IGNITING ACTION
BRINGING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES TO LIFE
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Mention “strategic planning” at some organizations, and eyes are sure to roll, along with some deep sighs. Too often, these well-intentioned roadmaps are left on the shelf to molder while business carries on as usual. Things are a little different here at Sam.
At Sam Houston State, our students, faculty and staff are doers. They are people of action who do not accept the status quo. They established goals and developed a clear roadmap so that everyone could pull in unison to accomplish greater things. Major General (ret.) Dave Glaser, chief strategy officer, led the teams of faculty, staff, students and alumni in the development of our 2023 –2028 strategic plan, and as a whole we focused on priorities related to student success and student access; embodying a culture of excellence; elevating SHSU’s reputation and visibility; and expanding and elevating our service to Texas, and beyond. From there, we identified priority goals and benchmarks to track our progress.
Working our plan is producing tangible results, from higher rankings to better funding for initiatives, increased collaboration and bold new projects. Big things are coming as a result of these efforts. In each strategic category, the people of Sam Houston have leaned into positive meaningful change, while committing to preserving the culture of service and community we value.
Within this issue of Heritage, you will find examples of the many ways Sam Houston State University is energetically giving life to our strategic plan through the actions and dedication of talented students, faculty and staff. The plan is dynamic, an important characteristic that will serve us in these times of significant change in the national higher education landscape. We are excited to share with you ways we are fulfilling the aspirations, goals and actions in our plan.
Alisa White President, Sam
Houston State University
Texas State University System Board of Regents
Alan L. Tinsley, Chairman Madisonville
Dionicio (Don) Flores, Vice Chairman • El Paso
Charlie Amato, Regent San Antonio
Duke Austin, Regent Houston
Sheila Faske, Regent Rose City
Russell Gordy, Regent Houston
Stephen Lee, Regent Beaumont
Tom Long, Regent Frisco
William F. Scott, Regent Nederland
Olivia Discon, Student Regent Huntsville
Brian McCall, PhD, Chancellor Austin
Sam Houston University Foundation Board of Trustees
Russell Molina, Chairman Houston
Joel Michael, Vice Chairman • Friendswood
Charles Jones III, Secretary Dahlonega, GA
Ferne Frosch, Treasurer Huntsville
E. Brooke Beierle Stafford
Mia Gradney Richmond
John Hoyt, Jr. Woodway
Brian Starr Houston
DeeAnn Thigpen Houston
Christopher Tritico, Sr. Houston
Ryan Weber • Houston
Matthew Bethea (Ex-Officio) Huntsville
Amanda Withers (Ex-Officio) Huntsville
Chief Marketing Officer and Public Information Officer
Jeff Harris
Editor Emily Binetti
Writers Campbell Atkins
Emily Binetti
Mikah Boyd
Kimberly Foster
Brandon Webb
Emilee White
Creative Direction & Design
Zack Jones
Photography
Justin Calhoun
Tega Okperuvwe
Leighton Chamblee
Associate Director of Print Services
Lori Proctor
Heritage Online
Mikah Boyd
Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this issue is accurate. We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask that you bring them to our attention.
Please report any corrections to: Integrated Marketing Communications Box 2105
Huntsville, TX 77341-2105 936.294.4406
heritage@shsu.edu
BEHIND THE STRATEGY
INSIGHTS FROM SHSU'S CHIEF VISIONARY
Since August 2021, Major General (ret.) David Glaser has served as Sam Houston State University’s chief strategy officer, bringing with him 36 years of distinguished military service. During his time in the Army, Glaser earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, alongside a wealth of experience in military law enforcement, anti-terrorism, strategic planning and leadership.
Upon his arrival at SHSU, Glaser took the helm of the university’s strategic planning, guiding its development and implementation. This comprehensive plan focuses on four key priorities: prioritize student success and access, embody a culture of excellence, elevate the reputation and visibility of the university and expand and elevate SHSU’s service to the state and beyond. In this Q&A, Glaser offers a dive into the process and execution behind the university’s strategic initiatives.
WHY IS A STRATEGIC PLAN ESSENTIAL FOR A UNIVERSITY?
It is about providing a framework so the university can focus, prioritize and create synergistic effects. If not, you get people going in different directions. A lot of people had great stuff going forward but we weren’t all rowing the boat together so there was a lot of inefficiency taking place.
WHAT SPURRED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN?
When researchers did an environmental scan, they had noted for years that there was going to be this demographic shortfall for people that were traditionally college students.
That population was going down across the board in the United States. There were other things that were taking place outside of our own environment indicating that the area was changing rapidly. All of these different things that were taking place required Sam Houston to have a vision for where we wanted to be and confirmation of who we are. Then, get everybody to move in the same direction.
HOW IS THE PLAN’S SUCCESS BEING MEASURED?
Our mission statement says we are student-centered and community engaged. Our vision statement says we aspire to make SHSU both the best value in higher education and the top regional public university in the state of Texas. Our stakeholders told us the most important things we must focus on to become this are enrollment, retention, completion and agility. Thus, success is being measured by increasing our enrollment to meet the needs of a growing Texas. Retention is all about elevating students by ensuring their academic success, personal development, career readiness and contributing positively to the broader community through economic and social impacts. Completion of a postsecondary degree, certificate or other credential is shown to improve students' social mobility. Studies show that obtaining a postsecondary credential of value is associated with social
mobility, including higher levels of earnings, improved health and better job prospects both in the short term and over a graduate's lifetime. Thus, we are measuring ourselves over the next four years by meeting our goals in each area.
WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN MADE IN LINE WITH THE PLAN AND WHAT COMES NEXT?
To date, there have been some major steps forward to align support for the plan. You see that in how the budget meetings have changed to include strategic plan briefings tied to enrollment, retention, completion and agility. It is also evident through Integrated Marketing Communications and their alignment to the four priorities and focused goals. The keep, stop, start survey we recently conducted helped us better see ourselves and make informed decisions. University Advancement, the Alumni Association and development teams have undergone a reorganization to align their work with the strategic plan and priorities.
What comes next – increasing our ability to use data to inform our decision making; further empowering a culture of innovation tied to student success and community engagement; expanding our efforts to tell people about our university, the tremendous faculty, facilities and all we have to offer to further strategic partnerships and, finally, celebrating success on an increasing basis.
1 STUDENTS FIRST
PRIORITIZE STUDENT SUCCESS & STUDENT ACCESS
Ensuring every student has the resources, support and opportunities needed to thrive academically, personally and professionally.
1
STRUGGLE SUCCESS FROM TO
Sam Houston State University’s resourceful approach to education is prevalent throughout the entire learning process. From the enrollment stage through professional development after college, Bearkats receive immersive, peer-driven guidance at Sam’s innovative Academic Success Center (ASC).
“Student success is part of Sam Houston’s story,” said Austin Dixon, the ASC’s director of academic outreach and recovery. “We have a unique population that we serve and connect with. A lot of these students come from spaces in which they have additional needs to be met in order to be successful. We empower those students and boost their abilities by tapping into what makes them the best student they can possibly be.”
When Dixon accepted his current role at the center, he was tasked with creating a new peer-education service for students on academic probation or suspension. The result was academic coaches, or individuals who assist those in academic recovery or experience other academic related challenges.
“Over time, we sought to serve students more proactively through jumpstart, learning and recovery coaching,” Dixon said. “Some of these individuals have targeted groups that they support, but are primarily here to serve anyone who may need
Micah Wilkins
assistance with academic strategies and skill development. Some of them have even connected with doctoral students.”
Like many Bearkats, junior Micah Wilkins’ path to higher education was anything but traditional. The Pearland, Texas native, who comes from a singleparent household, had aspirations of studying construction management at SHSU. However, he found himself ill-equipped to handle the stresses of college life when he arrived in Huntsville as a freshman and was on the verge of failing four classes his first semester. Then, he found the Academic Success Center.
“I heard about the center when I first came in, but I was an ignorant high school student who thought everything
would work itself out,” Wilkins said. “I did not adjust well, and it was a huge shock for me, as it is for many people.”
Fortunately, Wilkins’ mother had no plans of seeing her son fail. Concerned about his grades, she phoned Dixon at the ASC, who then reached out to Micah directly with further details on the resources available to struggling Bearkats.
“I finally went there my second semester, which helped a lot,” Wilkins said. “I got an academic success coach, who kept me on track and taught me how to navigate college, different courses and actually communicate with my professors. It was older, experienced students teaching younger students.”
Wilkins’ coach customized the guidance to his specific needs,
maximizing his chances to not only rebound academically, but to stay afloat.
“Time management was my biggest weakness, so we had to figure out a system that was right for me,” he said. “Every Sunday, I take an hour to write out everything I needed to accomplish in the coming week. I set it up in my Outlook Calendar: every little assignment, quiz and test. I’m more prone to being on my phone, so it was all right there for me when I needed it.”
Wilkins is just one of many SHSU students who have benefitted from the ASC’s specialized mentorship and tutoring services. During the Fall of 2023 alone, the team served over 750 students, an increase of nearly 400% from the previous semester.
“The ASC completely changed my
I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO WHILE IN COLLEGE, AND IT’S REALLY SCARY. YOU MAY FAIL BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S OVER OR THAT YOU’RE NOT SMART ENOUGH.
Micah Wilkins
collegiate path. I probably would have failed out if I never went,” Wilkins said. “I really appreciate the resources available at Sam Houston. You can go to any office on campus to find an answer to just about any question you have. A lot of colleges make you sift through online information or make countless phone calls to find out what you need to know.”
Wilkins has done more than simply rise above his lackluster start at the university. In the Fall 2024 semester, he began working as an ASC academic coach and now offers the same guidance he once so desperately needed.
“My experience motivated me to help incoming freshmen who may be struggling like I was,” he said. “I understand the process of not knowing what to do while in college, and it’s really scary. You may fail, but that doesn’t mean it’s over or that you’re not smart enough.”
The center’s services are not limited to academic coaches. The ASC transitioned all services to the Newton Gresham Library as a central location for student support in the Fall of 2021. The center now exists as a tutoring wing as well as a recovery and outreach wing. Along with Dixon, Ted Stuberfield serves as a director at the center, overseeing the tutoring side.
In the 2023-24 academic year, there were 17,758 tutoring appointments seen within the center covering a multitude of disciplines. The ASC also supports an extensive progress report initiative that reaches out to students who have been alerted for academic progress. Over 300 students were supported and provided with academic resources in Spring 2024.
“The ASC stands out here at Sam Houston because we want to meet our students where they are in their learning process and help them become successful,” Stuberfield said. “We are not just tutoring or coaching students to be their very best, but also providing them with skills they will need to become better learners. The goal is to get them to where they can navigate successfully within the university and into the workplace once they graduate.”
The ASC works directly with multiple departments and colleges at SHSU
to ensure they offer indispensable success resources for every Bearkat. In the summer, they offer assistance to incoming students through their Jumpstart@Sam program, providing critical resources necessary for their first academic year. On top of early intervention, they have learning and recovery coaches.
“We have initiatives and interventions at every critical point,” Dixon said. “Hopefully, those individuals would like to continue using our services throughout their academic careers.”
Along with their coaching and tutoring guidance, they offer an array of workshops and events to introduce individuals to their services as early as possible.
The Academic Success Center is available to all students at each stage of their collegiate journeys and is located on the second floor of the Newton Gresham Library on the Huntsville campus. They also have an office at The Woodlands Center in room 218.
POINTS OF PRIDE
Students on academic recovery who meet with an ASC coach four or more times improve their GPA by 1.08 and are 1.47 times more likely to continue to the next semester.
ENGL 1301 students who visit the ASC’s Writing Center at least once improve GPA by an average of 0.61.
EXCELLENCE DEFINED
EMBODY A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE 2
Striving for the highest standards in all endeavors, fostering innovation, accountability and continuous improvement to achieve outstanding outcomes in education, research and community service.
2
Sam Houston State University’s Natural History Collections offers a portal through time; the building’s broad range of artifacts and data, which span the globe, eras and countless areas of study, preserve the past as a means to better understand the present.
As one navigates the massive, threestory research facility, surrounded by ageless relics and a pair of ferocious grizzly bears frozen in time, it is important to remember that what you see merely scratches the surface.
Within the many rooms, shelves,
cabinets and cubbyholes that comprise the former high school sit countless specimens, archives and written works, which are utilized to fuel advanced undergraduate and graduate education and research at Sam Houston State University. The operation provides university students and personnel the opportunity to interact and collaborate with a diverse field of experts in one, centralized location.
“Our core is the student and faculty member,” said William Godwin, the facility’s curator. “We are not a museum of “things" so much as we are a museum that serves data to scientists. We
work by building relationships and partnerships in science, which begins with SHSU personnel.”
Godwin, a sixth-generation Texan who grew up in his mother’s antique store, has long dedicated himself to placing value on a multitude of “things.” This broad stroke encompasses everything from natural science and ancient cultural remnants to literature and poetry. As an ambassador for the physical past with over four decades of experience in a wide array of collections and museum work, he is the natural gatekeeper for the university’s consolidated treasure trove of artifacts.
EXPLORING HIDDEN TREASURES
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS
“We build and foster partnerships with private collectors who are obsessive experts in their particular areas,” Godwin said. “Then we take those collections and basically feed them to the appropriate faculty member or student.”
The center has established a number of prestigious relationships for the university’s benefit. This includes what has become one of the world’s largest collections of tiger beetles through generous donations from Tony Clifton, an expert who has acquired over 800,000 specimens, as well as Barbara Sumlin, whose late husband William Sumlin also possessed a vast collection of the emerald-shielded insect.
Sumlin made her official decision to donate her husband’s collection during the summer, choosing SHSU over Texas A&M University.
“This gives us the largest and most impressive collection of those tiger beetles in the nation,” Godwin said. “This leads to scientific partnerships like the one we have with Rowan University’s Daniel Duran, who is leading a powerhouse collaboration of the top tiger beetle experts in the country.”
It also leads to immersive work for SHSU students like Meredith Coffey. The junior environmental science major began work as a student employee at the facility in 2023 and spent a significant time organizing Clifton’s vast tiger beetle donation.
“The opportunities I have had as a student employee are immeasurable,” Coffey said. “I have had a chance to work with specimens that most of the general public will never see.”
Coffey, who aspires to a career promoting sustainability and protecting the environment, assists with the facility’s day-to-day operations, such as curating the vast amounts of donated materials.
“As an environmental science
university to donate and deposit his collection of 300,000 wasps, which he spent his life acquiring throughout the U.S., Costa Rica and Panama.
“When a collection reaches a significant coverage of a particular subject, we can attract the attention and time of the world’s leading scientists,” Godwin said. “When they come here to work on that, we make sure our students are working with them. This builds resumes, contacts and experience.”
These prestigious collaborations help propel Bearkats to the frontlines of scientific breakthroughs and discoveries; such was the case with Kelsey Jenkins (’18).
Beginning after Hurricane Alicia in 1983, SHSU alumnus and donor Joe Liggio would scour McFaddin Beach on the Gulf of Mexico’s northwest coast. Liggio did this often in search of fossils, but much of what he found was far from the norm.
“Mr. Liggio’s donation had mostly ice age animals from one deposit that washed up on the beach,” Godwin said.
WE ARE NOT A MUSEUM OF “THINGS" SO MUCH AS WE ARE A MUSEUM THAT SERVES DATA TO SCIENTISTS.
- WILLIAM GODWIN
major, curating these collections gives me a real-world perspective on the interactions between humans and the Earth’s natural environment,” she said. “It has been extremely rewarding to be a part of this process.”
Another significant contribution came courtesy of John Pickering, collector and curator of Discover Life, one of the largest online natural databases in the world. In 2016, Pickering made a deal with the
“There were numerous remarkable pieces, such as wooly mammoth and mastodon teeth, camels and giant ground sloths.”
This collection even included bones that were not identifiable upon basic assessment. Godwin contacted SHSU biological sciences professor Patrick Lewis, who cued in Jenkins, a graduate student in his department. Their work became part of a larger study engineered by Christopher J. Bell of the
Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin.
Jenkins and the above mentioned parties collaborated on Bell’s 2020 publication for Palaeontologia Electronica, titled First fossil manatees in Texas, USA: Trichechus manatus bakerorum from Pleistocene beach deposits along the Gulf of Mexico.
“My role was looking at those specimens and creating the images that were used to actually examine their anatomy and piece this study together,” Jenkins said. “It was a unique discovery, as we don’t see many manatees in Texas today.”
Jenkins, who went on to earn her doctorate from Yale University’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the spring of 2024, recently began her post-doctoral research fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
“We cannot learn about this kind
of stuff unless we have specimens. The collections at Sam Houston are indispensable and a great way to teach young adults how to do research,” she said. “You have a broader, more interesting type of research when you have a faculty and staff like this to man it.”
Despite mainly specializing in reptiles, SHSU’s centralized collections system allowed Jenkins to garner experience in other areas of study, such as the seldom-found manatee bones.
“Sometimes, students can get caught in their own research box,” Jenkins said. “But if you go outside that box, you can learn a lot more and consider science and evolution in a much broader way.”
The facility’s largest collection of fossils, however, comes in the form of the Gorody Collection. Celebrated forensics geoscientist, Anthony Gorody, traveled throughout the world to build his prestigious lifelong collection of
index fossils, or fossils that help identify particular geological periods. His generous contribution to the university includes over 5,000 fossils, which are expertly categorized and photographed from multiple angles.
“This collection allows us to work with our associate Lisa Tuck, who teaches paleontology to inmates for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,” Godwin said. “They are not allowed to handle rocks, so the Gorody Collection allows them to have paleontology class through digitized Gorody specimens.”
Gorody’s vast contributions are not limited to fossils. He saw collecting not just as a means of academic pursuit, but as a way of sharing things he loved with others. The diversity of his interests and generosity is showcased on the main floor.
While many universities house their data in multiple facilities under multiple different organizational structures, Sam Houston State has built a centralized hub of scientific research and collaboration. The consolidated effort, which began in 2015, was pioneered and remains coordinated by Jerry Cook of SHSU’s Biological Science department and a Texas State University System Regents’ Professor.
“We are relentless in our pursuit of data. I have a whole crew watching when we take your collection; that’s serious business,” Godwin said. “We are a shopping stall for faculty in many different fields, even history, music, art and criminal justice, to visit periodically and explore research ideas.”
The center’s 2019 grand opening was attended by renowned artist, alumnus and Huntsville native David Adickes (’48), who constructed the giant bust on the building’s grounds. Adickes, who also constructed A Tribute to Courage, the 67-foot statue of Sam Houston that defines his hometown, bought the building to save it from demolition and turned it into an art studio. Years later, he donated it back to his alma mater, along with the bust, for its current purpose. Adickes, who is now 97 years old, attended high school in the building.
The public is welcome to tour the facility, but should call William Godwin ahead of time to schedule a date and time: 936-556-2289.
Meredith Coffey
PURSUE YOUR EXCELLENCE
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER WITH AN ADVANCED DEGREE OR CERTIFICATION.
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE
The path to excellence begins with a single step. For institutional success, the more people taking that first step, the better. Thanks to the unshakable support it received from its inception in 2020, the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) has established itself as a national leader in osteopathic medical education.
SHSU-COM saw its inaugural cohort graduate in Spring 2024 following a series of milestones, including a 97% first-time pass rate on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA), 100% residency placement and a 99% Match rate. At the helm of the school is Dean Thomas Mohr, D.O., who joined the university only two years ago and has since dedicated his time to bolstering the programs that have led to the college’s early success.
“I would love to be able to take credit for all of these great things that we’ve done,” Mohr said. “But frankly it was made easy for me
POINT OF PRIDE
SHSU student doctors (class of '25) earned the highest pass rate in the nation for first-time takers of the COMLEX-USA Level 1 exam.
because of the hard work of the folks that have come before us. I think that the work of the faculty and the staff to put together a curriculum was not just good enough, but put us in the top three in the country for first-time pass rate.”
The curriculum has continued to prove exemplary. The class of 2025 achieved a 99% first-time pass rate and the following class appears to either have met or exceeded that benchmark, pending the full release of their test scores. Mohr said the two schools who placed ahead of the COM’s first-year scores were Des Moines University (DMU) and Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM), both of which have been educating young doctors for decades.
When the Bearkat student doctors’ test scores rivaled those of TCOM and DMU, all eyes fell on SHSU-COM, including the eyes of the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). Just before the inaugural class was hooded as doctors, COCA awarded SHSU-COM a coveted 10year Accreditation with Exceptional Outcomes, something that had never been done before by a new college of osteopathic medicine, and thanks to recent changes to their policies, will likely never happen again.
WE ARE THE FIRST, LAST AND ONLY NEW OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL TO GET ACCREDITATION WITH EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOMES FOR TEN YEARS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BOX.
“We are the first, last and only new osteopathic medical school to get Accreditation with Exceptional Outcomes for ten years right outside the box,” Mohr said. “There are others that get it 10, 20 years down the line, but we got it right away and it’s never been done before. What I sensed about SHSU-COM being a diamond in the rough when I was being recruited to come down here was everything I had hoped for and more.”
With its first cohort graduated and the newly minted doctors starting their residencies, Mohr and his faculty and staff are looking to grow the school’s reach. One of the ways it’s doing that is through a partnership with the College of Health Sciences to offer student doctors the chance to earn their D.O. and master’s in public health simultaneously. Mohr hopes this collaboration will provide student doctors with a way to earn the credentials they need to become healthcare leaders.
“As physicians in the United States, we’re often taught to have a singular relationship with our patient, but really, it’s much more than that. It’s with their families and their communities,” Mohr said. “Somebody with a master’s of public health can really help to see the big picture of community
health as opposed to just individual health.”
Looking ahead, Mohr is excited to watch the college’s continued growth. Recently, he has watched faculty members walk over to the SHSU Physician’s Clinic to see patients in its new location right across from the COM. The clinic offers comprehensive healthcare services to the Conroe area, including primary care, pediatrics, osteopathic manipulative treatment and more.
SHSU’s increasing presence in Conroe includes construction of the Health Professions Building, which will serve as a training site for new allied health programs and
interprofessional education. Outside the Greater Houston area, Mohr is working to establish more clinical partnerships with hospitals and other healthcare offices, despite having already doubled the number of clinical preceptors, or instructors, since his arrival.
“We’re excited to see what the year brings,” Mohr said. “The last two years have been a roller coaster and yet we think that there’s all good things ahead for us because of the work we put into it. We think that’s going to turn into increasing higher quality opportunities for our faculty and our student doctors as we move forward into the future.”
ELEVATE THE REPUTATION & VISIBILITY OF SHSU 3
Showcasing achievements, enhancing presence locally/globally and building strong partnerships.
3 SHSU ELEVATED
BUILDING TO BETTER
The measure of a Life is its Service.” Not only is this the motto of Sam Houston State University, but it also serves as a promise to its students. A promise to help students lead meaningful lives and a promise from the university to better itself.
SHSU recently unveiled a new look, featuring an updated university logo and marks, typeface, color palette and other visual elements. This was the first step in the rebranding roll-out, followed by the full brand launch and a new website for the university in Spring 2025.
By taking a fresh approach to the university brand and culture, and what it all represents, this redesign allowed SHSU to stay true to itself while also examining what it has to offer and how to strengthen its position as a top choice for current and prospective students.
“Sam Houston always finds a way to fit the needs of industry,” said Russell Martinez, assistant vice president of marketing and branding. “We're constantly looking to see how we can fit in the workforce, trying to see how we make a difference, how we improve our standing and how we match up against our peers.”
As a SHSU alumnus (’91), Martinez is no stranger to the Bearkat culture. In addition to his academic career, Martinez previously oversaw athletics' rebranding in 2020, bringing back a traditional look to the program with a modern edge. By overseeing the institution's rebranding, the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team seized the opportunity to align the university with its more recognizable athletic brand.
“A lot of the institutions of higher education tend to take on the look and feel of their athletics programs because, oftentimes, the athletics programs are the most familiar,” Martinez said. “We’re seeing an ongoing trend where
other institutions either fully adopt an athletics brand or a variation thereof.”
IMC sought a bold new direction and partnered with the marketing firm SimpsonScarborough to create a brand that authentically represents SHSU. With the expertise of Zack Jones, IMC's director of creative design and production, the team aligned the university's emblem with the athletics logo and implemented other design changes to boost the university's recognition.
"The new marks are designed to evoke school pride. For example, visual elements like the raven and the bells celebrate our namesake and the beauty of campus,” Jones said. “As both an alumnus ('08) and employee, it's rewarding to contribute to changes that are elevating Sam Houston by bringing us in line with our peer universities.”
Updating the university brand was groundbreaking, but it wasn’t without its hurdles. The rebranding process takes time and SHSU is constantly
working to grow and foster the alumni base while also recruiting prospective students. Regardless of the duration, Jones agrees with Martinez that it was a “great opportunity to get it right” for their school.
“This project was personal for me because I know what it means to be a Bearkat,” Jones said. “I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to something I'm so passionate about and excited to see where this new direction will take us.”
STAY CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACE THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE FOREVER. BECOME A LIFE MEMBER TODAY!
UNLOCKING SUCCESS THE COLLEGE
OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
For years, the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU CJ) has been a fixture in national and international rankings, including one of the most recognizable: U.S. News and World Report. The college also holds the distinction of having the highest student enrollment at SHSU. So, what’s the key to their outstanding success?
“Our academic programs are grounded in solid research. We have some of the most research-productive faculty in the country,” SHSU CJ Dean Phillip Lyons said. “We also have a large international footprint for a regional comprehensive university.”
U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the college’s online master’s in criminal justice, as well as its program for veterans, in the top ten programs among universities in the nation. The rankings are based on data from participating institutions, evaluating each program in five areas: engagement, faculty credentials, peer assessment, services and technology and student excellence.
When deciding on a university in pursuit of a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership, SHSU CJ graduate student Benjamin Smith factored top rankings into his decision.
“I conducted a lot of research before deciding to apply to SHSU,” Smith said. “Many things attracted me: it was ranked the No. 2 online Master of Criminal Justice program at the time, while maintaining a low tuition rate. SHSU CJ had great rankings for veteran satisfaction. Every metric seemed
impressive. I also learned about the Beto lecture series and publications from the CJ program and thought this could be not only a good academic program, but also a good lifetime resource.”
For Kirsty Douglas, the college’s dedication to the many facets of the criminal justice field attracted her in pursuit of a Master of Science in Victim Services Management degree. She believes the flexibility of the program makes it attractive to working professionals.
“Most graduate students work full time and are trying to advance their education,” Douglas said. “Something my professors have done well is taking in consideration the difficulty and stress of working in the victim service field. They work with the students to meet deadlines along with understanding the assignments.”
Launched in 2019, the Department of Victim Studies is the first and only academic department of its kind in the U.S. and the only institution that offers an undergraduate major and master’s degree in the field.
In addition to its prestigious rankings, the College of Criminal Justice is the largest at SHSU, with approximately 3,300 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester.
Looking to the future, SHSU CJ is working to expand its Premium Distance Learning program to better meet the needs of online students. Offered in five-week terms, they provide students the option to take multiple courses in a shorter period of time. No textbooks are required.
“Courses are organized in a way to maximize their timeliness, relevance and accessibility to working professionals in the field,” Lyons said.
SHSU CJ leadership also credits the eight institutes housed under the college’s umbrella as a major part of its success. The unique partnerships forged through these institutes provide direct links to criminal justice agencies and organizations.
“I’m not aware of any other program that has the connections in the field that we do,” Lyons said. “Much of that has to do with our professional development institutes that are firmly embedded in the field. Our Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is a great example. Every police chief in Texas must go through a week of training every two years at LEMIT.”
Connections in the workforce go beyond the institutions. Academic Community Engagement (ACE) courses, along with robust internship partnerships, strengthen the college’s ties with the broader criminal justice community.
“It’s a significant need we fill by providing students with these experiences that round out their perspective and understanding,” Lyons said. “We know from employers this matters in their decision to hire our students. They see the advantage to hiring SHSU graduates, because of our reputation and the real-world experience our students gain. This makes our graduates more competitive, increases their chances of being hired and their success going forward in the workforce.”
SHSU CJ INSTITUTES
Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT)
Nationally recognized institute that offers professional development training in policing.
Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) Delivers professional development programs to personnel in juvenile and adult institutional and community corrections agencies.
Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis (CICA)
Crime Victims' Institute (CVI)
Studies the impact of crime on victims, their friends, families and society. Also makes policy recommendations to the Texas Legislature and victim advocacy groups.
Institute for Homeland Security (IHS)
Center for strategic thought with the goal of contributing to the security, resilience and business continuity of critical infrastructure sectors of transportation, energy, chemical and healthcare from a homeland security perspective.
"OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ARE GROUNDED IN SOLID RESEARCH. WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST RESEARCH-PRODUCTIVE FACULTY IN THE COUNTRY."
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DEAN PHILLIP LYONS
Institute for Forensic Research, Training & Innovation (IFRTI) Advances the practice of forensic science through research partnerships and training for laboratory personnel to pass rigorous certification tests.
Institute for Legal Studies in Criminal Justice (ILSCJ) Increases faculty mentorship on legal research and publication on issues related to law.
Police Research Center (PRC)
Operates the Criminal Research, Information Management and Evaluation System (CRIMES) and coordinates with major city police departments to identify and address common issues.
Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility
Willed-body donor program and state-of-the-art research and training facility designed to advance academic and technical knowledge in the application of forensic science disciplines to criminal investigations.
Texas Regional Center for Policing Innovation (TRCPI) Fosters police-community partnerships that can lead to innovative methods of reducing crime and improving neighborhood safety.
4 SERVICE EXPANDED
Increasing our impact through community engagement, innovative programs and partnerships that address local/global challenges, benefiting society at large. EXPAND & ELEVATE OUR SERVICE TO THE STATE AND BEYOND 4
SHOOTING FOR THE
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AND STEM EXCELLENCE
"One of the things that’s unique about astronomy is that everyone can appreciate it. Something we all want the observatory to accomplish is to grow interest in STEM among our own students as well as members of the community and future scientists."
JOEL WALKER PROFESSOR & CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
The original structure, which once sat atop the Farrington Building on campus before it was relocated to the current, rural location off Highway 19, had room for just a handful of observers. Now, Prokosch acts as caretaker for a state-ofthe-art observatory that can house large groups of learners of all ages at any given time. It features a domed, retractable
roof and is fully ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. An elevated platform raises attendees to telescope level and its unique periscope attachment, which brings the image down to a comfortable, seated position. The carefully crafted setup produces a spacious, comfortable environment.
“This accessibility angle is really rare and hard to accomplish with a traditional telescope design,” Walker said.
The highly advanced PlaneWave Instruments CDK700 Telescope System features a wide aperture and can bring in copious amounts of light and seamlessly switch back-andforth between observing with its camera as well as one’s eye.
“On the research side, there are other places that have fairly robust programs, but there are things they are not doing,” Prokosch said. “There is very little actually looking through the telescope anymore.”
Of the 76 similar models of this specific telescope installed globally, only a handful feature the periscope extension necessary for direct viewing. The majority are used for astrophotography or to produce spectrographs, which record the composition of light emitted by stars and other astronomical objects.
“But people still want to look,” Prokosch said. “That is what inspires younger people to pursue something like this. You never forget the first time you see Jupiter through a telescope; that is something that stays with you forever. If done in the right way, that can be a life-changing experience. We wanted to be able to provide and give back to those who live here and, hopefully, inspire young people to go to college.”
It also offers a unique opportunity for students already
in college and will only enhance SHSU’s budding astronomy program and the state’s unique role in the space sector.
“This is an area where a lot of our students have ended up finding employment,” Walker said.
This includes Katie West (’11), who works as a flight controller at NASA, as well as Leslie Padilla (’04), who supervises a team working towards developing spacesuits for future generations. Madison Kriticos (’21) currently works as a project manager contracted by NASA through her role with Aegis Aerospace Inc., a woman-owned space and technology company that provides turn-key solutions to government and commercial customers in the space and defense industries.
“We are able to train students in the foundational areas of basic science, computer sciences, mathematical capacity and data analysis,” Walker said. “All of these highly transferable skills are necessary for success in the burgeoning space sector in Texas. Being able to integrate that very direct, handson experience with data collection of an astronomical variety is a wonderful new addition.”
In addition to enhanced benefits for students, the new Dominey Observatory offers greater opportunities to connect with the wider community. Observatory personnel have expressed aspirations for continued growth on facility grounds, including educational opportunities in the daytime for local youth, smaller telescope stations on the concrete slabs that flank the structure and a parking lot to accommodate larger crowds. In the meantime, the facility has several viewing events scheduled throughout the academic year that are open to the public free of charge.
Stargazing is not the only way SHSU strives to meet the demands of tomorrow, today. The Bearkat STEM Summer Camp, which was made possible through funding from a competitive grant administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), offered a broad range of area high school students the chance to receive hands-on learning completely free of charge. The five-day camp, which took place in June, provided opportunities in automation and robotics as well as construction and safety.
“While I had some minimal experience with programming, I had never built a robot or worked on the automation side,” said Jubaida Iftekhar, a senior at The Woodlands College Park High School and one of 90 campers selected to attend. “I think it’s extremely important to have the knowledge and general research literacy to understand what’s going on in all aspects of STEM.”
Like many young students, Iftekhar has a wide range of interests that span multiple industries and areas of study. While her ultimate aspirations are to work in the medical or legal fields, she values projects that expose young people to new interests and work towards a more cohesive future.
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what is for you without trying multiple things,” she said. “It’s important to explore everything, because it all works together in a sense.”
On the automation and robotics side, these explorations included building robots from scratch, allowing the campers to work in teams on all aspects, from constructing the machine to programming physical tasks through rigorous code work. On the final day of camp, they participated in a competition that put their newly-built machines to the test.
“When students see this hand-on stuff in front of their eyes, we hope it will peak their interest. They think it’s cool and want to learn more about it,” said Iftekhar Basith, associate professor in SHSU’s engineering technology department and the grant’s principal investigator (PI). “It’s a fun camp, but they are growing themselves and learning something useful.”
This is the third year SHSU has held a STEM-related summer camp, but the first time their efforts have received funding from the TWC to make it completely free for attendees. Basith believes this is a sheer sign of the university’s capabilities in meeting labor shortage demands in STEMrelated fields within the state and beyond.
“STEM is the future, particularly automation, control and manufacturing,” he said. “Sam is the perfect place to foster this because we have the departments and hands-on technology capable of applying theoretical knowledge. That’s what the industry wants, and we are producing the workforce for them.”
Students on the camp’s automation side saw firsthand what a career in the industry may look like through their field trip to Weatherford International’s Huntsville manufacturing facility on day two. Here, the group toured the plant floor and gained an understanding of the company’s role in the energy industry, as well as performed STEM-related activities. Weatherford hosted the camp as part of their Worldwide Initiative Supporting Education (WISE) program.
Engineering Technology Lecturer Vajih Khan served as lead instructor for the robotics camp while Basith and Assistant Professor of Engineering Design Technology Syed Hasib Akhter Faruqui assisted with programming sessions.
This was the first time the camp integrated two areas of
“I see myself designing homes for a more sustainable world.”
MACIE NELSON SENIOR MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL
interest, the second being construction and safety. While the activities differed, all students received the same hands-on approach in a range of basic practices.
“If you’re interested in learning how to build, you can see what happens firsthand,” said Macie Nelson, a senior at Magnolia High School. “We oversaw mixtures necessary to create concrete slabs and built bridges using tiny wood sticks by establishing the proper dimensions.”
Nelson, who grew up with a fascination for Legos and constructing useful things around her house, such as a chicken coop, hopes to attend Sam Houston State and study architectural design.
“I see myself designing homes for a more sustainable world,” she said.
Euijin Yang, the grant’s co-PI and an assistant professor of construction management at SHSU, oversaw the construction and safety camp along with engineering technology lecturer Christopher Rabe.
“The camp’s success can be assessed by looking at how effectively it engaged students with real-world industry practices and hands-on learning,” Yang said. “The students were able to directly engage with fundamental engineering concepts, experiencing the challenges and rewards of the design and building process.”
The construction and safety group’s field trip to the site of the new Huntsville City Hall project provided students with a front row seat to industry practices and a chance to see their newly-honed skills applied in a professional setting.
Representatives from Christensen Building Group delivered a comprehensive safety briefing, ensuring that all students were well-prepared to observe the active construction environment safely. All students were equipped with a safety hat, highvisibility vests and safety glasses.
“Feedback from the students was very positive, with many expressing an increased interest in pursuing higher education and careers in construction and safety,” Yang said. “This enthusiasm, along with their active participation and the skills they developed, is a strong indicator of the camp’s success in introducing them to the industry.”
The students were housed on campus in the university’s dormitories through the duration of their weeklong stay and received vouchers for each meal, which were served in the dining halls. Their daily activities took place in multiple university facilities, but were mainly housed in the Fred Pirkle Engineering Technology Center. The entire camp was run by SHSU personnel, including student counselors who participated in the process during their summer break.
This project was made possible by funding received through the Governor's Summer Merit Program, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
IN MEMORIAM†
A farewell to...
Joy (Collier) LeMasters '44
Annie Laverne (Wallingford) Etheredge '45
Florence Margaret (Roper) Hafernik '47, '65
Fred Evans Scott, Jr. '48
Peggy Jo (Baynes) Price '48
Jack Homer Clark '49, '50
Alton Doyle Stuckey '49
Billy Bob Sitton '50
Frances Marie (Davis) Martin '50
Ruth Annette (Dabney) Jordan '51, '67
Bobbye Jeane (McDonald) Mitchell '51, '61
James Edward Moye '52, '55
Bobby Edwin Alexander '52
Milton Doyle Hines '53, '58
Don DeWayne Beal '53
Conrad W. Winborn, Jr. '53
Ida Jean "Dixie" Baldwin '53
William Charles Jones '53
Betty Jean (Barrier) Garrett '54
Etta B. (Townley) Smith '54
Arlin James Benjamin, Sr. '55
Robert Omar West '55
Billy Joe Barker '56
Roy Edward Ragsdale, Jr. '56, '57
Evelyn M. (Courtney) Clements '56
David Alan Hutchins '57
Gail West Graves '57
Joseph Patrick Brannen '57
Samuel V. Roach '57, '58
Glenn Curtis Hill, Sr. '57, '66
Billy Ray Blakley '57, '66
Billy Ray Statham '58
Nona Ann (Otto) Bailey '58
Josa Faye (Tullos) Anderson '58
Lyda Nell (Handley) Green '59
Rebecca Ann (Cable) Bell '59
John Emmett Nelson '59, '67
William Travis Boyd '60
Raymond Coady Drake '60
Kenneth Neal Coleman '60
Elbert M. Marshall '60
Edwin Friedrich Gau, Jr. '60
Curtis Rudolph Cooper '60, '68
Florence Bernice Wuthrich '60
Wiley Winston Gardner '61
Mildred (Martin) Williams '61
Karolyn (Wells) Rose '61
Phyllis Anne (Sweatman) Sulcer '61
William Henry Harris, Jr. '61
George Marshall Smith '61, '64
Deanna Dee (Heartfield) Seaman '61
Andrea Celeste (D'Albergo) Leveritt '61
Gloria Verdene (Pace) Jones '62
Charles A. Dipuccio '62
Nelda Joyce (Standley) House '62
Lynda A. (Rachel) Wortham '62
Patrick Forrest Goolsby '62
Ray Allen Mauldin '62
David Olan Bratz '62
John Gibbon Wolf III '62
Willard Faye (James) Head '63
Jerry Lowell Parmley '63
Thomas McDaniel Burns '63, '72
Charlotte Irene (Gay) Johnson '63
Troy L'Wayne Blackmon '63, '68
Alvin Neal Schroeder '63
George Tom Hayes '63
Patsy Ann (Wilkins) Meeks Howard '64
Margaret Nan (Scaff) Watson '64
Nora Jean (Moore) Albracht '64, '66
Linda Joan (Bradley) Pierce '64
Gary Lynn Hayes '64
Donald Ray Allen '64
Colonel Jerry Eugene Marshall '64
Wesley Marvin Kramer '64
Nancy Lou (Nuche) Whitlock '64
James Kenneth Herriage '64
Paul Edward Cluxton '64
Paula Scarlette (Roubieu) Taylor '64, '73
Nora Marie (Adams) Richardson '64
Sammy Tucker Owens '64
Dennis Dale Egmon '64
Linda Jean Rosenkranz-Miller '64
Foster Roy Edmondson '65
Donald Wayne Lemon '65, '71
Betty Lynn (Engle) Potter '65
Carlo Von Gott '65, '71
Harry Walker Abbott '65
Robert Harold Lehman '65
W.B. Warner '65, '66
Barbara Ann (Ballard) Martin '65, '67
Weldon Larry Wakefield '66
Patricia Kay (Kothmann) Brandenberger '66
Jerald Hulon Beene '66
Edward Glenn Jordan '66
Gary Lynn Cornelison, Ph.D. '66, '71
Ben Henry Findeisen '67
Michael Wagner '67
Andrew Mike Loomis '67
John Frederick Boehler '67
Jerrol Aron Parker '67
Donald Anthony Cole '67, '69
Linda Louise (Mosley) Rowland '67
Larry Paul Hudson '67
Marlene Kay (Craft) Haley '67
Lotte Renee (Reams) McFarland '68
Loyd "Button" Thomas Flynt, Jr. '68
Martha Jane (Martin) Delagarza '68
James Robert Phillips '68 W. T. Stapler '68
John Gary Werner, Sr. '68
Barney Ray Mecom '68
Ronald J. Willis '69
Eva Andrea (Ashworth) Hunnicutt '69
Theodore Fred Zoch '69
Mary L. (McDougald) Gates '69
Cheryl Elizabeth (Ivy) Reyna '69
William Summerfield Walker '69
Randy Gene Merrill '69
Beverly Sue (Buvinghausen) Tracy '70, '72
Lud Estes King III '70
Helen Jane (Carter) Lamb '70
Ralph McCord, Jr. '70
Leonardo Colegio, Sr '70
Karen Kilcrease Dow '70
Lynwood Winston Jones '70
Martha Jean (Daniel) Prochaska '70
Patricia Bell (Rogers) Swigert '70
James E. Monroe '71
Nancy Grossenbacher '71
Angela Janece Louderback '71
Laurence Gong '71
Clarence Ray Kreinhop '71
Regina Ann (Carroll) Evoritt '71
John Neal Harding '71
Ricky Craig White '71, '73
Paul Henry Clayton, Jr. '71
Edgar J. Swindler '72
Lucy Elaine (Yelland) Larrison '72, '85
Robert Dwane Wilson '72
Mary Sue (Boles) Smith '72
Eddie Earl Smith '72
Barbara Ann (Brenner) Bockhorn '72
Charles Dennis Bassham '72, '78
Kenneth Morris Decker '72
Kenneth Wilbert Diers '72
Larry Dean Barak '72
John Patrick Peebles '72
Donald Christy Tracy '72
Charles "Chuck" L. Brod '73
James Edward Anderson, Jr. '73
Patsy A. (Ekarius) Novosad '73
Jeffery M. Clark '73
Kendall R. Stockholm '73, '84
Patrick Lee Kelley '73
Richard Lee McWhorter '73, '89
Manuel M. Rodriguez '73
David Jeffrey Brashear '73
Richard Albert McGown '73
Edwin Douglas Murdock '73
Christine (Sharpe) Strosnider '74, '78
Ricky Matt Stripling '74
Frank Roy Seidensticker '74
Glenda Kaye (Isbell) Gammon '74
James Winfred Parsons '74
Guy Vernon Smith '74, '74
William Larry Zermeno '74
Rudolph Raymond Machala '74
Jeanette (Traylor) Abel '74
Michael Ward Countz '74
Monica Margaret (Cage) Smith '75
Theresa Ann (Miska) Siska '75
Pamela Diann Hurley '75
Darrell David Boyer '75
Bryan Lee Morrill '75
Stephen Christian Quell '75
Ivan Grant Madeley '75
D. Mark Conlee, Sr. '75
Lucy Lee (Barnes) Murray '75
Thomas Emory Turner '75, '76
Jeffrey Dirk Williams '76
Patrick Henry Lavergne '76
Paul Randall Story '76
Helen (Bourke) Prawitz '76
Francine Mack '77
Ruth Faye Weaver '77
William Alva Meador '77
Donna Lynn (Macek) Pickle '77
Vickey Lynn (Dempsey) Burns '77
John David Long '77
Linda Mae (Pope) Turek '78
Billy Frank Larrison '78
Marvin R. Gould '78
Karl Edwards Brown, Jr. '78
Norma Ann Conroe '78
Daniel Joseph Damiani '78
Steven Jay Lang '78
Nancy Ann (Vogler) Kirkland '78
Jo Nelle Burns Whitaker '79
Glenn Allan Terry '79
Alice Denise (Smith) Bickel '79, '83
Albert David Lindsey '80
James Russell Cornelius '80
Roxanne (Studdard) Bostick '80
Scarlett Celeste (Manigold) Hurley '80
Mary Elizabeth (Finley) Huebner-Peek '80
Gary Wayne Meyer '80
James Anthony Primos, Jr. '81
Gary Dale Townsend '81
Michael Wayne Flanagin '81
Bonnie Ruth Swain '82
Norman Ray Keefer '82
Pamella Jane (Craig) Harvey '82
Virginia Grace Goodrow '82
David Andrew Plummer '83
Douglas Eric Chilton '83, '84
Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Winn '83
Carole Diana Bang '84
Crispin Caye (Faykus) Martin '84
Kathy Marie Musgrove '85
Lisa Marie (Marquart) Veenstra '86
David Lee Skilton, Jr. '87
Robbie Lynn Bolander '87
Jess Wrightington '88
Patsy Lea (Mc Dowell) Long '88, '95
Mary Anita Lewis '89
Keith Edward Lagrone '89
Mary Louise (Hank) Gedelian '89
Robert Kelly Craig '89
Theodore William Legatski II '89, '91
Larry J. Hunter, Sr. '89
Katherine "Bonnie" Greenfield Develle '90
Scott Alexander Tubbs '90
Patricia Beatrice Lane '90
Martha Louise Armstrong '90
Corliss McClelland O'Shaughnessy '92
Gwendoyn Floynea Sandles '92
Mary Everett (Clark) Tyler '92
Rance Eldon Kaupert '93
Larry Joe Durden '93
Callie Lee (Light) Cunningham '94
Madeline Hayes Herron '94
Tanique Taiwan (Taylor) Evans '95
Sandra Ann (Banse) Fuechec '96
Robert Alan Hold '97
Cindy Lou (Coffman) Van Devender '97
Hannah Andoh Rabindran '97
Janet Gay (Dorsey) Munson '97
Janice Elaine McGee '98, '01
Gerald Keith McCune '99
Diane (Shalek) Pierce '00
Robert Eugene Baer '03
John Alfred Orozco '04
Eugenia McCoy Murray '04
Jeffrey Ray Houston '05
Robert Voris Callaway '06
Frederick Warren Eberhardt '06
Lance Jacob Hausenfluck '08
Debra Flurry '09
Justin Cole Fester '09
Eileen Sandra Fugate '10
Ronald Kent Parker '14
Samantha Anne Toback '15
Margaret Mary Peregoy '19
Michelle Denise Dougherty '22
Zachary Goodlander ’14, ’16 Goodlander was named City Manager of the City of Fulshear, Texas.
CLASS NOTES
Rick Stogsdill ’83, traveled to France for his fifth assignment at the Olympics. Following the globally viewed games, the freelance camera operator will move on to film the PGA Tour Championship and season 18 of Sunday Night Football.
Veronica Stapper ’84, a second-grade teacher for San Angleo ISD, received the 2024 H-E-B Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Elementary Teacher Award. The award recognizes public school professionals for their dedication and commitment to students, with the lifetime achievement offered to those who have taught for over 20 years. On top of a $25,000 check for herself, Stapper’s school, Glenmore Elementary, received a $25,000 grant.
Amanda Stubblefield ’84 & ’86, retired from Groveton ISD after 38 years working in public education. She was a principal and teacher at the elementary level and an assistant principal at the junior high and high school levels, and led reading intervention, dyslexia assistance, adult ESL and GED courses and served as a curriculum facilitator.
Craig Ortega ’85, retired from the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department after 22 years serving as a juvenile probation officer. He has shared his expertise in web publications and will co-chair a panel during the American Society of Criminology’s annual meeting .
Eric Loew ’87 & ’89, is an associate professor of engineering technologies at Stark State College in Canton, Ohio, nearing his 33rd year at the institution. He serves as the Industrial Technology program coordinator, advisor to the Spartans Robotic Club and chair of the Advancement-in-Rank Committee.
Ken Legé ’88, an assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, was recently appointed as the AgriLife Extension Service Cotton Specialist at Lubbock.
Kelly Morriss ’90, a warden at Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City, Missouri, recently received the Governor’s Award for creating the center’s honor dorms.
Ashley Greene ’97, joined The Covenant Preparatory School in Kingwood, Texas, to assist in the development and marketing of strategic partnership programs. Life Member of the SHSU Alumni Association.
Trina Silva ’06, has been named the new director of education foundation and partnerships for the Harris County Department of Education. She previously served as University of Houston director of advancement for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Life Member of the SHSU Alumni Association.
Mark Bailey Capalbo ’08, is a NYC-based hairstylist whose work has been seen on stage and the big screen. He is credited in Broadway productions such as “Elf: The Musical,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Color Purple.” His work off the stage includes films and TV shows like “Hustle,” seasons five and six of “The Americans,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “American Horror Story.” He received a certificate of achievement from the Daytime Emmy Awards for a performance of “The Color Purple” on Good Morning America.
Ryan Bridges ’11 & ’13, has been appointed to the Governing Committee of the Texas FAIR Plan Association by the Texas Insurance Commissioner. The association provides essential residential property insurance products and services to Texas residents in areas designated as underserved. Life Member of the SHSU Alumni Association.
Ariel Traub ’16, joined the City of Garland, Texas, as managing director of legislative and public affairs.
Broderick Nixon ’22 , published a children’s book based on his experiences living with a disability. “Broderick Bear Learns to Ride,” centers around a young bear who receives help from his grandparents to play with cousins on the family farm. Life Member of the SHSU Alumni Association.
Annette Addo-Yobo ’22 , will represent Texas during the Miss America Pageant after being crowned Miss Texas 2024. She is the first immigrant-born woman and the first Ghanian to win the title and is using her platform to promote autism awareness, a cause near and dear to her heart after watching her younger brother struggle to get the support he needed.
Rick Stogsdill ’83
Veronica Stapper ’84
Kelly Morriss ’90
Sam
