Charles Jones graduated from SHSU sixty years ago, but he still has a presence here. That presence is in his art work on display in the Hoyt Art Building on SHSU’s campus; in the reputation he has formed as an artist and printmaker; and, most recently, in his generous donation of several art works to the Thomason Room at SHSU.
Jones graduated from SHSU in 1963, went on to earn two Master’s Degrees, and embarked on a polymathic career that has involved art, printmaking, music, and academia. After serving as a Professor of Art for many years at Stephen F. Austin State University, he retired to run La Nana Creek Press and was, in turn, named Professor Emeritus at SFA.
Jones is a master of the woodcut, which he often pairs with the written word in various books or other publications. He thinks of these, he says, as a “duet, with image and text achieving a balance.”
LEAP Ambassadors had a chance to see that balance, poetry, and art at the Thomason Room in the middle of finals week. With a mix of faculty, staff, locals, and the LEAP Ambassadors on hand, Joe Kirkland introduced Jones…
…who discussed his interesting works, which were on display around the Thomason Room. Intriguingly, the books took up every table in the room!
Jones discussed his varied career, the printing work he’s done on different topics (including insects, with his co-author, David Kulhavy, whose son, Aron, is the Huntsville City Manager), and his work with Ezra Pound’s widow (Dorothy) and son (Omar). In short, there was something discussed for everyone, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon.
But it wasn’t over! Barbara Kievit-Mason, the University’s Archivist, generously provided us a tour of the archives, where we saw old yearbooks (some, more than 100 years old), newspaper articles, and, most impressively, artifacts uncovered from the Old Main ruins, which followed the 1982 fire that destroyed the structure.
We saw old Sammys…
…pins…
…found some old friends in the yearbooks, and had an all-around enjoyable and educational day!
Many thanks to Charles Jones for his donations to Sam Houston State University, to Ms. Mason for our personalized tour of the archives, and to the Library staff who hosted such an enjoyable event!
M*A*S*H* may have gone off the air in 1981, but KSAM’s “Make A Smile Happen” event has been going strong for the past 17 years.
This annual event, which solicits gift donations for six local non-profit organizations in time for the holidays, is sponsored by KSAM, and is supported by a host of community businesses and organizations–one of which is the LEAP Ambassadors.
And so it was over a period of 20 hours on December 6 and 7, the LEAP Ambassadors worked dusk till dawn to market the event, accept donations, and sort and sift donations.
The on-air personalities such Bryan Reeder, Tracey Downey, and Glenn Edwards performed their jobs on-site, promoting the events, bringing sponsors on-air, and, of course, playing their normal music sets.
In addition to the on-air personalities, the Ambassadors had the chance to spend time with old friends such as Tim Johnson (KSAM’s GM); some of the sponsors such as Dr. Lane Aiena and Tim Rushing; and some of the beneficiaries. Perhaps most inspiring was seeing the big-hearted generosity of many of the donors. The Heberts and the Rushings, for example, combined to donate 21 bicycles!
Scores of people stopped by, donating food, pet food/supplies, and toys. This year, the big winners were children, with some 1,771 toys donated. But the drive also elicited more than 1,147 canned items, hundreds of pounds of pet supplies, and, perhaps most important, $10,461.85 donations in cash and gift cards.
These donated items go to one of six local non-profit organizations/ government organizations: HISD’s Social Services, Rita B. Huff, SAAFE House, Good Shepherd Mission, Boys & Girls Club of Walker County, and Santa’s Helpers. Also, Vera Bank matched $1,000 in donations, helping us bring the total donations over the $10,000 mark.
Obviously, this helps fill the goal of the event, which is to support local families during the holidays. But beyond its designed benefits, it also helps the LEAP Ambassadors learn more about the community and the non-profits that benefit the community.
Today was the last day of finals, and we were working while also worrying a bit about grades and the stress of the last week of school. But this event has a way of reminding us of our good fortunes: the love of family, many friendships, the opportunities afforded to us by SHSU, and the good fortune we share by living in a generous community.
With finals in full swing, LEAP Ambassadors and friends stole away to The Woodlands for a few hours to attend another wonderful World Affairs Council event, this time with Jim Olson, former Director of Counterespionage for the CIA.
As always, it was an entertaining and educational event, with Olson and his wife, Meredith (who was also in the CIA), particularly enlightening.
In a particularly nice touch the WAC’s Sandija Bayout asked, Morgan Robertson, President of the LEAP Ambassadors, to introduce Mr. Olson.
Olson discussed four spies he met and encountered during his career: Aldrich Ames, Clayton Lonetree, Eddie Howard, and Felix Bloch. Olson went in-depth into the threat posed by spying, and he had great contempt for the men he profiled. His greatest contempt was reserved for Aldrich Ames, who was one of the costliest spies in agency history. His wife, Rosaria, was complicit in his crimes, and she is out of prison, having served only five years.
Olson had less contempt and more pity for Clayton Lonetree, whom, according to Olson, never should have been in the position he was in. He had alcohol problems and was psychologically unstable and, in fact, didn’t originally make the cut as Marine Security. His crimes ultimately didn’t affect US Security much, and he has completed his prison sentence. Olson seemed to agree with General Alfred Gray, who during sentencing, indicated that Lonetree’s crimes were not the result of “treason or greed, but rather the lovesick response of a naïve, young, immature and lonely troop in a lonely and hostile environment.”
Meredith Olson also took the floor, discussing her career and the familial difficulties of a two-CIA family.
The Olsons told their children about their profession after receiving a death threat at their home. Their children were in their teens when they learned about their parents’ profession and, by extension, that their lives could be in jeopardy as a result. That’s a lot of weight to carry around, and that sort of helped us put our finals in perspective.
We had the chance to speak with the Olsons afterward, and a few of us purchased his book (and some of us already had it) and had him sign it. As usual, it was a wonderful event hosted by the World Affairs Council and a great way for us to cap the end of the semester.
As an organization that aspires to serve the community, it is appropriate that LEAP spent yesterday’s lunch with Rotary, an organization with a long history (more than 100 years!) of helping the local community.
And it was an honor to present to Rotary and to share LEAP’s story with some new faces, many familiar faces, as well as some friends and mentors.
Rotary meets every Wednesday at noon at the Walker Education Center, where they cover their regular business and then open up the floor to the guest speaker, which, as already noted, was the LEAP Ambassadors.
With us being in the midst of finals, however, we didn’t have extensive time to prepare. But since this program is about our own experiences in LEAP, which we already knew, we could just discuss!
For many of us, this was our first public presentation, so nerves were natural. But we all had a chance to speak: Jessica discussed her time and growth at SHSU, including travel and educational experiences; Olivia talked about her tenure as President of the Pre-Law Society; a lively Michelle shared anecdotes about her travel;
…Cinthia discussed attending the 10th Court of Appeals, which she claims is her “first time in a courtroom.” And Morgan did a wonderful job of moderating the discussion.
We appreciated the questions and comments from the audience. Michelle Spencer noted that she saw several of us in the Texas Legislature during the 88th Legislative Session; Derrick Birdsall brought up assistance we’ve provided at some of the Museum’s events; another Rotarian mentioned that, if this program had been there when she was at SHSU, she “might have spent less time at the Jolly Fox.”
The entire lunch was wonderful, and apart from the chance to promote our program, it was a great opportunity for us to work on our public speaking and communication skills.
More impressively, we had this opportunity in a professional environment, one made comfortable by the Rotarians’ warm hospitality. It was a holiday treat indeed.
On behalf of the LEAP Ambassadors, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude for the Rotarians for allowing us to share more about our organization, thank you to Derrick Birdsall for taking photos for us while we presented, and thanks to President Michelle Lyons for allowing us this opportunity.
As the intern for the City of Huntsville’s Economic Development Department, I have had the privilege to learn about what makes Huntsville, Huntsville. From what I’ve come to understand, Huntsville’s unique quality comes from the community’s eagerness to support each other. This was further reinforced by The City of Huntsville’s Community Hiring Event, hosted by the city’s Economic Development Department. This event, which was a first for the department, allowed local businesses to showcase their businesses, and hopefully, fulfill some of their vacant positions!
There was a vast array of businesses that participated in this event. From local businesses such as Advantage Specialties and Carolina Creek, to local manufacturers such as Zenner USA and Rock MFG, there was a broad range of opportunities for people to inquire about.
There were even businesses that focus on workforce and staffing, such as Express Employment Professionals and Workforce Solutions, the latter of which provided resources for participants actively seeking employment.
Throughout the evening, businesses had the opportunity to conduct onsite interviews, and participants had the opportunity to show off their resume. With over 150 people in attendance, this event was a resounding success! Events such as these are incredibly valuable to both businesses and potential employees alike, as it helps to reinforce the community support that makes Huntsville so special.
The Pre-Law Society kicked off the semester with a bang at the Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center, hosting a festive potluck imbued with the spirit of the holidays. Little did we know, our evening of laughter and camaraderie would take an unexpected turn when tragedy struck! Professor Yawn, our beloved advisor, met an untimely demise, and we found ourselves in the midst of a gripping murder mystery.
An ominous note to the otherwise beautiful Wynne Home
In a thrilling twist, the Pre-Law members became detectives, working collaboratively to uncover clues scattered throughout the Wynne Home and unveil the motives of five suspects. Revelations surfaced as members stumbled upon incriminating emails exposing each suspect’s top law school choices, with one, in particular, catching our attention. Mark Harkrider, known for terrorizing children and pilfering their Halloween candy, found himself barred from law school by Professor Yawn.
Professor Yawn and Harkrider in happier times
As the night unfolded, conflicts between the suspects and the late professor emerged through the discovery of evidence.
My own motive, as McKenna Nonnenmann, was revealed to be Professor Yawn’s disdain for cats, particularly my beloved feline companion, Loki. The tension reached its peak when the autopsy report was revealed, tying all the pieces together. The verdict was unanimous—Mark Harkrider was responsible for Professor Yawn’s demise, and justice prevailed.
Following the gripping murder mystery, the Pre-Law Society embraced the competitive spirit in a game of Jeopardy, vying for a coveted Target gift card. Questions ranged from pop culture to the society’s own meetings, sparking excitement as members tried to outwit each other. Ariza Martinez, Cinthia Villarreal, Nicole Erazo, and Mark Harkrider emerged victorious, claiming the prize amidst cheers and applause.
The evening, filled with suspense and laughter, concluded with members relaxing at the Wynne Home, sharing food, and engaging in lively conversations.
Special thanks were extended to the Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center for graciously hosting our social, and heartfelt appreciation was directed to the Pre-Law Society fall planning committee for orchestrating the memorable activities.
To all the members who attended, your enthusiasm and participation made the night unforgettable. This was truly a night to remember, and we hope to make future events such as these a habit, with the exception of harm to Professor Yawn.
When the year nears the end and the sun sets earlier, it is time for the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s Annual Photography Contest! Stephanie, Michelle, Cinthia, Olivia and I joined the museum patrons for a wonderful exhibit. There were many submissions, which showcased the community’s talent, and we enjoyed chatting with friends and perusing the different photos.
This year, I chose to try my hand in the contest and submitted three photos! There was great competition; although I didn’t walk away with a ribbon, I was still honored to have been in the ranks of some amazing photographers.
This event is enjoyable for many reasons, but by far the best reason is to see the world through the eyes of each photographer. After a brief reception, Curator of Exhibits, Jude Routh, addressed the audience and explained that the photos were ranked by a committee, with winners being selected by overall ranking.
In addition to Curator’s Choice and Best in Show, rankings occurred across the following categories: Academia, Texas History, Natural Devastation, Love and Birds.
Curator’s Choice: Angela Dunham (submitted in the “Love” Category)
Best in Show: Cade Crippin (“Natural Devastation”)
Reserve Champion: Capucine Buzzini (“Love”)
Academia/Education category: C. Buzzini (3rd place) E. Day (2nd place) and C. Buzzini (1st place)
Texas History category: Thomas Rice (1st), Cade Crippin (2nd), and Dustin LeNorman (3rd).
Love category: Capucine Buzzini (1st), Angela Dunham (2nd), and Loretta Crow (3rd).
We were eager to begin our second day of the Texas Book Festival. Having attended the first day, we were no longer rookies, and we had a better idea of how to navigate the lines, accommodate the back-to-back schedule, and, in short, what to expect.
Poking Around the TX Book Festival
Much of what we learned at the festival came from just breathing in the book culture. We peaked in on some panels just to see if the author could capture our attention. We were exposed to books, ideas, and authors we would not have sought out, but then found they had something interesting to say and something to teach us. We had a chance to see some of the most respected authors in the nation, and in two cases, we had a chance to see hear them discuss their work for the floor of the House of Representatives!
One of these was H.W. Brand, the UT Historian and best-selling author of numerous books.
Sam Houston Assessing H.W. Brands
He discussed his latest book, Founding Partisans, and he revealed the founding father he thought most interesting (James Madison).
Tim O’Brien, the celebrated author of The Things They Carried and the National Book Award winning Going After Cacciato, also spoke from the House floor–standing at the Speaker’s dais!
Although O’Brien was born in Austin, it was Austin, MN, not Austin, TX. Nonetheless, he lives in central Texas and is considered a “Texas author.”
In fact, for many years, he taught at Texas State University, and he donated his papers to the Harry Ransom Center.
Beyond these unique experiences, we each wrote about a panel that stood out to us, which you can find below.
Fighting to Survive: Rebellions in Epic Fantasy
Madison Cawthon
Our first panel was an interesting exploration of fantasy books, featuring Tracy Wolff and Ehigbor Okosun. Their discussion unveiled the intricate process of world-building, emphasizing how their characters acted as architects of the realms within their books.
Both authors revealed that their characters organically guided the storytelling process. Okosun notably delved into the incorporation of Nigerian culture, shedding light on how its appreciation often relies on readers’ familiarity with its nuances. It was interesting to hear about all the planning and behind-the-scenes work that went into writing their novels. Ultimately, this panel was one of my favorite panels of the festival.
A Night of Screams: Latino Horror Stories
by Jessica Cuevas
Growing up, I heard different versions of Latin American lore, such as La Llorona (the weeping woman), El Cucuy (the Boogeyman), and La Chupacabra (a goat sucker). All of these stories, perhaps not coincidentally, reminded us to behave and listen to our parents. When I was a child, these stories instilled a fear in me, and if my parents or siblings just mentioned these names, I knew I was in trouble. With a large Hispanic membership in LEAP, this background influenced our decision to attend the session, “A Night of Screams: Latino Horror Stories.” Richard Santos, himself a novelist, moderated the event, in conversation with Leticia Ortiz, Ruben Degollado, and Monica Teresa Ortiz.
When asked to gather Latino artists to create the First Anthology of Latin Horror Stories, Richard Santos jumped at the opportunity. Although unsure of who he would ask at first, he knew it was something he could get done, and he was right! Together, they put together an anthology of some of the most common and traditional horror stories, but they took some liberty in writing their own version and creating other stories. Mónica shared an anecdote about her grandfather and father in a near encounter with La Chupacabra, while Rubén took this opportunity to create a story about zombies down at the US-Mexico Border, and Leticia wrote about body horror and generational trauma in her book, “Las Criaturas”. Together they filled the room with laughter as many Hispanics in the room related to the authors’ experiences that influenced their stories.
Fortunately for the panelists, their book sold out at the event. Unfortunately for the LEAP Ambassadors, the books sold out before they could get copies!
The Security of a Free State & The Distortion of the Second Amendment
by Michelle Cardenas
One of the timeliest panels of the day was The Security of a Free State & The Distortion of the Second Amendment. This panel featured Cameron McWhirter, author of American Gun: The True Story of the AR15, and Jeff Sharlet, author of The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War. Both authors shared a bit about their books and tackled the topic of the origin of guns and how much change they have brought to society over time.
Cameron McWhirter focused on explaining the creation of the AR15 and how its original purpose has been distorted over time. McWhirter explained that the AR15 was designed to provide military troops with a more accessible and easy weapon in combat. Despite its original intent, the AR15 is the most common gun used in mass shootings and other high-profile criminal cases. One of the most shocking details he gave during the talk was his very own experience purchasing an AR15. According to Cameron McWhirter, it only took him 38 minutes to buy such a deadly weapon; it was that quick!
Jeff Sharlet took a different approach to the conversation and asked the crowd to reflect on how we accept guns in our everyday lives. He explained how over the years guns have become a huge part of our social norm. Owning a gun is no longer uncommon or odd, instead, it is deemed a necessity to protect oneself. He shared with us a staggering statistic; the United States is the country with the most civilian-owned guns with a ratio of 120 guns to every 100 civilians.
Both authors acknowledged the issues the United States is currently having with firearms ending up in the hands of the wrong people. They did a phenomenal job educating the public on the real purpose of firearms and the reality of the world we live in today. They embraced the topic and encouraged us to enjoy and protect the freedom that we have been blessed with.
Wrapping Up the Book Festival
These were far from the only sessions we experienced. We also learned about the State Parks, which just this week received a windfall from voters, who voted to create a Conservation Fund for State Parks. This 1 billion is sorely needed, a fact elaborated on by George Bristol and Andrew Sansom, both of whom have written books on the State Parks.
Intriguingly, Andrew Sansom’s book, on the Art in Texas State Parks, features the work of one of our favorites: Lee Jamison.
We also had a chance to see a cooking demonstration by Judd Servidio, whose book, Salt & Vanilla, offers both recipes and some stories about cooking for the rich and famous.
And where besides the TX Book Festival can you go from a cooking demonstration to a panel on “family thrillers…”
…and then go to a panel about women in law enforcement?
In the latter case, we had a chance to see author–and former CIA agent–Jana Monroe, whom we saw last month at Murder By the Book.
In short, it was a weekend full of learning and enrichment, and we look forward to next year’s Book Festival, which we hope is the beginning of a LEAP Tradition.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 