| Sam Houston State University | |
|---|---|
| Motto | The Measure of a Life is its Service |
| Established | 1879 |
| Type | Public |
| Endowment | $54,220,297 |
| President | Dr. Dana L. Gibson |
| Academic staff | 598 |
| Students | 17,618 |
| Location | Huntsville, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 272 acres (1.1 km²) main campus |
| Former names | Sam Houston Normal Institute (1879–1923) Sam Houston State Teachers College (1923–65) Sam Houston State College (1965–69) |
| Colors | Orange and White |
| Nickname | Bearkats |
| Website | www.shsu.edu |
Sam Houston State University (known as SHSU or Sam) was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first such institution of its type in the State of Texas. It is named for one of Texas's founding fathers and greatest hero, Sam Houston, who made his home in the city. SHSU is part of the Texas State University System and has an enrollment of more than 17,600 students. The institution was the first institution classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education within the Texas State University System.[1] The university launced its first capital campaign in March 2006 with a $50 million goal and closed the campaign's books on August 31, 2010, with $61.2 million in commitments. The university has more than 102,000 living, addressable alumni and an active Alumni Association holding 165 meeetings and events annually.
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Created by legislation signed by Governor Oran M. Roberts on April 21, 1879, Sam Houston Normal Institute's dedicated goal was to train teachers for the public schools of Texas—the first of its kind in the southwestern United States. On October 10 of the same year, the first class of 110 students and four faculty commenced instruction on the site of what had once been the campus of Austin College. The original building, Austin Hall, was constructed in 1851 and is the oldest university building west of the Mississippi still in operation. Peabody Memorial Library was the first free-standing library and was constructed in 1901 with funds provided by the George Peabody Foundation, and it is still in use as a venue for special university events.
When the university first opened, students received a certification to teach in the state's elementary and secondary schools, but after 1919, the university began to award bachelor's degrees. In 1936, the school awarded its first post-baccalaureate degree.
The university celebrated its 125th year of operation in 2004.
In 2011 the university stated that it plans to open the Northwest Houston Campus on the property of Lone Star College-University Park in unincorporated Harris County.[2]
Throughout the course of its history, Sam has undergone several name changes.
In 2007, a proposal was briefly considered to change the school's name to Texas State University – Sam Houston (intending to associate the campus more with the Texas State University System of which it is a member). However, in April, 2007, Texas House Bill 1418 passed without objection in the Texas Legislature; which prevents the Texas State University System’s Board of Regents from changing the university's name.
Sam Houston State University sits on 272 acres (1.10 km2) in the central area of Huntsville, Texas. Recent construction of an expanded mall area of campus includes benches, tables, wireless internet, and more greenspace in the heart of campus. The mall area also includes two clock towers and a water fountain.
The campus stood in for the fictional Austin University in the motion picture The Life of David Gale.
The College of Criminal Justice includes the headquarters of the Texas Forensic Science Commission.[3]
Sam Houston State's academic departments and programs are organized into six colleges. Colleges at Sam Houston State University are:
Additionally, the university enrolls more than 350 students in the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College. Programs within criminal justice are frequently mentioned as being among the top three programs in the nation. The university's College of Business Administration also has the only accredited Banking program in the U.S. and the only Professional Golf Management program in Texas. History and Mathematics are nationally regarded programs. The Theater and Dance programs are ranked among the nation's best and are housed in the state-of-the-art James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.
The university boasts one of the oldest speech and debate programs in the nation. The team, which has existed since the late 1800s, brought home five International Public Debate Association national titles during the 2009–2010 season.
The university has further embraced technology, offering both bachelor's and master's degrees via distance learning in several areas, including history and criminal justice. Currently (as of 12/2008 and 10/2009), the university offers:
Sam Houston State's colors are orange and white and their nickname is the Bearkats. Sam Houston State sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southland Conference. SHSU's primary rival is Stephen F. Austin State University and tensions between the two schools can run high before major sporting events that pit one against the other. Texas State University–San Marcos is also another rival (currently also in the Southland Conference, but moving to the WAC starting in the 2012-2013 academic year.)
Sam Houston's Bearkat is represented by Sammy Bearkat, a costumed mascot, who has entertained and led crowds in cheers during sporting events since 1959.
The SHSU School of Mass Communication operates KSHU, a student-run radio (90.5 FM) and television (cable channel 7) station, broadcasting news, sports, and entertainment programming for the campus and community. "The Houstonian" is the student-published twice-weekly campus newspaper. Broadcast studios and offices for all three media are located within the Dan Rather Communication Building.
The Alcalde was the university's annual yearbook, published from 1910–1998 and 2003–2006; it was named in honor of Texas Governor Oran Roberts whose nickname was "The Old Alcalde."[5]
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