni call home. The No. 4-ranked Lumberjacks escaped Reliant with a narrow 31-28 victory. With all but one starter back from the 2010 Kat team, fans already are looking forward to the 86th renewal of the series, again at Reliant. For complete information about tickets to the 2011 “Battle of the Piney Woods,” go to www.gobearkats.com.

BATTLE OF THE

SAVE THE DATE—OCT. 8, 2011

PINEY WOODS

26 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

KAtSEYE ON THE

Student-AthleteServicegoesUnrivaled

BryanRandolphwasoneoftheathleteswhoworkedwithchildrenatahuntsvilleelementaryschool.

SamHoustonstudent-athleteshavetakenaleadershiproleintheSouthlandConferencewithcommunityinvolvementprograms.

theShSUStudent-AthleteAdvisoryCommittee’sactivitieshavebeensosuccessfulthatotheruniversitiesacrosstheleaguehaveusedthegroupas

amodelfortheirowncampus.twoprojectsduringthe2010school

yearillustratethegroup’scommitment.inMarch,SAAC’sannual“poptab”drivetoraisefundsfortheRonaldMcDonaldhouseM.D.AndersonCancerCenterresultedinarecordcollection.Bearkatstudent-athletescollected118.6poundsofpoptabsfromsoftdrinkcans.

AspartoftheSouthlandConference’s“twelveDaysofChristmas”programin

December,eachoftheuniversity’s17sportsteamsworkedtoseethatmorethan60underprivilegedchildrenatSamhoustonElementarySchoolwillhaveschoolsuppliesforthecomingyear.

otherannualcommunity-relatedactivitiesforBearkatstudent-athletesincludementoringprogramswiththehuntsvilleindependentSchoolDistrict;acannedfooddrivebenefitingthegoodShepherdMission;andStudentlifeAwarenessprogramsconcerningalcohol,nutrition,timeandstressmanagementanddiversity.

theleadershiproleplayedoncampusbySamhoustonstudent-athleteshasbeenrecognizednationallybytheNCAA.O

TheleadershiproleplayedoncampusbySamHoustonstudent-athleteshasbeenrecognizednationallybytheNCAA.

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letterAssociationshonorEightFormerAthletes

From left: BobbyJones(brotherofthelateJanJones),VictorMcKnight,Christhompson,SylviaAnderson,JodyConradt,MikeStavinoha,andBrendagray

The2010HallsofHonorinducteesincludeprogram‘pioneers’and‘outstanding’men.

Fourwomenandfourmenwererecognizedasthe2010inducteesintotheSamhoustonWomen’sletterAssociationandtheShSU

lettermen’sAssociationhallsofhonorattheannualdinnerinDecemberatthelowmanStudentCenter.

Women’sinducteeswereSylviaAnderson(basketball),JodyConradt(basketball),BrendaWeddegray(volleyball)andChrisCribari-thompson(tennis).

Men’shonoreeswerethelateJanJones(football),VictorMcKnight(football),tracypearson(basketball)andMikeStavinoha(baseball).

“Eachyear,thehallofhonorpresentationisspecial,”directorofathleticsBobby

Williamssaid.“Butthe2010eventwasparticularlymemorable.Justover40yearsaftertheinceptionofwomen’sathleticsatSamhoustonState,wehavetheopportunitytohonorseveralofthepioneerswhobuiltthefoundationforourwomen’sprograms.”

JodyConradtwasheadcoachforboththeSamhoustonwomen’sbasketballandvolleyballprogramsfrom1970to1973andwentontorollupanincrediblerecordasheadwomen’sbasketballcoachattheUniversityoftexas.Shealsoservedaswomen’sathleticdirectoratUtfrom1992to2001.inher38-yearcareer(thatincludesfouryearsatSamhouston),shewon900basketballgames,thesecondhighesttotalforanNCAADivisionibasketballcoach.

SylviaAnderson,astarterontheBearkats’1973women’sbasketballteamcoachedbyJodyConradt,wasthefirstblackwomantoparticipateinintercollegiateathleticsforSamhouston.Shehelpedleadthe1973women’steamtoa20-7record,themostvictoriesinaseasonduringthefirst12yearsintheprogram’shistory.

ChristhompsonandBrendagrayhaveplayedmajorrolesinwomen’sathleticsatSamhoustonbothasstudent-athletes,coachesandathleticadministrators.

thompsonwas“MostValuableplayer”forthe1980women’stennisteamandserved16seasonsastheprogram’sheadcoach.ShenowisSamhouston’sassociateathleticdirectorforstudentservices,overseeinganacademicandstudent-athlete

28 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

KAtSEYE ON THE

welfareprogramthatisthemodelfortheSouthlandConference.

grayplayedvolleyballforthelateRebeccaBilsing(ahallofhonorinducteein2008)onthe1979and1980teamsthatrolledupatwo-yearrecordof80-30andfinishedasrunners-upinthetexasAssociationofintercollegiateAthleticsforWomen.graysucceededBilsingasBearkatheadcoachin1984.inher26seasonsatthehelmoftheprogramshestandsasoneofonly27activeNCAADivisioniwomen’svolleyballheadcoacheswithmorethan500coachingvictories.

“SamhoustonStateisequallythrilledtowelcomefouroutstandingformerathletesonthemen’sside,”Williamssaid.“ihadtheopportunitytoseethreeofthesegentlemencompeteduringmytenurehereattheuniversityandknowwhatgreathonorstheybroughttoourprogramaswell.”

JoneswasquarterbackandpunterforSamhoustonontheuniversity’sfootballteamsin1941,1942and1946.heearnedAll-loneStarConferencefirstteamhonorsandhelpedleadthe1942and1946BearkatstoloneStarConferencerunner-upfinishes.JonesstillholdstheschoolandloneStarConferencerecordformostpuntsinonegamewithanincredibletotalof31setina0-0tiewithEasttexasStateonamuddyfieldin1946.

McKnightwasafour-yearstarterasacenterfortheBearkats,earningAll-SouthlandConferencehonorsin1997,1998and1999.hissenioryear,hewaspartoftheoffensivelinethatblockedforWalterpaytonAwardfinalistChrisChaloupkaastheKatssetschoolpassingandtotaloffenserecordsandstartedatraditionofnationally-rankedBearkataerialattacks.

pearsonstandsNo.5inall-timereboundsandNo.8incareerscoringintheSamhoustonmen’sbasketballrecordbooks.hescored1,406pointsandpulled

down733reboundsasacenterfortheKats.pearsonearnedfirstteamall-leaguehonorsbothinthegulfStarConferencein1987andtheSouthlandConferencein1988and1989.

AsapitcherfortheBearkatbaseballteam,Stavinohaalsoearnedall-conferencehonorsintwoleagues.hewasanAll-gulfStarConferenceselectionin1986andall-leagueintheSouthlandConferencein1988.StavinoharanksNo.5incareerpitchingvictoriesat

Samhoustonwithafour-yearrecordof26-8.his.765winningpercentageonthemoundisthe10thbestinBearkathistory.

theSamhoustonlettermen’sAssociationinitiateditshallofhonorin1971,andthisyear’sgroupbringsthetotalofinducteesto164.

thefirstfivewomenwereinductedintothehallofhonorin2007.thisyear’sinducteesbringthenumberofwomeninthehallofhonorto19.O

SpR i Ng 2 011 29

Ahistoryofhelping

SamHoustonStateUniversityhasbeenafamilytraditionfortheKoys,threegenerationsstrong.

oftexasNationalChampionshipfootballteam.in1964,heledthelonghornstoanunexpectedvictoryovertheNo.1AlabamaCrimsontideinthefirstnightorangeBowlgame.therewasnoquestionthenextstepforthecollegeathletewasto“gopro.”

“theAFlandtheNFlweretwoseparateleaguesbackthen.iwasdraftedfirstorsecondwiththehoustonoilers,andlaterthatsamemonth,iwasdraftedbytheNewYorkgiants,”hesaid.“icouldn’tsignyetbecauseihadonemoregametoplayinMiami.”

Sam Houston State University has been an important part of the Koy family “since way back,” according to Ernie Koy, who earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 1973.

thepro-footballrunningbackturnedbankerandhiswifeof40years,Barbara,reflectonwhatgotthemtoSamhoustonandhowtheuniversityopeneddoorstoanewchapterintheirlives.

Ernie,agraduateofBellvillehighSchool,madeanameforhimselfonthefootballfieldplayingonthe1963University

helaughed,“JoeNamathsignedrightunderthegoalthatnightafterthegame.”

ErniedecidedtogotoNewYorkCity,sohesignedwiththegiants.heenjoyedasix-yearcareerwiththeteamandwasselectedasanAll-pro.

Duringtheoff-seasonin1970,ErniewasoneoffourprofessionalfootballplayershiredbytheDeltaQueenSteamshiptotalkwithpassengersaboutfootballastheoldriverboatmadeitswaydowntheMississippiRivertoNeworleansfortheSuperBowl.Barbarawasalsoontheboat,representing

30 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

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ByAmyBarnett

overseasNational,theairlinethathadrecentlypurchasedtheDeltaQueen.

“Wemetontheboatandkeptintouch,”saidBarbara.“ourseconddatewasinNewYorkonValentine’sDay.WedatedwhenwewouldbothbeinNewYork.thatwentonforaboutsixmonths,andbyDecemberofthesameyear,wegotmarried.itwasafunnywaytodate,butwemanaged.”

thenextyear,Erniedecidedduetonagginginjuriesandthegiants’desiretofindyoungerandfasterrunningbacks,itwastimeto“laytheballdown.”Assoonashedid,hegotaphonecallfromhisformerhighschoolfootballcoach,AllenBoren,whowasthenheadofathleticsatShSU.

“hesaid‘whydon’tyoucomeandhelpcoachthefootballteamhereandhelpoutinthedormitoryandyoucangotoschoolandgetyourmaster’sdegree?’”saidErnie.

thiswasnotaforeignideatohim.hisfather,ErnieAnyzKoy,becameagraduateassistantatSamhoustonin1938,afterplayingminorleaguebaseballforseveralyears.Aftercompletinghisdegree,hereturnedtotheMajorleague,playingfortheSt.louisCardinals,CincinnatiReds,BrooklynDodgersandthephiladelphiaphillies.

theKoysdecidedtotakeSamhoustonupontheofferandmovedtohuntsville.WhileErniewasworkingonhisMBAandhelpingwiththefootballprogram,Barbarawasearningabachelor’sdegreeandateachingcertification.

“heraddresswentfrom‘58thStreet,NewYorkCity’to‘Men’sgym,Samhouston,’”laughedErnie.“igotacallfromhermom…‘whereisshe?’shesaid.”

ButBarbaranevercomplainedaboutlivinginthegym.

“ilovedourtimeatSamhouston,”shesaid.“ipreviouslywenttoQueensCollegeinNewYork,whichhad40,000studentsanditwasacommuterschool.itwasagreatschool,buttherewerenodormsandnocampusfeel.

Above: (Fromleft)BobbyWilliams,JessKoy,ErnieKoyandWillieFritz.Right: ErnieandBarbaraKoyattheirhomenearBellville.

“Eventhoughweweremarriedandolder,thatwasmyfirstcampusexperienceandlivinginthemen’sgymwasreallyexciting,”shelaughed.

thatexcitingtimeatSamhoustonledtheKoystoanewchapterintheirlives.Aftergraduation,Erniebegana35-yearcareerinbanking;heretiredtwoyearsagotoenjoylifeonthecouple’sranchinBellville.

Barbarabeganateachingcareerandthoughnotretiredistakingtimeoffassherecoversfromhersecondboutwithcancer.Shecontinuestogetstrongeranddebateshowsoonshe’llbeabletoreturntothecareersheloves.(Unlessherhusbandconvinceshertostayhomeandenjoyretiredlife.)

theKoyshavefourgrownchildren:Robert,Andy,lucyandJess.RobertandJessarealsoSamhoustonalumni;Robertevenfollowedinhisfather’s

andgrandfather’sfootsteps,becomingagraduateassistantforShSU’sfootballprogram.hiswife,alsonamedBarbara,attendedShSUduringthattimeandcompletedhermaster’sdegreeaswell.

Becauseofthatstrongfamilytradition,theKoysdecidedtheywantedtodosomethingtogivebacktoSamhouston.they’vecreatedascholarshipfundtohelpotherswhoaregraduateassistantsintheathleticsdepartmentatShSU.

“thegraduateprogramhasbeenabigpartofourfamily.iknowthoseguysdoalot;i’vebeenthere,”saidErnie.“theyworkforthecoachesandthenputthepencildownandruntoclass.Wereallywantedtodosomethingtorecognizethemmen.”

“Wearesoexcitedabouttheamazingthingsthathavehappenedoncampus,”addedBarbara.“Fromthetimeweweretheretowhatitisnow,we’rejustsoproudofthedirectionit’sgoing.”O

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ApictureofSuccess

“(HLSR)Volunteers‘payitforward’tomanystudentswhowouldnothavehadanopportunitytogetaneducation,andwegivethemthefeelingthat20,000volunteersbelieveinthem.”

32 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

alumnaCarolynFaulk’sbusinessaccomplishmentsallowhertofocusonanotherpassion—giving.

ifyoumeasureaperson’saccomplishmentsbythenumberofzerosintheircompany’sannualrevenuereportorbytheaccoladesbearingtheirname,CarolynFaulk

isthepictureofsuccess.in2008and2010,ForbesMagazinecalled

heroneofthestrongestbusinesswomeninhouston,andin1995Ernst&Youngnamedher“EntrepreneuroftheYear.”

Buttheownerofhouston-basedA&Cplasticswouldnotcallherselfsuccessfulbythesemeasuresalone.

the1970ShSUgraduatebelievesaperson’sachievementsareonlyasimportantaswhattheyallowthepersontodoforothers.

“Youreapwhatyousow.ilovetohelppeopleandilovetogive,”shesaid.“godblessedmetobeablessingtoothers.

“Mydaddyalwaystoldmeto‘sharethewealth.’Anythingicandotomakeadifferencewhilei’mhereonthisearth,i’mgoingtodoit.”

But“givingback”wasnotalwayseasyforher.Aftergraduatingfromcollege,shebeganteachingatJesseh.JoneshighSchoolinhoustonmaking$720amonth.Duringthattimeshewasalsomoonlightingasabookkeeperforseveralplasticscompaniesinhouston.

in1973,asshecontinuedtoteach,Carolynandherhusbandatthetime,MyrlFaulk,sawabusinessopportunityinhoustonwhentheplasticsmanufacturerheworkedforcloseddown.theytookaleapoffaithandstartedA&Cplasticswithnocredit,noinventoryandonly$5,000totheirname.

looKALUMNI

ByAmyBarnett

theychosethenameA&Cplasticsfortworeasons:“A”tobefirstinthephonebookand“C”forCarolyn.

Althoughtheylackedalotofresources,thedeterminationtheyhad,shesaid,paidbigdividends.

“iwouldsetgoalsformyself,andwhenireachedthem,isetnewones.”

Withher“neverquit”attitudeandtheknowledgeshegainedasateenagerfromwatchingherfatheroperatehisownfabricatingbusinessoutoftheirbackyard,sheslowlybegangrowingthebusiness.

in1987,whensheandherhusbandpartedways,sheboughtouthisshareofthecompany,prayedalotandstayedfocused.

herdeterminationledtoabusinessplanshecreditsformakingA&CplasticsthelargestsingleplasticsdistributorintheU.S.,withannualsalesexceeding$21million.

“Whatwesellisservice,”shesaid.“Wethrowintheplasticforfree.”

thecompany,with45employees,isnowshippingawiderangeofplasticproductsfromlocationsinhouston,ColoradoSpringsandChicago.

havingasuccessfulbusinessmeansworkinglatenights,travelingacrossthecountrytothecompany’sotherbranchesandstayinghands-on,keepingabreastofwhereplasticscanbeusedindifferentindustries.Butshemakessuretofindtimeforherself,doingthethingssheenjoys.

“ifimaketimetobegoodtomyself,mygreatattitudeisfeltbyeveryoneicomeincontactwith,”shesaid.

thatissomethingfolkswiththehoustonlivestockShowandRodeohaveseenfirsthand.Forthepast33years,Carolyn,whoisanhlSRlifetimeVicepresident,canbefoundvolunteeringinvariousfacetsoftherodeo—nojobistoobigortoosmall.

Andfor25years,shehasalsobeenhittingthetrails,ridingontheMagnificent7WagonwiththeSaltgrasstrailRide.

“Wecallthisour‘Februaryfamily,’anditisafamilytradition,”shesaid.“Mychildrenhavebeenridingfor25years,too,andnowigettoseemygrandchildrengrowuponthetraileachyear.”

herloveforhorsesbroughtouthercompetitivesidefor10years,asshetookpartincuttinghorsecompetitionsacrossthecountry;sheevenmadethehlSRcuttinghorsefinalsoneyear.

Butdon’tthinkhertimespentwiththehoustonRodeodoesn’thaveahiddenagenda.

ShegivesannuallytothehoustonlivestockShowandRodeoYouthandEducationFoundation.

“i’vebeenavolunteerwithhlSRsince1978.togethervolunteers‘payitforward’tomanystudentswhowouldnothavehadanopportunitytogetaneducation,andwegivethemthefeelingthat20,000volunteersbelieveinthem,”shesaid.

WhileCarolynhascontributedtonumerouscharitableorganizationsthroughouttheyears,in2008shefoundtheneedtostartherown.

“ilookedatthecharitiesiwassendingmoneytoandiwasn’tsurewhatpercentageofthatmoneywasgoingtothecause.iwantedtostartafoundationthatwasstrictlybuiltonvolunteerswithnofundraiser.iwantedtohelpfamilieshaveabetterlife,”shesaid.

ShestartedtheFaulkFoundationtohelpfamiliesdealingwithamajorillness.

“iwantedtoshowthemfirsthandthattherearealotofpeoplewhocareandarewillingtohelp.”

Whenshe’snothardatworkwithA&Cplasticsorthemultiplecharitiessheholds

“Youreapwhatyousow.IlovetohelppeopleandIlovetogive.Godblessedmetobeablessingtoothers.”

—CarolynFaulk

deartoherheart,Carolynenjoyscooking,boating,fishingandevenhostinganannualslumberpartytoreunitewithfellowBearkatsandchildhoodfriends.

Asforthefuture,shehopestohavecontinuedsuccess,inallthewaysthattrulymattertoher.

“iseemegettingclosertomylordandSavior,becomingdebtfree,givingmoreofmyresources,spendingtimewithmychildrenandgrandchildrenandwatchingthembecomesuccessfulhumansintheirownrightwithhonestyandintegrity,”shesaid.

“it’sbeenquiteaparty,andi’mjustgettingstarted.”O

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WhereAretheyNow

CLaSSoF1961—JerryHawkins“MyeducationatSamhouston

openedthedoorformycareeratDowChemicalinFreeportwhereiworkedinbasicresearch,epoxyresinresearch,safety,andqualitycontrolcoordinationgloballybeforefinishingmycareerinanalyticalanalysisforhydroxyacrylateproductionandretiringin1997,”saidJerryhawkins,whograduatedin1961withaBachelorofSciencedegreeandin1963withaMasterofSciencedegree,bothinchemistry.

Afterretiring,hawkinstaughtfreshmanchemistrythroughBrazosportCommunityCollegetolaboratoryoperatorsatalocalindustryanddidsomesubstituteteaching.heandhiswife,Ann,movedtolivingstonin2000.

hawkinswasborninAustinandmovedtogalvestonasachild,wherehegrewup.AftergoingtoworkforDowChemicalinJune1963,hemethiswife.theyhavetwochildren,greg(classof1994)andheather

Williams,alongwithson-in-law,Frank,andtwograndchildren.

hawkinsisavolunteerwiththehomeboundMinistrygroupattheFirstUnitedMethodistChurchinlivingston,buildshomeswithhabitatforhumanity,andhasgoneonmissiontripstoCorazol,Belize,andseveralotherout-of-stateplaces.heworkedwiththeBoyScoutsforapproximately20years.

hestartedarunninghobbyin1990and,attheageof71,isstillarunner.heranthehoustonMarathonin2007andthreehalfmarathonsbeforethat.hisotheroutdooractivitieshaveincludedhikingandbackpackinginthegrandCanyon,glacierNationalpark,canoeinginCanada,andtakingwithmanycampingtripswiththeBoyScouts.

hawkinsisasustainingmemberoftheAlumniAssociationandhasbeengivingbacktohisalmamatersince1981.

hisgrandmother,Janiehoge,attendedSamhoustonNormalinstitutein1903.

CLaSSoF1956—JohnPhelps“WhetheryouhaveknownJohnphelps

asaschoolteacher,insuranceagent,citycouncilman,churchmember,fatherorneighbor,youknowyouhaveagoodfriend,”houstonCommissionerSylviaR.garciahassaid.

theharrisCountyprecincttwoCommissionersrecentlynamedthenewpasadenacourthouseannextheJohnphelpsCourthousetorecognizethelongtimebusinessmanandvolunteer.

phelpsgraduatedfromSamhoustonin1956withaBachelorofSciencedegreeinvocationalagriculture.heisalifeMemberoftheAlumniAssociation.hisbrother,lyndon,alsoattendedSamhouston.

phelpsservedintheU.S.NavyandtaughtfortheChannelviewandpasadenaindependentSchoolDistricts.

hehasbeenaninsuranceagentfor47yearswithphelpsStateFarminsuranceinpasadena,thelargestStateFarmagencyinthecompanyformanyyears.

phelpssupportslocalcharitiesandhasservedonthelocalYMCAboard,intheoptimistandRotaryClubs,aspresidentofthepasadenaChamberofCommerce,chairmanoftheSoutheastEconomic

Jerry Hawkins (BS ’61) John Phelps (BS ’56)

HawkinsisasustainingmemberoftheAlumniAssociationandhasbeengivingbacktohisalmamatersince1981.

alumniaredoinginterestingthingssinceleavingSHSU.Looktofutureissuesforpeopleyoumayhavesatnexttoinbiology,businessorEnglish.wemayevenfeatureyou!

34 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

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DevelopmentAssociation,EconomicAlliancehoustonportRegion,SanJacintoCollegeFoundation,andtheEastharrisCountySeniorCitizenadvisoryboard.

hewasrecognizedastheoptimistCitizenoftheYear,aRotarypaulharrisFellow,RotarianoftheYear,pasadenaiSDDistinguishedCitizenoftheYear,andthepasadenaChamberofCommerceCitizenoftheYear.hereceivedtheJimFontenoSeniorCitizenAward,EconomicAlliance—houstonportRegionVisionaryAward,andtheSEEDSmallBusinessoftheYearAward.

phelpshasbeensupportiveofSamhouston,givingtotheStateFarmFriendsofSamhoustonStateUniversityScholarshipEndowment.

Johnandhiswife,Wynell,liveinpasadena.

CLaSSoF1972—Rexm.SandersRexSandersbeganhiscoachingcareer

forthetexasDepartmentofCorrections,coachinginmatesona“farm”teamwhenhewasastudentatSamhoustonStateUniversity.

Aftergraduatingin1972,hetaughtandcoachedatNewCaneyhighSchool(1972–73),huntsvillehighSchool

(1973–77),andterrellhighSchool(1977–79).in1979,hebecametheheadbaseballcoachatA&MConsolidatedhighSchoolinCollegeStation,whereheremaineduntilhisretirementfromcoachingin2003.

hiscareerrecordstandsat462-231.Fourteenformerplayershavebeendraftedintoprofessionalbaseball,andmorethan70haveplayedcollegebaseball.Severalformerplayershavebecomecoaches.

highlightsofhiscoachingcareerincludecoachinghisson,Kyle,inthestatebaseballtournamentin1990;coachingthetexashighSchoolBaseballCoachesAssociationAll-Starteamin1990;hostingformerpresidentgeorgeBushandformerSovietpresidentMikhailgorbachevatabaseballgameatA&MConsolidated’stigerStadiumin2001;coachingthehoustonAreaAll-Starteamin2003;beingselectedtocoachtheWestteaminthefirstNationalAll-AmericangameheldatYogiBerraStadiuminJune2003;receivingtheRayKnoblauchAwardforexcellenceincoachingbythehoustonAreaSportsFoundationin2004;servingasFCAhuddleCoachandontheCoachesoutreachCoachingBoard;andworkingwithoutstandingassistantcoachesandqualityyoungmen.

Sanderswashonoredbybeingselectedtothe2005classofthethSBCAhallofFame.in2009hewasinductedintotheNationalhighSchoolBaseballCoacheshallofFameintucson,Ariz.,asthefirstcoachfromtexastobeselectedtoitshallofFame.

SandershasservedthethSBCAaspolldirector,secretary,treasurer,andnowthathehasretiredfromteaching,heistheexecutivedirectorofthe3,000-plusmemberassociationwithanofficeinCollegeStation.

Sandersmet“theloveofhislife,”Judy,inMissCondray’sEnglishclasshisfirstsemesteratSamhoustonStateUniversity.hesaidhemadea“C”intheclass,butshemadean“A”andheknewthathe

“neededher.”theydatedandmarriedwhileattendingSam,andhisgradesimprovedsignificantly.heknowsthatthequalityinstructionthathereceivedatSamhouston,especiallyinitseducationdepartment,preparedhimtoentertheclassroomandcoachingarenawiththetoolsheneededtobeastrongteacherandsuccessfulcoach.

heandJudyhavethreechildrenandsevengrandchildren.

Rex M. Sanders (BS ’72)

Sanderswashonoredbybeingselectedtothe2005classoftheTexasHighSchoolBaseballCoachesAssociationHallofFame.

“WhetheryouhaveknownJohnPhelpsasaschoolteacher,insuranceagent,citycouncilman,churchmember,fatherorneighbor,youknowyouhaveagoodfriend.”

houstonCommissionerSylviaR.garcia

WhereAretheyNow(cont…)

CLaSSoF1978—SammyCitranoSammyCitranograduatedwithaBachelor

ofBusinessAdministrationdegreein1978.WhileastudentatShSU,hemet

Charlespetronella,DamianMandolaandNashD’Amicoandwenttoworkwiththemattheirrestaurantinhuntsville,calledDamian’s.

“theirfamilieswerefromSicily,asweremine,”saidCitrano.“ihadthebesttimeworkingthere.iespeciallyrememberwhenthehoustonoilerswereholdingtrainingcamp,andBumphilipsandEarlCampbellcamein.theyreallyenjoyedtherestaurantandthecoldbeer.”

CitranowenttoworkatSteak‘NSpiritsRestaurantin1977inhuntsvilleasawaiter,busser,bartenderandcook.hewentintomanagementwiththecompanyafterhegraduated.

“Wegrewtofivelocations,”hesaid.“Davidtinsleywastheownerbutselectedmeaspresidentofthedinnerhousegroupin1982,anopportunitythatnotmany25-year-oldsget.”

“Sammyisthebesthospitalitymanandnetworkerinthecommunitythati’veeverseen,”tinsleysaid.“heknowshowtorunabusinessandisasuperbrestaurateur.”

CitranomarriedDelondaNewhousein1982.theyhaveason,Kyle,atexasChristianUniversitygraduate.

theymovedtoWacoinJanuary1986whereCitranowasthemanagingpartneroftheEliteCaféandhealthCampRestaurant.

in1994hepurchasedanoldlandmarkrestaurantandbarcalledgeorge’s,whichhadbeenaroundsincethe1930s.

“ikeptthename,updateditanditcontinuestogrowandisWaco’slocalfavorite,famousforchickenfriedsteakandBigobeer,”hesaid.“Asongbymyfriendpatgreen,called‘george’sBar,’helpedmakeitfamous.

“Wehavecateredtomany,includingpresidentgeorgeW.BushandtheWhitehousestaffandpresscorpsfortheeightyearshewaspresidentandvacationedinCrawford.MywifeandienjoyedtwogreattripstotheWhitehouse,hostedbytheBushfamily,thankingusforourservice.itissomethingiwillneverforget.”

CitranoenjoysworkingwiththelocalChamberofCommerce,texasSportshallofFame,andFirstNationalBankofCentraltexas.

hishobbiesincludeworkingwithyoungpeopleintheirbusinessandenjoyinghis

family’scondoinDestin,Fla.,“torechargemybatteries.”

CLaSSoF1987—SharonLindstromSharonlindstromgraduatedfromSam

houstonStateUniversity,withSummaCumlaudehonors,in1987,earningaBachelorofBusinessAdministrationdegreeinaccounting.WhileattendingSamhouston,shewaspartofAlphalambdaDelta,goldenKeyNationalhonorSocietyandtheAccountinghonorSociety.

ShestartedatArthurAndersenjustaftergraduationandquicklybecamemanagerinthehoustonoffice.Shetransferredin1993totheChicagoArthurAndersenofficewhereshehadtheopportunitytobepartofthestartupoftheirinternalauditandriskconsultingpractice,becomingapartnerin1999.

in2002,sheand64otherpartnersstartedtheirowncompany,protiviti,withapproximately650employeesintheUnitedStates.lindstromisamanagingdirectorintheChicagooffice,alsoresponsiblefortheglobalmanufacturingindustry.

protivitiisariskconsultingandinternalauditfirmspecializinginsolutionstoclientsintheareasoffinance,operations,

Sammy Citrano (BS ’78) Sharon Lindstrom (BS ’87)

“MywifeandIenjoyedtwogreattripstotheWhiteHouse,hostedbytheBushfamily,thankingusforourservice.ItissomethingIwillneverforget.”

—SammyCitrano

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technology,litigation,andgovernance,riskandcompliance.ineightyears,protivitihasgrownto2,500-plusemployeesinmorethan60officesinNorthandSouthAmerica,EuropeandAsia-pacific.

lindstrombelievesitisveryimportanttoleavealegacy,“somethingyouarerememberedfor,”beyondwork.

SheservesontheboardofUmojaStudentDevelopment,anot-for-profitformedin1997tolinktheeducationaleffortsofChicagopublicSchoolstudentstothebroadercommunityandtoserveasanadvocateforyoungpeople.Asaresultofthisinvolvementwithunderservedhighschoolstudents,lindstromalsostartedascholarshipprogramatprotivititosupportcollege-boundinnercitystudentswithscholarshipsthroughtheircollegegraduation.

lindstromhastwosisterswhoalsoattendedShSU.teri(lindstrom)tracey,’85BachelorofSciencedegreeinsocialworkfromtheCollegeofCriminalJustice,currentlyresidesnearDallas,andJeanne(lindstrom)Stewart,’87BachelorofArtsdegreeinelementaryeducation,currentlyresidesinNewJersey.

lindstromremembershertimefondlyatShSU,especiallythefacultyand

heraccountingclassesintheCollegeofBusinessAdministration.

Sheresidesinlincolnpark,aneighborhoodneardowntownChicago.

CLaSSoF1983—TeresaHearnGeorgeAftergraduatingfromShSUwitha

bachelor’sdegreeinjournalism,teresahearngeorgewasemployedattheorangeleadernewspaperasacityandcrimereporter.Fromthere,shewenttoVirginiaaftertakingajobintelevisionproductionandthenmovedtoNashvillein1988.

ShelandedajobworkingattheCountryMusicAssociationwritingforitsmagazineCloSEUpanddoingpublicrelations.thateventuallyledtojobsheadinguptheirmarketing,membership,communications,andcreativeservicesandservingascreativeconsultantfortheCMAAwardstelecast.

Shealsotraveledinternationallyforthem,astheyhavealondonofficeandoutpostsinAustraliaandAmsterdam.

in2000,shestartedherownentertainmentmarketingcompany,CornerstoneCommunications.herfirstclientwasthegrandoleopryontheir

75thanniversaryspecialonCBS,hostedbyVincegillandDollyparton.

Duringthattime,shesecuredcorporateandpromotionalpartnersfortheAcademyofCountryMusic’stelevisionpropertiesandstrategicinitiatives,includingDr.pepper,thehomeDepot,Covergirl,theRAMtruckBrand,lasVegasConvention&VisitorsAuthority,Miller/Coors,Neutrogena,SouthwestAirlines,Westwoodone,Justin,Wranglerandmore.

SheworkedbrieflyonthemarketingforapBSchildren’sshow,andforthepastsixyears,shehasworkedwiththeAcademyofCountryMusiconitsawardsshow,handlingnewbusiness,televisionandbranddevelopmentinlasVegaseachMay.

ShenowworksfortheAcademyofCountryMusicinNashvilleasseniorvicepresident,brandintegrationandstrategicpartnerships.

georgeliveswithherhusband,Johnpaddison,andtheirtwochildren,graceandJake,inNashville.O

Teresa Hearn George (BS ’83)

Lindstrombelievesitisveryimportanttoleavealegacy,“somethingyouarerememberedfor,”beyondwork.

Georgestartedherown

entertainmentmarketingcompany,

CornerstoneCommunications.

HerfirstclientwastheGrandOle

Opryontheir75thanniversary

specialonCBS,hostedbyVince

GillandDollyParton.

AlumniAssociation‘lifeMembers’honoredAtSpecialDinner

theSamhoustonStateUniversityAlumniAssociationhosteditsfirstlifeMemberCelebrationonFeb.24,attheWoodlandsWaterway

Marriotthotelwithapproximately200guestsattending.

AlumniAssociationpresidentAlantinsley,’71,servedasmasterofceremonies,withtheinvocationbyRolandhendricks’80.

CharlieVienne,executivedirectoroftheAlumniAssociation,thankedguestsfortheirgenerosityinsupportingtheassociationthroughlifeMemberships.

“lifeMembershipismorethanjustastateofmind,”hesaid.“itisapowerful

NewlifeMemberswhoreceivedtheirplaquesatthecelebrationare(from left): MeghanBurton,JustinKinslow,CameronClay,presidentDanagibson,Rebeccatemplet,Ditubbsandgeorgegriffin.

toolforactionandavehicleforconnectingalumniwithoneanother.

“lifeMembershipisthefoundationfortheAlumniAssociation’scontinuedwell-beinganddevelopment,”hesaid.

Viennetoldgueststhattheassociationhadmadetremendousprogressinthepastdecade,goingfromnearly300lifeMemberstoacurrent1,461membersandtotalalumniendowmentshadincreasedfrom$585,116tomorethan$2.7million.

healsotalkedaboutalumnischolarships.“overthepastfiveyearswehaveaveraged

40scholarshipsto40differentstudentseachyearandhaveawardedapproximately$40,000inawardmoneyannually,”hesaid.

ShSU’slargestandmostrecognizedscholarshipisthe“tuitionDrawing,”whichproducesmorethan$20,000inawardmoneydistributedto17ormorestudentsannually.

theevening’sspecialguestwasShSUpresidentDanagibson,whosaidshehadlearnedgoodthingsaboutBearkatalumnisincebecomingpresident.

“i’velearnedthatBearkatslookaftertheirown,”shesaid.“i’vealsolearnedthatonceaBearkat,alwaysaBearkat.”

Sheexplainedthatwhilewaitingtoappearbeforethelegislatureonbehalfoftheuniversityduringthecurrentsession,shehadsupportandencouragement

38 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

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AmongtheguestsattendingthefirstlifeMemberCelebrationwere(upperleft)georgeandMaggieparker,(upperright)MichaelandValeriaBrannon,(lowerleft)MaryandJoshualeamons,JasonandKellyhammons,and(lowerright)geraldineDickerson,RaeNashandSandrahanscom.

fromalumniwhowerealsoinAustinforlegislativematters.

“ilookedintheroomandnoticedthatotheruniversitypresidentswhowereabouttotestifydidn’thaveanyoftheiralumnicomingtothemandvoicingsupport,”shesaid.

“KnowingthatihadSamhoustonalumnibackingmegavemealotofconfidencegoingbeforethelegislature,”shesaid.

gibsonalsotalkedaboutuniversityaccomplishmentsandtalkedaboutplansforthefuture.ShealsogaveexamplesofhowShSUisbeingagoodstewardofstateresources,pointingoutthateventhoughtheuniversity’sper-studentstatefundingislowcomparedtootheruniversities,

statisticsshowthatShSUstudentsarereceivingahighqualityeducation.

AhighlightoftheeveningwasthepresentationoflifeMembershipplaquestothoseinattendancewhohadjoinedsinceSept.1,2010.theyincludedMeghanBurton,CameronClay,Danagibson,georgeD.griffiniii,Rickhanna,Joshleamons,JustinKinslow,RebeccatempletandDimitritubbs.

John,’78,andDonna,’82&’90,gilbert;Roland,’80,andJean,’82,hendricks;Ron,’60,andChrissyMafrige;lawofficeofBennieD.Rush,p.C.;andgary,’72,andpam,’72,Whitlock.

Also(gold)RolandBlack,’61;R.h.,’60,andKelleyBond;Bill,’88,andKerriByler;RonnyCarroll,’65,-RonnyCarrollhomes;glyngilliam,’56;leonardKeeling,’63;Ron,’61,andDonnaKoska;tommyMetcalf,’71;Edgar,’56,andCarolynReeves;DavidRex,’82,M.D.-huntsvilleRadiologyConsultantsp.A.;Buddyandlarue,’62,Smith;andDan,’65&’67andMarianSpence.

FormoreinformationaboutlifeMembershipandothermembershiplevelsintheShSUAlumniAssociationcontacttheofficeofAlumniRelationsat936.294.1840or800.283.7478.O

SpR i Ng 2 011 39

AssociationRecognizesFiveAsDistinguishedAlumni

Left to right: Johngarrett,Calvertharrison,Brendalove-Jones,presidentDanagibson,georgeMiles,andMarcusluttrellattheDistinguishedAlumnigala

CalvertHarrisontheownerofBestCareDentalin

Atlanta,ga.,formorethan10years,Calvertharrisonusesbothhissociologydegree(1989)aswellashisdoctorateindentistry,whichhereceivedfromtheUniversityoftexasMedicalSchoolin1994,tohelpthosearoundhim.

throughouthiscareer,harrisonhasbuiltfourdentalpracticesintheAtlantametroareafromstartuptomultimillion-dollarcorporations.heiscertifiedinstraight-wireorthodontics,invisalignandlumineers.

outsideofhispractice,henotonlyprovidesdentalcareforunderprivilegedfamiliesattheBenMassellDentalClinic,butalsoprovidescounselingservicesattheEllaMaethomashouseforrecoveringsubstanceabusers,coachingthemonhealthydecision-makingskills.

brendaLove-Jonesownerofoneofthetopfiveadvertising

agenciesinhouston,Brendalove-JonesopenedherloveAdvertisingin1979“with$500ofstart-upcapital”andhassincebuiltaclientelethatincludesanumberofFortune250clientsandannualbillingsinexcessof$30million.

love-Jonesearnedherbachelor’sdegreeinjournalismin1973atShSUandhermaster’sdegreeinadvertising,publicrelationsandtelecommunicationsfromSanDiegoStateUniversity.

loveAdvertisinghaswonnumerousawardsforitsservice,includingthehoustonBusinessJournal’s“tophoustonAdvertisingAgencies”and“top50WomenownedBusinessesinhouston,”andWorkingWomanMagazine’s“America’stop500WomenownedBusinesses.”

love-JonesalsohasprovidedprobonoworkfororganizationsandcampaignssuchasSusang.Komenofhouston,theChuckNorrisKiCKStARtKiDSFoundation,lighthousefortheBlind,CatholicMinistries,theorangeShow,interfaithMinistriesandpeaceofMindFoundation.

marcusLuttrell“AtrueAmericanheroandpatriot,”

MarcusluttrelliswidelyknownforhisactionsasaNavySEAlontheAfghanistanandpakistanborder.

hisharrowingstoryasthelonesurvivorofwhatbecamethesinglelargestlossoflifeinadayinthehistoryoftheNavySEAlswaschronicledinhisNewYorktimesbest-sellingbook“loneSurvivor,”currentlybeingmadeintoamovie.

SincereturningfromhismissionwithoperationRedwingin2005,forwhichhewasawardedtheNavyCrossbypresidentgeorgeW.Bush,luttrellhasdedicatedhimselftoveterans’causes,donatingallprofitsfromhisbooktohelpthefamiliesofhisfallencomradesandmilitarycharities.hisloneSurvivorFoundationprovidesfundstovariouscharitiesacrossthecountry,includingtheWoundedWarriorFoundation.

inadditiontotheNavyCross,theDeltatauDeltaalumnushasbeenrecognizedwiththeBronzeStar,purpleheartandtwolife-SavingMedals.

GeorgemilesAleaderwithinhiscommunityand

theuniversity,georgeMileshasbeen“agreatadvocateofSamhouston”who“hasserveddiligentlytodohisparttoenhancehuntsvilleandtheuniversity.”

the1961ShSUgraduate,whoalsoattendedtheSouthwesterngraduateBankingSchoolatSouthernMethodistUniversity,spenthiscareerinthebankingindustry.

40 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

looKALUMNI

ClASSNotES (fromJuly15throughNovember15,2010)

Miles’sworkwithintheShSUandhuntsvillecommunitiesisvast,servinginleadershippositionsoncommitteesandhelpingorganizefundraisersforboth,leadingtohisbeingselectedashuntsville’s“CitizenoftheYear”in2007andasarecipientoftheShSUAlumniAssociationServiceAwardin2008.

AspresidentoftheShSUAlumniAssociationin2006,hewasdirectlyinvolvedinthecreationoftheAlumnigarden,thecompletionoftheBelltowerandtherestorationoftheoldMainpipeorgananditsinstallationinthepeabodylibrary.

JohnGarrett,DistinguishedYoungalumnus

theowner,founderandpublisherofCommunityimpactNewspaper,Johngarrettbuiltacompanyfromthreeemployeestoonewith65employeesinlessthanfiveyears,generating$6.9millionin2009,justfouryearsafteritwasestablished.

A1997graduate,garrett’sCommunityimpactNewspaper,withcorporateheadquartersinpflugerville,hasbecomethemostwidelydistributednewspaperinCentraltexas,producingsevenseparate,freepublicationsthatserveRoundRock,pflugerville,Cedarpark,leander,NorthwestAustin,CentralAustin,laketravis,Westlake,georgetown,hutto,taylorandSouthwestAustin.

in2009,garrettbegananewpublicationintheCypress-Fairbanksareaofhouston,addinganadditionalcirculationof105,000tohis450,000Austin-areacirculation.

thecompanyhasbeenrecognizedinmultiplefocusgroupsasthe“firstandonlynewssource”wherelocalresidentsgettheirnewsandisalsotheonly2009NationalNewspaperAssociationaward-winningnewspaperinCentraltexas,accordingtohisnominationform.O

Raymond “Cotton” Lewis ’50 performedattheNationalCowboySymposiumfor20years,tellingstories.heiscurrentlyretiredandlivesinolton.

Charles Carlson ’68 waselectedtotheRegion20EducationServiceCenterBoardinSanAntonioinJune.heworkedfor38yearsineducationinDelRioandhondoandretiredinDecember2005.Aphotographer,someofCarlson’simageswereintheNovember2010issueoftexashighways,includingthecoverphotooftheFrioRiveratgarnerStatepark.

Judge W. Jeanne Meurer ’75 wasawardedthe2009ladyBirdJohnsonhumanitarianAward.ShecurrentlyservesasthechairofthetravisCountyJuvenileBoard.inthecourseofher28yearsofpublicservice,shehasservedasatremendousadvocateforchildrenandyouth.

Myron Frans ’77 wasselectedaspresidentofleedsprecisioninstruments,inc.,andleedsForensicSystems,inc.,headquarteredinMinneapolis,Minn.hehasbeennamedtotheBestlawyerslisteveryyearsince1995.AspresidentoftheleedsCompanies,hedirectstheproductionandworldwidedistributionofleeds’forensiccomparisonmicroscopesusedincrimelabsandforensictrainingprograms.healsooverseesthedistributionandserviceofolympusmicroscopesin14states.

Carol Houston ’77 & ’91 hasbeennamedthefirstfemaleprincipaloftomballschooldistrictatthehighschoollevel.Shehasworkedattomballsince1998,movingfromassistantprincipaltoassociateprincipal.ShewillleadthenewtomballMemorialhighSchoolwhenitopensinfall2011.

Dena Byrd ’90 retiredfromthetexasDepartmentofCriminalJusticeasacertifiedtexaspurchasingmanagerinFebruary2008.inApril2009,Byrdreturnedtoworkasanacquisition

specialistfortheUniversityoftexasMedicalBranch.

Dedre Ray ’90 graduatedwithMagnaCumladehonorsfromprairieViewA&MUniversityonAug.14withhermaster’sdegreeineducationadministration.RayiscurrentlyemployedwiththeAliefschooldistrictasanAViDElectiveandExploringCareersteacherandresidesinSugarland.Shehasoneson,Blake,whoisajunioratAlieftaylorhighSchool.

Cheryl Conley ’94 wasnamed2011FloridaDepartmentofEducation/Macy’steacheroftheYearlastyearbyEducationCommissionerEricSmithandMacy’sseniorvicepresidentKarinDarmanin.Shewasrecognizedforhercreativityandabilitytohelpherstudentsreachtheirfullestpotential.ConleywillserveforoneyearastheChristaMcAuliffeAmbassadorforeducation,visitingschoolsthroughoutFloridatoshareinformationoneducationalopportunitiesandchallenges.

Stephanie Hollis ’02 returnedtoheralmamaterlastyeartoserveastheeventscoordinatorfortheShSUofficeofAlumniRelations.

Kara Ellis Times ’03 wasrecentlynamedthehoustonFashiongroupinternational’s2010“WomanofExcellence”for“hertirelessandhumblededication”totheorganization.timesisthesecretaryoftheboardofdirectorsforFgihoustonandthetreasureroftheboardofdirectorsfortheFashiongroupFoundationofhouston.

Kevin Lunsford ’10 waspromotedlastspringtochiefofthehuntsvillepoliceDepartment.AWalkerCountynative,lunsfordhasspenthisentirecareerinthehpD,servingatalllevels.healsohasbeennamed“SupervisoroftheYear”onfiveoccasionsand“officeroftheYear”bythehuntsvilleRotaryClub.

SpR i Ng 2 011 41

ClASSNotES (cont…)

In Memory p

willberememberedbythemanyliveshetouchedinsideandoutsideoftheclassroom.

Dr. William r. “Billy” Harrell

AdistinguishededucatoratSamhoustonStateUniversity,professorWilliamR.“Billy”harrelldiedoct.22inindiana.

Withadoctorateineducation(agriculturaleducation/agriculturalmechanization),harrellcametoSamhoustonStateUniversityin1969andservedasprofessorofagriculturalmechanizationuntilhisretirementin2006. hewaschairoftheagriculturedepartmentfromSeptember1985throughAugust1995.

harrellwasactivelyinvolvedwithmanyorganizationsandconductedagriculturalmechanicscertificationworkshopsfor

thetexasEducationAgencytoqualifyagriculturalscienceteacherstoteachpre-employmentlaboratorycoursesatthesecondarylevel.

healsoconductednon-creditagriculturalmechanicsshortcoursesforsecondaryagriculturalscienceteachersanddevelopedandconductedFFAtractortechniciancontestsforthe10texasagriculturalsciencesareas.

hedevelopedandconductedtheAreaiXFFAAgriculturalMechanicsCareerDevelopmenteventandhostedtheStateFFAleadershipDevelopmenteventsinagriculturalskills.

hewasamemberoftheWalkerCountyCooperativeExtensionprogramCouncil,thehoustonCommunityCollegeAgriculturalSciencesAdvisoryCommittee,andhuntsvilleiSDVocationalAdvisoryCommitteeandservedaschairofthehuntsvilleFFAAdvisoryCommittee.

harrell’sawardsandrecognitionswerenumerousforhisoutstandingleadershipanddedicationinagriculturalmechanization.Amongtheprofessionalservicerecognitionsandawardshereceivedwere:thetexasFFABlueandgoldAward,internationalWho’sWhoofprofessionals,NorthAmericaCollegesandteachersofAgricultureteachingFellow,theSamhoustonStateUniversityFacultyExcellenceinServiceAward,houstonlivestockShowandRodeohallofhonor,texasA&MUniversityEducatorAward,professionalAgWorkersoftexas,andJohnDeereAgriculturalMechanizationAward.

heproducednumerouspapers,publicationsandeducationalvideoseries,includingmorethan25DVDtitleswithCEVMultimedia,whichhavebeenusedtoinstructmorethanonemillionstudentsinmorethan10,000classroomsacrossall50statesandin19countries.O

In Memoriam 1930s

Maggiel.English’351940s

AlbertS.Kelly’40lolaireneClevengerWiese’41,’60hazelinezlewterMurphy’42,’46SamuelMcKinneyJr.’43DarwinB.link’44CecilAlyecWhatleyWhitley’44E.AliceSeddonBrown’48BillieM.holbertBurke’48JohnleeCookSr.’49JamesElbertBarnett’49,’58WilliamleonardMcDonald’49

1950sleroyhenryBoenker’50JamesDonMagee’50JohnyRayisgitt’51JotholiverhodgesJr.’54hughl.Barnett’54DonaldFranklinVickersSr.’56FrancistroyDagle’57,’62harrygene“hap”Roberts’57JohnClintonlowe’58FredMalcombpoole’58Dellal.Frazier’59,’74EdgarJerrellgroce’59DanE.Williams’59

1960sMarilynMoorehogue’60pennyhoward’60SallyRoseBlack-Moore’61,’71lindalouglassWoodman’62RubyhelenhallRoss’62BuraJoeBarker’63CarolJ.Alford’63MariellaA.SmithMadden’65CharlesMeredithMaiorana’65DaleM.Dow’67Weldonh.Newtor’68orinNelsonCovell’68RonaldhudginsCaldwell’69CarolSueDowneyWilliford’69

42 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

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1970sDorothypaulineMorganlewis’70MilburnDeanArmstrong’70RuthReedVegas’70WalterAronFoster’71RichardStevenRobinson’71KennethN.hackett’71KennethMarkhaynes’71ElenatamezDepena’71JerryFrankBullard’72NancyJoloweryWebster’72KarenDianneBlezingergalle’72thomasBlackard’72RichardAlanWinegarden’72,’73ElaineM.BethscheiderBergman’73irlR.Walkeriii’73garyStephenthomas’74hermanB.DavisJr.’74Joeh.Rogers’74lindaS.Cheshire’76herbertRossAtwoodJr.’78Alicialukaszewski’79

1980sterril.o’Meara’80SallyeKershWindham’83MarthaJaneBuispenrod’83Maryg.Calderon’85Simonethereselejeune’87lazarohernandez’88AnnDavisRoche’89BarbaraBevishouston’89

1990sKennethRayBlaylock’90MaxAllanthreadgillJr.’91lindaJuneNorthcuttSmith’91

2000sDavidRoy’00trentRuchtihepler’02JasonthomasMcKinney’06heathAlanSchielack’10

tobeapartoftheClassNotessection,shareyouraccomplishmentsathttp://www.shsu. edu/~alu_kat/services/classnotes.html. O

AlUMNiBoARD

officersofthe2011AlumniBoardofDirectorsarelefttoright(front row):JackCompton,treasurer;Alantinsley,president;BarbaragradyBright,secretary;(back row) SusanSmithlenamon,vicepresident;Edowens,pastpresident;andMaryEllenWalkerthornton,presidentelect.thecompletelistingofboardmemberscanbefoundatwww.shsu.edu/~alu_kat/about/board.html. O

UpCoMiNgEVENtS

APRIL 28 aUSTIN/WaSHINGTONCOUNTyaLUmNIRECEPTIONTHEWELCOmEHaLL WELCOmE,TX

MAY 7 SHSURECEPTION@RaNGERSBaLLPaRkINaRLINGTONTEXaSRaNGERSVS.N.y.yaNkEES

MAY 21 aLUmNILEGaCyGOLfTOURNamENTHIGHmEaDOWRaNCHGOLfCLUB,maGNOLIa

JUNE 28 SHSUNIGHT@mINUTEmaIDPaRkHOUSTONaSTROSVS.TEXaSRaNGERS

fORmOREINfORmaTIONONaLUmNIEVENTS,LOGONTOWWW.SHSU.EDU/~aLU_kaT/.

SpR i Ng 2 011 43

HOMEHOMEHOMECOMING HOMElook BaCk

COMING 2010

SAVE THE DATE—OCT. 15, 2011 44 ShSU H e r i t a g e Magaz ine

To learn more about ways you can support Sam Houston State University, visit www.shsu.edu/giving or call 936.294.3625.

hatever country or exotic locale world travelers and dynamic couple, John and Nancy Hoyt, are visiting—Sam Houston remains a favored destination.

John graduated from SHSU in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in

government and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Nancy graduated a few years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in home economics. College sweethearts, the Hoyts went on to marry, start a family, and build a successful self storage business in Waco and Hewitt.

Both John and Nancy have been avid supporters of their alma mater in many ways. In addition to serving on a number of SHSU boards and organizations, John was on the Alumni Board of Directors from 2006 through 2010, including serving as President of the Association in 2009. The couple also established the Greg Lundgren Memorial

Athletic Endowed Scholarship in memory of Nancy’s brother, a football coach at Columbus High School.

During the university’s successful Share the Vision capital campaign, the Hoyts also provided critical leadership and support with John serving as a member on the Executive Leadership Council as well as a regional chair.

Of their three children—Matthew, Eric and Emily, it was Emily who continued the Bearkat legacy, graduating from Sam in 2002 with a BA in English and as a member of her mother’s sorority—Alpha Chi Omega. Emily also participated in her parents’ love of adventure. She and Nancy were contestants on the Amazing Race show in 2001 where they traveled 35,000 miles across four continents, all in 31 days.

So wherever the Hoyts may visit next, we can be certain they’ll leave a trail of orange behind them!

NEvEr LOSE SIgHT Of SAM HOUSTON rOOTS Photo by Paul Olle

W

GlobEtrottING bEarkatS

SamHoustonStateUniversityOfficeofUniversityAdvancementBox2537Huntsville,Texas77341-2537