IMPORTANT NOTICE: SHSU Common Reader Contest Deadlines Extended to Monday April 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
In light of the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, the deadline for the Freshman Essay Contest and the Transfer Essay Contest has been extended. You have the opportunity to win a $500 scholarship if you qualify.
Spring 2020 Freshman Essay Contest
Students eligible: All first-time freshmen who are currently enrolled full-time (minimum 12 hours) at Sam Houston State University and began in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Prompt: By Chapter 22, Westover writes that her life was often “narrated for me by others. Their voices were forceful, emphatic, absolute. It had never occurred to me that my voice might be as strong as theirs.” What is the significance of this realization? How do you identify with this in your own life? We encourage applicants to draw on specific references noted in Tara’s experiences and cite them appropriately..
Prize: $500 scholarship.
Sponsor: Student Success Initiatives
Due Date: Friday, 3/20/20
Rules and Application Submission Procedures
Spring 2020 Transfer Student Essay Contest
Students eligible: All undergraduate transfer students who are currently enrolled full-time (minimum 12 hours) at Sam Houston State University in the 2019-2020 academic year who have read the book.
Prompt: “Educated” starts with an epigraph from Virginia Woolf: “The past is beautiful because one never realizes an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don’t have complete emotions about the present, only the past.” What do you think Woolf meant by this? Why do you think Tara Westover chose to begin her memoir this way?
Prize: $500 scholarship
Sponsor: Student Success Initiatives
Due Date: Friday, 3/20/20
Rules and Application Submission Procedures
Our World, Our Medicine: Critical Thinking through Deliberative Dialogue
***IMPORTANT UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
Students eligible: All graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in the spring 2020 semester who have read the book. Participants must attend the entire event to be eligible for the Critical Thinking through Deliberative Dialogue (CT-DD) scholarship.
Faculty, staff, and administration eligible: SHSU employees (faculty, admin, and staff) may compete as well. Participating employees will be randomly assigned to student teams. Participants must attend the entire event to be eligible for first and second place CT-DD prizes.
Prompt: Assigned groups will compete for scholarships at the CT-DD event on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in LSC 241. Student groups will use their critical thinking skills to think through a problem tied to the SHSU Common Reader and The American Democracy Project. Student groups will agree on a path toward a solution and write it up for contest submittal.
Meal: We will have dinner, beverages (the coffee will flow freely), and dessert.
Prizes (2): First Place Team: $250 scholarship per team member.
Second Place Team: $100 scholarship per team member.
Sponsor: College of Science and Engineering Technology: Foundations of Science Program
Registration: Must be completed by Friday, March 13, 2020, 5:00 p.m. (link to be posted by end of Feb)
Event: Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., LSC 241
Spring 2020 Common Reader Juried Art Exhibit Submissions
Students eligible: All students currently enrolled at Sam Houston State University. Submitted works will be juried by a committee of Art Faculty who will select works for the exhibition and determine awards.
Prompt: Create outstanding works of art that express themes from the SHSU Common Reader.
Awards: $500
Acceptable Media Types: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, Mixed Media, Installation, Video, Performance Art.
Due Date: February 10-11 from Noon – 5 p.m.
Location: Satellite Gallery – Sam Houston State University
1216 University Avenue
Huntsville, TX
Sponsor: SHSU Department of Art