SHSU’s Version Of “Call Me Maybe” Goes Viral
by Cheval John
Carly Rae Jespen’s single “Call Me Maybe” has been a huge hit since it was released in November of 2011.
The catchy tune has been remade and posted on YouTube by professional organizations ranging from the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders to the U.S. Olympic Swim Team.
Now, Sam Houston State University can be added to that list as their remade ‘video’ was released on YouTube on Wednesday and has over 27,000 views.
I caught up with Brandon Cooper, Associate Director for Student Activities to get his take on the video and find out how it all came together.
Vallano Media: The video has took off like wildfire. How do you feel about that?
Brandon Cooper: We are very excited about the publicity and the views that the video has gotten. Really, it was made to promote “The Bearkat Fanatic Contest.”
The contest was the idea of Frank Parker, Vice President for Student Services.”
How it works is students will submit a Bearkat spirited photo with a caption to us and we decide who is the top fourteen out of that group.
Those fourteen that are chosen will get a ticket to the student suite at Reliant Stadium in Houston for the “Battle of The Piney Woods” game between SHSU and Stephen F. Austin State University on October 6.
VM: Who came up with the idea of the video?
BC: Debbie Nichols, assistant to Mr. Parker, was the person who came up with the idea.
She saw the “Call Me Maybe” video and believed that it was the song to be replicated from for the video.
She contacted me and I agreed with the idea.
From there, we got Patric Sleightholm, of Sleightholm Productions, to participate in the project.
We were the directors. He shot and edit the scenes.
After it was finished, we put it out there and the rest is history.
VM: What was Mr. Sleightholm’s take on it?
BC: Mr. Sleightholm is an alumnus of SHSU.
We have hired him quite a bit in the past to do promo videos for us.
When we approached him with this idea, he was excited about the project.
He did a really great job.
VM: How did you get the Bearkat football team to participate?
BC: We contacted Bobby Williams, director of athletics to see if they would be interested to participate in the video.
He was able to get them on board.
They were eager to participate.
We shot their scene on Labor Day after they finished taking their team photos.
VM: Do you think the video will lead into the promotion for the “Battle of the Piney Woods?”
BC: Yes, I really believe that it will.
It has taken on a life of it’s own and it is great for SHSU as a whole.
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.