SHSU hosts 31st annual Sammys, celebrating student excellence
Story by Garrett Wiley
Sam Houston State University rolled out the red carpet Wednesday night for the 31st annual Sammys, the university’s official award ceremony honoring standout students, organizations, faculty, and staff. First held in 1994, the Sammys have become one of SHSU’s most cherished traditions.
The evening recognized leadership, service, and involvement across campus, all set against a lively backdrop that included a crowd-pleasing performance from SHSU’s Jazz Band.
Marshal Wright, a member of the film crew capturing the event, said the band’s set was a personal highlight. “You could tell the students were excited and the professor gave it his all,” he said. “The energy was amazing.”
Among the awards presented were seven individual college awards, given to students selected by their college deans for academic excellence and leadership. These students must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with at least a 3.0 GPA.
The night also featured seventeen individual and organizational awards, which were open to nominations from the broader SHSU community. These recognized students and groups making meaningful contributions to campus life, with a GPA requirement of 2.5 or higher for individual honorees.
Another standout was the Sam Houston Cane Award, given to departments and initiatives that go above and beyond in promoting school spirit, tradition, and service.
Finally, the prestigious Sammy Awards were presented to four graduating students and faculty or staff members for their lasting impact on the university.
One moment that stuck with Wright was an award given to a student who returned to college later in life. “She had previously spoken at a TEDx event and truly deserved the recognition,” he said. “It was an honor to help celebrate stories like hers.”