NEWS RELEASE

Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax; 713/743-8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2004

Contact: Angie Joe
713/743-8153 (office)
713/617-7138 (pager)
ajoe@uh.edu

LEARNING, LEADING, LASSOIN’: UH, HOUSTON RODEO
SHARE UNCOMMON CONNECTIONS

The world of bustin’ broncs and bull doggin’ might seem to have nothing to do with hitting the books and
earning a college degree. But the University of Houston and the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo share some surprising connections. Both have a commitment to education, of course, with the rodeo currently providing scholarships for nearly 2,000 students attending 94 Texas universities, including UH. Whether it’s staying on a bull for eight seconds or staying in school through graduation, these two institutions demand a good deal from their participants but offer a good deal in return. But beyond that, they enjoy a number of specific associations, too …

THE RODEO NOT TAKEN
The rodeo’s role in history has been overlooked and under-appreciated. Demetrius Pearson, associate professor of health and human performance, is an expert on the historical and sociological aspects of the rodeo and cowboys, particularly the black cowboy, as well as rodeo’s effect on American society. Phone: 713-743-9849.
E-mail: dpearson@uh.edu.

SADDLING UP A CHARDONNAY
Beer’s always been the beverage you associate with a rodeo, but all that’s about to change. For the first time, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has added a wine competition, where Texas wine makers will compete with vino from around the world. Winners will be announced at a public tasting event March 1, and a live sales auction of the award-winning wines will take place March 4. Competition Vice Chairman Glenn Cordua Director is also director of the Wine and Spirits Management Institute at UH. The institute is part of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. E-mail: gcordua@uh.edu. Phone: 713-743-2442.

RITE ‘EM, COWBOY
Created in 1997, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence (RITE) focuses on improving reading skills of students as young as pre-kindergarten age. RITE trains teachers from Houston-area school districts in specialized reading and classroom management skills primarily for students in pre-kindergarten classes through second grade. From 1997 through 2003, the HLSR and corporate and foundation supporters have committed $8.1 million to fund the program. David Francis, UH professor of psychology, evaluates the program.
E-mail: dfrancis@uh.edu. Phone: 832-842-7036.

GO TEXAN, GO COOGS
Nicole Eilan, a sophomore at UH, doesn’t wear boots or a cowboy hat and, until recently, she had never even attended the rodeo. But she did manage to lasso a scholarship from HLSR, allowing her to follow her dreams of eventually practicing international law. Phone: (713) 743-8153.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.