Not many people have a celebration party for their 226th birthday but, then again, not many people led the life that General Sam Houston did. So, armed with some serious school pride, approximately 150 people–a mix of SHSU alumni, legislators, legislative staffers, and University administrators–set out for Austin in late February to honor General Sam.
Prior to the official celebration, a busload of SHSU alumni and administrators visited the Capitol building and distributed SHSU memorabilia and information to legislators. For them, the celebration was an opportunity to relax, while continuing to spread the word about the good things the University was doing.
For the LEAP Ambassadors, it was an opportunity to assist the President’s Office with the event…
while also giving them a chance to catch up with the Ambassadors who are interning in Austin.
While the event was mostly come and go, President Hoyt did speak briefly…
…updating people on the many accomplishments of the University over the past year, and also recognizing Representative Will Metcalf, Representative Trent Ashby, and Senator Brandon Creighton for their assistance in establishing the SHSU School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Mostly, it was an opportunity for people to enjoy themselves and discuss their shared experiences with SHSU.
It was also an opportunity for the Sam Houston Austin Interns to see the President and meet alumni.
Currently, SHSU has 11 interns working in or near the Capitol, and that number has grown over the past decade. In addition, a growing number of SHSU alums are working in the legislature. Many of these staffers were former interns, making the Sam Houston Birthday Celebration a reunion of sorts. Indeed, a photo with a sampling of current and past Austin Interns and Chancellor McCall, Vice-Chancellor Cunningham, and President Hoyt illustrated the growing presence that SHSU has in Austin.
Over the years, Criminal Justice majors have been a large part of the Sam Houston Austin Intern Program, but that was especially true this year, and the Birthday Celebration afforded the CJ contingent a nice chance to meet their Dean, Dr. Phillip Lyons.
Special thanks go to those interns who brought their supervisors and introduced them around…
…and to all the alumni who came to support SHSU and General Sam Houston, on his 226th Birthday!
