The Magazine of Sam Houston State University
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VOLUME X NUMBER 2 FALL 2010 The Magazine of Sam Houston State University DR. DANA GIBSON SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY’S 13 TH PRESIDENT INSIDE SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY TOPS $50 MILLION CAMPAIGN GOAL p4 SHSU NAMES TEACHER EDUCATION CENTER IN HONOR OF GARRETTS p7 A NEW HORIZON When I arrived at Sam Houston State University about 18 months ago, I was excited about the opportunity to join this wonderful community as the vice president for Finance and Operations. Now, I know how amazing SHSU is because of the dedication of the faculty and staff that work here. The students are fortunate to have Planting Seeds such dedicated people shaping their academic and administrative experiences. The extraordinary leadership of President Gaertner provided an ongoing legacy of strength in the president’s role at Sam Houston State University. Therefore, I am honored to transition to this new role at Sam Houston. The presidency provides me for Success more possibilities to interact with our energetic students, our enthusiastic alumni and supportive community. We have such strengths and great traditions that provide a strong base upon which to build, evolve and develop new pathways for this ‘grand old university.’ With the wonderful history of strong fiscal management and Dr. Gaertner’s strategic placement of SHSU, I take the helm at an opportune, yet potentially tough, time for the university. We have excellent opportunities to provide our student success model into expanding student arenas, both in distance learning and at the new Woodlands facility. The state’s fiscal situation, while stronger than many areas of the country, is still going to mean a difficult several years for funding. Yet, my personal experience in non- traditional student and distance learning environments provides me insight into how our culture at Sam Houston can continue and evolve into these new arenas. Therefore, my initial theme as I take on this role at Sam Houston State University is evolution. We have such strengths and great traditions that provide a strong base upon which to build, evolve and develop new pathways for this ‘grand old university.’ I look forward to working with the university constituents, alumni and friends of the university on all these endeavors. Sincerely, Dana Gibson President SPOTLIGHT Editor Beginning A New Role Julia May 2 A new chapter begins for the university. [email protected] Writers Jason Barfield Jennifer Gauntt Julia May Paul Ridings Sam Houston State University Contributors 4 Darlene Andrews Tops $50 Million Campaign Goal Rhonda Ellisor ShSU’s most ambitious advancement Lorri Vickers Jones initiative is a huge success. Thelma Mooney Cindy Truax Photography SHSU Names Teacher Education Brian Blalock 7 Design & Layout Center In Honor Of Garretts Clockwork Studios Eleanor and Charles Garrett are long-time State of tX hUB-certified supporters of Texas education. www.clockworkstudios.com Masthead Design Ford Design 281.992.4042 DEPARTMENTS Vice President for University Advancement Frank R. Holmes University Focus [email protected] 10 Bookshelf, SHSU Faculty Members Share Experiences As Fulbright Scholars, A Dirty Job—professor gets taste Of Director of Alumni Relations Antiquated Tradition With Geophagy Research Charles Vienne [email protected] 800.283.7478 Building The Vision 18 Sharing His Success, See Sam Houston Light Up The goal of Heritage is to keep you informed The Stage: New Performing Arts Center Opens about Sam Houston State University. Heritage is published twice a year by the office of University Advancement for alumni, donors and friends of SHSU. To contact the office of University Advancement please call 936.294.3625 Eye On The Kats or visit us at www.shsu.edu/giving. 21 Fritz Facing Challenges With optimism, ‘Battle of the Piney Woods’ has long history, hooten Named Men’s Sam Houston State University is a Member of The Texas State University System Basketball head Coach, Julius Michael Returns ‘home’ Alumni Look 27 life Member Campaign passes goal, this Alumna’s ‘life of Crime’ Makes A great tV Show, Where Are They ON THE COVER Now, and other alumni stories Sam Houston State University’s new president, Dana Gibson, THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS on campus. Ron Blatchley Kevin J. Lilly Trisha Pollard Christopher Covo Chairman Houston Bellaire Student Regent, San Marcos Bryan / College Station Ron Mitchell Michael Truncale Dr. Brian McCall Charlie Amato Horseshoe Bay Beaumont Chancellor, Austin Vice Chairman, David Montagne Donna N. Williams San Antonio Beaumont Arlington FALL 2010 1 BEGINNING A NEW ROLE ON SEPTEMBER 1, Dana Gibson will make Sam Houston State University history not only as the university’s 13th president, but also as the first female president. By Julia May Photos by Brian Blalock 2 SHSU Heritage Magazine SPOTLIGHT new chapter begins in the Sam Houston State University story this fall. Earlier this summer, Texas State University ASystem Chancellor Brian McCall named “It is an exciting time Sam houston State University’s Vice President for Finance and Operations to lead SHSU, to Dana gibson the sole finalist in the ShSU presidential search. continue building She was confirmed by a vote of the system’s board of regents on July 14. upon its strength “Dr. Gibson has an impressive record as an educator and administrator, and i’m and successes, and to delighted that Sam Houston State University will continue to benefit from her leadership, plan new pathways passion and energy,” McCall said. Gibson, who served from April 2009 to for the future.” August 2010 as ShSU’s chief financial officer, was selected from a field of 40 applicants. “During my time at Sam houston State University, I have come to appreciate the dedication of the faculty and staff as well as the excellent culture existing at ShSU,” she said. “i look forward to my new role, as it will provide me more opportunity to interact with our remarkable students and our supportive alumni and community,” she said. “it is an and graduate degrees at Texas Woman’s the University of Colorado at Denver. From exciting time to lead SHSU, to continue University, and her doctorate in business 2005 – 2007 she served as vice president for building upon its strength and successes, and with a major in accounting at the University business and finance at Southern Methodist to plan new pathways for the future.” of Texas at Arlington. She has been a University, where in 2006 she was named Retiring President Jim Gaertner certified public accountant for over 25 years. Administrator of the Year. endorsed her selection with his expression her first university job was at tWU Before coming to SHSU in 2009, she of support. as both an assistant and associate served two years as president of National “i am absolutely delighted that Dr. Gibson professor of accounting. She also took on University in California. has been named president of Sam Houston administrative duties, serving first as an A resident of Huntsville, she has been State University,” he said. “in working with assistant to the vice president for finance active in civic and charitable causes at the her over the past year, I have gotten to know and administration, then as associate vice various locations where she has served. her and how competent she is. She is a president for finance and administration A formal investiture ceremony for person of high integrity, and she’s a good fit and university controller. She was later Gibson will take place in March 2011. O for Sam Houston State University.” promoted to tWU’s vice president for Gibson is a veteran of university work academic and information services. with 24 years of teaching and administrative From 2002 – 2005, gibson served as vice experience. She earned her undergraduate chancellor for administration and finance at FALL 2010 3 SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY TOPS MILLION CAMPAIGN GOAL By Julia May, Photo by Brian Blalock $50 The university’s most ambitious and challenging advancement contributions, our university had a record- initiative in its history is a huge success. setting year for cash contributions during 2008 – 09,” he said. “I cannot tell you how fortunate I feel to have had the opportunity mid lively and festive Vice President for University to work closely with so many supportive fanfare, Sam Houston State Advancement Frank Holmes praised and dedicated alumni, friends, faculty, and University announced on those involved for working together and staff. The amount of commitments received July 10 that the first capital being successful, in spite of the unfriendly has been the result of genuine teamwork.” campaign has made history financial climate. The total, which exceeds the Aby going over its $50 million goal. “The ability to surpass our campaign’s comprehensive campaign’s goal by over $9 The Share the Vision campaign has goal and to do it ahead of schedule in today’s million, was made public during Celebrate raised nearly $60 million in commitments troubled economy is a testament to the loyalty the Vision, an event recognizing the work of from more than 21,500 alumni, friends, and affection that alumni and friends have for those involved in the successful campaign. parents, corporations, and foundations for Sam Houston State University,” he said. “I am so grateful for the support of our scholarships, program endowments, and “During a period when most charitable wonderful donors and the very special people construction projects. organizations were dealing with reduced who provided the leadership for the Share 4 SHSU Heritage Magazine SPOTLIGHT Left: SHSU dance students perform as part of the event’s entertainment. Below: Chairman Ron Mafrige thanked guests for supporting the campaign. the Vision campaign, especially our chairman, attending received a star paperweight with the During the evening, those serving on Ron Mafrige (BBA ’60), who led the way Sh logo and “Share the Vision Celebration, the Executive Leadership Council were with his generosity and encouragement,” said July 10, 2010” imprinted in gold.