Heritage Online - Spring 2024

Empowering Tomorrow How Student Experiences are Shaping Futures

A Message from the President

Engaging with students is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role in higher education. As I visit departments and colleges on each of our campuses, it’s a pleasure to meet the enthusiastic students working parttime at Sam Houston State University. These students play an important role in providing a student perspective to daily operations, and their input helps us better serve our student community. Our student employees also nurture a vibrant sense of community at SHSU, and we take pride in their choice to learn and work at Sam Houston State.

Beyond their specific job responsibilities, student workers bring a fresh perspective, boundless energy and unwavering enthusiasm to campus activities. They not only earn income to support their education in an environment accommodating to their class schedules, but also gain invaluable skills that contribute to their success. Faculty and staff see them operate in a professional setting, which allows them a broader perspective when writing letters of recommendation for careers or graduate school. Whether students work in a research lab, library, administrative office, student organization, or other campus division, they gain practical skills and knowledge to complement their academic learning. Perhaps most importantly, according to researchers at Columbia University, federal work study students are more likely to graduate than their peers.

In addition to work experiences on campus, our university stands out in its ability to forge connections between students and the workforce through internships, which offers them potential career opportunities and elevates the reputation and visibility of our university. Frequently, these opportunities are the outcome of enduring partnerships cultivated by our dedicated faculty, who actively address industry employer demands and cultivate collaborations.

Within this issue of Heritage, you will find students who are applying the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired in the classroom to actual work scenarios, making their education more meaningful and preparing them for the challenges of the professional world.

Alisa White President, Sam Houston State University

Alan L. Tinsley, Chairman

• Madisonville

Dionicio (Don) Flores, Vice Chairman

Charlie Amato

Duke Austin

Sheila Faske

Russell Gordy

Stephen Lee

Tom Long

• San Antonio

• Houston

• Rose City

• Houston

• Beaumont

• Frisco

William F. Scott

• Nederland

Kelvin Elgar, Student Regent

Brian McCall, Chancellor

• El Paso

• Beaumont

• Austin

Sam Houston University Foundation Board of Trustees

Russell Molina, Chairman

• Houston

Joel Michael, Vice Chairman

Charles Jones III, Secretary

Ferne Frosch, Treasurer

E. Brooke Beierle

Mia Gradney

John Hoyt, Jr.

Brian Starr

• Friendswood

• Dahlonega, GA

• Huntsville

• Stafford

• Richmond

• Woodway

• Houston

DeeAnn Thigpen

• Houston

Christopher Tritico, Sr.

Ryan Weber

• Houston

• Houston

Matthew Bethea (Ex-Officio)

• Huntsville

Amanda Withers (Ex-Officio)

• Huntsville 

YOUR NEXT STORY

The Perfect Recipe

for Student Success

One of the key features of working in criminal justice is being a public servant and working for the betterment of the community. Kayla Garcia’s experience as a graduate assistant at the Sam Houston State University Food Pantry has provided her with the perfect opportunity to gain experience serving her community.

Growing up in the small border town of San Juan, Texas, Garcia said exposure to movies and TV shows such as “Law and Order” and “CSI” sparked an early interest in working in law enforcement. She quickly became enamored with the idea of entering the field and doing what she could to make the world a better place.

After spending her grade school years participating in clubs and organizations

associated with criminal justice, Garcia decided she needed to attend a university with an exemplary program, which brought her to SHSU. Here, she joined numerous criminal justice related groups and decided to double major for her bachelor’s degree.

“A lot of what I originally wanted to do had to do with understanding an offender’s mind and how complex it can get,” Garcia said. “When I was discussing this with my advisors, I knew psychology was also an interest and, because of early college programs, I was supposed to graduate in my second semester, so I decided to double major in psychology.”

During those first semesters on campus Garcia and her roommate saw numerous flyers for the Food Pantry; eventually their curiosity led them to see what the pantry had to offer. What she discovered was an

“I used to be very shy and reserved and I feel like this has really helped me effectively get out of that box.”

- Kayla Garcia

amazing resource that could help her cut costs and a place to work when she moved on to her graduate degree.

“This past August I completed one year with the pantry, which is really exciting,” Garcia said. “It kind of came full circle since I used to come to the food pantry often for distributions.”

Thanks to her own experience utilizing the food pantry’s resources, Garcia now helps create a welcoming, judgement-free environment for students visiting the pantry as the graduate assistant. In this role, Garcia assigns tasks to volunteers, places orders to stock shelves for distribution, assists in unloading pallets of food and packages emergency food kits.

Garcia believes that being able to engage with community members and show them compassion is applicable in criminal justice professions. In fact, she has found that becoming an effective communicator can help any team succeed.

“My communication skills have gone through the roof as a team leader,” Garcia said. “It’s been nice to be able to strategically discuss things with people and have them understand what we need to do. I used to be very shy and reserved and I feel like this has really helped me effectively get out of that box.”

While a position at the food pantry may seem unrelated to Garcia’s career path, she said her time working there has provided her with skills and experience that will be essential to her future success.

“I like working here and adapting to these new skills and new environments,” Garcia said. “I feel like it has helped me understand different traits and learn new skills. I’ve gained a better understanding of what I really want to do in the future and what parts of the job truly resonate with me.”H

On the cover:

Abbigail Albright knows the fears that go through the mind of firstgeneration students, especially when they first step foot on campus. Learn more on page 18.

See More. Learn More. Heritage Online!

Through our enhanced digital version of Heritage, designed to complement our print version, you will find even more information and interactive features, such as videos and web links to keep you up to date on university news and your gifts at work.

Available

SECURING FUTURE THE

STUDENT TAKES THE LEAD IN HOMELAND SECURITY

For over a year, Hayden Marshall has juggled continuing his education as a computer science student at Sam Houston State University with his responsibilities as an intern with the Institute of Homeland Security (IHS) within the College of Criminal Justice. Through this internship he has been able to aid in developing websites for IHS

and an app for the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Marshall was presented with the unique opportunity to work with the IHS after meeting Michael Aspland, the institute’s director, while visiting a local church. As the two got to chatting, Aspland told Marshall how his computer science expertise could help the institute.

“He (Aspland) initially said cybersecurity, but then he said they also need help developing a website,” Marshall said. “He said if I wanted to do that then I was more than welcome to. I went through the application process and after the interview he stood up and was like, well if you want it, the job is yours, so I took it right then and there.”

With the logistics squared away, Marshall jumped into his internship and got to work on the website. The institute had previously gotten the framework of the page lined out with the help of an outside vendor, leaving the rest in Marshall’s skilled hands.

“I’ve had expertise now, not only in coding, but I took some web design classes at my community college about three years ago,” Marshall said. “Having both of those, I was able to go in and really start being able to understand what they wanted and say these are the limitations and this is what we have to work with.”

As he worked on the website, Marshall collaborated with numerous higher-ups in the institute, providing their projects and collaborative works with landing pages attached to the IHS page. One such collaboration was with a project manager

over the health care sector. By working together, they created a landing page for the manager’s goal of providing Houstonarea healthcare partners with IHS with a centralized location for information.

On top of working with the health program manager and their partners, Marshall also helped the newly established Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis, which is also housed under the IHS, with their website. Thanks to his help, the page is up and running, allowing the center to share information about its work and the classes that it offers.

Through his connection with the health program manager, Marshall was later able to assist in developing an app for the Harris County Fire Marshal. The project turned into a contract with one of his professors, resulting in Marshall’s work on the app’s development counting toward his course credit. On top of this, the app assists the fire marshal in sharing detailed information about incidents such as chemical spills or explosions with first responders in the effected area. Completing these projects serve a dual purpose for Marshall. On one hand, he is building up impressive experience and on the other, his work is contributing to a greater good.

“I really enjoyed it, it changed the trajectory of what I was thinking I wanted to do after graduation,” Marshall said. “Originally, I was very big into NASA, I love outer space and science and that’s what I wanted to do. But now, having worked with IHS and having worked with different projects, I like working on software and apps and things for something that has a little bit more meaning behind it.”

Thanks to his work at the IHS and with the Harris County Fire Marshal, he feels confident that he has risen to their expectations. As he stands on the cusp of his next journey, Marshall appreciates those who ignited and supported his passion for computer science.

“A lot of it comes down to the professors I’ve had within the computer science department,” Marshall said.

“There are several that have a lot of industry experience and they’re more

“

ORIGINALLY, I WAS VERY BIG INTO NASA, I LOVE OUTER SPACE AND SCIENCE AND THAT’S WHAT I WANTED TO DO. BUT NOW, HAVING WORKED WITH IHS AND HAVING WORKED WITH DIFFERENT PROJECTS, I LIKE WORKING ON SOFTWARE AND APPS AND THINGS FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE MEANING BEHIND IT.”

than willing to share that in class or if you have questions, they just love talking about that and they know what it’s like getting out there and working within that. Seeing their passion for that is kind of like osmosis and it makes me more passionate about it.”H

A Tale of Two Interns

Geography and Journalism Collide in the Newsroom

Some students enter college with the intent to pursue one subject until the bitter end and make a career out of it, others acknowledge that while having it all figured out is good, it is okay to change your mind along the way. Sophia Cruz entered Sam Houston State University as a business student looking to find her true calling as she studied.

Inspiration struck Cruz in a weather and climate class led by Ava Fujimoto-Strait, professor and renowned researcher of all things geography. To the then-freshman Cruz, Fujimoto-Strait’s instruction actually stuck with her and made sense.

“Weather is something you see every single day,” Cruz said. “Something she said that really stuck out to me as a freshman was high pressure days are good hair days, and that was something I could get behind.”

With that simple remark, studying weather and relaying it to the masses became Cruz’s mission. She later changed her major to geography and dove into her studies, learning about all facets of the discipline, from climatology to culture. The more she learned, the more she leaned toward making a career out of geography, eventually settling on meteorology.

“I started thinking about my interests and someone once told me that if you find something you love and you can make it a career, it will never feel like you’re working, and those words really stuck with me,” Cruz said.

As her final semester approached, Cruz knew that she needed to get experience. She sent out applications to news stations around her hometown of Austin and Houston, just an hour’s drive from her new home in Huntsville. After much anticipation, she was offered the opportunity to work at KPRC 2 as the station’s only weather intern.

“I was kind of nervous and thinking I’ve never done this; I don’t know what to expect. I was thinking it was going to be like TMZ and the newsroom is going to be so crazy all the time,” Cruz said. “It did not turn out like that at all, everyone is like a big family there.”

Cruz entered the newsroom equipped with her knowledge of geography, but no experience in media, leading to her being intimidated at the prospect of working on-air. Her fears were quickly alleviated by the KPRC 2 weather team, who she says took her under their wings and supported her every step of the way.

During her stint at the station, Cruz has acquired many new skills, including graphic creation for forecasts, writing copy for weather updates, working with a weather team and even presenting her own forecast live on air. She credits the weather team’s support, guidance and care for her success in the internship.

“You can tell all the anchors there, including my mentors Caroline Brown, Anthony Yanez, Justin Stapleton, Frank Billingsley and Khambrel Marshall, just love what they do, are willing to share their knowledge with me and what they’ve learned from the industry,” Cruz said. “I think that’s the best part of working for KPRC 2, they’re just great people.”

While Cruz expressed great admiration for all her mentors, she explained that she was particularly inspired by Brown, who serves as the station’s only female meteorologist. Cruz said she was repeatedly impressed by Brown’s knowledge and skills and felt that she could be successful as a woman in the industry just as Brown is.

Cruz is aiming to continue her education at Mississippi State University, where she will pursue a master’s in geosciences. Thanks to the university’s online program, Cruz hopes to also work as a meteorologist while studying. Because of the impact the KPRC 2 team made on her this summer, Cruz hopes that she can return to work for the Houston station after completing her master’s degree.

“My mentors have been the biggest inspiration for me to continue in this career and encourage me every single day, which is what really makes me feel special to them because they have interns every year,” Cruz said. “I just want to thank the whole team at KPRC 2 for showing me kindness from the heart and for teaching

me so many valuable lessons in the station and about life in general.”

Thanks to their support and the valuable experience she gained at the station, Cruz was able to join the weather team at KIVI–6 in Boise, Idaho in January.

Things were a bit different for Hunter King, Sophia Cruz’s fellow Bearkat intern at NBC’s Houston affiliate KPRC – TV. Since he was a child, King knew he wanted to be on the air, the only thing that changed was what he would present to viewers.

King will be graduating in the spring of 2024 with a degree in mass communications and a focus on multiplatform journalism. He credits his participation in the high school yearbook committee, student newspaper and student news team with giving him the foundational knowledge needed for creating higher-level content.

“I didn’t really know when I got to high school that I wanted to do news for sure, but I joined the yearbook and newspaper, got to writing news and thought this is something I could do,” King said. “I started interviewing people and I realized talking to people is something that I already do, why not make a career out of interviewing people and telling their story? I fell in love with the news.”

Since coming to Sam Houston State University, King has grown as a journalist and earned the opportunity to spend his summer as a news intern at KPRC – TV. He became one of two Bearkat interns at the station and was able to work with Randy McIlvoy, a four-time Emmy award winning sports anchor/reporter and SHSU alumnus.

“I was a little nervous at first, but that kind of went away and then I was excited,” King said about his reaction to being hired on as an intern. “It made me feel like the hard work paid off because they had confidence in me at least to come and be with them over the summer. It made me feel good about my situation.”

He started out working with McIlvoy at the sports desk, attending events for the Houston Astros and Rockets and meeting local legends along the way. King and his fellow news interns also shadowed reporters, learning how they produce content for a large market station and meet their deadlines.

While shadowing reporter Re’Chelle Turner, King was able to cover his favorite story of the summer, the spontaneous closing of a local bridal shop.

“It was not only an interesting story to look into and investigate, but being able to talk to people when it happened was pretty moving,” King said. “Some of them were crying, some of them were physically angry, so just seeing the emotion from people we were interviewing, but then also having to disconnect those emotions and investigate what was happening, was a valuable experience.”

Part of the appeal was seeing the story

come to a happy ending when another bridal shop stepped in to provide dresses to the distraught brides. King said this really highlighted the importance of local stories, as he worried that no one would have helped the brides had the news not shared their plight.

After spending most of the internship at different parts of the station, Cruz and King worked together with their peers on an intern-run newscast. Each of them played their part in creating a full newscast, featuring news coverage, anchoring, sports and weather.

King said his success at the station was possible thanks to the rigorous coursework he has completed in his broadcast production courses, noting that something as simple as knowing industry shorthand can set applicants apart.

“I would say my classes helped me a lot because you need to know the news lingo, how to use a camera, produce things,

punch a show and things like that,” King said. “Not only that, just having confidence. If somebody who has never been on camera before were to go into that, I could imagine they would probably be nervous and not strong on camera. But having done that before in Ron Marasco’s classes, I felt relatively natural on camera, so it was nice to have that confidence already.”

As he looks ahead to entering the workforce, King is confident that both his education and work outside of the classroom have him more than ready to dive into his first job.

“They’ve done a good job here at Sam, professors have done a good job of preparing us,” King said. “They’ve told us what to expect out there and they’re gearing us up for what’s to come. Then actually doing it at KPRC 2 helps a lot. I’m happy I’m going to be going into a newsroom having done that already.”H

Reynolds and Reynolds Company Foundation Pledges $100,000 in New Scholarships

The Reynolds and Reynolds Company Foundation has pledged $100,000 in scholarship funding for 20 exceptional students per year at Sam Houston State University.

“As a graduate of SHSU, I know firsthand how much these scholarships will benefit the students,” said Sheri Robinson (‘87), chief financial officer of Reynolds and Reynolds. “I know the high-quality education they receive will prepare them for roles in our organization and others, both as interns and graduates.”

Richard Rojas is a first-generation senior at SHSU majoring in accounting, finance and banking and is part of the first cohort to receive the Reynolds and Reynolds Annual Scholarship. He believes the award provides valuable support to ensure he reaches his career goals.

“With an opportunity as important as this one, students like me can have the chance to not just attend college but also finish with academic excellence,” Rojas said. “Through my education and the skills acquired in college, I can aspire to be a professional in the business industry, either as a banker or an auditor. I am grateful. Opportunities like this make me proud to call myself a Sam Houston State Bearkat.”

An annual scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to 10 undergraduate students who are in good standing, enrolled fulltime with the College of Business Administration, and majoring in any discipline. An additional 10 undergraduate students who are in good standing and enrolled full-time in the College of Science & Engineering’s Department of Computer Science will be awarded scholarships.

SHSU is nationally recognized for student success, particularly for first-generation students and those traditionally underserved. The university’s award-winning programs, nationally and internationally recognized scholars, innovative initiatives and inclusive environment help students engage, succeed and meet critical workforce needs.H

Photo by: Tega Okperuvwe

shaping tomorrow’s communicators

FROM ENGLISH TEACHER TO HP LEARNING EXPERIENCE DESIGNER

Marissa Baumgartner’s transition from teaching high school English to becoming a Learning Experience Designer Intern at Hewlett-Packard (HP) over the summer is a testament to the power of education and the value of technical communication skills.

Through Sam Houston State University’s Technical Communications master’s program, Baumgartner not only gained the knowledge and expertise needed for her new career, but also found a supportive community that guided her every step of the way.

“I felt supported and inspired throughout my journey,” Baumgartner said. “Professors Strubberg and Nardone in particular have helped connect me to opportunities that married my teaching and technology passions.”

During her internship at HP, Baumgartner focused on building trainings, tools and resources to empower HP employees in utilizing customer journey mapping. She learned the importance of seeking feedback with purpose, setting the stage for successful collaboration.

“I will most remember how encouraging HP’s employees were throughout this process,” Baumgartner said. “I felt welcomed to meet anyone and everyone, ask questions and seek out many types of expertise as I worked.”

Baumgartner’s presentation skills were a standout feature of her internship, resulting in a first place win in the business presentations contest.

“I used my technical communication skills to craft a presentation that engaged my audience,” Baumgartner said. “Technical communication encourages writers to make information as clear and concise as possible, and this helped me make the positive outcomes of my project apparent to the judges.”

Drawing from her five-year teaching background and communication work, Baumgartner emphasized the value of active audience engagement.

“My childhood hero is Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter,” Baumgartner said. “If I learned anything from him, it’s that passion and enthusiasm builds momentum in the delivery of information. I channeled my inner Steve Irwin to show the panel of judges that my work not only matters to the company, but to me as a person.”

The Sam Houston Technical Communication program provided Baumgartner with valuable skills that directly applied to her work at HP. Collaborative writing, visual design and adaptability were pivotal in her internship at the company.

“SHSU Tech Comms helped me locate the best defenses for my writing and visual design choices and communicate them effectively,” Baumgartner said. “Through our program, I learned how to use many design software programs, like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.”

As Baumgartner looks ahead to her future, she is focused on building digital simulations to enhance employee training. Her goal is to instill confidence in high-stakes customer interactions, ultimately improving the way technology is experienced through HP products and services.

“I am so grateful that SHSU has helped me to successfully begin two different careers in two different fields,” Baumgartner said. “My professors built my confidence through their feedback, as well as offer me opportunities to practice my career skills with their guidance before I go and do them in the field.”

Baumgartner excitedly revealed that she was able to start as a full-time Learning Experience Designer on her team in the Customer Experience Organization at HP in January.H

>> Paving the Way

Student Empowers First-Generation Peers

Abbigail Albright is all too aware of the numerous fears that go through the mind of first-generation college students on a daily basis, especially when they first step foot on campus.

“I think I automatically assumed that everybody else knew what they were doing, so I was scared beyond my mind,” said Albright on her first week at Sam Houston State University. “I was scared to ask questions because I felt like I didn’t belong like the other students.”

Albright then discovered SHSU’s FirstGeneration Center and their personnel, who helped quell her fears and believe in her abilities. Years later, she is now a part of the center’s life changing team as a student mentor and does the same for

other students who are experiencing the same fears and self-doubt she once did.

“Having a first-generation center at any university is super important,” Albright said. “As a first-generation student, knowing the center was available automatically made me feel so much more comfortable. The people within the center really helped me get more comfortable with college and I’ve seen them turn students around. People have come in completely panicked and walked out with much more confidence that they were going to conquer college successfully.”

Albright is a health science major at SHSU, but originally planned on pursuing a major she felt might be easier to navigate through since she lacked the confidence in herself to obtain her greatest dreams. After speaking with Jaime Peña,

the center’s assistant director, and other personnel, she realized that she should pursue what makes her happy during her college experience. Now, armed with the confidence and know-how, she plans to earn the degree of her dreams after the fall of 2025 semester while mentoring for the center that has played such a critical role in her collegiate journey.

“My favorite part of working at the First-Gen Center would definitely be helping out other students who are just like I was and being able to be a mentor for them,” Albright said. “Our staff is specially trained to be student mentors and we really strive to help students and make them feel more comfortable.”

On top of assisting first-generation students on campus and providing resources for them, Albright also supports

“Our staff is specially trained to be student mentors and we really strive to help students and make them feel more comfortable.”

- Abbigail Albright

the center’s marketing efforts and creates flyers for events they hold on campus. Along with her fellow mentors, she is a beacon for first-generation students and a friendly, helping face at tabling sessions and other events.

“Students have the voice. Students are the ones that make a real impact,” Peña said. “They connect with other students during our activity sessions and workshops that we have, because we want to make sure students feel connected and feel that community.”

One of the reasons Peña pegged Albright as a strong candidate to take on the student worker position was her relatability and the connection she could make with other students on the center’s behalf as they attempt to establish a sense of community.

“I truly believe she was inspirational, because the one thing that really motivates people is the story you can tell,” Peña said. “It’s the story that someone tells that makes you say, ‘I was in your shoes. I had a similar experience.’ It’s that connectivity and similarity that they have in that story. That was a big reason I wanted Abbigail to be in this role and be that mentor for her peers.”H

MakingHistory

TThrough Internship Experiences

hose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

This sentiment is shared by history lovers across the world as they attempt to sift through the remnants of what we once were to better understand who we are now and where we are heading. While these individuals are critical to our overall advancement, society can sometimes underestimate the diverse career paths available to those with a background in history.

“Usually, history majors are encouraged into classrooms as a lecturer or teacher,” said Ingrid Patino, who earned her master’s degree in history from SHSU and participated in its Public History Internship Program. “While I love teaching history and working with students, going into the classroom didn’t seem like the right fit at the time.”

Hailey Windham

Patino, who now works at the Holocaust Museum Houston, is a prime example of the program’s benefits and the positive results it can help produce. Zachary Doleshal, clinical assistant professor of history at SHSU, established the program in 2015 alongside history department chair Brian Jordan and has fostered it into a well-oiled machine that offers participants stipends and payment for the work they do.

“It immediately becomes apparent while teaching public history that, if you want your students to take it to the next level, they need to have this experience,” Doleshal said. “One of the things that gets you in the door with any job in the field is if you have interned or volunteered. It just seemed like a logical extension. Without internship experience, they won’t be job ready.”

The internship exposes undergraduate

and graduate history majors participating in Doleshal’s Public History course to internship opportunities in museums, archives, record management and various other history careers beyond the traditional classroom setting. Twelve students are selected to intern at partnering locations, which range from small to large state institutions.

These partners include the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, SHSU Special Collections and University Archives, Walker County Historical Society, Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center (Huntsville), National Medal of Honor Museum (Arlington), Rosenberg Library and Museum (Galveston), Caddo Mounds State Historic Site (Alto), Pan Handle Plains Historical Museum (Canyon), George Ranch Historical Park (Fort Bend

County), San Jacinto Museum of History (La Porte) and Texas Health and Human Services.

Hailey Windham was one of the 12 students selected for the summer 2023 installment and interned at the GibbsPowell House in Huntsville in connection with the Walker County Historical Commission.

“Some of the most impactful experiences are the smaller ones at places that are really working off their volunteers’ love for history,” Doleshal said. “They have a lot of materials and need people to create exhibits, refresh certain rooms and organize archives.”

Windham spent her internship in a hands-on role that included giving tours to the public, creating displays, including a recreation of Huntsville’s prisoner of war camp during World War II, and anything she happened to be tasked with on a given

Potential

day.

“I hadn’t really figured out what I wanted to do with my history degree yet and asked what places needed the most help. I wanted to help people who needed it,” Windham said. “Now, I very much want to go into public history, specifically museum work. I want to display creativity and help the public learn things you do not typically learn.”

Ty Hilliard had a similar enlightening experience during his stint with the Sam Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center. Since the museum is mostly run on a volunteer basis and didn’t have an official resident historian, he was able to compile a general writeup on Joshua Houston, one of Walker County’s leading Black figures.

“For me, it showed how much goes into museum work, especially when dealing with topics that are not typically covered in history,” Hilliard said. “I definitely think that anyone who is looking to do museum work should take this internship.”

Like Windham, the experience has inspired Hilliard to further consider this line of work as a professional career.

“It was cemented in me that this is what I wanted to do,” Hilliard said. “You are left to your own devices, so I would say it’s for people who like to be creative and can really devote themselves to one specific area of history.”

Ariza Martinez’s experience working with the Historic Preservation & Grant Coordinator for the Texas State Hospital System showcased the program’s diversity and offered her many new career perspectives.

The internship allowed Martinez to work closely with professionals in exploring hospitals around the state in an effort to collect artifacts or unique items for displays at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.

She was also given the rare opportunity to advocate for new bills in order to reform in the hospital system. Part of her work included working to propose a bill that would make it easier for people to access their family medical records as opposed

Ingrid Patino

Cecilia Abad

Ariza Martinez

to waiting for an individual to have been deceased at least 50 years in order to obtain them.

“I didn’t know this could be an option for a career. I was really adamant on being an attorney and going to law school, but now I think I am destined to be on the legislative side,” Martinez said. “I want to be at the capital and create bills. I want to advocate for these people. This changed my perspective and now I am applying to graduate school for my master’s in public affairs and public health policy.”

The program has proved fruitful for finding prestigious positions in the field, including Cecilia Abad, who now works as a curator at the San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield Association. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as an

intern at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, where she gave tours dressed in period clothes and earned experience in collections.

“I always knew I enjoyed museums,” Abad said. “I am a first-generation college student and my parents came to the states from Mexico, so I really wasn’t sure how to get into museums when I first started. Exposing myself through the internship and working with different history professionals really opened my eyes and guided me closer to what I wanted to do.”

Now, Abad oversees over 17,000 objects at San Jacinto. She stresses to students going through the program, and students in general, to always explore multiple facets of an industry and gain as much knowledge as you can to strengthen your

resume. She also stresses that there are career opportunities for individuals in the history field.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize that you can do a lot with history,” Abad said. “Having this internship exposes students to the museum industry, which encompasses a lot of larger industries. For instance, if you work in a museum, you are going to wear different hats. You become familiar with the marketing department, you are going to be in collections working with artifacts, and you are also going to be working with exhibits.”

Patino, meanwhile, currently works as a museum educator at the Holocaust Museum Houston. She studied under Doleshal while he was still developing the program, but still credits his courses and their work creating exhibits with inspiring her passion for museums.

“I think that was a big frustration for a lot of people, there was this idea that you could only go into academia,” Patino said. “There were a lot of questions like, what else is there? We knew there were other options, but no one was sharing it with us. To be able to offer a class that gives that different perspective is really important because history majors have a lot to offer. We have analytical skills that companies want and there are many avenues, even within public history, that many of us might have never considered.”

Professionally, Patino broke into the industry as a researcher and ultimately landed her current job in Houston. A major part of her role now is in the educator immersion program, teaching pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students about the lessons of the Holocaust and its major impacts on society. She works with both English and Spanish speaking students in this endeavor.

“I have traveled across the greater Houston area and had some really amazing conversations with kiddos that don’t always get the opportunity to come to our museum and really experience what it is, so we take it to them,” Patino said.H

Hailey Windham

William T. “Bill” Byler, Jr.

SHSU Class of ’88

President & CEO of W. T. Byler Co.

Bill Byler, a man of vision, dedication and unwavering support for agricultural education, is a true testament to the lasting impact one individual can make. His journey from SHSU student to CEO and his tireless commitment to the university demonstrates the power of passion, hard work and a belief in the future. The Byler family’s profound appreciation for SHSU’s dedication to agricultural education shines through in their tremendous support that has helped transform the vision of the new Gibbs Ranch into a reality, ensuring that students have access to enriching hands-on learning experiences for years to come.

SYDNEY SAMS:

WHERE PASSION MEETS RUNWAY

INTERNSHIPS TAKE BEARKAT FROM RETAIL TO RUNWAY

Sydney Sams knows that working in fashion is more strategic and complex than most people realize, with every article of clothing and storefront display carefully prepared by a team of fashion experts. The senior fashion merchandising student knew this as she started her educational journey at Sam Houston State University and paired her major with a minor in business to help her on her way.

“I think fashion merchandising is literally a mix between fashion and business because you get that creative outlet, but also, it’s more strategic,” Sams said. “Fashion is very meticulous. Everything in a store, on a website, wherever you shop, is meticulously placed and I think you have to know how to run

a business to be able to know how to have a style or a trend succeed.”

With the skills she has learned during her time at SHSU, Sams was able to secure a summer internship with Levi Strauss & Co. at their San Francisco headquarters. She and her fellow interns were seen as equal partners and worked on projects that would be in stores across the nation. One such project was the creation of storefront displays for some of the Levi outlets around the U.S., which Sams spearheaded.

Her work on the storefronts included selecting different outfits and poses for the mannequins based on current national fashion trends and localization for stores in different climates. Sams said her time creating the displays was one of her favorite experiences

at the internship since she was able to utilize all her skills and see the fruits of her labor, not just from the internship, but from her studies.

“I thought that was such a great opportunity for me,” Sams said. “I felt a lot of times like I was so unworthy of the job because I’m from a small town and graduated from a small high school, but it was awesome to be able to see my hard work brought to life. Other people were able to see it and appreciate it as well.”

Sams grew up in New Waverly, just down the interstate from

SHSU, where her mother and grandmother attended before her. She said her acceptance as a Levi Strauss & Co. intern has brought her immense validation and shown her that even a small-town girl can make it in the big city.

And she didn’t stop at San Francisco. In September, Sams went to the East Coast for New York Fashion Week (NYFW) as SHSU’s official representative through the University of New York Fashion Week (UofNYFW) program. The high-profile event is organized by the nation’s top licensing agency, Collegiate Licensing Company, and IMG, which operates NYFW.

Sams spent her time in New York learning from design companies like Champion, a sportswear retailer, where she studied how merchandising differs between casual wear like Levi’s and athleisure clothing from Champion.

“It was good to see a different perspective other than Levi’s because Levi’s and Champion are really not even in the same spectrum of clothes that they produce,” Sams said. “It was different to be able to get a sportswear type of perspective on apparel.”

The UofNYFW students also spent time in Times Square and

were able to attend a fashion show featuring designs from Son Jung Wan. Their designs appealed to Sams and solidified her goal to pursue a career in creating and merchandising formal wear and owning a bridal shop. After both experiences, Sams remains humble and grateful to everyone who took a chance on her.

“I definitely think that I’ve learned so much this year, going into this I knew nothing,” Sams said. “I think in both places, I felt very comfortable because I knew that there were people there that wanted me to learn and to learn from them.”H

A CAPITOL IDEA

Photo by: Andy Feliciotti

FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

Bearkat senior Ashlyn Parker took advantage of the unique opportunities provided through Sam Houston State University’s Center for Law, Engagement and Politics (LEAP) to explore multiple facets of government. The public health major, who participated in the Sam Houston Austin Internship Program (SHAIP) from January to May, then spent her summer in our nation’s capital with The Normandy Group, a governmental relations firm.

“These internships provided me with transferable skills and a professional network you cannot obtain from just sitting in a classroom,” Parker said. “I started out the year working in the state legislature, so it was cool to then explore the federal level while also seeing the lobbying side of things. It has definitely made me consider a career as a lobbyist. It has given me a lot of different perspectives on how the world works.”

Parker is the first SHSU student, and first student in the Texas State University System (TSUS), to intern at the firm. Normandy lobbies for the best interests of TSUS, one of their biggest clients.

“They were looking forward to having someone from the system to give that viewpoint,” Parker said. “I got to sit in a lot of meetings with CEOs, politicians and upper-level individuals who I would never have gotten to meet otherwise.”

Much of her work has been spent in agriculture-related areas with clients such as Taylor Farms and USA Rice. Being a public health major, Parker has aspirations of going into health law or policy but has developed a strong interest in politics through her experiences.

“I have focused on public health academically and politics as an extracurricular study to give me those differing perspectives,” Parker said. “I worked closely with John Goldberg, who worked on the House Ag Committee for over 20 years and has been a great mentor to me.”

During her stint in the SHAIP program last year, she worked as a legislative aide to Texas Representative J.M. Lozano. The Austin internship is available to SHSU students of all majors and places participants in various legislative offices to work full time during the five-month session. Accepted students earn academic credit for their work and gain real world experience in an array of areas.

“I wore many hats in Austin, too,” Parker said. “I was a scheduler and legislative correspondent as well as a friendly face for visitors.”

Parker acknowledged the impact SHSU has had in setting her up for success, particularly the LEAP Center.

Ashlyn Parker, pictured with former congressman of Texas’s 23rd district, Henry Bonilla

“I attribute everything to the LEAP Center at Sam along with the program’s director and my mentor, Mike Yawn,” Parker said. “He is the one who has pushed me in this direction and provided me with opportunities. He has invited me to a lot of professional events where I got to gain experience and learn how to interact in the real world.”

The LEAP Center coordinates the Austin Internship Program, oversees internships with the political science department and the City Fellows program. Yawn has worked as a consultant for a state legislature, state executive branch and numerous political campaigns. He has taught and advised at SHSU since 2001 and his research has been published in numerous notable journals and books.

“The LEAP Center is multidisciplinary,” Yawn said. “We’re interested in teaching students about all the disciplines that we’re qualified to in order to provide some sort of exposure. Ashlyn, for example, has been exposed to internships. We, of course, hope she gets a deeper interest in her major, but we also want to expose her to important people.”

Along with learning the ins and outs of general professionalism, Parker attended a speech delivered by physician and diplomat Deborah Birx through the program, who served as the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under former

President Donald Trump from 2020-2021.

“One of the many things that is great about Ashlyn is that she is open to new opportunities,” Yawn said. “We took her to the Texas Tribune Festival and she got a chance to meet with dozens of leading figures in the state and nation. She was already getting interested in public affairs, and that’s important. She is aware that almost every discipline interacts with politics and government in some way. So much of what impacts public health has to do with the government.”

Parker also singled out SHSU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Associate Provost Chad Hargrave for landing her the opportunity.

While Parker feels fortunate to have a career trajectory in mind during her senior year at SHSU, she remains open to any professional possibilities that present themselves.

“I would love to go into health law and maybe become a public health attorney but, to be honest, I’m taking opportunities as they come and seeing where they lead me,” Parker said.

The opportunities have recently led her to apply to health policy graduate schools, a concept she became interested in during her internships. She also attended the 36th Annual Texas Health Law Conference in October to further advance her professional aspirations.H

Class Notes

Charles

Foundation board.

Sylvia Streater ’61, is a retired teacher and gift shop owner. Now 84, she stays busy with service to others by making heart pillows for hospitals and baking cookies for each City of Kemah employee’s birthday. She also serves as an active ‘Granny’ for the Kemah Police Department and participates in Kemah Lions Club, Kemah Kronies and is a Kemah Clown for local parades.

Veronica Stapper ’84, a second-grade educator, was named Glenmore Elementary Teacher of the Year, San Angelo ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and Region 15 Elementary Teacher of the Year. She has served more than 30 years as a teacher.

Troy Webb ’86, is the owner and gaffer of Martini Lighting, a motion picture lighting and services business in Houston.

Jessie White ’80, was inducted into the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Hall of Fame. White worked for 40 years at West Brook I.S.D., where he led the Lady Bruins to more than 350 wins throughout the course of his career.

John Molchan ’80, of Pensacola, Florida recently retired after 34 years as a prosecutor.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Jones ’81 was elected to be on the Board of Trustees for the North Georgia Health System Foundation for a four-year term. He was appointed co-chairman of the Auto Advisory Board for Community Bank of Lexington, Tennessee. Jones serves as secretary of the Sam Houston University Foundation board.

Carla E. Alsandor ’82 , was named chief university services officer at University of St. Thomas –Houston. She previously served in the Advancement Department at Frassati Catholic High School and at Centenary College of Louisiana.

Regina Bynote Jones ’92 , chief legal officer at Baker Hughes, has been appointed to the board of directors for South Texas College of Law Houston.

Melanie Lutz ’92, ’20, was reappointed to the Texas Board of Medical Radiologic Technology. Lutz is the associate vice president for quality and patient safety at Memorial Hermann Health System.

Joseph Fuller ’01, is a concert pianist, recording artist and composer. His latest release “Reflections of Tomorrow” features new compositions.

Anna M. Turri ’07 (MBA), has been named chair of the McCoy College of Business Department of Marketing at Texas State University. Turri’s research focuses on consumer behavior, labeling and consumer protection, including the role of technology in consumer choice. Her work has been featured in multiple peer-reviewed publications.

Suzanna (Hernandez) Bachman ’11, has accepted the role of registrar for Temple College.

Ryan Bridges ’11 & ’15, was reappointed by Governor Abbott to a six-year term on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, which regulates the practice of psychology in Texas.

Daniel Owens ’11, was awarded the Austin-Travis County EMS Civic Recognition Award, one of the highest awards given by the department, recognizing contributions to the City of Austin, Travis County, the State of Texas, the nation or community at large. Owens serves as executive director at Association of Texas EMS Professionals.

Monet Newsome ’13, serves as a professional school counselor at Almeta Crawford High School in Pearland I.S.D.

Julissa Garza ’19, returned to Texas to join KHOU 11 News after serving as a journalist with KTHV in Little Rock, Arkansas. Garza started her professional television journey with TEGNA’s KIII 3 News in Corpus Christi.

Veronica Stapper ’84

‘Chuck’ Jones ‘81 Jones serves as secretary of the Sam Houston University

Julissa Garza ’19

Regina Bynote Jones ’92

Carla E. Alsandor ’82

Daniel Owens ’11

REMEMBERING

NEDOM CONWAY MUNS, III

Nedom Conway Muns, III earned his master’s degree from SHSU and went on to become a professor, joining the SHSU faculty in 1978 as chairman of the Industrial Arts department. Throughout his years at Sam Houston, he played a vital role in the growth and changes of the department to meet the needs of an everchanging workforce. In 2020, Muns was recognized by the College of Engineering Technology as a Wall of Honor Inductee for his exceptional impact to the department.

REMEMBERING CAROL SHAW

Carol Shaw earned a bachelor’s from SHSU in 1974. After graduation, she devoted nearly 35 years to the College of Business Administration where she served as secretary for the accounting department, senior administrative assistant and assistant to the dean. She served on many university committees such as the Staff Excellence Committee, Homecoming Committee, Sammy Awards Committee and the Annual Fund committee. In 1992, she was honored with the Staff Excellence Award and in 2017, she won the prestigious Sammy Award. Shaw served as chapter advisor for the Delta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.

A farewell to...

Virginia (Davis) Scarborough ‘41

Jane (Watson) Harkins ‘43

Eloise Wanda (Nichols) Adair ‘45

Charles Brooks “Buddy” McGown, Jr. ‘47

Liberty (Chomout) Pollard ‘47, ‘49

John Martha (Selman) Kelley ‘48

Mabel May (Parish) O’Neal ‘48, ‘49

Wanda Marie (Dyess) Dillon ‘49, ‘67

Louise (Williams) Lade ‘49

James Daniel O’Keefe ‘49

Gerald Cope Drew ‘50, ‘50

William Vernon McAdams, Jr. ‘50, ‘56

Lillian Ruth (Gold) Piwonka ‘50, ‘54

James Alvin Roden ‘50

James Floyd Spence ‘50

James Marvin Williams ‘50

Calvin Lou Sloma ‘51

John Milton Vinson ‘51

George Lee Boenigk ‘52

Gene Thomas Bond USA (Ret.) ‘52

Robert Bruce Jones ‘52

James Herbert Lamberth ‘52

Augusta Joyce (Mitchell) McLaughlin ‘52

Robert Athen Ogden ‘52

Annie Gene (Magourik) Johnson ‘53

David Clifford Johnson ‘53, ‘58

Felix Edward Laskie ‘53, ‘54

Mary Ann (Galloway) Locke ‘53

Edwina Jane (Kelley) Saul ‘53, ‘76

Billie Frances (Fann) Dowell ‘54

Shirley Joan (Sprayberry) Herring ‘54, ‘77

Donald “Coach” Hanks ‘55

Letcher N. “Sonny” Sikes, Jr. ‘55, ‘57

Hugh Howard Basquette ‘56

Vernon Willis “Billy” Carlton Jr. ‘56

Roy Robert Harris ‘56

Carolyn Jeanette (Coufal) Haynes ‘56

Jimmy Mack Hodges ‘56

James Willimason Athey ‘57

Robert “Bob” James Blazek ‘57

William Henry Payne ‘57, ‘65

Jeannette (Cline) Quinn ‘57

Jim Page Buller ‘58

Bobbye Ruth (Manning) Burke ‘58

Leo Don Coleman, Jr. ‘58

Gerald Thomas Culver ‘58

Mary Gayle (Schultz) Cunningham ‘58, ‘64

Glenn Ray Gerloff ‘58

Robert C. Hendley ‘58

Errington “EM” Mead Holt, Jr. ‘58, ‘59

George “Bill” W. Lester ‘58

Paula Kay (Smith) Moak ‘58

Della Ann (Hill) Schroeder ‘58, ‘60

Nelda Faye (Williams) Starling ‘58

Harry Livingston Stracener, Jr. ‘58, ‘59

Wesley Gene Belschner ‘59

Joseph Earl “Joe” Dudley ‘59

Roy Leon Ford ‘59

Myron George Fougeron ‘59, ‘65

Freddie Ray Greer ‘59

Lillian (Kubesch) Hobbs ‘59, ‘63

Fairy Nell (Oakes) Lightsey ‘59, ‘66

Billy Gene Lloyd ‘59

Raymond Malcum Barnes ‘60, ‘64

Charlie Lee Carter, Jr. ‘60

Randolph Eugene Edens ‘60

Imogene (Mock) Giesinger ‘60, ‘65

Jo Marie Hestilow ‘60, ‘66

Rena Ann (Thompson) Sadler ‘60

Jerry Lynn Spillers ‘60

John David Barclay ‘61

Joel Harvey Barnard ‘61

William Taylor McGill ‘61, ‘65

Kirby Lynn Nash, Sr. ‘61

John “Jack” Sheridan ‘61

Larry Joe Threadgill ‘61, ‘66

Patricia Joyce (Shoemake) Arrington ‘62

Judith Ann Bishop ‘62

Carole Wynne (Skinner) Delk ‘62

Carl Frances Duff ‘62

Jerry Wilton Fannin ‘62

Mary Evelyn (Vick) Gardner ‘62

Jeffrey Lynn Gullett ‘62

Malcolm Dale Harrington ‘62, ‘64

Manford Allen Jones ‘62

Russel Darrell McClaid, Jr. ‘62

Nancy Polk (Richey) Reed ‘62

Arvel Dean Rotan ‘62, ‘68

Glynn Anderson Williams, Jr. ‘62

Joseph Carroll Wood, Jr. ‘62

Carolyn Marie (Carothers) Doege ‘63, ‘65

John Charles Hendershot ‘63

Jennie (Mims) Hollis ‘63

Sue Ann (Collier) Keeling ‘63

Cynthia Louise (Corn) Parker ‘63

Robert William Vrana ‘63

Roscoe Fielding Bayless III ‘64

Johnny Bernard Dornak ‘64

Richard Snowden Drake ‘64

Robert H. Laramore ‘64

Michael Allen Rhodes ‘64

Nancy Sue (Mason) Shaheen ‘64, ‘89

John Michael Turner ‘64

Walter Vernon Tyus, Jr. ‘64

Betty Lou (Lambert) Baldwin ‘65, ‘71

Sammie Patricia (Farquhar) Valenti ‘65

Mary Edwena Vick ‘65, ‘69

Gary Kidwell Walker ‘65

Charles Robert Christmas ‘66

Phyllis K. Luton ‘66

Byrd Howell Menard, Jr. ‘66

Nedom Conway Muns III ‘66

Julia “Judy” Wanzer Robert ‘67

Willie Steven Stewart ‘67

Cheryl Darlene Bobbitt ‘68

Jimmy Alan Cargill ‘68, ‘73

Patsy J. (Williams) Clamon ‘68

Cloteal L. Hall ‘68

Phyllis Ann (Scott) Pinegar ‘68

Hurlene H. Savage ‘68

George Alfred Buschardt, Sr. ‘69

Gerald E. Chromcak ‘69

Orvil Bane Coborn, Jr. ‘69

Anton Falcon, Jr. ‘69

Richard Lee King ‘69, ‘71

Jerry D. Millsapps, Sr. ‘69

Kenneth Alfred Moree ‘69

Tommye Laverne Randolph ‘69

Margaret Lynelle (Dugat) Sikora ‘69

Chauncey Frank Webb ‘69

Glenda Carole (Irby) Ash ‘70, ‘80

Julia Marie (Castleschouldt) Backhus ‘70

Janice Lynn (Hill) Bowling ‘70

James T. Danklefs, Jr. ‘70

William Travis Foxworth ‘70

Jacqueline “Jackie” Richey Kern ‘70

Enos Ann Langston ‘70

Alva Ross Taylor ‘70

Billie Ann (Lancon) Thompson ‘70

Edith M. Watson ‘70

Susan Gayle (Gage) Dowd ‘71

Wanda Marie (McCoy) Haisler ‘71

Dannie Fay Harrison ‘71, ‘84

Perry Wayne Orand ‘71

Turner Lou Shell ‘71

Jennifer Estelle (Mitchell) Vulpi ‘71, ‘73

Victor Caballero, Jr. ‘72

Joan M. Graves ‘72

Martha Ann (Hanusch) Harris ‘72

Glyndon Cherry Parmlee III ‘72

Bobbye Jo (Wadley) Trabanino ‘72

Brian Earl Wilson ‘72

Neal Eugene Adamcik ‘73

Carl Joe Ballard ‘73

Larry Joseph Bollich ‘73

Roy Vernon Drake ‘73

Tommy Lynn Jordan ‘73

Anthony Albert Mandola, Jr. ‘73

Lawrence “Larry” Edward Miggins ‘73

Herman Alton Myers ‘73

Jose Sanchez Perez ‘73

Theresa Luvan (Castleschouldt) Simmons ‘73

Hubert Carl Stewart ‘73

Ronald Dee Walker ‘73, ‘89

Gaylon Roygene Ferguson ‘74

Carolyn Rae (McCown) Holt ‘74, ‘74

Monica Suzanne (Speck) McKeown ‘74

William Carl Mullins ‘74

Betty Ann (Carroll) Murdock ‘74

Willa Jean (Neal) Pilcher ‘74, ‘80

Carol Ann (Owens) Shaw ‘74

John Ward Stephenson, Jr. ‘74

Thomas Earl Sullenberger ‘74

Janith Adrian (Tavenner) Waller ‘74, ‘78

Blanca (Ruiz) Balderas ‘75

Gordon Allan Buchhorn ‘75

Celia “Cindy” Eastham ‘75

John Preston Fleming ‘75, ‘85

Linda D. (Foytik) Fletcher ‘75

Leonard “Todda” Hein ‘75

Morton Joseph Leibowitz ‘75

Joyce Lucille (Siptak) Baletka ‘76

Rhonda (Gollmer) Ewbank ‘76, ‘79

Melvin Ferris Hunt II ‘76

Katherine Ann Willems-Darter ‘76

Michael Gordon Shay ‘77

Peggy Logan Treibs ‘77

David Lynn Burns ‘78

Douglas Wayne Fonville ‘78

Michael Dezz Griffith ‘78

Daniel “Danny” Hendrickson ‘78, ‘00

Victor Marshall Hicks ‘78

Florencio Lara ‘78

Danny Ray Mallett ‘78, ‘90

Jay Frank Patzke ‘78

Danni Jo Golding ‘79

Virginia (Nash) Devenport ‘80

Margaret (Jones) Steidle ‘80

Weldon Dale Tyler ‘80

Richard Eugene Watts ‘80

Shirley Ann (Scott) Dye ‘81

John Joseph Kainer ‘81, ‘85

Sylvia Elizabeth (Burnfin) Cutaia ‘82

Gretta Meriam (Elder) Eakin ‘82

Paul Degroat Choate ‘83

James Phillip Gist ‘83

John Victor Schmidt ‘83

Jeana Elaine Brooks ‘84

Ronald Douglas Crone ‘84

Mary C. Danner ‘84

James John Gomez ‘84

Danny Ray Kirk ‘84

James Robert Thompson II ‘84

Ronald James Dionne ‘85

Charlotte Ann (Schroeder) Wiggins ‘85

Diane Colleen Phillips ‘86

Teri Suzanne (Perry) Bagley ‘87, ‘92

Solon Douglas Coleman ‘87, ‘02

John Raymond Garcia ‘88

Patricia (Lewis) Kuhn ‘88

Heart (McMurry) Lasater ‘88

Michael Brian Trent ‘88

Robert Wayne Wooten, Sr. ‘88

Alan G. Widmayer ‘89

Matthew Eugene Norton ‘90

Elizabeth Kathleen (Robinson) Meeker ‘91

Katherine A. (Roberts) Woodward ‘91

Sue Ellen (Shedelbower) Haley ‘92

Mary Jane (Behrend) Ruhland ‘93

Kevin Ross McBunch ‘95

Wendy Lenay Bethany ‘97

Cynthia Ann Krum ‘97

David Wayne Newton ‘97

Stephen Troy Dolen ‘98

Russell “Rusty” Eugene Hames ‘98

Leah Joanna Shepard ‘98

Steven Richard Budge ‘99

Jennifer (Rosser) Chandler ‘99

Joaquin “Pete” Lopez III ‘99

Denise Lee Bykowski ‘02

YharNahKeeShah TehFloyde Smith ‘02

Ada Jane (McClendon) Brooks ‘03

Patsy Jane Lewis ‘03

Rebecca Ann Schlosser ‘03, ‘06

Derick Lee Pinard ‘05

Cole Matthew Dismukes ‘06

Jacob Lee “Jake” Miller ‘06

Robert Tinsley Short ‘07

Robert Warren Bradley ‘09

Thomas Orlan Reynolds ‘11

Lisa Anne Ziliak ‘13

‘Gozie “Jake” Morah ‘18

Braden Michael Watts ‘18

Tomi E. Dodson ‘19

Deborah “Debbie” Wynn Erskine ‘19

Harley Lee Stabler ‘22