Texas State Pride
Our graduates carry our values and our vision into the world. They are the pioneering researchers, the heart-driven leaders, the inspired artists and the unstoppable entrepreneurs who stand out on a national stage.
Their lives tell our story — one of hard work, eager discovery and the life-changing opportunities that spring from our supportive community. Every day. Since 1899.
From San Marcos to the wide world
International studies major and polyglot Leona Osinga has a global perspective, one that reaches from her home — a family farm in East Texas — to points as far as Europe and New Zealand. With the support of Texas State faculty, she’s made the world her classroom, seeking its lessons one language at a time.
Past and present meet in Texas State volleyball coach
Karen Chisum’s impressive record as the sixth-winningest active coach in NCAA Division I volleyball — and as a recipient of the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award — cements her place in Texas State lore even as she continues to build upon it.
Daughter of 9/11 first responder keeps the memories alive
Priscilla Davis was just 12 years old when her father, policeman Clinton Davis, was killed in the collapse of the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001. Today, she is a senior criminal justice major at Texas State, following her father’s footsteps and bearing a permanent memorial to him.
Texas State readies Bobcat football for the WAC
In 2012, the Texas State Bobcats will move from the Southland Conference to the Western Athletic Conference, advancing for the first time to the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision. With the same fatherly ethos in his voice, Franchione says he expects nothing less than excellence from the Bobcats.
Business with acumen takes SIFE team to world championship
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a student organization that creates business projects to empower entrepreneurs and people in need. Through their endeavors — which in the 2010-11 academic year ranged from remodeling and furnishing housing for migrant workers to fill labor shortages on West Texas farms to helping local high school students fund rain barrels for their class gardens — Texas State’s team, one of the largest in the nation, implements real-world solutions for real-world problems.
Bringing an international perspective to Texas State
Dr. Washington García has performed at prestigious venues all over the world, but the thing he finds most rewarding is teaching in Texas State’s School of Music and working with children from across the globe at Texas State’s International Piano Festival.
Veteran, first-generation college student benefits from mentorship
Dawson Muñoz knows what he wanted to do with his life — become an international entrepreneur — and with the help of a mentor at Texas State, he has stuck with his plan through junior college, a tour of duty in Iraq and four years in San Marcos. In September, the quest continues, as he heads to Spain to teach and research business issues with a Fulbright grant.
Archaeologist has dedicated his life to digging up the story of the Clovis culture
From his youth in drought-stricken West Texas in the 1950s to his work unearthing the richest archaeological dig of its kind in the world, Michael Collins has forged a body of work few can match.
Students’ passion for teaching, learning and leading earns them recognition and opportunities
Public school teachers of the 21st century face perplexing issues, from curricula that fail to fit all students, to diverse classrooms of students with different learning styles, to standardized tests that drive lesson plans. Texas State’s doctoral program in school improvement addresses these issues — and more.
MBA student focuses on breaking the cycle
Growing up in a disadvantaged community herself, LeKisha McKinley became determined to help youngsters in similar situations thrive in life and in the classroom. She started a community-based program to promote self-sustainability and economic independence.
Graduate student finds an outlet for energy
Whether it’s going on a run with her dog Naya or staying busy around the Student Recreation Center, Graciela Sandoval has found ways to put her enthusiasm and energy to work. In addition to her job at the Student Recreation Center and her work on a master’s degree, she volunteers on campus, teaches exercise classes and encourages students to get involved.
Talent, tenacity and a great teacher help ComDes grads get internships abroad
Communication design students Gram Garner and John Yum told Professor Claudia Röschmann their dream jobs – to work in the much-revered world of Dutch design. With determination and the help of dedicated Texas State faculty, both men got the opportunity to see those dreams come true.

Gordon Taylor Gives Back and Looks Forward
Discipline, drive, teamwork and focus are all terms that could be used to describe success on the basketball court, and they also describe Gordon Taylor’s way of life. He’s never without his notepad, where he records ideas and things to do. When he finds inspiration or hears something that he thinks is a good idea — no matter who said it or where it came from — he jots it down.
One idea he filed away was inspired by the 2008 broadcast “Black in America,” a CNN series that chronicled the struggles and successes of present-day African Americans. Taylor watched the program, and an idea came him to found a nonprofit organization.

Study of baseball helps honor student find a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame
In a class about baseball’s role in American culture, Ben Sullivan found a vehicle to write about his mother’s experience with Lou Gehrig’s disease, and inspiration for his other creative work. In fact, the paper accomplished more than he ever expected. It provided some catharsis from a tumultuous adolescence. And it sent two very different people, student and professor, on a journey through heartbreak and pain and will take them both to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

No Business Like Show Business
Born to acting, producing and playwriting parents, Texas State’s new musical theatre director Kaitlin Hopkins was a show business baby. The art of acting, the songs of the stage and the business of Broadway run through her veins. And it’s that familial connection with the world of musical theatre that helped her give birth to one of the most innovative, challenging and relevant musical theatre programs in the country.
Texas State professor helps explain Peru’s ‘Nasca Lines’
Christina Conlee’s interest in the ancient people of the Nasca region of Peru wasn’t spurred by the series of huge lines and figures built in the desert. She wanted to understand the culture of the people who created them, their rituals and their motivations, and her work has been chronicled in a documentary for the National Geographic Channel and National Geographic magazine.

Surprise project becomes a good lesson for Mass Comm class
Few members of the class had any experience with recording or editing video, but Oskam managed to find enough experienced students to create several teams, who set out for Fort Hood and other sites around Central Texas, armed with cameras and microphones. The students, many of them with full-time jobs and some with families, made time on nights and weekends to get to know the families and shoot both video and still images. Oskam and the student teams attended everything from a parade in nearby Taylor to a layette party for dozens of young parents.
Where I Go For Fun
The good thing about San Marcos is that it’s right in between Austin and San Antonio. We all know we can find something to do in the Austin area, and there’s always the river walk in San Antonio. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget about floating the river in Gruene.
What I Tell Future Texas State Students
Don’t even think twice! If you need some information check out our website or come to a Bobcat Day. This is the greatest school in the state and I know anyone who goes here will love it.
Favorite Professor
Without a doubt, Dr. Daniela Ferrero has the best style of teaching math! I have the utmost respect for her because she is very encouraging and genuinely cares about her students excelling in all their classes.
What I Like Most About Texas State
I love that Texas State is a growing university, but you don’t feel like a number. Many faculty and staff want to get to know you and help you, and that’s a wonderful feeling. Also, it is diverse and everyone fits in somewhere.
Why Texas State
Texas State has some amazing programs and numerous ways to get involved on campus, not to mention the gorgeous campus and the great people who live here.
Most Valuable Learning Experience
At Texas State, the sky is the limit. Every avenue can be explored no matter where you are from or who you are. The tools and confidence you gain here will follow you everywhere and will shine through you.
Why I chose Texas State
A friendly campus, multiple ways to get involved, and an affordable price are all reasons I chose Texas State. Other universities didn’t have the small campus feel that Texas State possessed which helped me make the decision to “be a Bobcat.”
Best Studying Advice
Use multiple sources of information; don’t rely only on textbooks and lectures. Students need to gather information from books, newspapers, magazines, TV, conferences and more. Also, I suggest joining professional organizations or student organizations for your major.
What I Like Most About Texas State
Texas State is not only growing in size; its reputation is growing, too, and it is becoming nationally recognized as a top school. It feels good to be a part of that progress. The community and the campus are awesome.
Why Texas State
The beautiful campus and the friendly people are what definitely convinced me to come here! I also wanted to stay close to home, but not live in San Antonio, so Texas State was perfect.
Why Texas State
I didn’t want to live far from home, and Texas State is perfect because it’s close to Austin and it provides the close-knit environment I was looking for. The people here are friendly and diverse.
What I Would Tell Someone Interested in Texas State
I would say go for it. Everyone here is so nice, and I have met some of my best friends because I happened to sit next to them in a class. It will be the best four years of your life and definitely worth your money. It’s not too big and not too small, and San Marcos is in the perfect location because you can easily drive to Austin or San Antonio.
What I Tell Future Texas State Students
I would tell them that it’s an amazing university. The professors and the staff are very helpful to students, and there are more than 300 organizations to choose from to be involved in. It’s a great school.
How My Major Will Help Me Reach My Goal
The biology and biochemistry departments have provided me with great opportunities, from hands-on experience in a biology lab, to experiencing surgeries at a local hospital through a biology class internship.
Por que Texas StateEscogí esta Universidad por que esta localizada en una ciudad pequeña, por la amplia comunicación con los maestros y las oportunidades que la universidad ofrece.Leer más My Most Valuable Learning Experience
During my freshman year, I learned the art of time management. Finals were coming up, and I hadn’t started to study. After a couple of all-night sessions, I realized that waiting until the last minute to study wasn’t something that a successful student should do. Since then, I have been very schedule-oriented, and I try to do most things in a very timely manner.
Most Valuable Learning Experience
By being involved in organizations, I have learned the value of diversity. The friends I have made here are all so different from me, and from my friends from high school. I absolutely love the fact that Texas State is so diverse, and it has taught me how to interact and work with all different kinds of people.
My Favorite Professor
Dr. Marian Houser, my communications teacher, is my favorite because she makes the class so interesting. She likes to relate what she is teaching to real-life situations. She wants you to understand what she is teaching, which I think is what every professor should do.
How My Major Will Help Me Reach My Goals
The curriculum and material I have been taught is without a doubt preparing me for my career. I’m learning how to interact with patients and handle clinical situations that I may one day have to handle in the real world.
My Favorite Professor
My favorite professor is Tammy Fife, in the Dance Department. She is always so full on energy when she teaches, and she is very understanding and helpful.
Why Political Science
I plan to pursue a law degree to help people, to make sure that justice is served as it should always be. Political science majors are known to do well in law school, and Texas State’s School of Liberal Arts is where I found the focus of my education.