After jokes and banter between two best friends at Austin City Limits in 2019, the idea for a podcast aimed to give back to its community through comedic relief was born.
Known for its forward-thinking fashionistas, hands-on industry experience and packed-house fashion shows, Texas State's Fashion Merchandising Association (FMA) showcased the latest 2020 designs and trends in a new light during its first-ever virtual fall fashion show.
For some Indigenous peoples, an Election Night poll by CNN categorizing race by white, Latinx, Black, Asian and “something else," served as an indication of how an Indigenous heritage often comes with a feeling of having one’s very existence erased.
Equipped with mounds of compost and members who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, Texas State's waste management composting program, Bobcat Blend, is on a mission to create and maintain a sustainable campus community.
For 35 years the San Marcos River Foundation has functioned as a network of environmental activists committed to preserving the unique and delicate ecosystem of the San Marcos River.
Texas State's Student Foundation and the Dean of Students Office recognized university community veterans the morning of Nov. 11 during its annual Veterans Day Commemoration ceremony.
Scribbling out countless verses in piles of spiral notebooks, Marcus Peoples, a public administration alumnus, spent his years at Texas State crafting his language into what would become his first children’s book, "Proud to be In Between".
From his experience as a migrant farmworker to becoming the host of ABC's "What Would You Do?", broadcast journalist John Quiñones kicked off the first day of Texas State's Diversity and First-Gen Week with a discussion on adversity, journalism and family as Common Experience's LBJ Distingui…
The downtown San Marcos art community is providing an abundance of resources to local artists looking to display, perform and sell their art, while also conducting art extracurriculars for the expressive youth.
In an effort to celebrate and recognize alumni who have excelled both professionally and personally, Texas State has awarded several Bobcats with the Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Rising Star awards.
In an effort to stimulate a spirit of inclusivity and community on campus, Texas State's Student Government works to showcase its second annual Diversity Week, Moving From Words to Action.
It was a cold February night earlier this year when local psychedelic indie band Wezmer celebrated like it was the end of the world.
Texas State's First-Gen Proud will provide first-generation students with educational resources and opportunities through a series of virtual and in-person events during the university's third annual First-Gen Week.
While in the midst of a normal day lounging around, Gracelyn Economidis, a family and consumer science junior, received a shocking direct message on Instagram.
In Lampasas Hall, flowers and sugar skulls rest among the photographs of Black and Brown lives lost at the hands of police violence. Between the photographs lie candles, colorful flowers and paper butterflies.
Editor's Note: The University Star will release two articles recognizing this year's Distinguished and Young Alumni honorees at Texas State. Part 1 highlights Dr. Deborah Bergeron, Gloria Campos Brown, Johnny Weisman and Kuro Tawil. Part 2, which will be released next week, will recognize Jo…
Emmy-winning ABC News veteran and host of "What Would You Do?" John Quiñones has been announced as Common Experience’s featured speaker for the virtual LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series event.
As tumbleweeds rolled down LBJ Drive and students sat in their homes for the latter half of the 2020 spring semester, alumna Allison Price, a directing graduate, looked for a way to continue her creative journey in a new reality.
On the energetic morning of Aug. 29, a team of scientists stood on top of Texas State's Supple Science Building, ready to complete the first step toward building the university's first low earth-orbiting satellite. It was not the view Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin experienced on the moon or…
Before the Square, river tubing or Texas State, San Marcos was a magnet for Spanish explorers who traveled through the Camino Real searching for a place to settle. Explorers became attracted to the fertile land, along with the abundant wildlife, unique scenery and never-ending supply of cool…
With her signature curls pulled back and an enthusiastic spirit, U.S. Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez connected with audience members Oct. 20 as the featured guest in this year's Common Experience Insight Series.
When Dr. Susana Villanueva-Eguia Lis left her home in Mexico 20 years ago to study abroad in the U.S., she was not expecting to walk into a melting pot she would call home one day, nor a place where she would become an internationally-recognized Spanish poet.
What began as a fun way for Texas State alumna Jasmine Valadez to match her earrings and outfits at her job as a student teacher has now turned into a successful polymer clay earring business.
Connected by a network of tangled ethernet cords and 13-inch glass computer screens, students and faculty from the Department of Theater and Dance are making history this year, conquering the constraints of distanced reality to produce a fully-virtual performance season.
Santa's Jingle Bell Run 5K and Kids K scheduled for Dec. 12 have been canceled out of precaution due to COVID-19. Those registered for the 2020 races will have their registration valued for 2021.
Far before ever stepping foot on a stage or picking up an instrument, Luis Parra found his love for music in his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela. Since then, Parra, 24, has been part of several bands, groups and music projects in San Marcos and Austin.
Joshua Castro knew he wanted to serve in the Peace Corps in third grade. His class had a pen pal in the Peace Corps who would tell them stories about the different ways they had to adapt to day-to-day life, which included living in a country that experienced extreme drought and learning to t…
Colorful artwork, spice-filled aromas along with the detailed stitching of Mexican influenced blouses represent the core of family pride and heritage that is found in locally-owned Hispanic businesses in San Marcos.
In partnership with the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and other local veterans' organizations, the City of San Marcos will host "Month of Service", a series of community activities aimed to admire those who have served.
Homecoming spirit is around the corner, and applications for the 2020 Homecoming Court along with registration for annual traditions are now available on Texas State's Homecoming website.
Back in February, downtown San Marcos nightlife was booming. Bar crawlers and live music fanatics swarmed the streets of The Square while bars, coffee shops and venues filled downtown with sounds of music, cheering and laughter.
With help from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is providing financial assistance and services to aid pet owners struggling to support their furry friends during the pandemic.
In 2010, Jennifer Foster passionately stood center stage at a talent show, under pink and blue iridescent lights, singing the timeless lyrics of Aretha Franklin’s and Carole King’s 'Natural Woman'.
Amid acoustic tunes and the poignant smell of acrylic paint, Black, Indigenous and People of Color from the San Marcos community gathered around the Hays County Historic Courthouse Sept. 26 to express themselves through art and share stories at STAND’s Love Canvas Event.
The Undocumented Migration Project has long sought to bring awareness to the thousands of people who died as a direct result of U.S. policy. Now, the organization is shining a light on it through an art installation at Texas State Galleries. In 1994, the U.S. Border Patrol implemented a stra…
A team of Texas State staff, students and alumni are hoping a new accelerated healing gel can become the next revolutionary creation to treat wounds. The peroxide-based gel called AccelGel was co-invented by Texas State graduate professor Gary Beall and Lamar University professor David Cocke…
During a pandemic-filled summer in San Marcos, business owners could recognize pin drops as they either reminisced about an earsplitting but satisfying student presence or unwillingly taped signs to their doors indicating temporary closure. Now, just a mini-exercise program away from Texas S…
It was a typical workday for Jonnie Wilson as a hospital cook in Lockhart, Texas, when someone said to her, “You’re too smart to be working here.” At only 22 years old, Wilson had just gotten out of an abusive marriage and was working multiple jobs, receiving food stamps and living in public…
Anita Natufe, like many others, joined TikTok as a way to watch funny videos and share them with her friends. Little did she know the app would take her hair business to new heights. Until last year, Natufe, a civil engineering sophomore at Texas State, only used Instagram, Twitter and Snapc…
Starting as a small group of female Texas State students in the late seventies, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC) has since grown into a multi-county organization with a mission to establish a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of any kind. The HCWC believes in change—both its necessity and p…
Members of the San Marcos Fire Department gathered outside City Hall in honor and recognition of the 19th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. The annual Remembrance Ceremony streamed on the City of San Marcos’ Facebook page. Pastor Bill Glasgow began the ceremony with a reflection on the unity sh…
For over 40 years, The Wittliff Collections has acquired and preserved prized works of art such as photographs, sculptures and literary masterpieces. Its latest exhibition, “Through Her Lens”, showcases the works of 60 women photographers. This show, like most at The Wittliff, places the bea…
A combination of modern retro style, original cocktails and martinis and Spanish influenced cuisine joins the downtown San Marcos bar scene at The Davenport—a quality, pet-friendly lounge. Originally from Houston, The Davenport, located on 194 S Guadalupe St., opened its first location almos…
Mariah Epps sat alone in her dimly lit living room, belting to Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile”, a joyous record of perseverance and celebration across Black and Brown communities. Miles away from Epps, a Texas State acting sophomore, were audience members also ‘smiling’ from their living room couc…
Donning face masks as part of their new uniforms, students with on-campus jobs returned to work this semester hoping to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. With new health and safety protocols on campus, some student workers view safety as more than possible. Campus locations like Alk…
Going into halftime of a Texas State football game, fans typically see the band, in maroon and gold uniforms, flood the field ready to perform the Bobcat Fight Song. However, halftime performances will change this football season, allowing fans to hear and see “The Pride of the Hill Country”…
A Texas State alumna is inspiring readers of all ages with engaging stories and colorful characters in both her adult novellas and middle-grade books. Diana López, an award-winning novelist who earned her master’s from Southwest Texas State in 1999, began her writing career while teaching at…
Student organizations are coming up with creative ways to approach recruitment and outreach as Texas State brings students back to campus with COVID-19 protocols in place. According to the university’s Roadmap to Return, many student activities, services and programs will be held in-person a…
