Top Ten Moments: February 2024
1. Celebrating 20 Years of the McCoy Foundation
The lives touched by the McCoy Foundation will always be part of Emmett and Miriam McCoy’s legacy. The best part about celebrating the 20th anniversary of the foundation was listening to our students talk about their life-changing experiences since coming to TXST.
2. Meeting with San Antonio Higher Ed Leaders
It was great meeting with higher ed CEOs and industry leaders at the Greater San Antonio Regional Economic Partnership meeting. Given our proximity to San Antonio and that many of our students are from the Alamo City, we are well-positioned to partner with local colleges and businesses!
3. Attending the Empowering Women as Leaders Signing
Many thanks to the organizers of the 2024 Empowering Women as Leaders scholarship signing. In addition to providing private funding, these five students were assigned a mentor who will work with them through graduation.
4. Kicking off Black History Month at TXST
I loved hearing the story of soul food and seeing how happy everyone was to be together for a celebration at the annual Soul Food Dinner. It was a fun way to kick off Black History Month at TXST with many events that followed.
5. Speaking with TXST’s ROTCs
I was grateful and honored for the opportunity to join our Army, Air Force, and Space Force ROTCs in discussing what our campus is doing to support the 4,000 veterans, service members, and their dependents who attend TXST. Thanks for the invitation, GI Forum!
6. RRC Named Business of the Year
Twenty-eight years ago, Round Rock partnered with TXST to establish our campus north of Austin. This month, the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce named our campus “Business of the Year” during their 56th annual Business Awards celebration.
7. Hiking to Research Rock Art
A huge thank you to TXST Endowed Professor Carolyn Boyd for giving Liberal Arts Dean Mary Brennan, Associate Dean Beth Erhart, and me a close encounter with some of the rock art they study via the Shumla Archeological Research and Education Center. Sometimes our Run to R1 is a hike as well!
8. Touring the Child Development Center
Beth and I enjoyed our tour of TXST’s Child Development Center, which provides child care to members of our campus community. I loved seeing our staff (many of whom are alumni), the student workers, and lab students engaging with their kiddos.
9. Recognizing TXST Staff for Deeds of Valor
Inspired by the words in our alma mater, we began our Deeds of Valor monthly recognition program for faculty and staff members this year. Our February honoree is Welcome Center Coordinator Allison Menchaca! Congrats!
10. Hosting a Historic Bobcat Day
The cold weather didn’t slow us down! Congratulations to TXST Admissions for organizing yet another history Bobcat Day, with 600 more registered than February 2023. I am so grateful for everyone on campus who volunteered to show our future Bobcats what the future holds for them.
BONUS - Making Progress on Bobcat Stadium Construction
It was exciting to see cranes rising over Bobcat Stadium as our wonderful construction team hustles to complete our new endzone project. In other good news, we are still on schedule to have the new weight room completed before the start of the fall season.
BONUS - Displaying LBJ’s Stetson Cowboy Hat
Kevin Moomaw, a longtime Texas political consultant, donated Lyndon Johnson’s famous Stetson Open Road Royal Deluxe Silverbelly cowboy hat for visitors to enjoy at TXST. Our students loved hearing the hat’s history on President’s Day, and we look forward to displaying it in the LBJ Welcome Center.
