American Music Therapy Association 2014 National Conference
Submitted by: Sarah Rossi, Mu Tau Omega President
Louisville, Kentucky - November 6-9, 2014
During the early part of November, members of the SHSU Mu Tau Omega traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to attend the 2014 AMTA National Conference for the opportunity to gain knowledge in the music therapy field, network with music therapy professionals and students across the country, explore internship possibilities, and to positively represent the Sam Houston State University music therapy program at a national event.
Mu Tau Omega hosted a booth for the purpose of fundraising to benefit the organization by selling music therapy t-shirts. They participated in the American Music Therapy Association for Students (AMTAS) business meetings throughout the conference. Members were also able to reconnect and network with previous SHSU alumni at an alumni dinner, and had the opportunity to nominate an organization “Blue Star Connection” for the Advocate of Music Therapy Award in appreciation for their donation of instruments to the program. Back...
National FFA Convention 2014
Submitted by: William Kornn, Dionicio Castillo III, and Pierre Cassignol, Ag Engineering Tech Club Members
Louisville, Kentucky - October 26-November 1, 2014
The SHSU Ag Engineering Tech Club attended the 2014 National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. During the conference, the students helped judge and orchestrate several different test areas in CDE. They were able to take a tour of the Ditch Witch manufacturing plant in Perry, Oklahoma. Ditch Witch is a company that was started in 1949. It manufactures almost all of its products and parts from the onset, including cutting, drilling, shaping, building, painting, testing, and every other aspect of the manufacturing process. They excel in the area of underground construction and employ over 1,000 people in their Perry plant alone. The employees of the factory not only work at the factory, but they also own it along with the family who started it. Mr. Ed Malzahn talked to the group and he shared the principals that framed the founding of his company: hard work, honesty and a desire to give customers the best products available.
The trip also offered opportunities to tour other factories and museums such as the Budweiser factory, where they were able to learn about the different phases of fermentation, etc., the St. Louis Arch reaching as high as 630 feet above ground, the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Corvette Factory, The Oklahoma City National Memorial, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, all of which offered interesting facts and information.
The first day of the convention consisted of seminars where students and professors were able to display their research and studies related to ways in which technology is working to make improvements in agriculture. The following day everyone was split up in groups to help with judging the events. Some of the well-known vendors who participated at the Career Expo were John Deere, Caterpillar, Tyson, Ford, Ram, Ducks Unlimited, Lincoln Welders, New Holland, and hundreds more. This event gave everyone an opportunity to network and search possible future career opportunities. Back...
PRSSA National Conference
Submitted by: Misti Jones, Public Relations Student Society of America President
Washington, DC - October 2014
In October, Sam Houston State University’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America flew to Washington, D.C. for the PRSSA National Conference. The assistance received from SHSU Student Affairs, PRSA Houston and Chapter fundraising, made it possible for the Chapter to attend its first PRSSA National Conference in years.
Every year, this conference provides networking opportunities and workshops for the public relations field. It provides an opportunity for students to develop professional skills, meet other students, and public relations professionals from across the nation.
By attending the conference, the SHSU Chapter learned more about public relations firsthand from PR professionals at the sessions, met students from other PRSSA chapters across the nation, and were able to explore Washington, D.C. They gained knowledge in regards to expanding their Chapter’s reach and increase engagement with their members.
Students visited different agencies in D.C. to experience what it is like working in a real life firm. The institutions included: Allison+Partners, APCO Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller and many others. Misti Jones, PRSSA President visited the Pentagon with a small group of people and had the opportunity to talk to the Navy’s social media specialists and hear about the strategies and tactics they use for posting social media content. Attending the D.C. conference gave SHSU PRSSA members the opportunity to visit some of these larger national, international and government PR agencies.
It helped students better understand different specializations in PR such as entertainment, sports, healthcare and crisis management. They also had the opportunity to learn about marketing tools and building relationships with the media from different speakers. After most of the sessions, there was time set aside for a Q&A session (and even resume critiques). The Q&As allowed attendees to ask PR professionals’ questions about their careers and what they look for in interns and employees.
Members gained real world experience and attended Chapter development sessions where they learned how to better run their Chapter and increase involvement. Back...