VOLUME 15 NUMBER 2 FALL 2015 13 under 30 Highlighting 13 outstanding alumni making an impact before making 30. INSIDE Refining an Industry p2 SAM Football ManufacturingAt 100 p21 Integrity p27 Distingushed Alumni p26 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT he Sam Houston State story is about honoring traditions and creating futures. Our institution was founded on a mission “to elevate the standard of education throughout the State, by giving thorough instruction and Tspecial training to our present and future teachers.” More than 135 years later, we remain true to our roots but have expanded our focus and vision on being “the best at educating the next generation of professionals.” Creating a balance of academic learning and real-world experience led by a dedicated, caring faculty inspires our university’s commitment to excellence. Building on these core competencies has helped catapult SHSU to the top of all public higher education institutions in the state for placing students in the workforce within 12 months of graduating. In this issue of the Heritage, we celebrate the success of our young alumni—the next generation of “We need to make a statement to professionals. Their time at Sam the world; Americans are hard Houston helped prepare them for workers, and we’re smart workers exhilarating and fulfilling futures. and we can do, and we will do. Their inspiring stories remind us of the Believe me, this country will come power of education and the importance of making a college experience both back with a vengeance if we work affordable and accessible through hard at it.” careful resource management and the —Fred Pirkle generous support of thousands of our alumni and friends. We have broken ground on the Fred Pirkle Engineering Technology Center. This marvelous facility represents one of Fred’s last and greatest contributions to innovation—a legacy that will stimulate generations of students who share a common outlook of the world—not as it appears today but what it might become through a combination of imagination, skill, and perseverance. The incredible legacy of Fred Pirkle was made possible in part, because our university shared the same underlying purpose of “educating the next generation of professionals.” I am both proud and grateful Fred entrusted Sam Houston State University to carry on his vision for a better, stronger America. As we continue to honor our traditions and create new futures, we will have reached another historic milestone this fall—the 100th season of Bearkat football. SHSU’s championship team is built on a rich history that has culminated with eight NCAA playoff appearances and two championship finals. Our student-athletes also excel on and off the field, achieving a grade point average above 3.0 in six of the last seven semesters. The competitive spirit of our athletic program binds us together, regardless of our age, academic training, and profession. With that thought in mind, I look forward to greeting you at Bowers Stadium or somewhere on the road as we begin the march toward the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season. Dana G. Hoyt President SPOTLIGHT 13 under 30 Editor 2 They may not have been in their fields for very long, but Jennifer Gauntt they’re already making an impact, utilizing their talents [email protected] around the world both in the workforce and in service to Writers their fellow man. Jennifer Gauntt • Jared Dorster, 29, performs internationally as a cast Julia May Tammy Parrett member with the renowned Pilobolus Dance Theater. Paul Ridings • Margaret Maseko, 26, plans to utilize her medical degree Romney Thomas (in progress in London) to continue the work she and Photography her family started to revolutionize the way HIV-positive Brian Blalock women and children are treated in Malawi. Art Direction/Design Amy Bass-Wilson • Husband and wife Mario Galioto, 29, and Stephanie [email protected] Banuelos, 29, use the skills they acquired through SHSU’s Masthead Design forensic science graduate program in their work with DNA Ford Design and controlled substance analysis. Vice President for University Advancement Frank R. Holmes [email protected] SECTIONS Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Kristina K. Ruiz [email protected] University Focus Associate Vice President for Development 13 New Buildings: Pirkle, Powell and Tackett Thelma Mooney [email protected] Director of Marketing and Communications Bruce O’Neal Carry The Vision [email protected] 16 Video Scoreboard Donation Director of Alumni Relations Charles Vienne [email protected] Eye On The Kats 21 100 Seasons of Football The goal ofHeritage is to keep you informed Spring Wrap Up 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 Alumni Look Advancement please call 936.294.3625 26 Distinguished Alumni 2015 or visit shsu.edu/giving. Class Notes; In Memoriam ON THE COVER BOARD OF REGENTS Thirteen alumni THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM are using their talents to make Dr. Jaime R. Garza, Chairman ........ San Antonio William F. Scott .....................Nederland their mark before Rossanna Salazar, Vice Chairman ...........Austin Alan L. Tinsley ....................Madisonville making 30, and Charlie Amato ..................... San Antonio Donna N. Williams .....................Arlington they’re just getting Veronica Muzquiz-Edwards .......... San Antonio Spencer Copeland, Student Regent .......Huntsville started. David Montagne .....................Beaumont Page 2. Vernon Reaser III ...................... Bellaire Brian McCall, Chancellor .................Austin 13 under 30 By Jennifer Gauntt, Julia May, Tammy Parrett and Romney Thomas or more than 135 years, Sam Houston State what Oscar Wilde may have believed, youth has not University has been providing a world-renowned been wasted. Feducation to students who would go on to L ike m a ny of the i r c o ho r t s, the s e 13 have hit the g ro u n d make significant impacts in the fields of criminal justice, running and can be found all over the globe, working to business and education, among others. advance their educations in an effort to revolutionize the But as the university has grown and its programs way women and children are treated for HIV in Africa or expanded, SHSU’s outreach, too, has expanded. Alumni to create a more effective antibiotic; dazzling on some can be found around the world utilizing the skills they of the world’s most stunning stages and from behind- began acquiring at SHSU to exert their influence both in the-scenes in television; playing significant roles in the workforce and in service to their fellow man. emerging areas within oil and gas and online advertising; These kinds of impacts are not only being made by and, of course, continuing to tackle some of the nation’s alumni who have spent decades building an esteemed most pressing issues in forensic science, business and career, but also by many fresh-faced, recent graduates. education. In showcasing how SHSU also is developing the next While these 13 alumni are using their talents to make generation of young professionals, Heritage magazine their mark before making 30, they’re just getting started; has selected 13 graduates under the age of 30 (one Heritage magazine and its readers will likely be hearing turned 30 during the writing process), for whom, despite about these young alumni for years to come. 2 SHSU Heritage Magazine SPOTLIGHT Samantha McKinley, 22 services to her own Taylor Price, 23 ’14 BBA in finance and clients and make sure ’14 BA in criminal banking they are satisfied. justice Global wealth “I don’t want Professional bareback relationship associate just a transactional rider, living in Huntsville with BBVA Compass in relationship with Dallas customers, where I’m SHSU rodeo coach simply trying to sell a Bubba Miller put Samantha McKinley is relationship associate. and I like being able product to them,” she Taylor Price on his entering an extremely “We advise and to build a relationship said. “I actually want first bucking steer exciting time in her life. provide high-net-worth and build trust with to get to know them when the Huntsville The 2014 graduate customers the type of customers.” and become a trusted native attended Miller’s recently participated in financial services that As for her future, member of their team, cowboy church, Branded the LEAP program, a they need, depending McKinley plans to whatever that may be.” for Christ, as a freshman management training on their own situation,” continue to learn and While she may be in high school. program for BBVA she said. gain new experiences in new to the job, she has While many cowboys Compass, and accepted “I think this field the global wealth market never underestimated start riding much earlier a permanent position in is really interesting,” so she can become a the power of money. In than that, Price took to Dallas, where she lives she said. “Discussing private banker, which fact, the power of money bull riding like … well, a with her fiancé and her finances requires a very will allow her to provide is something she is very cowboy on a bull. puppy, Mayzie. intimate relationship, specific financial passionate about. And though he “I’ve hit a lot of big “If you can take followed in his mother’s milestones in the past control of your finances, footsteps when he year; I’m just trying you can achieve a lot of attended SHSU by to embrace all of the independence,” she said. majoring in criminal opportunities that have justice, Price’s heart been given to me,” she never left the arena’s said. shoots, especially as he After graduating in excelled in his transition May 2014, the 22-year- from bull riding to old Austin native bareback riding in moved to Birmingham, college.