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.

From the LEAP Lens: Photography Exhibit at the Walker Education Center

Last year, Derrick Birdsall, Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, asked whether we would be interested in having an exhibit of our photographs. Of course we said, “Yes!” And with this agreement, we had the pleasure of working with Derrick, Jude Routh, Megan Buro, and the wonderful Museum staff on this exhibit.

The exhibit showcases photos taken by either LEAP Ambassadors or their advisors, Mike Yawn and Stephanie Fors. The photos range from state parks, national parks, architecture, people, wildlife, and other scenes–all taken from a LEAP-related trip or adventure.

We were, of course, concerned that people might not attend. It’s not easy to explain what LEAP is, and we are not logically or conceptually associated with photography. LEAP, after all, stands for Law, Engagement, And Politics. So, what if people thought it was an exhibit about Law? Or Politics? Or what if no one wanted to see photographs by people who aren’t professional photographers?

All those were legitimate concerns, so we took extra care to send out invitations, and the Museum did a great job marketing the event (and hanging the show)!

As it turned out, we had a great showing of town-and-gown participants. It was wonderful to see some of our LEAP alumni there…

We saw many old friends, such as Mac and Leanne Woodward, Dr. Ralph and Linda Pease, Gene Roberts, Vice-Provost Anne Gaillard, Linda McKenzie, Dr. Stacy Ulbig, Charlie Vienne, Karen Altom, Dr. Tamara Waggener, Thomas Leeper, Ken Holland, and President James and Nancy Gaertner!

In all, more than 200 people showed up, which may be a record for an exhibit opening at the Walker Education Center. We were very pleased with the attendance, and even more grateful that we live in a community that supports students. We, personally, have had some amazing experiences and memories because of our adopted hometown.

Derrick Birdsall did a nice job introducing us…

…Morgan Robertson then made a few comments and introduced the other Ambassadors…

…and then Professor Yawn discussed the LEAP program, told some stories (and some stories behind the stories), and described the exhibit.

We were pleased with the showing from elected officials, such as Commissioner Bill Daugette, Tax-Assessor Collector Diana McRae, District Attorney Will Durham, Judge Tracy Sorenson, Councilmember Casey Cox, School Board Trustee Ken Holland, and Jeff Murski from Congressman Pete Sessions’ office was also on hand! We even had Councilmember Hinojosa and the City Manager from Madisonville, Fabrice Kabona, on hand. And, we were especially gratified to see so many City Staff, with whom we’ve had long partnerships in internships, programs, and other forms of community support.

Most of all, it was wonderful to see so many friends and also to see so many people having a good time.

Thanks to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the many people who attended, and the to the University at large.

If you missed it, the exhibit is open until May 12. The Walker Education Center is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. If you’d like to arrange a “group tour,” the LEAP Ambassadors are also happy to accommodate. Feel free to contact Professor Mike Yawn at mike.yawn@shsu.edu.

CCC Trail: Palo Duro State Park

Olivia Discon

Palo Duro Canyon is sometimes boastfully referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” and that’s not really fair to the Grand Canyon. But taken on its own, it is in fact a grand and beautiful adventure.

LEAP Ambassadors on the
Lighthouse Trail, 2018

The LEAP Ambassadors have traveled to Palo Duro twice, once in 2018, and again in January of this year. It was my first trip to a State Park!

It was beautiful, and I enjoyed the activity, the beauty, and the idea that the State is preserving these areas for the use of all.

The best shot I was able to get was when we were returning from the CCC Trail, just before sunset. It was a beautiful short hike, one where I also learned about the Civilian Conservation Corps–part of FDR’s Works Progress Administration.

What struck me most, though, was the beauty. And as we were heading back, I saw this beautiful view, with Professor Yawn and Stephanie hiking and providing a sense of scale, and I got the image!

Snow Canyon State Park

Named for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow–not its precipitation–Snow Canyon is only ten miles from St. George, UT. Because there are three other state parks within 15 miles of St. George, we had a lot of exploring to do, and we didn’t have a lot of time. So on a cold and foggy morning, we ventured out to do some hiking.

After exploring a slot canyon…

…we found our way to some petrified sand dunes, which offered beautiful views of the park. And while I was tromping all over the State Park, crawling through ravines and such, Stephanie found a beautiful view highlighting both the foreground and background.

It is my vote for the best photograph in the exhibit.

Shiprock: A Natural Wonder

New Mexico has a surprising diversity of landscape, and it has swaths of beauty all over the state. As part of a winter (working) vacation, I was driving through northwestern New Mexico just before sunset, hoping that the backroads to Shiprock would get me to the giant rock formation before the sun actually set.

Shiprock is frequently photographed, but it’s not that easy to get to, and there aren’t a lot of nearby lodging options. As I approached, I was struck by the beauty in every direction.

But I was there to photograph Shiprock, and over the course of about 45 minutes and climbing hills that were steeper and higher than they looked, I got about 30 photographs of the formation Native Americans referred to as “rock with wings” or Tse Bit’a’i. I am not sure which was the best, but I settled on this one for the show.

San Francisco de Asis: Rancho de Taos

It was our first time in New Mexico, and among the many things that impressed us were the string of missions throughout the state. None of these is as famous as the San Francisco de Asis in Rancho de Taos.

Its unique shape, composed from myriad curved buttresses and sharp angles, has been captured by Georgia O’Keeffe…

and Ansel Adams…

So, it was a little intimidating to try to photograph the San Francisco de Asis Mission, but we made this attempt twice. When we arrived in Rancho de Taos, we ventured into the 8-degree temperatures and attempted some night-time photography. Possibly the best of these was taken by Olivia…

But the next morning we were up again early. Over about an hour of shooting, I captured an angle I was happy with–capturing six crosses, two bell towers, a wreath, some graves, and St. Francis, as well as the marvelous architecture of this impressive shrine.