1. TXST Joins the Pac-12
The move to the Pac-12 is a seismic shift for TXST. It’s not just about athletics. It’s a game-changing move that elevates TXST on the national stage. We’re joining some fantastic universities as nine foundational members of the new Pac-12. Listen to the bonus episode of The Current for a deep dive on the details.
2. Topping Out at Esperanza Hall
It wasn’t a spooky Friday the 13th as we held our topping out ceremony for Esperanza Hall at the Round Rock Campus. We have already doubled the number of freshmen studying in Round Rock this fall, and we are well on our way to 10,000 students there. Excellent leadership by Vice President Julie Lessiter.
3. Congrats to Advertising Students
The hits keep on coming for TXST! We won the national championship in the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition. Our students treated me to a preview of their competition pitch, and I just knew it was a winner.
4. Many Thanks to the SM Rotary Club
Thanks to the San Marcos Rotary Club for their generosity in presenting Beth and me with a $20,000 check for her scholarship for Bobcats who are foster care alumni. About 400 of them attend TXST. Beth has raised over $120,000 for this endowment, and I’m so proud of her.
5. Speaking at GED Grad Ceremony
Thank you to Community Action for inviting me back to be the speaker at their GED graduation ceremony. The “overcomer” stories of the students were so inspiring to hear. We also have some proud alumni leading there! I’m proud to host this ceremony on our campus.
6. Meeting Veteran Mohammad Siddiq
I loved meeting Mohammad Siddiq, a veteran of the Afghanistan Air Force. He currently works as an engineer in California while he completes his online master’s degree with the Ingram School of Engineering. He will be among our first online Ph.D. students next year!
7. Winning the Bubas Cup (Again)
A great meeting with the Sun Belt board was made even better when I learned that TXST Athletics was named the winner of the Bubas Cup. This is the second year in a row that we’ve been named the top athletics program.
8. KTSW Students Shoutout
Shout out to our TXST students from KTSW 89.9 who were at the Sun Belt football media day in full force. They asked great questions and did a wonderful job covering the event.
9. Hosting the Corridor Women’s Network
Beth and I enjoyed hosting the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce’s Corridor Women’s Network event at the Wittliff Collections. It’s always great to see our hometown business leaders making a difference on our campus.
10. Having Dinner with Alumni in Atlanta
It was such a fun night in Atlanta with several TXST alumni joining Todd Jenson and me for dinner. I always love these opportunities to share with them all that’s going on at TXST (and it’s a lot).
BONUS: TXSTxPac-12 Social Media Video
While we still have a job to do with the Sun Belt Conference until next year, joining the Pac-12 means more visibility, more pride, and more chances for our TXST community to be part of something historic. This is a university on the move — and you’re here for it! Let’s bring the noise and show the Pac-12 what Bobcats are made of this season.
“If you can dream big, you can be big.”
