Alumni: Brianne Corn

Gear shifts: Alumna follows her heart and chases down a life-long dream

By Audrey Webb

If it’s got a motor and wheels, Brianne Corn will race on it.

A study abroad program changed Brianne Corn’s life in ways she had never intended. In her final semester at Texas State, Corn enrolled in two courses in Italy: Italian art history and street photography. At that point, her plan was to graduate, then travel to Greece to photograph the 2004 Summer Olympics. But after a daring drive up a mountain in a rental car, Corn steered her life in a whole new direction.

On a day off from class, Corn started racing Italian drivers up a curvy mountain road — “misbehaving,” she admits with a grin — and when she finally pulled over, her heart still racing, she had what she can only refer to as an epiphany, “literally in the shadow of a castle,” she recalls.

“I asked myself a question: ‘If you won the lottery, and money was no object, what would you do?’ My answer was that I would become a rally car driver,” says Corn.

She completed her degree — a B.S. in digital and photographic imagery with an art/design minor — ditched her plans for Greece and set out full throttle to fulfill a dream that had begun when she was growing up in Victoria, Texas.

Alumni: Krystle Moore

Fearless learner: Asking questions opened doors to scholarships, mentors, career path for biology grad

Krystle Moore ’13

By Billi London-Gray

It’s hard to believe brilliant people who tell you, “Don’t be afraid to feel dumb.” But these words are the motto of Krystle Moore, who recently completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at Texas State University. Her brave, inquisitive attitude has led her to one great opportunity after another.

Texas State Voices: Andrew Osegi

Looking back: Three unforgettable years at Texas State University

Andrew Osegi, Class of 2013

By Andrew Osegi

As I look back on my three years at Texas State University — I’m about to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in journalism on May 11 — an eruption of mixed feelings floods my memory.

I feel excitement when I recall my first day on campus as a freshman. Fresh out of high school from McAllen, Texas, attending Texas State was the next big step in my life. While traversing the steps of the beautiful, foreign campus, the promise of adventure kept me eager for new experiences. As I became a seasoned Bobcat, my expectations to meet new people, explore new ideas and grow as a person were consistently met.

Alumni: Mike Kickirillo

Director of Spurs Broadcasting visits Texas State, advises future graduates

By Andrew Osegi

Spurs Basketball

Excitement was buzzing all around the classroom. Students in Larry Carlson’s Sports As News class gathered their note-taking materials as the instructor and his anticipated guest chatted near the entrance.

In an effort to examine the challenges of media coverage in sports, Mike Kickirillo, director of broadcasting for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and a Texas State alumnus, visited his alma mater Tuesday, Jan. 29, to answer questions from aspiring mass communication professionals.

Texas State Voices: Sarah Binion

London 2012: Olympics provided a unique perspective on living abroad

By Sarah Binion ’01, ’04

St. Pancras Station, London, with Olympic rings
(Photo by Graham Hogg)

As an American living in London, you’re somewhere between tourist and local. Your accent always indicates you’re an outsider but when you wince at the loud Americans on the tube, you know you’re a local. Living abroad makes the ordinary details of day-to-day life seem extraordinary, but it also underscores the differences between your home and host country.

Living in a city that is hosting one of the largest events in the world has been an exercise in awe and frustration. Last summer I stepped off the Eurostar train from Paris and caught my breath as I saw the newly hung Olympic rings in St. Pancras (the international station where trains arrive from Belgium and France). Suddenly the reality began to settle in that I would be living in this city when thousands of the world’s finest athletes would be coming to compete. I watched as London began to put on the finishing touches of years worth of preparation – sprucing up tube stations, posting helpful signs for confused tourists and completing construction projects (among many other things).

Texas State Voices: Callie Gordon

22 Before 22

By Callie Gordon ’12

After four years of all-nighters, group projects and tubing trips, my college experience is over. Over. It feels strange even saying it now and I don’t think it will feel true until I wake up in two weeks and realize that I won’t be walking through the Quad and printing my schedule moments before class.

Texas State has seen my worst and made me my best. College has challenged my beliefs, my character and possibly every thought I’ve ever had. I’ve learned what it means to be tenacious, learned how to adapt. If you challenge yourself every day, you will be amazed by what you will become in four years. I joke all the time that the things I accomplish daily would bring tears to the 18-year-old version of myself.

Freshmen, get ready. It isn’t easy. You’re going to cry and you will surprise yourself when you look back. But don’t quit. Show up, sit in the front row, and ask questions. You’re about to learn a lot. Here are my suggestions for making the most of the next four years:

Texas State Voices: Lauren Roig

London 2012: From internship to Olympics, experience is amazing

Texas State grad student Lauren Roig secured an internship at the U.S. Embassy in London.

By Lauren Roig ’11, ’13

Hello from London to my fellow Bobcats!

I am a graduate student in International Studies currently living in London. I’m finishing an internship at the United States Embassy.

I got my internship through the Department of Commerce and have been working with the U.S. Commercial Service, which helps U.S. businesses meet their export goals around the world. My responsibilities as a Commercial Assistant have been to respond to inquiries from U.S. businesses looking to enter the international market, help plan trade shows and perform market research for the different industries we serve.

Alumni: Bobcats Who Rock

Texas State alumni are making a bang on the national stage

By Callie Gordon ’12

One of Texas State’s biggest points of pride is the diversity exhibited throughout our university. Our student body represents countries from around globe, and we have recently been recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Whether students come here to pursue success in the business and technology, to mold young minds as teachers, or to discover solutions to global problems, Texas State gives students the tools and knowledge they need to chase their biggest dreams. For some students, this dream involves taking center stage, performing for thousands, mic in hand. Here’s a list of alumni who have made it as professional musicians:

Alumni: Kyle Harrell

Football, business, worms and volunteering: Harrell does it all

Kyle Harrell with his family

By Andrew Osegi ’14

Kyle Harrell’s connection to Texas State University began in 1993, when he signed a letter of intent to join the Bobcat football team. He graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science, and coached and taught biology in the Houston area.

Four years later, he returned to Texas State as a strength and conditioning coach for the football, baseball and women’s basketball teams. A man of many talents, Harrell then co-founded Pathagility, a web-based data management system for pathology labs. Harrell currently serves as the company’s director of business development.

As for his most recent venture? Well, let’s just say it might make you squirm.

Alumni: Famous Bobcats

From White House to Hollywood, Bobcats are in good company

Charles Austin

By Callie Gordon, ’12 

It’s likely that before you ever shout the words “Eat ‘em up, Cats!” you know that Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th president of the United States, graduated from Texas State University. We’re proud of LBJ and the fact that he was the only U.S. president to graduate from a Texas university.

But as much as Texas State is proud of our most distinguished alumnus, it’s important to know that some other big names have also navigated the hills of campus. Many professional athletes, actors and internationally known musicians and writers claim Texas State as their alma mater.