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.
Following our morning of art with Daniel Arredondo, LEAP students made their way to day one of the Texas Book Festival!
We were thrilled to enter a space in which we could gain firsthand accounts from authors from a wide range of genres.
Our first session was titled “What We Lost: Stories of Family & Womanhood” hosted by the authors Alma Garcia and Esmeralda Santiago. In this session, the authors talk about the emotional complexity of the Puerto Rican diaspora, tragedy and healing, and the sacrifices made by women.
Continuing the theme of hard-hitting conversations, we visited Contemporary Art Museum’s Rooftop to listen to Ava Chin and Rodrigo Dorfman at their panel titled; “Lived Experience: a Legacy of Exclusion and Exile”. This was Olivia and Michelle’s favorite session of the day. Chin, in her book “Mott Street” covers the longstanding impact the Chinese Exclusion Act had on her family and the Chinese community, as a whole, for generations. On the other hand, Dorfman read an excerpt from his memoir “Generation Exile: the Lives I Leave Behind” which had a few people in tears by the time he finished reading. Dorfman talked about a “generational curse” in his family where his grandfather, father and himself were all exiled from their country by the age of seven years old.
During the Q&A space, Olivia asked Chin and Dorfman about the reaction their families had about their writing and how they approach the various complexities of their perspective.
After this highly emotive session, we went on to attend the “Pictures & Words: Bret Anthony Johnson & Keith Carter on Ghostlight”, a photography book with filled with Carter’s “Bayou-Gothic” aesthetic.
He made use of a vision problem in one eye, influencing his style of photography with a short depth of vision. Carter’s oblique positioning and his sense of light and “aberrations” makes for a style that truly tells a story for the viewer to contemplate.
While some of our photographs possess aberrations, they are not nearly as intentional or as visually appealing as Carter’s mastery.
Following the informational session, we went straight to listen to another group favorite panel, Rachel Louise and Meg Kissinger at “We Need to Talk: Urgent Stories about Domestic Abuse & Mental Health”. She emphasizes the stigma mental illness had in her early years and the impact it had in her family as a whole.
This panel allowed us to see where generational perspectives of mental health and violence intersect, which provided a poignant reminder of open dialogues such as these.
Our excitement, though boundless, was met with the sobering realization that our enthusiasm outmatched our wallets. BookPeople, the largest independent bookstore in Texas, was the seller of all books discussed throughout the weekend. We picked out some titles that piqued our interest, along with books from the panels we had visited throughout the day.
Blanton Museum of Art
by Madison Cawthon
After we wrapped up at the Texas Book Festival, we had the chance to check out the Blanton Museum of Art.
This was a first for many of us, including myself, but the live music upon entry indicated that we were in for a fantastic experience.
After checking in at the museum, we ventured to Ellsworth Kelly’s Chapel, otherwise known as Austin.
The Austin Chapel is a cruciform architectural structure that was originally designed by artist Ellsworth Kelly. Known for his use of color and shape, this chapel can be considered one of his grandest designs.
Geometric black and white canvases adorned the walls, while vibrant rainbow-stained glass designs graced each corner of the structure.
After experiencing the Austin Chapel…
…we then made our way inside the art gallery. There were several different exhibits to ponder, so the group made haste to absorb as much as possible.
The Art of the United States exhibit was split into various time periods. As we walked through the exhibit, we were able to notice the changes that occurred in the art world as time went on. “Woman in Brown” by Manierre Dawson, which was among various abstract and cubist paintings, was one of my personal favorites!’
Another exhibit we explored was the Latin American art exhibit. One piece of art Michelle particularly liked was the “Cruzado El Rio Bravo” by Luis Jiminez, as she felt it captures the sacrifices many immigrants have to make in order to better their lives. This sacrifice was perfectly encapsulated in the faces of those who have experienced this firsthand, forging a powerful connection with those who have shared a similar journey.
For some of us, this was a near first in an art museum, while others were veterans, but we all found news and interesting things.
The day was filled with several emotional and intellectual evocations, and we left the day with a newfound appreciation for the human condition.
The College of Criminal Justice hosts numerous events promoting education, employment, and professional networks for their students. One of those is their regular “Real Talk with CJ” event, in which SHSU Alumni come in to discuss their careers, to provide advice, and to strengthen the relationship between alumni, faculty, staff, and students. On November 2, the “Real Talk” involved Forrest Price returning to campus to discuss his career as a game warden.
Approximately 40 students showed up for the event, and they gave Mr. Price their attention.
For his part, Price provided an informative overview of being a game warden, shining light on the requirements associated with the position, the pay scale, and the work conditions, officers’ broad discretion, and their control over their day-to-day duties.
Mr. Price observed that the best aspect of his job was being able to determine what his day-to-day duties are. Some days he may spend working with Park Rangers; other days he may work alone on a lake; and other days he might be trudging through a heavily forested area. On any given day, he might work with drug offenses; poaching; fishing without a license; boating while intoxicated; or, in one case, a person who captured, relocated, and released an alligator.
Students asked numerous insightful questions, showing impressive engagement with the topic and the speaker, and Mr. Price demonstrated great generosity with his time. Many thanks to the College of Criminal Justice for putting on this great program.
