Web Site Redesign Focus Groups

SHSU's web site redesign company, Stamats will be back on campus Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3 for Creative Focus Groups. We have some time slots open and are looking for SHSU faculty, staff and students that want to share their opinions about the web site. If interested, contact Ann O'Meara, Director of Marketing either at anneo@shsu.edu or at 936-294-3492 or post your comments.

Paul Ruffin named Texas Poet Laureate

The Texas Commission on the Arts has named Paul Ruffin the 2009 Texas State Poet Laureate.


CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Texas Commission on the Arts has announced the 2009 and 2010 appointments for the positions of State Poet Laureate, State Musician, State Two-Dimensional Artist, and State Three-Dimensional Artist; and

WHEREAS, Honorees are chosen for the exceptional quality of their work and for their outstanding commitment to the arts in Texas; nominees must either be native Texans or have resided in the state for at least five years; in addition, they must have received critical recognition from state, regional, and national publications, and they must have attained the highest levels of excellence in their respective disciplines; and

WHEREAS, The 2009 Texas State Poet Laureate is Paul Ruffin, a Distinguished Professor of English at Sam Houston State University; the author of six acclaimed books of poetry as well as several volumes of fiction and nonfiction, Mr. Ruffin has published poems in hundreds of journals and anthologies; he is also the founder and editor of The Texas Review and the director of Texas Review Press; and

WHEREAS, Willie Nelson is the 2009 Texas State Musician; this legendary Texas performer was playing the guitar at the age of 6 and performing at 10; after establishing himself in Nashville as a hit songwriter, he returned to Texas and soon became world-famous as an interpreter of his own songs and as an icon of the outlaw country music movement; he has further distinguished himself as a film and television actor and entrepreneur, as well as an ever-popular touring concert artist who has been involved in numerous charity events such as FarmAid; and

WHEREAS, The 2009 Texas State Two-Dimensional Artist is Rene Alvarado; born in Mexico, he came to the United States with his family as a boy, and his work powerfully evokes the values and heritage of his native country, finding universal resonance in the rich particularity of Mexican culture; his work has been featured in galleries and exhibitions throughout Texas and the Southwest; and

WHEREAS, Eliseo Garcia has been selected as the 2009 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist; his inspiring bas-relief sculptures pay homage to the importance of family, love, and spirituality while reflecting the ancient cultural traditions of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations; often carved out of Texas limestone, his works are on permanent display in arts centers, hospitals, libraries, and other public buildings across the state; and

WHEREAS, Fort Worth native and Denton resident Karla K. Morton has been named as the 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate; a songwriter and children’s book author as well as a celebrated poet, Ms. Morton performs her poetry across the state and has recorded her poems with musical accompaniment; she is a founder of the Denton Poet’s Assembly and a member of the board of directors of the Greater Denton Arts Council; and

WHEREAS, Sara Hickman of Austin will be the 2010 Texas State Musician; this talented singer-songwriter has recorded many critically acclaimed albums; the daughter of a painter and a weaver, the multitalented Ms. Hickman is also a painter; she supports many social causes through her work and regularly performs and records music for children; and

WHEREAS, Austin painter Marc Burckhardt has been named as the 2010 Texas State Two-Dimensional Artist; born in Germany and raised in Texas, Mr. Burckhardt combines European imagery with thematic material from contemporary American life; his mischievous wit is enhanced by his adoption of the glazing and varnishing techniques of the old masters, and his work has been featured in galleries and shows around the nation and across the world; and

WHEREAS, The 2010 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist will be John Bennett, who began sculpting figures in 1976 and cast his first bronze in 1985; acclaimed for his sculptures of women, he has created works depicting women from all walks of life, from Old West legend Annie Oakley to 98-year-old Alice Reeves, a former schoolteacher and granddaughter of a slave; one of his pieces was selected by the Women’s Museum for display at the White House in 1999; and

WHEREAS, The men and women who have been selected to hold these prestigious posts for the next two years have all greatly contributed to the vibrant cultural life of the Lone Star State, and Texas is indeed fortunate to be home to these talented artists; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby honor the 2009 and 2010 appointees to the positions of State Poet Laureate, State Musician, State Two-Dimensional Artist, and State Three-Dimensional Artist and extend to each of them sincere best wishes for continued creativity and achievemen

SHSU web site re-design

We are interested in your comments on the new university web site redesign project which is part of our brand strengthening effort. We want to know what you like about our current site, what you like about other university sites, and what the SHSU web site needs to do better. Let us know your thoughts prior to July 30, 2009 as this is a University-wide project. Work should conclude in October 2009.

In late calendar 2008, the process of the SHSU web site redesign began. The web site redesign committee of Dr. Heather Crowson, Dr. Keri Rogers, Mark Adams, Thelma Mooney and Ann O'Meara (chair) selected Stamats to do the work. Frank Holmes, Dr. Crowson and Ann O'Meara are the project sponsors. Stamats work includes: Discovery, Architecture, Web Site Design, Creative Concepting, Template Deliveries, Content Development, Delivery, a Virtual Campus tour, and a communications plan. We'll also have multiple videos on the site.

"the most amazing graduation ever"

Maura got her wish: she lived to see her graduation day, but, sadly, she passed away Tuesday.

You can see the FOX news story on their website.

Or visit her mother's blog:

Sam graduated 1700 students at its three commencement events last weekend, but one of the most remarkable events was a commencement of one last Wednesday. Maura de Sousa couldn't attend her event on campus so family, friends and faculty from the department of music brought graduation to her hospital room. You can see it on YouTube. Search for "the most amazing graduation ever." Maura is fighting cancer. See Maura, family, friends, and teachers laugh, cry, sing and celebrate her commencement together.

Bearkat Baseball

The team's doing great. Two more games left before tournament time May 20-23 in Corpus Christi. Today, May 15, and tomorrow, Saturday. 2 p.m. and 1 p.m.

If you've got student loans and IOU's

If you got loans, you're not alone (no pun intended.)

A lot of Sam students are borrowing money to pay for room, board, tuition, etc.

If you're falling too far into debt, go see Kristy Vienne at the Student Money Management Center. They're there to help . . .

Her phone number is 936.294.2600. Her email is kristyvienne@shsu.edu

Great teachers at Sam

I'm interested in hearing from students and alumni about their experiences with great teachers. I know we have a lot of great teachers out there, people like Jim Olson in History. He has just published another book, by the way.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Sam Houston State Blog.