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.

Day 1: Dallas Historical Tour–Coby Steele

Today our group left Huntsville for the New Politics Forum “Careers in Politics” Seminar—making stops at interesting and historic stops along the way. Our first such stop involved an enjoyable lunch at Madisonville’s Woodbine Hotel, where I had the day’s special, grilled chicken smothered in a mushroom sauce with broccoli and two small baked potatoes. It was a wonderful meal, and a wonderful start to our trip.

The trip from Madisonville to Dallas was marked by a torrential downpour and a few traffic delays, but we were eventually able to make it to the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, Texas. The museum is set in the former Texas School Book Depository in downtown Dallas and is the site of one of the most famous assassinations in U.S. history: that of John F. Kennedy.

The museum chronicled JFK’s presidency leading up to that fatal day in November. We were able to see hundreds of Kennedy-era artifacts, which were complemented by numerous audio and visual clips. I was surprised at how divided the country was at the time, and it kind of reminded me today’s political climate. After finishing our tour of the museum, we went outside to look on Dealey Plaza to see the exact assassination spot. We strolled along the infamous “Grassy Knoll” and envisioned what it was like to be in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.

We hoped to dine at Ellen’s Southern Cooking (where “Grits Rule!”), but they were closed for a private party. Instead, we went to The Spaghetti Warehouse, where I had the signature spaghetti and meatballs and, for dessert, tiramisu. Not bad for a back-up choice.

As a nightcap, we made our way to the Dallas Museum of Arts, where we toured art galleries ranging from Ancient Greece and Rome to modern art from Europe and America. I most enjoyed the special exhibits featuring furniture and art works by Wendy and Emery Reves, who owned works by Renoir, Van Gogh, and many artifacts (and some paintings) by Winston Churchill.

With that touch of politics, we set out to prepare for tomorrow, when we learn about careers in politics. As a May 2014 graduate, I’m hoping to learn a lot.

Day 1: Dallas Historical Tour–Zach Goodlander

Broadening our horizons is what most college students want to accomplish during their education, but most don’t get the opportunity to do so. After just one day in Dallas, however, seven SHSU students are getting just such an opportunity.

This is my first educational field trip at SHSU, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thus far, it’s been great, offering me the opportunity to meet fellows students (now new friends!) with similar interests as myself.

Our first stop was lunch at “The Woodbine” in Madisonville, where I ordered the grilled Chicken Alfredo. The Woodbine is also a bed and breakfast and a very well preserved building of the Victorian era. Its historic look and the fine food already have me wondering about a return trip in the future.

From there we trudged north, through rain, and arrived at Dealey Plaza, the site of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The Sixth Floor Museum is so named because it was the sixth floor from which Oswald shot the President.

The Museum is well done, with audio accompaniment and thousands of artifacts showcasing the Kennedy era—the Cold War, Civil Rights, and, of course, the assassination. It’s disconcerting to move from the “Kennedy Family” exhibit to the “Assassination” exhibit, and have the tour change from an upbeat history to the terror of a presidential killing. The sniper’s nest used by Oswald is amazingly well preserved, so much so that this section seems frozen in time.

The most interesting section was the Kennedy Funeral. Not only did Kennedy’s death mark an end to an era—the end of Camelot—but, as a Catholic, I felt a personal connection to the funeral ceremony, which honored the life of the first and, thus far, only Catholic President.

The Museum offered a special exhibit on presidential photographs. We saw photos of Harding shaking hands with Babe Ruth…

…Nixon meeting Elvis…

…but none, unfortunately, of my favorite President, Calvin Coolidge (editor’s note: for good reason)…

After a stop at Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner, we headed to the Dallas Museum of Art. The Museum has floors dedicated to various exhibits, from the “Art of the Americas” to the “Art of Europe” and art from India, Africa, Greece, and other civilizations. I’m not astute art admirer, but there were some names I recognized: Rodin, Monet, and Picasso. But my favorite was “The Adoration of the Shepherds” by Paolo de Matteis.

As I wrap up my first day on my first trip I look to ahead to broader horizons and more opportunities in the form of the New Politics Forum’s Careers in Politics Seminar at SMU.

Careers in Politics: Day 1–According to Brian King

On September 20th, 2013, seven students (including myself) from Sam Houston State University’s L.E.A.P. (Law, Engagement, and Politics) Program departed from Huntsville, Texas en route to Dallas, Texas for the New Politics Forum Event, which takes place on Saturday, September 21st. This event is geared toward college undergraduates and graduates, who are interested in a future career within the field of politics.

Despite the windy, rainy weather during our travel, we successfully managed to stop for lunch at the Woodbine Hotel / Restaurant in Madisonville, Texas. Madisonville, as some of you know, is the mushroom capital of Texas, so it wasn’t surprising that many of the fine entrees came with mushrooms. The lunch also offered the chance for us to know one another. We had an International Business major, a Criminal Justice major, and, of course, Political Science majors, but we were all united in our desire to be engaged in civics. The Woodbine also offered us a chance to see interesting antiques, the most interesting of which was an antique phone booth.

Continuing through the rough weather and mild traffic, the students arrived in Dallas, Texas around 4:30pm and went to the Sixth Floor Museum, located at Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas.

The Sixth Floor Museum examined the life, times, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. I really enjoyed the museum’s depiction of John F. Kennedy, along with the countless photographs and memorabilia from the time of his presidency.

Following the Sixth Floor Museum tour, the students ventured to the Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner. At the restaurant, we continued to talk about political and school related affairs, as well as who our favorite presidents were. Some students liked Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Calvin Coolidge, while I opted for Franklin D. Roosevelt.

After dinner, the students embarked to the Dallas Museum of Art, which offered a special late night tour. Throughout the Dallas Museum of Art, I admired the American Art, as well as the Egyptian Art. Leadbelly, by Michael Owen Jr., is an example of one of the sculptures I enjoyed, especially given the background of the sculpture only taking a month to create.

I should also note that this piece has a connection to my adopted hometown of Huntsville, Texas, which features a mural of Leadbelly on a downtown storefront.

Coffin of Horankh, representing a coffin in the form of a human body, also caught my attention. This body of art was common within the Egyptian culture, as a means of “magically” assuring eternal life.

Overall, I enjoyed the first day of the New Politics Event Forum trip, from the Chicken Caesar Salad at Woodbine Hotel / Restaurant to the aspect of engaging in different cultures at the Dallas Museum of Art. Finally, I look forward to sharing my experience from the New Politics Conference tomorrow at Southern Methodist University.

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