PHI CHI THETA NATIONAL CONFERENCE - Orlando, Florida
submitted by: Megan Whiteford, Secretary of Phi Chi Theta, Beta Theta Chapter
As a delegate for Phi Chi Theta, I’ve made lifelong friends from other chapters of the fraterni
ty, met guest speakers, and voted on National Bylaws. During the Orlando national conference I was able to attend in representation of the Beta Theta Chapter from Sam Houston State University.
The topics discussed during the seminars helped me develop my professional and leadership skills, as well as speaking in front of large groups of people. Another guest speaker discussed Risk Management.
Overall, I learned a lot from this trip and I am so glad I had the opportunity to represent my chapter at this national conference. This will prepare me for the “real world.” Back
2014 PHI SIGMA PI NATIONAL CONVENTION - Atlanta, Georgia
submitted by: Desiree Gonzales, Phi Sigma Pi National Delegate
Desiree Gonzales joined the Delta Upsilon Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi in the spring of 2014. She heard about the convention during the fraternity meetings. She thought this would be an amazing opportunity, since she had never traveled outside of Texas.
The day she arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, she had no idea what to expect. During Grand Chapter, she was able to see how each delegate and National Council member strived to make Phi Sigma Pi better through voting and discussions. The next four days consisted of debates regarding changes in by-laws, along with meeting new people from across the country. It was really amazing to see the passion that people had for their fraternity. Delegates also had an opportunity to vote on the new National Council.
After Grand Chapter, attendees were able to take part in workshops designed to help improve the chapters. Some of the topics discussed were leadership and community service. Through these debates and workshops, members were able to obtain new ideas and share with their own chapters. The convention also afforded opportunities to network with brothers from different chapters.
Desiree indicated that for her, the best part of the trip was the banquet. The speeches and the inductions of the new executives were all exciting to watch. They took the oath and the former president made his speech, which brought everyone to tears. At the end, everyone stood together, linked arms, and sang the fraternal songs, “Brothers Are We” and “Brother.” This action brought meaning to the brotherhood and the strength of unity. “It was the best experience of my life and would do it again in a heartbeat!” Back
LAMBDA CHI ALPHA 55TH GENERAL ASSEMBY - Phoenix, Arizona
submitted by: Luke Troxell, Lambda Chi Alpha President
The 55th General Assembly provided valuable information concerning leadership and programming, how to eliminate hazing on campus, and voting on International Fraternity Business.
The programming focused on involvement in the community and campus, training in financial aid scholarly stability, ways of reducing hazing and values based education on how to recruit. All of these are conducive with a healthy Greek and campus community. Back
NABCJ 41ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRAINING - Orlando, Florida
submitted by: Trenton Maxie, President of NABCJ
Members of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) traveled to Orlando, Florida to attend the 41st Annual Conference and Training. The conference provided an opportunity for the members to network with other agencies and NABCJ chapters from around the nation. They were also able to participate in various seminars designed to help broaden their horizons by expanding their job options, and help with their professionalism and different skills and qualifications needed for life after college. Back
LAMBDA THETA PHI LATIN FRATERNITY, INC., NATIONAL CONVENTION - San Diego, California
submitted by: Pedro Hernandez, Lambda Theta Phi President
Members of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin fraternity traveled to San Diego, California to gain knowledge on ways to help improve themselves and their community. During the national convention, the announcement of their new philanthropy, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), emphasized their intent to empower the Latino community by focusing on developing the next generation of Latino leaders. As we strive to graduate, we hope to set an example and motivate other incoming students to have the same desire to complete their degrees.
Another major emphasis during this year’s convention was recruitment. A guest speaker from “Phired Up” Productions introduced participants to different ways of recruiting quality members into the organization through activities both as a team and as a chapter, and introducing them to Greek life. This trip provided a great opportunity to announce that Lambda Theta Phi has officially been established on the SHSU campus.
“During this trip, I was able to recognize that despite our various differences, we are all brothers, united by our fraternity. I want to introduce and share this brotherhood with others at Sam Houston State University,” stated Pedro Hernandez. Back
2014 AITP NATIONAL CONVENTION - Atlanta, Georgia
submitted by: Manuel Solorio, AITP Chapter President
The 2014 Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) National Conference provided an opportunity to interact with other students from other universities such as Indiana State
University, Oklahoma State University, University of South Carolina, Texas State University and many more. The SHSU students who were able to participate in the conference: Manuel Solorio, Brittany Todd, and Marilyn Johnson. The president from Texas State University’s AITP student chapter and Manuel Solorio discussed growth within the chapters, meetings, and future events.
The conference also offered opportunities to participate in seminars and interact with real business professionals. Brittany Todd was invited to have dinner with USAA, and Marilyn Johnson received her certification as Information Systems Analyst. Both Manuel and Marilyn participated in the Microsoft Office Solutions competition. They were given a scenario, problem statement, and deliverable outcomes to accomplish. Although they did not win, they were able to utilize their knowledge and skills gained at Sam Houston State University.
According to Manuel, the experience also helped build a bond between him and the other SHSU students that attended the conference. He indicated that if he could change one thing about his experience, it would be to be more prepared. To future students, he says, “It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.”
Manuel added that his favorite experience from the conference was being able to interact with people who share similar interests. His most valuable experience came from a motivational speaker at one of the seminars he attended, who inspired them with words of wisdom, “Success comes from inconvenience. Successful people allow passion to wake them up with vision! With vision, there is a mission. With a mission there is a purpose! With purpose, there is a niche that’s foundational for breakthrough.”
In conclusion, Mr. Solorio wanted to express his appreciation to the following entities for making this trip possible: Office of the Vice President for Student Services, Global Shop Solutions (our corporate sponsor), all of the MIS professors, including advisor Janis Warner, and Lynn Clopton, Director of Student Services Finance and Budget. Back
TIPA ANNUAL CONVENTION - San Antonio, Texas
submitted by: Ms. Debbie Hatton, TIPA Advisor
Sam Houston State University Mass Communication students traveled to San Antonio, Te
xas, to compete in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s Annual Convention and Competition. Sam Houston State University had the largest entry into the competition with 28 students competing in print and broadcast news, advertising and public relations competitions. Students from Baylor, University of Texas, TCU and the University of North Texas competed, but the SHSU students dominated the competition by winning 13 plaques.
In preparation for the competition, the SHSU broadcast students were coached by, SHSU professor Debbie Hatton, and operations manager LeeAn Muns, and Dr. Robin Johnson coached the print news students. Following is a list of the students and their placement during the competition:
SHSU - 2014 TIPA Live Contest Results
TV Advertising
2nd Place - Cody Lewis (Sam Houston State)
Radio Advertising
3rd Place - Dharmesh Patel (Sam Houston State)
TV Sports Coverage
1st Place - Cody Lewis (Sam Houston State)
Radio Sports Coverage
1st - Trent Scott (Sam Houston State)
Radio News Announcing (English)
1st Place - Alexis Bloomer (Sam Houston State)
Radio News Announcing (Spanish)
3rd Place - Lizeth De La Garza (Sam Houston State)
TV News Announcing (English)
2nd Place - Elaine Fritz (Sam Houston State)
TV News Announcing (Spanish)
3rd Place - Jaquelin Villafranco (Sam Houston State)
TV News Writing
3rd Place - Collin Harris (Sam Houston State)
Live News Package
1st Place - Stephen Snook (Sam Houston State)
Radio News Writing (Spanish)
3rd Place - Jaquelin Villafranco (Sam Houston State)
Print News Writing
HM - Jay Jordan (Sam Houston State)
Newspaper Design
3rd Place - Stephen Green (Sam Houston State)
Director’s Trophy (2nd consecutive year)
(Given to the school accumulating the most points in the convention’s live on-site contests. The award presentation started in 2013)
2014 Sam Houston State University
2013 Sam Houston State University
2014 Convention By the Numbers
57 Number of schools registered for the convention
587 Number of convention attendees
30 Number of convention on-site contests
34 Number of workshops presented during the convention
28 Largest delegation at the convention – Sam Houston State University Back
TRI BETA SOUTH CENTRAL CONVENTION - Kingston, Oklahoma
submitted by: Matthew Breuer, Delta Tau Chapter Vice President
The Delta Tau Chapter of Beta Beta Beta attended the annual regional conference in Kingston, Oklahoma. All who attended learned much from the event. Several current members decided to become officers in the Delta Tau Chapter after seeing the positive progress that was being made in other chapters of the organization. Many good ideas learned during the convention that have been implemented in other chapters with great success, will be implemented within the SHSU chapter.
In addition to gaining new officers, two SHSU members presented for the first time, their research during the poster presentations, also bringing recognition to Sam Houston State University. This experience is vital to anyone that hopes to go into the scientific field, since presentations are commonplace in 
such an occupation. The funds provided by SHSU Student Services made it possible for members of the Delta Tau Chapter of Beta Beta Beta to attend the convention, and as a result, they now have a stronger presence in the biology department of SHSU, and have also helped make SHSU become more prominent. Back
CNBAM NATIONAL CONFERENCE - Austin, Texas
submitted by: Stacy Hood, Houstonian Advertising Manager
Stacy Hood has served as Advertising Manager for The Houstonian for two years. During this time, she has learned many things and met many wonderful people. In March, she had the opportunity to attend the College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers (CNBAM) National Conference in Austin, Texas. This experience helped her see her full potential and discovered ways in which the quality of The Houstonian could be enhanced.
During the three-day CNBAM conference, she was able to market SHSU and The Houstonian on a national scale. She learned what other college newspapers were doing to be successful and gained a better understanding of online marketing and advertising techniques that are already being implemented on the SHSU CNBAM website. The roundtable discussions also gave her a better perspective of community and campus involvement, which in turn relates back to advertising revenue.
The convention allowed her to practice her personal selling skills in a ‘pitch project’ where members of CNBAM grouped together and made pitches to a mock client. Although her group did not place first, their peers gave them many compliments.
The project also taught her quick closer practices during sales meetings, as well as how to be a good team member. With the project complete, national marketing firms approached students for possible jobs. Because of her participation, she was granted a future interview with a top marketing firm. Through the lessons learned and the ideas shared, Stacy strongly believes that The Houstonian will have a brighter future. Back
CRU BIG BREAK - Panama City Beach, Florida
submitted by: Oayemi Otulana, Cru@Sam Member
Students from Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru@Sam) participated in Cru Big Break in Panama City Beach, Florida during their spring break. Approximately 1,250 students from all over the country attended this conference. Big Break is a conference that trains students to engage in spiritual conversations with students on campus. The conference provides opportunities for students attending to spend time engaging in spiritual conversations with Panama City Beach spring breakers.
Overall, Big Break provides students with opportunities to share their faith. For some students, this was their first time engaging in evangelism, but the experience helped them gain confidence.
At the end of the day, the students learned that the Panama City Beach partiers were looking for something fulfilling, something to make them feel needed and cherished. Unfortunately, many turn to binge drinking, and substance abuse as a temporary fix, but this does not bring them lasting gratification. Big Break gave Cru@Sam students an opportunity to share with Spring Break partiers, and stress the need for a savior. Back
90TH ANNUAL SIGMA TAU DELTA INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY CONVENTION - Savannah, Georgia
submitted by: Jennifer Seay, Delta Delta Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta President
Kim Davis, Clint Morrison, and Jenny Seay traveled to Savannah, Georgia to participate in the 90th Annual Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society Convention. They car-pooled to the airport before dawn broke and arrived at the Savannah Marriott on the river. Hundreds of other Sigma Tau Delta chapters arrived on the scene within hours, and the group lounged in the lobby, soaking up the literary babble from fellow-minded people.
As they prepared to present their papers to fellow Sigma Tau Delta members, they took a day off to tour downtown Savannah, stopping at memorable film spots for Forrest Gump. Downtown at night was beautiful, with golden orbs decorating every street and splashing light onto cobblestones on the riverside. Pizza slices draped in swathes of cheese stretched for feet before finally breaking off from the whole pie; caramel apples from the riverfront were larger than babies’ heads and dipped in enough chocolate and caramel to put Willy Wonka out of business. The group enjoyed these sights and more, investigating old bookstores at the top of rickety stairs and tucked in crannies of heavily angled alleyways. Carriage rides were offered, and the group often found themselves in antique and novelty stores searching for the perfect mementoes of the Peach State.
When the group was not touring the town, they attended several of the guest speaker events scheduled at the end of each night. Having bought some of the books previously, they had authors like Alison Bechdel sign them. They even had an opportunity to talk with writer Micah Dean Hicks at the signing table for nearly half an hour, discussing Texas and the evolution of myth and legend of the region. He personalized each of their book inscriptions with lyrical lines that referred to a specific short story in his collection.
Kim, Clint, and Jenny also enjoyed the presentation side of the convention. Each found genres of papers that appealed to their love for classical, feminist, or pop culture works. The papers presented were well written and insightful, becoming both a study and lecture that enriched the knowledge of the audiences. The group split up to listen to different sections of papers in order to learn from the genres that would best aid them in their field of study, but they would each join up to listen to one of their fellow Sam Houston cohorts deliver their paper, even when the presentation was at eight in the morning. The presentations allowed the audience to question the panel of readers at the end in order to generate lively discussion and prompt further understanding of the literary subjects discoursed in the reading. These interactive sections truly showed the mental prowess of the writers involved, and the Sam Houston representatives fielded their questions with consideration and enthusiasm. Kim, Clint, and Jenny made many friends during those few days spent in Savannah, some of who may prove to be lifelong literary companions. Back
CRU WINTER CONFERENCE - Fort Worth, Texas
submitted by: Olayemi Otulana, Cru@Sam Member
Members of Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru@Sam) traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to join approximately 1,000 other students from Campus Crusade for Christ nationally. The conference mission is to help college students develop their own personal relationship with the Lord, and offer ways to reach out to friends, fellow classmates, and teachers. The conference also promotes numerous opportunities for students to be involved with Cru, such as summer projects, both internationally, and nationally, as well as attending other conferences similar to Big Break.
The first day kicked off with students from all over the state registering, followed by a much needed power nap. The students then attended a meeting, where they heard from one of the key speakers at the conference, Todd Ahrend. Campus Time followed the meeting, an event where students examine ways they can make an impact at Sam Houston State University in the upcoming school year.
During the second day of Winter Conference, Cru@Sam volunteered with a refuge center that houses refugees, primarily from Eritrea. Many of the refugees were going through the transition of becoming United States citizens. Some were eager to start new lives, while others were struggling with the fact that they would no longer be in their own country. The students had the privilege of hosting and organizing a children’s camp for the refugee children. Many students were able to recite a Bible lesson referencing John 3:16, at the end of children’s camp. There was story time with animated characters and dancing. The students also engaged in physical activities, such as basketball, tag, and even games they played in Eritrea. Most importantly, the Cru students were able to share Gods’ love with the children.
The final two days of the conference were filled with workshops and meetings for the Cru students. Many of the speakers such as, Cheryl Fletcher, Mark Gauthier, and Afshin Ziafat, were able to relay to the students, the gift and sometimes struggle that comes with being a college student in search of Christ.
At the end of the conference, the students met with one another once again, and discussed what they learned. Many Cru campuses have a partner country, which they pray for and with whom they spend part of their summers doing mission work. James Jackson, one of the Cru members from SHSU suggested that Cru@Sam pair up with Ethiopia! Back
3D CAMP CONFERENCE - Houston, Texas
submitted by: Winston Hoyle, SHSU Siggraph Member
During October 2013, SHSU Siggraph attended the 3D Camp Conference at the University of Houston. This all-day conference featured local Houston companies that operate with 3D technology. This experience was critical for the students attending, as they were exposed to the many job opportunities available with a degree in computer animation.
A common mistake animation students tend to make when they enter the job market is look for small niche studios that do not offer jobs for commercial animation. These studios are highly competitive and only account for about 3% of the jobs in animation. At 3D camp, students were able to see how available, high paying, and local these remaining 97% of the jobs in the industry are.
SHSU Siggraph students were also able to see tips and tricks from the pro’s regarding the software used in class; these are techniques not covered in the SHSU curriculum. It also exposed students to important opportunities and information not available at SHSU. Winston relayed his gratitude on behalf of Siggraph, for the travel fund provided to attend the conference. They are looking forward to future opportunities to enrich their member’s global understanding of computer animation. Winston also revealed that members thoroughly enjoyed the experience and even walked home with a few door prizes, such as free one-on-one training, 3D modeling software and graphics cards. Back