Top Ten Moments: April 2023

I made a quick trip to the Capitol for a Senate Finance Committee hearing about the Texas University Fund (SB 19) and how it would greatly enhance Texas State’s Run to R1. The Texas University Fund (TUF) is a game changer — not just for TXST but for the state. Texas is the eighth-largest economy in the world and deserves to have more than two top-100 research universities. The TUF will make that happen.

I had fun celebrating Graduate Student Appreciation Week with several of our grad students. As we Run to R1, expanding the support we grant our master’s and PhD students is a vital step forward. Special thanks to The Graduate College’s administration.

I never thought I’d be an actor, but I had a great time guest starring in TXST student Jordan Banks’ senior capstone film project. Jordan asked me and Camille Denning to play cameo parts as dance show judges. The TXST film program is growing, with our graduates in high demand.

Congrats to Luis Diaz and Emma Fukuda, who were recognized this month as our TXST undergrad and graduate student employees of the year. I appreciate all our student employees who were honoured for their work during National Student Employment Week.

Special thanks to the TXST Muslim Student Association for inviting me to participate in Fawanis Ramadan on April 10 before breaking fast. It was great to meet so many of our Muslim students and have the chance to join in their traditions.

I had the honor of swearing in Kiersten Florence as the 2023-24 TXST Student Government President. TXST Student Government is in good hands with this compassionate and driven leader. It was great to see representatives from the University Police Department and TXST football coach G.J. Kinne on hand to hear Kiersten’s plans for the coming year.

Congrats to nursing senior Precious Orusa on being named a Texas State University System Regents’ Student Scholar. She’s only the sixth TXST student to win this award. A native of Nigeria, Precious is a wonderful student and a servant leader. We held a reception in her honour on the Round Rock Campus, home of our St. David’s School of Nursing.

I met with faculty and staff from Physical Therapy and Health Information Management on our Round Rock Campus (RRC) to discuss our ambitious plans for the campus. I also got a chance to thank our great facilities crew for all they do to keep our RRC so beautiful. Plus, I enjoyed meeting with leaders of Round Rock ISD to share how we’re expanding academic programs.

The administrative support staff at TXST play critical roles. From clerks and cashiers, to grant assistants and coordinators, we couldn’t run this university without their contributions. I hosted luncheons for them on the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses to show our gratitude for all they do.

The TXST Department of English administers an annual prize that is one of the largest literary awards in the nation – the L.D. and LaVerne Harrell Clark Fiction Prize. I had the opportunity to meet the latest honoree, author Percival Everett, at The Wittliff Collections in Alkek Library.