Beth Smith Damphousse

A self-described extrovert, Beth Smith Damphousse quickly made her mark at Texas State University when she arrived with her husband, President Kelly Damphousse, in summer 2022. During her time in San Marcos and Round Rock, she has continued to pursue her passions for servant leadership and connecting with students, primarily through the arts, both of which run deep in her upbringing.

Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and raised in Bryan, Texas, Beth was surrounded by academia from an early age thanks to her father’s job as a professor of soil and crop sciences at Texas A&M University. Faith and music also shaped the Smith family—Beth started playing piano at age 5 and was a fixture in her church youth group. 

Beth nostalgically recalls spending weekends helping her father with his agricultural test plots, where he focused on creating disease-resistant peanut varieties. He often mentored and hosted international students at their home, and as a result, the Smiths became de facto family for students who needed support or a place to go for occasions like Thanksgiving.

“My mom was the hostess with the ‘mostest,’” Beth says. “We grew up in the church, and so my parents were always teaching young married couples in our home. And the international students were always in our home. We were taught how to think of and serve others through what we were given. We always participated in town events, helping pitch in however we could. It was never work to us. It was fun and brought interesting perspectives to my siblings and me.” 

Beth played flute and piccolo in the school band, and with her parents’ encouragement, she joined the choir. By the time she was a senior, she was teaching a choir class at her high school.

For college, Beth decided to pursue a music degree at Sam Houston State University, which was known for its renowned choral program. In addition to her academic prowess, she played piano and taught children’s choir at her church. During college is also when she met her future husband, Kelly, a criminal justice student from Canada. 

When they completed their undergraduate degrees, the Damphousses moved to Bryan-College Station, where Kelly earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in sociology from Texas A&M University. During this time, Beth taught choir in Bryan ISD and focused on raising their two young daughters, Kayleigh and Kristen.

Later they moved to the University of Oklahoma where, over a 20-year span, Kelly was a sociology professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. During this time, Beth flourished as director of the University’s Visitors’ Center and event coordinator for the Office of Admissions. When Kelly became the chancellor of Arkansas State University, Beth was actively engaged in several community and campus organizations, such as the Northeast Arkansas United Way Board.

When the offer came to move back home to Texas in 2022, Beth says she found a sense of belonging at TXST. She was struck by the area’s natural beauty and the friendliness of the people. “We just felt right at home immediately,” she says.

Over her first few years, Beth says she’s been impressed by TXST’s fundamental strengths, from alumni relations to academics and the arts. “We can keep moving forward,” she says, as she finds way to jump into projects involving the arts, education, athletics, and serving others. 

Inspired by Kelly’s experience with foster children growing up, the couple formed the Beth and Kelly Damphousse Educational Support Endowment. The scholarship is designed to help foster students who “at no fault of their own were thrown into these circumstances.” The endowment provides financial assistance beyond traditional tuition coverage, helping with essential needs like clothing, housing, and technology.

In addition, she initiated the Beth Damphousse Art & Design Award, which gives student artists the opportunity to win a scholarship and showcase their artwork at the President’s House throughout the academic year.

“I love showing off what our students do,” Beth says. “Whether that be art that I can hang here in the President’s House or having recitals here to showcase our musicians.”

Beth has also worked to strengthen ties between TXST and the San Marcos community. She started Back the Bobcats in partnership with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. Taking place at the start of football season, the event includes a maroon-and-gold decorating contest for local businesses and a block party in town on the night before the first home game.

For Beth, servant leadership is not a chore but a way to foster a sense of belonging and community. “I enjoy getting involved and connecting with people,” she says. “I want people to feel comfortable in their space. That encourages a lot of different things, from retention to feeling like they’ve found a home.”