VOLUME XI NUMBER 2 FALL 2011 The Magazine of Sam Houston State University SHSU $149 CONTRIBUTES TO REGIONAL .ECONOMY4 MILLION A NEW HORIZON As I reflect upon my While the loss of millions of dollars presents a challenge, first year as president we are committed to continuing our progress through of Sam Houston State thoughtful planning that will tie our resource allocation University, I am reminded decisions to institutional objectives. We are avoiding any how fortunate I am to be in faculty and staff reductions, which is noteworthy since our a place where faculty, staff, employee-to-student ratio is already less than half of the and students form a warm state’s average. Our program heads are making adjustments and nurturing academic to live within our budget while maintaining our quality of community. This friendly service and instruction. We will once again have to make and caring atmosphere is small increases in tuition and fees. However, we still fall in equally pervasive among the about the middle for the costs of attending a public university hundreds of faithful alumni in Texas. and supporters I have met Coming off the successful completion of the Share the this past year. The common Vision campaign more than a year ago and the continued thread is the people of Sam Houston State who maintain such growth of our donor base and our Alumni Association’s a deep and abiding affection and appreciation for this grand membership, I am optimistic that more of our alumni will see old university. the sharp decline in state support as a legitimate call for them Our collegiate pride and strong sense of community are to make private contributions a priority in assisting students reflected in our university being named once again by The and continuing our progress. If everyone could contribute Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the “Great Colleges something through the Annual Fund, they could be a part of to Work For.” We were the only public university in Texas to making a significant difference. receive this recognition for two consecutive years. This is a As the 2010 –11 year closes, we said our good-byes to genuine tribute to our faculty and staff and their hard work and Provost David Payne as he retired after 14 outstanding dedication, which is reflected in the successes of our students. years of service. Longtime faculty member and dean of Not only has our university been recognized for its positive the College of Sciences Jaimie Hebert is our new provost work environment, we also make a significant impact on the and vice president for academic affairs. Mr. Al Hooten economic welfare and quality of life, extending beyond the comes to our campus this year as our new vice president campus’s borders. A study conducted by Southwest Research for finance and operations. He has served at the University Business Research of Houston revealed that SHSU’s impact on of Tennessee-Martin in a similar position and has previous business volume in Walker and Montgomery Counties rose to experience in our state. I am very confident that Dr. Hebert $149.4 million for 2009–2010. The operational activity of the and Mr. Hooten will be excellent additions to our senior university also helped to create or support nearly 3,800 jobs. administrative team. With all the positives to be found throughout our campus, we As we look forward to a new academic year with cannot escape the impact of tough economic times. At the close of excitement and welcome our new faculty, staff and students the legislative session, funding for state agencies, including higher to our beautiful campus, I want to thank you for being a education was reduced. Our university’s state appropriations are part of making my first year as president a joy in so many a little over $10 million less than FY 2010. A little more than 15 positive ways. This is a wonderful place that has undoubtedly years ago, the state provided about 65% of our total budget, and captured your heart as it has mine. I look forward to seeing this academic year it will account for less than 25%. you soon. Dana Gibson President SPOTLIGHT Editor Sam Houston State University Celebrates Julia May 2 [email protected] The Investiture Of President Dana Gibson Heartfelt greetings, poignant thank you’s, and a Writers Jason Barfield welcoming crowd were all a part of the ceremony. Amy Barnett Jennifer Gauntt Julia May Paul Ridings SHSU Positively Impacts Local Economy 4 An independent study confirms ShSU’s financial Photography Brian Blalock contributions to the area. Design & Layout Clockwork Studios State of TX hUB-certified Supplying The Spark www.clockworkstudios.com 6 Brian Domitrovic’s historical book has generated interest Masthead Design in supply-side solutions to the economic crisis. Ford Design 281.992.4042 Vice President for University Advancement Frank R. Holmes DEPARTMENTS [email protected] Associate Vice President for Marketing and University Focus Communications 8 Hebert Named Chief Academic officer, SHSU Names Kristina K. Ruiz New VP For Finance And Operations, “let’s Talk!” [email protected] Participants Visit With Students Before Main Event Director of Alumni Relations Charles Vienne Scene At Sam [email protected] 18 Pictures Highlighting Activities At SHSU 800.283.7478 The goal of Heritage is to keep you informed about Sam Houston State University. Carry The Vision Heritage is published twice a year by the 20 SHSU Celebrates the Inaugural Season of the James and office of University Advancement for Nancy Performing Arts Center with “Encore!” 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. 22 Changing of the Guard, After A Stellar First Year, Sam Houston State University is a Member Flanders On Target For Greater Things Ahead, of The Texas State University System 2011 Bearkat All-Americans, 2011 Academic Success Alumni Look ON THE COVER 28 At Home On The Range, Paving The Way For A New Breed Of Federal Agents, Where Are They Now, New Student Seven Honored For Service Orientation brings in lots of visitors to the Huntsville area THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS in the summer, contributing to the Charlie Amato Jaime Garza,MD,DDS David Montagne Michael Truncale local economy. Chairman, San Antonio Beaumont Beaumont San Antonio Kevin J. Lilly Trisha Pollard Ryan Bridges Donna N. Williams Houston Bellaire Student Regent, Huntsville Vice Chairman, Ron Mitchell Rossanna Salazar Brian McCall Arlington Horseshoe Bay Austin Chancellor, Austin FALL 2011 1 Sam Houston State University Celebrates the Heartfelt greetings, poignant thank you’s, and of President Dana Gibson a welcoming crowd were all part of the investiture of Above: President Gibson visited with students at a reception in the Lowman Student Center the day before the investiture. President Dana L. Gibson. to her the stewardship of the university, “But the important point is that it’s not charging her with upholding the laws of ‘either/or’ in terms of online vs. an on-site Investituren early threat of rain did notGibson Texas, and exercising proper diligence in university,” Gibson said. “it is ‘both/and.’ dampen the spirits of the representing the university. More importantly, it’s about the quality, the crowd on March 8 as Sam In accepting her task, Gibson talked true rigor of the academic experience for Houston State University about the changing face of higher education. the student, whether that comes online or formally welcomed Dana L. “Just to maintain the current in a classroom.” AGibson as its 13th president. competitiveness of the United States in the Gibson also discussed the reduced The investiture, not only a celebration world economy … (America) will need to funding that universities are experiencing for a new president but also one for produce 23 million more college graduates nationwide and how institutions of the university as a whole, took place in in the next 15 years,” she said. higher education are being required to Johnson Coliseum with regents, faculty, “to assume or expect that traditional demonstrate more accountability. staff, students, alumni and representatives bricks-and-mortar education is the only “the continuing withdrawal of public of government and other institutions of way to accomplish this goal is shortsighted,” support for higher education accompanied higher education attending. she said. by increased demands to ‘prove’ the Charlie Amato, chair of the Texas State She went on to talk about the growth efficiency of our operations and the quality University System Board of Regents and of online courses and the increase of online of our education outcomes is a long-term a Sam Houston State alumnus, officially enrollments in both for-profit and non­ trend that is on an escalating trajectory,” installed Gibson as president, entrusting profit U.S. colleges and universities. she said. 2 SHSU Heritage Magazine SPOTLIGHT By Julia May “Therefore, we must be more thoughtful Left: President Gibson with SHSU alumnus and systematic in documenting our Charlie Amato, who serves chairman of the performance in order to secure our support Texas State University System Board of Regents. from all sources—public and private,” she said. Middle: Regent and SHSU alumna Trisha Pollard places the newly designed Presidential She emphasized, however, that the Medallion around President gibson’s neck. students who go to classes on the SHSU Inset: President Gibson with special guests campus have a different experience from at a luncheon before the ceremony. the kind students taking online classes have. “While I am a believer in data-driven decisions, providing more transparency and showing more accountability and efficiency to the students and funders of higher education, I also firmly believe that a student’s education experience should and “But let there be no doubt that what we do Pollard, and her husband, Randy—both does encompass far more than just what the here is about people, not numbers,” she said.