Top Ten Moments: November 2022

Beth and I cast our ballots in early voting in the LBJ Student Center. There was a short line and a smooth process at that TXST polling location. We enjoyed getting to know the students who were in line with us. Last year, TXST was designated a “Voter Friendly Campus” by national nonpartisan organizations.

I joined our Chief Research Officer and the team from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for a day of professional development designed to advance our progress in the Run to R1. The Meadows Center and Spring Lake were the perfect backdrop for a presentation on “Change, Communication, Collaboration, and Commitment.”

I’m committed to hearing directly from as many students, faculty, and students as possible. I hosted additional “Kindle with KDamp” and “Coffee with Kelly” events on our San Marcos and Round Rock campuses to hold informal, small group discussions where Bobcats can share their ideas, feedback, and questions.

Beth started a new tradition for the Damphousse family: displaying two pieces of student art in our home. Next year, the pieces will be selected via the President’s Prize contest. This year, faculty selected art by an incredibly talented student, Jacob Garza, Jr. His father joined us to celebrate the art installation in our home

I had the honour of speaking at the Studies in Entrepreneurship Speaker Series in our McCoy College of Business to recognize Meagan McCoy Jones and Brian McCoy, current and former CEOs of McCoy's Building Supply. The McCoy name is synonymous with ethical, successful business leadership. We’re proud the college bears their name.

It’s a privilege for TXST to be home to so many military service men and women, and students from military families. At our annual Veterans Day Commemoration event organized by the Student Foundation and Student Involvement, Brigadier General Jeffrey Kendall served as our keynote speaker to help our community honour the bravery of our veterans.

Following a national search, we named Brooks Hull TXST’s new Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA), effective January 1. Brooks comes from Louisiana Tech University where he was VPUA and Chief Executive Officer for the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. I look forward to working together to elevate TXST philanthropy and alumni engagement.

Leaders from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo visited our San Marcos Campus to tour our agriculture research labs, meet scholarship recipients, and hear the latest news from TXST. We are incredibly grateful for their scholarship support and continued partnership.

At the TXST School of Music's Steinway Signature Series at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Austin, an array of talented TXST musicians were in the spotlight. Showcasing the caliber of our School of Music is driving our fundraising momentum to ultimately construct a music building worthy of their skill and potential.

I enjoyed meeting with our friends from the San Marcos Independent School District, alongside the Provost and Dean of our College of Education, to discuss our collaborative education programs that benefit local schoolchildren and the future teachers and educators at TXST.

Walking around campus, you see a lot of students wearing headphones. Some are jamming out to their favorite tunes, listening to a podcast or audio book, or chatting with family back home. Out of curiosity (and a desire to expand my music library), I couldn’t help but ask a few students, “what are you listening to”?