What Unites Us
Everyday, Bearkats head up the hill past the Old Main pit and walk by a building dedicated to a legendary leader in broadcast journalism, the Dan Rather Communications Building. In October, the Texas-born journalist and alumnus, returned to the Sam Houston State University campus for the first time since 2004.
Rather served as a keynote guest speaker for the university’s Common Reader Program on the stage of Payne Concert Hall in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center. After his time on campus, Rather came away impressed by SHSU students and shared his experience on social media.
“To all who despair about America’s future, come meet the generation that will have to pick up the mantle of leadership and heal our nation. They are here. They are gaining strength. And they are not to be underestimated.” - Dan Rather
According to Kay Angrove, director of SHSU’s First-Year Experience and Student Success Initiatives, the Common Reader Program is designed to reach across a broad spectrum of areas to connect with as many students as possible in a variety of academic fields. The program provides a campus-wide common intellectual experience, leading to informed and educated perspectives about complex subjects.
“Themes in Mr. Rather’s book address timely, relevant and cross-disciplinary topics affecting our students,” Angrove said.
In addition to the keynote address, Rather participated in two days of campus activities related to the Common Reader Program including a meet and greet, a lunch with students and even a film festival where original films were presented that connected with the themes in Rather’s book.
“It was very exciting to have Mr. Rather on campus for our film festival,” said Elisa Hermann, assistant professor of mass communication at SHSU and film festival coordinator. “It was so special to watch participants be handed their awards after working hard to connect their original films to his book.”
Choosing the Common Reader
Every year since 2008, the Sam Houston State University academic community participates in the Common Reader Program. The campus-wide, shared intellectual reading experience appeals to a variety of academic disciplines and offers opportunities for the entire campus to engage in discussions, research and presentations over topics covered in the book.
The process for selecting the 2018-2019 Common Reader, “What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism,” by acclaimed journalist and SHSU alumnus, Dan Rather was thorough and intensive. It began with a committee made up of faculty, staff and students who reviewed more than 100 nominations.
“The discussions we had as a group about why we thought Dan Rather’s book was the best fit, allowed for many voices to be heard,” student Charis Vieira said. “For me, I enjoyed that students were being allowed to voice their opinions on the topic because at the end of the day, we were going to be the ones who would be encouraged to read and be challenged with assignments for class.”
Dan Rather Internship
Since 1998, Dan Rather has provided a special opportunity for Bearkats to follow in his footsteps. Each year, the SHSU Mass Communication department sends one deserving student to New York City for a coveted summer internship.
Previous summer interns have gone on to pursue careers across the communications spectrum and beyond. In fact, one former intern didn’t have to look far when applying for jobs after graduation. Angela Theis, the Dan Rather Internship representative in 2016, now works full-time for Dan Rather’s company, News and Guts Media and credits the opportunity she received as a summer intern for sparking her career.
“The educational experience that comes with weeks of daily mentoring by a living history book is unexplainable,” Theis said. “There is a palpable level of passion and care each person puts into their work here, so I definitely took that with me after leaving the internship.”
Theis also enjoys watching Bearkats visit their New York offices each year.
“I take great responsibility in helping to guide the SHSU interns,” Theis said. “They are a reflection and representation of my alma mater and myself, so I find it imperative that they receive the tools to succeed here and beyond.”
There is also the Dan Rather Scholarship, established in 1998 for journalism or broadcast journalism majors, provided by CBS in Rather’s honor. To find out more about opportunities for communications majors visit shsu.edu/academics/mass-communication.