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.

Highlights from the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber’s Inaugural Quarterly Luncheon

The Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its inaugural “Quarterly Luncheon” this week, featuring Fire Chief Greg Mathis as the speaker. With approximately 75 people attending the ticketed event, the Luncheon offered ample opportunities for mixing while learning more about the community.

New Chamber President & CEO Jason Brandolini opened the event, recognizing the sponsors, laying out upcoming community events, and thanking many of the audience members, including Jeff Murski (representing Congressman Pete Sessions), Bill Daugette (Commissioner, PCT 3), and Mayor Humphrey and members of City Council (Denman, McKenzie, and Antwine).

He also introduced Chief Mathis, who took the opportunity to speak on the 100th Anniversary of the Fire Department, describing the services the Department offers (anyone know the FD had a Dive Team?), the activity levels of the HFD, and the emphasis the department puts on training.

Indeed, Chief Mathis requires that personnel do some training every day of the week other than Sunday.

The informative event was a harbinger of lunches to come, perhaps with even more people attending. Indeed, members of the media were on hand, with Tim Johnson representing KSAM, Brenda Poe representing The Huntsville Item, and Wade Thibodeaux representing the Walker County Press, offering the potential for much future coverage of future learning opportunities.

Mostly, though, it was an opportunity to come together to learn from each other, to find new ways to get involved, and to spend time together as a community.

The Bizarre Tale of Treaty Oak’s Poisoning in Austin

Makenna McDaniel

They say “Keep Austin Weird” but nothing is more bizarre than the story of Treaty Oak. Back in the 1980s, there was an attempted murder that took place. Of a person? Even worse, it is the perfect specimen ever to exist. Treaty Oak.

Treaty Oak, an over 500-year-old tree, is a historic site in Austin, Texas. In 1927, the American Forestry Association named Treaty Oak the most perfect specimen in North America. A tree so perfect that people from around the United States have to visit it whenever they come to Austin.\

*Pictured: Treaty Oak, 1941. (Courtesy of the Austin Public Library)*

In 1989, a ghastly sight was seen: dead grass surrounding Austin’s beloved tree. John Giedraitis, Austin’s first city forester, was hosting several state foresters from across the United States when he came upon this frightening sight. While leading a tour of the multiple parks in Austin, Giedraitis proudly took them to Treaty Oak. Upon first glance, the foresters noticed that something alarming was at the roots of Treaty Oak, dead grass. Indicating a problem, after months of further tree deterioration, Giedraitis decided to open a full investigation to save the tree. Giedraitis took samples and sent them to the lab for a test. The results were quick but did not contain happy news… Treaty Oak was being poisoned!

*Pictured: ‘Murder Mystery Grips City: Just Who Would Kill a Tree?’ on the front page of The New York Times*, 1989.

The poisoning seemed to him as intentional, but who could do such a thing? That is a question that Giedraitis would not rest until he got to the bottom of. Austinites were not the only ones invested in this criminal case but the world. Magazines and news stations started to cover the story. One day, after hearing about the tragedy, H. Ross Perot, a billionaire based in Texas, reached out and offered to pay for the expenses of the investigation. Giedraitis and his foresters began to call every scientist they knew; the local police department took up the case; it was a city-wide effort. In the meantime, several treatments were given to Treaty Oak to save its life.

John Jones, a new detective in the Austin City Police Department, thought this case was a joke but soon found out it was anything but. The Austin Forestry Service offered a $11,000 reward to anyone who knew the culprit.

The news spread so fast that people from all over the world started to call, claiming to know something. No one had any helpful information about the case until Cindy Blanco came forward. Blanco would often ride to a local methadone clinic with a man named Paul Stedman Cullen. Blanco recalled an odd conversation with Cullen, who admitted his love for his counselor, but the love was unrequited. Cullen performed rituals and believed that killing the largest thing would also kill his passion for his counselor. Jones got a search warrant after an incriminating audio recording. Cullen’s home was soon investigated, and a trial began. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to 9 years for criminal mischief. Treaty Oak was safe at last!

Lessons from the Bench: A Day at Huntsville Municipal Court

While the LEAP Center’s project-based internships are robust by themselves, they are supplemented with opportunities for professional development. One such opportunity occurred last week at the Huntsville Municipal Court, with guidance from Court Clerk Flor Borbor, Officer Eric Scott, Prosecutor Cody Corcoran, and Judge Devan Dawson.

To learn more about our Court system, the City Fellows–along with former LEAP President and current SHSU attorney Victoria McClendon-Leggett–journeyed to the Municipal Court building in Huntsville. With Flor Borbor facilitating the tour and Judge Dawson leading the discussion, we began by covering the basics:

The Municipal Court Judge is hired/appointed by Council, not elected;
The Municipal Court hears Class C Misdemeanors;
The Municipal Court hears Jury and Bench Trials;
Bench Trials involve six jurors.

Cody Corcoran was also on hand to discuss his approach to prosecutions, which mostly involved finding ways to work with the accused. He and Judge Dawson appeared to agree that while justice should be served, they both sought ways to achieve justice without major setbacks for the alleged wrongdoer. There was even more agreement, however–among the Judge, Clerk, Prosecutor, and Officer–that lying or being rude would lead to a harsher sentence.

The students were impressively engaged, bringing up good points, asking interesting questions, and remaining involved even when the men began arguing about who had caught the bigger fish.

Officer Scott also discussed his career in law-enforcement in general, while particularizing on his duties as a bailiff. With good humor and a disarming self-deprecation, he described his job as “secretary with a gun,” highlighting his tendency–and, in fact, all the officials in the Municipal Court–to pitch in where needed.

It was a good lesson for young people, especially this group of mostly Criminal Justice majors, many of whom are deciding between careers in law-enforcement and the legal field. The lessons of courtesy, professionalism, and pitching in are valuable across all disciplines and occupations.

Following views of the jury room, the business office, and a formal group photo, the tour came to a close. And while the tour only lasted a little more than an hour and a half, the perspectives they gained may last a lifetime.

Exploring O’Henry’s Home: A Trip Through Literary History

This past month, I toured the O’Henry Home. Upon entering, I was greeted by Spike Gillespie, a kind and knowledgeable staff member from the City of Austin’s Museums and Cultural Programs. She shared key details about William Sydney Porter’s life, explaining that he lived in this house from 1884 to 1894 before fleeing to Honduras due to corruption allegations at his workplace, the First National Bank of Austin. A few years later, he returned to the U.S. under an alias—O’Henry—the pen name that would bring him literary fame.

The small home consists of three main rooms: the living room…

…the bedroom…

…and O. Henry’s office.

As I walked through, I enjoyed learning fascinating tidbits about his life and work. His experience drafting maps at the General Land Office in Austin resonated with me, as I’ve encountered the GLO while assisting the Land and Resource Committee in my office.

Although modern technology has replaced hand-drawn maps, I appreciated the small connection I felt while standing in O’Henry’s office.

As I continued walking through the home, I found myself amused with framed sketches located right outside O’Henry’s office. Later, Spike informed me that during his lifetime, O’Henry became a self-taught artist, focusing largely on political cartoons, which were featured in The Rolling Stone magazine. Most of his artwork throughout the home feature a mixture of political cartoons and the life of American settlers.

Spike also shared insights into how his time in Austin shaped his storytelling. Many of his short stories reflect themes of redemption, irony, and human nature, qualities that may have been influenced by his own struggles. His most famous work, “The Gift of the Magi,” showcases his signature twist endings, a style that would make him one of the most celebrated short story writers in American literature.

Beyond his literary contributions, O’Henry’s influence on Austin is still evident. His home, now preserved as a museum, serves as a reminder of the city’s rich cultural history.

Creative writing workshops hosted by individuals like Spike encourage Austinites to expand their writing skills and explore writing techniques utilized by famous writers such as O’Henry.

Visiting the O’ Henry Home provided me with insight that was much greater than a historical tour, it was a glimpse into the life of a man who turned adversities into art, which brought people together. His legacy lives on not only in his stories but also in the continued appreciation of his wit and literary style.

Reflections on a Year as TSUS Student Regent

by Olivia Discon

Serving as Student Regent for the Texas State University System was both an honor and a rare opportunity to better understand the intricacies of higher education and governance. From the outset, my goal was simple but ambitious: to learn as much as possible about the system I was entrusted to represent.

In true LEAP Center fashion, I approached this role with intentionality, aiming to grow throughout the entirety of the year-long term.To better understand the broader context of higher education policy, I turned to literature and public resources detailing statewide initiatives and governance structures. This helped me grasp the current landscape, the challenges facing higher education, and situate my responsibilities within that larger framework.

Early in my term, I attended the orientation hosted by the Governor’s Office, where I had the chance to meet the six other student regents from across Texas and the student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It was great to be surrounded by other students similarly engaged in public service. It was here that I gained a broader perspective of the role and the expectations moving forward.

At the Texas Tribune Festival, I attended sessions focused on higher education policy and heard from leaders such as Chancellor Tedd Mitchell (Texas Tech University System), Dr. Harrison Keller (Commissioner of Higher Education), and Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp. Learning from the leaders across our state in higher education in this setting helped contextualize what I had been learning in “theory” and translate it into real-world context and application.

Serving during a legislative session added another educational component. I had the opportunity to witness, in real time, how policy decisions shape institutions. Beyond watching the many bills being deliberated on, I also had the opportunity to attend some events that only occur during session. This included a gubernatorial appointee training, the State of the State Address, and other events like the TSUS Foundation Gala and Sam Houston’s Birthday Celebration.

Still, the most meaningful part of this experience was participating in board meetings. It was a privilege to sit alongside nine regents—each an alum of a TSUS institution—who have not only achieved success in their respective fields but remain dedicated to advancing public education. Learning from their example was both humbling and inspiring.

Above all, this year reaffirmed my commitment to public service. The role of Student Regent is intentionally open-ended, designed to adapt to the individual. For me, it became a space to explore what civic engagement and leadership mean in practice. With the guidance of the LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, and the Texas State University System, I was able to take what had once been an abstract interest and turn it into a concrete path forward.

As a first-generation college student—and the first in my family to graduate high school—I wasn’t always sure what my college journey would look like. The time I’ve spent at Sam Houston State University and with the LEAP Center has shaped me in ways I could not have anticipated. I carry that investment with deep gratitude, and I look forward to building on it in the next chapter of my public service career.

Health and Highlights from the Lions Club 75th Anniversary

Yesterday marked the Lions Club second annual Health, Education, and Volunteer Fair, while also doubling as a celebration of the organization’s 75th Anniversary! Approximately 20 vendors were on hand to strengthen the community by promoting health, increasing awareness of educational options, and facilitating volunteerism in the community. LEAP, with alumna Victoria McClendon-Leggett–now with Student Legal and Mediation Services–were on hand to learn and engage.

With booths from the Walker County Senior Center, Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Benchmark Hospice, the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, and many more, there was a lot of information and services available to local residents. Attendees had the opportunity to do health checks at one moment and, somewhat curiously, grab candy and chips.

With this many resources in one place, it was inevitable that we would run into friends such as Gregoria McGuire, Derrick Birdsall, Rob Hipp, and Stacy Loll. The Lions Club, festive in their celebration of their 75th Anniversary, had cake on hand, as well as a photo backdrop, with Lions Representatives from across the state on hand.

It was also a chance to re-connect with old friends. During our rovings, Huntsville Memorial Hospital employee Paula Morales came up to Professor Yawn, asking, “Are you Mr. Yawn?” When she received an affirmative reply, she noted that she was part of the “very first Citizenship Course” and that she had earned her citizenship in 2009. It was a pleasant and touching reunion and, in a sense, a microcosm of what promoting a stronger community is all about.

It may have been the Lions Club birthday/anniversary, but it was a really a gift to the community, one that was much appreciated by LEAP.

SHSU Students Shine, Earn Recognition in the Texas Legislature

For the past twelve years, the LEAP Center has supervised one of SHSU’s highest-profile programs: The Sam Houston Austin Internship Program (SHAIP). The program oversees the recruitment, selection, preparation, and placement of students who work the entire session–while also taking classes and representing SHSU at various events.

The 89th session doesn’t end until June 2, but the light at the end of the tunnel is visible for the students, and some of their hard work was recognized on the House floor in May, when the Speaker recognized the SHAIP students, for performing “their duties with great skill and dedication.” Authored by Representative Armando Martinez and co-authored by other intern supervisors, the Resolution was scheduled for May 20 at 10:00am.

As Representative Martinez read the resolution alongside the ever-supportive (and alum) Representative Metcalf, the seven students stood, acknowledging the applause from the floor and the gallery.

The recognition is a culmination of sorts of a year-long process that plays out over a two-year period. Professor Mike Yawn oversees the LEAP Center, which participates in some 150 programs/activities every year, allowing Yawn, other SHSU staff, and LEAP Ambassadors to assess the interest and professionalism in students from across the University. The spring before legislative session, informational meetings are held, informing students of the outlines of the programs and encouraging students to find flexible housing if they are interested in the program.

In the fall, students submit applications that are reviewed by a committee of five SHSU faculty staff, and SHAIP alumni. Once the committee’s recommendations come in, students are offered the chance to express their interest in interviewing with offices in which they would like to work. Their resumes are then sent to those offices, where staff members select the students they’d like to interview.

Following an extensive round-robin interview process, the interns rank the offices with which they’ve interviewed, and the offices rank the students with whom they met. From there, matches are made, and the process of preparing the students for Austin begins.

This year’s matches were fortuitous, with the students indicating a high level of satisfaction with their placements and earning very high evaluations. Cinthia Villarreal Carillo interned with Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez; Makenna McDaniel interned with Representative Will Metcalf; Sarah Isett interned with the legislative affairs team of the Texas Association of Counties; Guadalupe Centeno interned with Representative Senfronia Thompson; Saara Maknojia interned with Representative Suleman Lalani; Sarah-Hope Parohl interned with Representative J.M. Lozano; and Michelle Cardenas interviewed with Governor Abbott’s Legislative Affairs office, an internship that has been extended through June.

While in Austin, the students are encouraged to explore, learn, and engage, and they have made the most of those opportunities. Most important, though, they have sharpened their skill sets, more fully learned the legislative process, and expanded their professional networks, all while elevating the reputation of Sam Houston State University and earning–as the resolution notes–the “high regard of the Texas House of Representatives.”

Memorial Day Origins: Honoring the Fallen Through Tradition

The LEAP Center’s primarily mission is civic engagement, and there is no way to fulfill that mission without being cognizant of the sacrifice made by those who have served in the US Military.

As a modest recognition of those who, as Abraham Lincoln first said, “gave the last full measure of devotion,” we joined the Huntsville, Texas Lions Club to place flags across a mile-and-a-half section of Huntsville for Memorial Day.

Origins of Memorial Day

Following the loss of more than 600,000 in the Civil War, Americans–in both the North and the South–struggled to recognize their dead in a manner that reflected the magnitude of loss. Drawing on regional traditions and the time-immemorial tradition of placing flowers on graves (a practice that goes back some 12,000 years), people gathered on different dates to mourn and remember.

Boalsburg, PA lays claim to a 1864 celebration; Charleston, SC had a large commemoration in 1865; the cities of Columbus Georgia and Columbus Mississippi had recognitions within a day of each other in 1866. Each of these cities makes a claim to be have hosted the first Memorial Day celebration.

But it was in 1868 that Major John Logan, of the political powerful Grand Army of the Republic, called for May 30 to serve as a “Decoration Day,” during which Americans would remember and place flowers on the graves of the Civil War dead. The date was purposive: the late spring date offered the “choicest” and most ample supply of flowers, the better to decorate the graves of the many dead.

The day of commemoration took hold, even as the Grand Army of the Republic faded from view. Firmly rooted in tradition by the end of the 19th century…

Brownsville, TX 1916–By Ralph Runyon, Dolph Briscoe Ctr

it was expanded to honor all those who died in service (rather than just the Civil War dead), and it was officially proclaimed a National Holiday in 1971 as part of the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act,” which moved the holiday to the last Monday in May.

The Lions Club Flag Project

As part of their ongoing service to the community, the Lions Club supervises their flag project, which involves placing flags in town on major holidays. For the past three years, the LEAP Center has assisted with that project, and while the LEAP Center plans no formal grave-visiting or flower-strewing, we have tried to ensure, as the Act originally hoped, that “no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

And after planting some 250 flags as part of a community project, we took a selfie in front of Lee Jamison’s new mural, which is a good reflection of that community and its history. Interestingly, Brian Blalock, a Lion and a photographer, was with us as we posed in front of the mural, which features a rendering of a photo taken by Blalock (note the “Waving Sammy” on the mural).

Apart from engaging in an act of service, today’s volunteer activity was also poignant because it involved Chrissy’s last LEAP-related event in Huntsville. She is moving to Lubbock in a week to begin her law school journey, and we were happy to be part of another event with her, especially one in service to the community.

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