Let’s Talk–About Almost Everything!

In the middle of a busy week for the LEAP center, the Ambassadors made time for a day of “Let’s Talk.”  This event is one of our favorite, giving us, SHSU faculty and staff, and the community a chance to dine with guest speakers from all over the country.  With speakers ranging from paranormal activity investigator Kenneth Rigali to Jiu-Jitsu instructor Daniel Rivas to true-crime author Kathryn Casey to Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, it was difficult to choose  which table at which to sit.

But before the actual event itself, the LEAP Center, as the sponsor of four of the speakers, had a day full of activities.  Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Glenn Frankel, for example, visited with Dr. George Diaz’s Texas History class….

…where he discussed Cynthia Ann Parker and the TX frontier.  The students were engaged, and his topic was lively…

Mark Burns also led a classroom discussion, but his classroom was moved to his exhibit space at the Walker Education Center.  Dr. Rebecca Finley’s class met there and had the chance to not only meet with Burns, but do so in the midst–literally–of his work.

Things got more interesting as Mr. Burns joined some of us–along with true-crime author Kathryn Casey–at the Texas Prison Museum.  Casey and Burns enjoyed the various exhibits, and Burns even spent time in jail…

Following the full day of events, the evening began with a VIP reception, which our speakers attended and met with other speakers…

…then was followed by a more general reception…

…and then by an introduction from President Hoyt and dinner.

I was dining with Mr. Bill Hensel, who was the External Affairs Manager for the Port of Houston Authority. We were joined by former Houston Post journalist Mrs. Hensel, Conroe’s Community Impact Newspaper Editor Jesse Mendoza , a Sam Houston State University web editor, Houston World Affairs Council representative Sandija Bayou and her two colleagues, and Sam Houston State University Political Science Professor Mike Yawn.

Mr. Hensel began with a discussion of the historical background of the port and, particularly, Congressman Tom Ball’s contribution to the Ship Channel.  We also learned of the every-day activity of the port, the disruption resulting from weather events, and anti-terrorism measures.

For someone who was not very familiar with the modern marvel that is the Port of Houston, it was a rewarding experience to learn how crucial the Port of Houston Authority is to American commerce. But apart from his current profession, it was just as pleasant to learn of Hensel’s past journalism experience. Before his employment by the Port of Houston Authority, Hensel had worked for the Houston Chronicle. With all of his past experiences in journalism and now local government, combined with the perspectives of all of us sitting in the table, every question and comment directed towards Hensel served as an extra ingredient that at the end would makeup a very rich conversation. At the end of the dinner we all slowly rose from our seats as if we were unable to pull ourselves from our captivating speakers, exchanged business cards, and thanked Hensel for his willingness to share so much about his career.

Even though I had the experience of only one table, we had LEAP Ambassadors at several tables.  Austin Campbell, for example, was at astronaut Tommy Hollaway’s table.  “He was a very good host,” noted Campbell.  “He had a way of making something as complicated as science and NASA understandable to the common person. Food and conversation are fundamental to human nature and mixing the two resulted in an enjoyable evening!” –Austin Campbell

Other Ambassadors sat at the table of Iron Chef Michael Frietsch, the table of artistic directors Andy and Dionne Noble, Paranormal Investigator Kenneth Rigali, and financial advisor Flip Flippen.

Meanwhile our sponsored speakers held their tables captivated, whether it was Mark Burns discussing photography…

…Philip Mudd discussing the CIA and FBI…

…Glenn Frankel discussing the Texas Frontier and John Wayne’s The Searchers…

…or Kathryn Casey discussing murder in Texas…

…the evening was engaging and fun.

With so many bright minds sharing their professional joys and struggles, it was easy to be inspired. Although all the professions practiced by these guests were very different, the spirit that has impulsed their success is identical. Unspoiled by the desire for fame or wealth, this spirit of dedication and passion is what every speaker had to offer. This virtue embodied in our special guests is what made my Let’s Talk experience so rewarding.