Athletics
If you want to play competitive sports on campus against other SHSU students but aren't on the official university roster, you join this program.
What are Intramural Sports?
This is the official name of the campus health center where students go when they feel sick to see a doctor or get medicine.
What is the Student Health Center?
In the 1970s, SHSU established a massive national reputation and opened a world-class dedicated center for this specific academic field of study.
What is Criminal Justice?
This mandatory, multi-day onboarding and transition program occurs right after freshman move-in to help incoming students navigate campus, find their classrooms, and learn school traditions before classes officially begin.
What is Bearkat Kickoff?
This is the short, four-letter acronym everyone uses instead of saying the full name "Sam Houston State University."
What is SHSU?
This is the name of the official university dance team that performs high-energy routines on the sidelines during football games at Bowers Stadium.
Who is Orange Pride?
This giant, open-air outdoor plaza features a large fountain and hosts major student events like the Tree of Light ceremony.
What is Frank Parker Plaza?
Between 1965 and 1969, the institution held a specific designation reflecting its growth before officially becoming a "University." What was its name during those four years?
What is Sam Houston State College?
This designated weekend invites relatives to campus for an outdoor picnic, academic open houses, and a Bearkat football game.
What is Bearkat Family Weekend?
This is the general name of the animal that the mascot Sammy is based on.
What is a Bearkat?
This iconic campus sports venue, which features a track around the field, is the historic home of the Bearkat soccer team.
What is Pritchett Field?
Located outside the Lowman Student Center, this massive 21-foot-tall, 7,000-pound public iron sculpture pays a literal visual tribute to General Sam Houston’s famous Cherokee name.
What is The Raven Sculpture?
From 1986 to 2005, Sammy the Bearkat didn't patrol the sidelines alone; he was accompanied by this official, now-retired female co-mascot.
Who is Samantha the Bearkat?
First celebrated all the way back in 1921, this beautiful winter tradition brings the campus together at the close of the fall semester to sing carols and support local food banks.
What is the Tree of Light Ceremony?
This is the official name of the student-run campus newspaper that has been covering SHSU news, sports, and life since 1913.
What is The Houstonian?
For decades prior to its transition to NCAA Division I FBS, SHSU won numerous championships and enjoyed a storied rivalry as a dominant member of which athletic conference?
What is Southland Conference
Named after a generous physics alumnus, this high-tech campus facility houses the university's massive research telescope.
What is the Dominey Observatory?
Prior to adopting the fierce "Bearkat" mascot in 1923, SHSU's athletic teams were known by this instructional, academic nickname.
What are the Normalites?
This is the name of the annual historic walk from the heart of campus to the final resting place of the university's namesake.
What is March 2 the Grave?
This specific floor of the Newton Gresham Library is strictly designated as the absolute quiet zone, where students go for silent, distraction-free studying.
What is the 4th floor?
Following a stunning turnaround season, this head coach was named the 2026 Conference USA Basketball Co-Coach of the Year.
Who is Chris Mudge?
Located at the heart of campus, this wide, grassy park area is bordered by Austin Hall, the Evans Building, and the historic brick arches.
What is The Quad? (or the Quadrangle)
Reflecting its original exclusive mission to train Texas public school teachers, the university operated under this official name from 1923 until 1965.
What is Sam Houston State Teachers College?
Hosted annually on April 21 by the SHSU Orange Keys, this solemn public memorial ceremony gathers students at the Bell Tower to honor and celebrate the lives of Bearkats who passed away during the year.
What is the Raven's Call?
Carved into stone monuments and printed on official university seals, SHSU's official school motto is this inspiring seven-word phrase.
What is "The measure of a Life is its Service"?