LEAP Center Celebrates Sam Houston’s Birthday in Austin

LEAP Center students spent a fun-filled, celebratory evening in Austin, Texas, honoring the Lone Star state’s most famous figure: Sam Houston.  Every other year, the SHSU Alumni Association sponsors a celebration of Sam Houston’s birthday at the Bob Bullock Museum.  The event draws University staff, University alumni, Regents and Administrators from Texas State University System, legislators, legislative staff, executive office officials, and many elected officials.

For the LEAP Center, it meant getting all of the Sam Houston Austin Internship Program (SHAIP) students involved, along with bringing LEAP Center students to assist the Alumni Association with working the event.

There are eight students in the Austin Internship Program, working for Representative John Otto, Senator Charles Schwertner, Representative Ron Simmons, Representative Carol Alvarado, Representative Todd Hunter, Representative Armando Martinez, Representative Will Metcalf, and Representative Senfronia Thompson.  All eight of the interns attended the event, with President Gibson highlighting their contributions during her speech.

For the LEAP Center students, it meant doing additional volunteer work–part of the Center’s mission–and having the chance to network.  The networking included talking to SHAIP Interns, SHSU Alumni, TSUS Staff and former Regents, Legislative Staff, and, of course, the President of the University.

It was, according to the consensus, the most fun event of the year, and it was also probably the most rewarding.  Many thanks to Charlie Vienne and Casey Hughes for inviting LEAP Center students!

Author: mikeyawn

Mike Yawn teaches at Sam Houston State University. In the past few years, he has taught courses on Politics & Film, Public Policy, the Presidency, Media & Politics, Congress, Statistics, Research & Writing, Field Research, and Public Opinion. He has published academic papers in the Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, Social Security Quarterly, Film & History, American Politics Review, and contributed a chapter to the textbook Politics and Film. He also contributes columns, news analysis, and news stories to newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, Huron Daily Tribune, Laredo Morning Times, Beaumont Enterprise, Connecticut Post, and Midland Reporter Telegram. Yawn is also active in his local community, serving on the board of directors of the local YMCA and Friends of the Wynne. Previously, he served on the Huntsville's Promise and Stan Musial World Series Boards of Directors. In 2007-2008, Yawn was one of eight scholars across the nation named as a Carnegie Civic Engagement Scholar by the Carnegie Foundation. View all posts by mikeyawn