Every spring, the Sam Houston Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics invites South Texas College of Law Professor Val Ricks to teach a Mock Law Class. Professor Ricks is a renowned legal mind and a national expert in contracts, among other areas of law.
Approximately thirty students attended this year’s session; any student at Sam Houston State University was able to register for the event. Before the class, participants were expected to prepare with case materials that Professor Ricks provided.
The mock case, Joseph Vian v. Mariah Carey (1993), focused on the legal concept of consideration and whether a valid contract existed between Mr. Vian and Ms. Carey. Professor Ricks opened the session by providing a working definition of law, saying that it revolves around the precise words used in legal documents.
He then employed an analogy comparing law to chess. Finding a self-identified chess player in the audience, Professor Ricks guided students to understand the parallel between chess rules and legal principles. Both systems operate within defined parameters; they require much thinking and a thorough understanding of established rules.
When moving on to the case discussion, Professor Ricks first told the class the facts of the case, then activated his random number generator to begin his use of the Socratic Method. From this, selected students were asked numerous questions about the case; Professor Ricks insisted they cite directly from the text, reinforcing his earlier point that the law is “all about the words.”
Once the class reached a general consensus on the case interpretation, Professor Ricks opened the floor for questions. Pre-Law Society President, Olivia Discon, asked what undergraduate students could do to prepare for law school. After thoughtful consideration, Professor Ricks began to speak on his own experience. He explained that studying scholastic philosophy during his undergraduate years was truly helpful; the language structure closely resembled legal texts, easing his transition into law school.
By the end of the session, students had not only sharpened their legal reasoning skills but also gained a clearer picture of what to expect in law school. Professor Ricks once again allowed students to sit in the shoes of a law student for an hour. By challenging students to truly understand the case and come out of their shells, he provided a better understanding of the power of precise language in the study of law.
There are few people who know the world better than Diana Negroponte–who has a law degree from American University, a PhD in International Affairs from Georgetown University, has written two books, and who is married to John Negroponte, former US Deputy Secretary of State, Director of National Intelligence, and Ambassador to the UN. We got a glimpse of Negroponte’s wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge at the Bush School last week.
The author’s subject was James Baker, whom she refers to as a “Master Negotiator” (which is also the name of her book on Baker), while highlighting four of Baker’s major accomplishments and how his work offers insights into today’s problems.
To take just one of these issues, Dr. Negroponte brought up the issue of Germany’s reunification as the USSR was crumbling. In the United States, there were hardliners who wanted Premier Gorbachev to fail, and many of these believed that working too closely with him would be a form of capitulation. On the other hand, a complete failure by Gorbachev would give Soviet hardliners a chance to retrench and exert a more powerful control over the Soviet Union.
Baker suggested a step-by-step approach, one that would allow for continued progress but not provoke retrenchment among what President Reagan called “The Evil Empire.” There were also Europeans who were not crazy about the idea of a German reunification–remembering that a unified Germany had once wreaked havoc across the continent.
Baker provided a steady hand. As the Berlin Wall began to crumble–metaphorically and then literally–Baker proposed four principles by which reunification should be considered:
Self-determination should be pursued;
Reunification, should it occur, should take place within the context of NATO and the larger European community;
The process should be peaceful, gradual, and in steps;
The “inviolability of existing borders should be respected (meaning the existing Polish-German border).”
Baker’s approach held sway, and while the US refused to “dance on the rubble” of the Wall, they did become increasingly adamant that reunification proceed. In part, this reflected the Bush Administration’s belief that they had to get ahead of the process to help guide it and ensure that it unfolded properly.
This approach, which proved successful, was marriage “between idealism and realism.” While idealists sometimes sacrificed lives and treasure for unobtainable ideals, and while realists sometimes sacrificed American ideals in the name of order, Baker sought to use a realistic approach in pursuit of gradual policies that would ultimately secure human rights.
Negroponte communicated these complex thoughts in an impeccable English–something much commented on–with a vaguely European or Ivy League accent.
She also took questions, with the help of moderator Andrew Natsios–who was the former Director of USAID (which came up in the discussion), a former state legislator (MA), US Special Envoy to Sudan, a Professor, and an author.
Afterward, Ms. Negroponte kindly signed our books, took a photo with us, and shared a few more stories.
We also had the opportunity to meet Andy Card…
…who, after serving in the Massachusetts Legislature, served in three presidential administrations: (1) Deputy Assistant to the President during the Reagan Administration; (2) Secretary of Transportation for President G.W.H. Bush; and (3) Chief of Staff for President G.W. Bush. He is perhaps best known for informing President Bush of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
It was a perfect cap to an event that took us across centuries of political history, around the world, and a hand-shake away from some of the people who helped shape that history.
As we count down the days until our 10th annual Court of Appeals visit at SHSU, we had the opportunity to hear the 9th Court of Appeals in Conroe! Typically based in Beaumont, the court traveled to hear oral arguments for two appeal cases. Given the distinct jurisdictions and caseloads of the 9th and 10th Courts of Appeals, Pre-Law President Olivia, newly elected Pre-Law Secretary Laila, and I took it upon ourselves to hear different perspectives in the courts!
As we approached the James Keeshan Courthouse, we noticed a car license plate in the parking lot, with a message that might it somewhat unsurprising that its owner was needing to park in court.
But with time running short, we moved with dispatch to the courtroom, noting that the attorneys were set up and readying themselves for court.
Similar to our own 10th Court of Appeals, there was a three-judge panel presiding: Chief Justice Scott Golemon, Justice Leanne Johnson, and Justice Jay Wright for the first case. The first case was Siluria LLC v. Lummus Technology, LLC, and it centered around a complex contract-construction issue. Attorney Rusty Sewell delivered a 15-minute oral argument on behalf of Siluria, followed by Attorney Thomas Kruse’s argument for Lummus. The crux of the argument revolved around the interpretation of a phrase in the party’s Escrow Agreement: “begun removing the demonstration unit.” What’s interesting is that both parties agreed on the facts, but they had differing interpretations of the agreement, which they both claimed was clear-cut. It was interesting to see how every word truly does count in law–and also seeing what a “hot panel” looks like.
After a brief recess, the second case began: City of Houston v. Festival Props., Inc. To our surprise, the appellant was the City of Houston, represented by attorney Donald Hightower, while the appellee was Festival Properties, Inc., represented by Attorney Marie D. Harlan. It centered around a claim of inverse condemnation against the City of Houston, alleging a loss of access to property. Watching the proceedings, it was interesting seeing the pointed questions, pushing the attorneys to think and respond thoughtfully. Despite the attorneys’ well-reasoned responses, the justices’ questions underscored the complexity of the issues at hand.
For those of us aspiring to enter the legal profession, this experience reinforced the importance of thinking critically under pressure. It was interesting to see firsthand the challenges of presenting complex arguments, thinking on your feet, and navigating the intricacies of the law.
The hearings were not only interesting for their content, but also as networking opportunity. We met Ms. Deborah Concepcion, who is a Managing Attorney at Lone Star Legal Aid, and she told us a bit about her career, her passion for helping others, and some of the ins and outs of court room appearances. We also met Zachary Dickens, who was in the Pre-Law Society as an undergraduate before going to law school, and he now works at Polk County as a prosecutor.
As we get closer to the 10th Court of Appeals visit, I am even more eagerly anticipating their upcoming visit. I’m excited to see new people, learn more about life in law, and see the cases that the 10th Court of Appeals will bring to SHSU.
March 2 holds a important place in the heart of Texans, being both Sam Houston’s Birthday and Texas Independence Day. This year, the Huntsville community celebrating these milestones on March 1, with much preparation going into the day of celebration. But it was a particularly special day of celebration for me: It was my baptism as a Texan! I was born in Florida, but with a deep love for the Lone Star State and a current Texas resident, this event helped me make my Texas roots official.
Preparing for the Celebration
The Huntsville Lions Club is ever ready to beautify the community, and the LEAP Ambassadors are always prepared to help the Huntsville Lions Club. On holidays and other special days, the Lions Club puts out flags alongside the city streets, and, of course, Sam Houston’s Birthday is a special day in Huntsville!
So, at 6:15am, the Lions Club as well as Chrissy Biello, Olivia Discon, Jack Hammock, Olivia McCaughan, and Professor Yawn arrived bright and early to the Walker County Courthouse, where they placed Texas flags along the path of those engaged in “March 2 the Grave.”
It was a great way to lay the groundwork for what would become a fun filled, Tex-ified, day.
Gibbs-Powell Home
As part of the festivities, Olivia and Chrissy paid a visit to the beautiful and historic Gibbs-Powell Home, which hosted a brief coffee reception before the March 2 the Grave tradition.
Gibbs-Powell House in Spring (Photo by Dena Shipley)
We had the opportunity to explore the carefully preserved interior and admire some fine artifacts–such as a stereoscope, a grand piano, and the Gibbs and Powell family Bibles.
We even had a brief chance to sneak a peek upstairs, which once housed college students—arguably one of the best dormitories one could imagine!
Though our visit was short, it was an excellent start to the day, allowing us to deepen our understanding of Texas history through this incredible site in our community.
March 2 the Grave
The day continued with a solemn and patriotic march from the Old Main Pit on the Sam Houston State University campus to the Oakwood Cemetery. This is a tradition that has been around a very long time…
The roads, buildings, and attire have changed over the years, but the tradition remains.
It was a great way to bring different aspects of the community together…
…while also metaphorically connecting the town and gown…
Grave-Site Ceremony
Following the march, the community comes together at Sam Houston’s grave, in a ceremony that begins with the Texas and United States’ pledges.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from community leaders, including:
Walker County Historical Commission Chair: Scott Collier
City of Huntsville Mayor: Russell Humphrey
County Judge (Walker County): Colt Christian
Vice-President of University Advancement: Matt Bethea
Hello Huntsville Host: Rob Hipp
Sam Houston Descendant: Lindsey Hughes
This celebration highlighted the enduring spirit of Texas and its people. Their words resonated with pride for Texas and Sam Houston’s historical significance.
One of the most touching moments came when Lindsey Hughes, a descendant of Sam Houston, discussed what it means to be a Texan. Hearing the words of someone with such a personal connection to the great Texas hero added a personal layer of meaning to the celebration, a connection that was particularly emphatic when she closed with the words, “If you want something done, ask a Texan.”
Long-time resident Tom Rogers then provided the audience a fascinating account of the event’s history, reminding us all why we gather each year to honor Sam Houston and Texas’ Independence in what is likely the oldest cultural tradition in Huntsville.
A Texas Baptism
The highlight of the day, at least for me and 80 others, was being baptized a Texan. This event is a unique and cherished tradition in the heart of Huntsville, with many people traveling from all around Texas to get baptized. For me, being “baptized as a Texan” was the culmination of years of admiration and a deep-seated feeling that Texas was truly my home. The baptism consisted of water sprinkled across my forehead by Liz Patton (whose late husband, James Patton, was a long-time County Clerk for Walker County and the unofficial historian of the County), symbolically washing away my out-of-state origins and christening me as a true Texan. Although I was born in Florida, my heart has always belonged to Texas, and now I have the certificate to prove it!
This event does a wonderful job of honoring the legacy of Sam Houston. Houston’s influence on the state of Texas is immeasurable, and his life exemplifies the spirit of Texas: bold, independent, and dedicated to freedom.
To celebrate the legendary Sam Houston’s birthday, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) puts on a fabulous annual event to honor the former president of Texas and to bring light to the great things going on at SHSU.
Organized by the President’s Office, under the leadership of the incredible Tabitha Shanley, Jennifer Alexander, and Dr. McCartney Johnson, the LEAP Ambassadors have been fortunate to assist at the event over the years.
A number of Texas representatives, senators, legislative staff, and key figures, along with SHSU alumni, are invited to take part in the celebration in our state’s capital.
Although Houston’s actual birthday is March 2, we celebrated a bit early, a function of scheduling obstacles and venue selection. Speaking of which, the event was held in a stunning historic home, a perfect for networking and catching up with those who care greatly about our university.
President White briefly took the stage to pay tribute to Sam Houston, the man, acknowledging that while he may not be the conventional hero, it was his wit, passion for others, and brilliance that made him a true leader.
As LEAP students, we strive to exemplify the values of our university: service to others, doing things the right way, and having fun while doing it. Sam Houston had one maxim: “…do right and risk the consequences.”
This is also, of course, an appropriate principle for Sam Houston State University, whose mission it is to offer accessible, high-quality. The years go by, seasons change, but the value of education lasts a lifetime and, through the impact of generational transfer, even beyond.
Friendships also can last a lifetime, and the friendly, hospitable culture of SHSU was on full display.
For us, this meant deepening ties to our fellow students, the SHAIP interns, who were enjoying the event after a day’s work at the Texas Capitol.
Even better, we had the opportunity to reconnect with former LEAP and Junior Fellow alumni, seeing generations of the LEAP Center at Sam Houston shine.
The program has fundamentally changed lives, shaping not only the communities we serve as LEAP Ambassadors but also those we impact beyond. LEAP and SHSU cultivate public servants, and this event was a powerful reminder of that.
On an annual basis, the City of Huntsvillle hosts its “State of the City” address, covering ongoing projects, accomplishments, and future aspirations. On February 25, 2025, community stakeholders gathered to learn just what state our city was in.
The City Secretary’s Office truly outdid themselves this year, taking a different model to the event than in years past. Hosted earlier on in the day, the event had a fantastic turnout. Several community friends, including Michelle Spencer and Tracy Stoudt, were in attendance, along with city staff, directors, and city council.
With a Posting of the Colors by SHSU’s Police Department, the presentation immediately started with what our city’s mission is: Community, mutual respect and reverence for our country, our state, and our city.
The Mayor of Huntsville, Russell Humphrey, took the stage to both welcome the audience, allude to the many incredible and important projects happening within the city, and…
introduce our newly appointed City Manager, Scott Swigert, who was in attendance. We had the opportunity to hear his excitement to serve in this new capacity, and we look forward to him, as a community, to having him serve as a leader. His term begins on March 17, 2025.
Sam Masiel, who has been serving as our Interim City Manager, went on to deliver the State of the City presentation. Covering the I-45 expansion, City Hall construction, and other infrastructure projects, Huntsville is absolutely and positively heading in the direction of growth. And sustainable growth, at that!
Mr. Masiel also covered the housing market in our city, along with other finance and budgetary updates, reflecting the intentional but conservative nature of the city’s budget and the incredible services provided.
In all, the 2025 State of the City address highlighted Huntsville’s progress and the exciting things ahead.
With eight students working in Austin or Washington, DC this spring, the LEAP Center at SHSU helped prepare the students for their legislative marathons!
For the students departing their homes and SHSU also means saying goodbye to family, friends, and our lovely campus in Huntsville. This session, there will be seven interns in Austin: Cinthia Villarreal, MaKenna Mcdaniel , Sarah Isett, Saara Maknojia, Sarah-Hope Parohl, Lupe Centeno, and, of course, myself. There will also be one intern in DC, Israel Gallego (and numerous interns in Huntsville…but that’s another blog).
We kicked off our preparation at the Texas Capitol, dressed in our suits and ready for headshots. No matter how many times we see the beautiful pink building, we are always in awe, and the fact that the Capitol is our office until June 2 is even more unbelievable.
We took photos around the Capitol grounds as well as inside on the Senate floor and the famous rotunda.
We had a great time talking, smiling, and learning as we posed for photos and walked around.
After wrapping up our headshots, we headed to Love Supreme Pizza for lunch. Professor Yawn had arranged a meet-up with SHAIP alumni, including Lexi Gonzales, Melva Gomez, Emily Johnson, Sadie McLaughlin, Spencer Copeland, and Oscar Aguilar. It was such a privilege to get to know these alumni and hear about their experiences interning at the Capitol. They shared tips, advice, and encouraging words about navigating our professional careers and this new chapter in our lives. We are incredibly thankful for this group of alumni for taking the time out of their day to help guide us.
Our Segway tour guide started by giving us some riding dos and don’ts before letting us practice. Some of us caught on quickly…
…while others (me, definitely me, once again) needed a bit more time to get the hang of it.
At one point, I was convinced I’d end up with my Segway in a bush, but thankfully, I managed to avoid disaster. Once we got rolling, though, it turned out to be an incredibly fun experience.
We stopped at several spots, including the Capitol grounds and some well-known restaurants downtown.
It was a great way to see the city and get excited about our new home for the next few months.
After the tour, we returned to our starting point, and I was pretty happy to be back on solid ground. It had been an incredible day—from connecting with alumni to exploring Austin on Segways.
We’re all beyond excited to get to work and learn as much as we can during this session. Representing Sam Houston State University is a huge honor, and we can’t wait to make our mark at the Capitol just like previous Bearkats have.
Somehow, within the span of one year, an organization devoted to “law, engagement, and politics” has managed to see 10 plays in a 12-month period. the most recent of these was this past Saturday, when we saw Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, performed by SHSU’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre.
To briefly summarize, the play begins with a shipwreck that separates twins, Viola and Sebastian. Believing her brother to be lost at sea, Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Orsino, deeply in love with Lady Olivia, sends Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia on his behalf. However, Olivia falls for Cesario, unaware of Viola’s true identity, while Viola herself harbors feelings for Orsino. In other words, a true kerfuffle!
With any good Shakespeare play, there is a fantastic subplot. Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, becomes the target of a prank by Maria, Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Fabian. They trick him into believing Olivia loves him by forging a letter, along with some absurd instructions—wear yellow stockings, cross-gartered, and smile constantly at Olivia, who only welcomes melancholy. Malvolio’s monologue was by far my favorite moment in the play, as the humor of the prank is unfolding alongside a quite passionate and unwitting Malvolio.
Ultimately, as with all Shakespeare’s comedies, the play ends with multiple reunions and resolutions. Viola’s true identity is revealed, allowing her to reunite with her lost twin, Sebastian. Olivia, who had fallen for Cesario (Viola in disguise), is surprised but happy to find herself married to Sebastian instead. Orsino, realizing Viola’s love for him, shifts his affections and proposes to her. Meanwhile, the prank on Malvolio is exposed, but he exits vowing revenge rather than joining in the happy ending.
SHSU’s approach to the play, in terms of design, was quite interesting to me. With a 1920’s Art Deco style, one could imagine the themes of living in excess, false appearances and social ambition. In all, our group thought everything was well executed, entertaining, and all the more thought provoking. If this crowd was any judge of the performance, then the SHSU Theatre Department delivered a hit!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 