Ludacris, Even 6 and All-American Rejects Performed At SHSU
Ludacris at Sammypalooza
by Cheval John
The start of another school year is on the horizon.
Incoming freshman looking forward to start their collegiate careers for the first time while transfer students are happy about an opportunity for a new start.While many were worried about what classes to take or moving into a new dorm, students at Sam Houston State University were looking forward to another concert before classes begin on Wednesday.
Every year since 2005, the Office of Student Activities in collaboration with the Department of Recreational Sports put together a concert series in the fall called “Sammypalooza.”
They would bring in well known music artist to perform for the students and give them a reason to transition into student life.
Ludacris, Eve 6 and the All-American Rejects were this year’s performers at Sammypalooza that was held on August 27 at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Between 4,750 and 5,500 people attended the well-anticipated event.
Lead Singer Tyson Ritter of All-American Rejects
Though the concert started at 7 p.m., many were at the door at noon.
Eve 6 started the night with a bang.
They performed many of their hits including “Inside Out” and “Here’s To The Night.”
It was even more special as guitarist Jon Siebels was celebrating his birthday and the band they wished him a happy birthday.The All-American Rejects continued the momentum.
Many accompanied the band to their well known song, “Dirty Little Secret.”
“I am an All-American Rejects fanatic,” SHSU junior softball player Erin Martin said.
“I saw them in concert when I was fourteen and they were always my favorite band.”
The place got electric when Ludacris came on the stage.
The rapper from Atlanta performed many of his hits including “Area Code” and “Act A Fool.”
He returned from a concert in Canada the night before and was excited by the energy of the crowd.
“I grew up listening to Ludacris,” SHSU student Megan Herring said.
“To actually see him at my school right here for free, it can’t get any better than that.”
The concert was a much needed boost before the beginning of another school year and many believe that it has put SHSU and Huntsville on the map.
Sammy the Bearkat with Volunteer Workers at Sammypalooza
“Not a lot of schools can get these type of people to come to their schools for free,” Herring said.
“It’s pretty awesome.”
Question And Answer With Melanie Kania
Melanie Kania is a prime example of what being persistent is all about.
She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2009 during the “great recession.”
She could have given into the notion of just settling for a job that was available.
Instead, she continued to be persistent and months later, she acquired internships with two public relations firms in the Houston area.
She is now with Weatherford International were she serves as a Communications Specialist.
We caught up with Melanie to get her perspective on the journey that led her to her current position.
Vallano Media: How long did it take for you to find that post-college job?
Melanie Kania: I graduated in 2009 during the height of the recession, so it took about nine months to find the job I have now. In the meantime I pursued internships to gain experience in public relations and was exposed to a broad range of industries, which led me to oil and gas where I am now.
V.M. : Were you involved in any organization while in college?
M.K. : Yes I was involved in: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honors Society, Public Relations Student Society of America, National Society for Leadership and Success, Golden Keys National Honors Society and Order of Omega.
V.M. : Why should students get involved in an organization?
M.K. : I believe that organization involvement is very important to college students and is an intregal part of one’s college experience.
V.M. : Did you study abroad and if so, how has studying abroad impacts a student’s undergraduate/graduate career?
M.K. : Yes I studied abroad through Sam Houston’s Puebla program and lived in Puebla, Mexico with a host family for a month. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had, and the memories made and lessons learned will be with me forever. The program gave me first hand exposure to another culture and I was able to see how they live and do business.
V.M. : Looking back, was it worth attending college?
M.K. : Absolutely, in fact I am planning to go back to pursue my Masters.
V.M. : Final thoughts?
M. K. : Get as involved as possible. Networking through my collegiate/ post college organizations led me to my current position and the internships along the way.
Innovation At It’s Best
by Cheval John
The Woodlands, Texas- “Today is an historic day for our institution and yet another example of why Sam Houston State is a great name in Texas education.”
That were the opening remarks of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) president, Dr. Dana Gibson to the audience in attendance at the Grand Opening Ceremony of Sam Houston State University-The Woodlands Center on the campus of Lone Star College-Montgomery.
Among those who were in attendance were members of The Texas State University System’s (TSUS) Board of Regents, TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall, Vice Chancellor of Lone Star College System Rand Key, LSC-Montgemery President Austin A. Lane, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, Texas Representative Lois Kolkhorst and representatives from the South Montgomery Woodlands Chambers of Commerce.
The event was streamed lived through SHSU Online for those who could not make it to the ceremony.
The Center is a 144,164 square foot, four story facility that has an auditorium that seats 120, three lecture rooms that holds a seating for 64 students, a five-story parking garage, an 80-seat computer lab and a whole lot more.
It also increases the chance for area residents, who graduated from LSCS with their associate degree and can’t make it onto the main campus, to continue their education at the center to complete their bachelor’s degree.
“The potential for the Woodlands Center is endless,” Dr. Janet Mullings, Executive Director of SHSU-The Woodlands Center said. “As an extension of our main campus, we are bringing the culture of SHSU here.”
“We will enrich this community and in return, they will enrich SHSU through this campus.”
Prior to the opening of the Woodlands Center, SHSU, in conjunction with five area universities, offered classes in the University Center, in partnership with LSCS.
Over time, it became apparent they needed their own building because they were offering 80% percent of the classes.
In 2005, they entered into an agreement that would move the process toward reality.
With the help of Congressman Brady and State Representative Kolkhorst, they secured the funding and in 2009, the deal was finalized that allowed LSCS to donate seven acres of land to Sam Houston, with the understanding that they will be able to teach their classes at the center and use the parking garage for their students, faculty and staff.
They broke ground in the fall of 2010 and in the spring of 2011, they began construction on the property and completed the center in one year.
“Sam Houston State is our top transfer school,” president Lane said. “We are looking forward to offering even more classes out here for our students so that they can transfer seamlessly from Lone Star College-Montgomery.
With the center completed, SHSU have positioned themselves to have a strong presence in the Woodlands and expand their undergraduate and graduate degree programs to the community.
For those students who start their education at a community college, like Lone Star and live in Montgomery County, they do not have to travel long distance to further their education thanks to the Woodlands Center.
“LSCS has been an important partner for us,” Dr. Gibson said. “We realized that many students today need to start at a community college and then transfer….we are really an phenomenal example of that type of partnership with the two of us together.
Staying “In The Zone”
by Cheval John
When people hear of Huntsville, Texas, the first thing they think of is “prison city”
because it is the headquarters of the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
But they fail to realize that there is more to the city than what meets the eye.
For example, it is home to Sam Houston State University, a Carnegie Doctoral Research University that have over 17,000.
These same students would believe that there is nothing to do when they first arrive here,
but would later discover that there is more to do
thanks to a magazine called In The Zone (ITZ).
ITZ is a free monthly entertainment magazine that was founded in 2006 by D.J. Schafer and Jason Naavasard.
It has articles about places to go, sporting events, fashion, movies reviews and a lot more.
“We had quarterly magazines for senior lifestyles…” Schafer said. “The only thing that we didn’t touch was the college.”
The founders held focus groups to find out the type of content that would be suited for the magazine.
They even allowed the participants to write down the possible name of magazine.
After looking at the responses, they came up with the name “In The Zone.”
From there, Schafer built the logo overnight and the first issue was launched in May 2006.
“We decided to start the first issue in the summer instead of the
first day of school because it allowed me to work out the kinks to everything,” Schafer said.
Over time, the magazine has gained popularity among the students, but like any business, it has seen it’s ups and downs.
Naavasard left the magazine last year and they
brought in Mallory Collins as their outside sales representative earlier this year.
Since she joined, the magazines have reached new heights and the team
are looking forward to new opportunities that will come their way
in the fall because of new students that will attend the university.
“You have to re-market yourself every year and target the new comers,” Collins said.
For more information about ITZ, visit their website at www.itzmag.com.
Good Things Happen On Friday The Thirteenth
Many people consider Friday the thirteenth as a day of bad luck.
That was not the case for SHSU spirit programs as both the Orange Pride (OP) Dance Team and the Co-Ed Quad won the national championship in the National Cheer Association/National Dance Association (NCA/NDA) Competition in Daytona Beach, Florida last Friday, April 13 while the All-Girl Squad placed fourth and Sammy the Bearkat Mascot placed seventh in their respective competition in Daytona Beach.
For the O.P. Dance Team, it was their third straight national championship and fifth overall, making head coach Sarah Pritchard the all-time winniest coach in the program history.
“It’s not something that you could really describe,” O.P. co-captain Hannah Shields said. “I didn’t order a senior ring because I wanted a third national championship ring and I accomplished that.”
It was the first national championship in the history of the Co-Ed Squad program.
What even more amazing is that it was their first time competing in the NCA/NDA competition this year after competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association/Universal Dance Association (UCA/UDA) Competition, defeating seven-time national champion and arch-rival Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University.
“It’s such a huge accomplishment for Sam Houston and in the cheer world,” Shields said. “Who walks into a competition in their first year and wins over a seven-time national champion in SFA? It was a crazy day.”
In the first year of competition at the Division I level, the All-Girl Squad placed fourth.
In reality, the Spirit Programs proved that Friday the thirteenth is not a bad day after all.