The Art of Living and Learning

Transcript

Named after a former university president and his wife, the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center is a world class academic and performance center. Home to the university’s dance department, it also provides performance spaces for the university’s music and theater departments and boasts an 800 seat concert hall, 150 seat dance theater and 175 seat recital hall. Considered one of the most amazing art centers in the United States, it attracts some of the best faculty and students. Meet Jennifer. She is a graduate of the university’s television and film program. Since Jennifer has worked with the College of Arts and Media to produce some great films and promotional pieces, she can give us a firsthand look at all the amazing art programs here at Sam Houston State University. Jennifer, please take it away.

– Thanks Alex. Hey guys, I’m a first-generation college student and recent graduate of Sam Houston State University. I majored in mass communication with an emphasis in film and TV production. So I hope to be in the movie making business someday. My freshman year, I lived in Belvin Buchanan Hall, which is dedicated to the students who are in the College of Arts and Media, also known as CAMP. The basement in Belvin Buchanan is amazing. It has a dance hall, a theater, recording studio, practice rooms, you name it, an art studio even. It’s awesome. All of these amenities are open 24/7 to the students who live there. And it’s pretty much where I spent most of my time. Belvin Buchanan is located right down struggle hill. And one trek up the hill, is the Dan Rather Communication Building. That’s right, Dan Rather. The award-winning journalist is a graduate of Sam Houston State University. Even though the campus is 368 acres, everything is pretty easy to get to. The Lowman Student Center or LSE, is our living room on campus. And there you’ll find the Kat Klub with pool tables, big screens and a bowling alley. The LSE has some really awesome dining options as well. I love being able to place a mobile pickup order with my phone, grab my food, maybe a latte, and then head back to class. I served as a student videography intern for the Dean’s office of the College of Arts and Media and got to film students doing their thing in the dance theater, as well as the university theater center. I also had the opportunity to film students’ artwork in the university gallery in our state-of-the-art point, Hoyt Fine Arts Building. My senior year was mostly spent in Studio A where I got to produce a game show for YouTube. I loved learning all the ins and outs of the TV process. There’s so much to explore here at Sam Houston State University. Students really have access to it all. Sam Houston State University is located about halfway between Houston and Dallas on I-45, in the Piney Woods of Texas. It neighbors the Sam Houston National Forest, and it’s beautiful here. Being from the Panhandle myself, I’ve loved that the change of scenery, you can go on hikes or enjoy the lakes. The Blue Lagoon is nearby where students can cool off or even adventurous scuba diving. Downtown Huntsville is just a short walk from campus where students can find fun food trucks, local coffee shops and some are really cool stores. During my last year, I was selected to switch places with the university president for a day. I got to work in the president’s office, meet with administrators from all over campus and attend events on her behalf. Meanwhile, she went to my job, classes and org meetings. Sam Houston State University has given me so many great opportunities and I’ve loved my time here. I’m so excited to see where I’ll end up after graduation. Okay, that was my story, back to you, Alex.

– Jennifer, you’ve certainly stayed busy on and off campus exploring all the great things that Huntsville has to offer. And it sounds like your time as the president for a day was one for the books. Good luck as you head off into television and film. Hopefully, we’ll see you in Hollywood real soon, take care.