Students: Andrew Osegi

Keeping it real: Balancing family and fantasy gives student firm footing

By Audrey Webb

Among the many family members who will be cheering when Andrew Osegi accepts his diploma is his proud mother (right).

Journalism major Andrew Osegi has had a remarkable year. Not only is he graduating this week after just three years at Texas State — taking courses during both summer sessions each year put him on the fast track to earning his diploma — but his contributions to the social media efforts of Texas State University’s Office of University Marketing resulted in his being named “Student Employee of the Year” — a fine feather to stick in his graduation cap.

Osegi, 21, believes much of his success is due to his ability to set and keep priorities. For example, regardless of what has gone on in his academic life — no matter how many papers there were to write or how many finals there were to study for — one of Osegi’s top priorities has been watching “Game of Thrones” with his sister every Sunday night.

Study Tips: Your Financial Future

As semester closes, consider how finances affect academic success

Plan now for success down the road.

By Texas State SLAC

Preparing for finals is probably the biggest thing weighing on your mind this time of year. But whether you’re continuing at Texas State University in the summer or completing your degree and moving forward with graduate studies in the fall, now is a good time to think about your financial plan for future semesters. As this semester’s end draws near, consider the following:

Happenings: VATS Golf Tournament

Veterans Alliance at Texas State to host golf benefit for local VFW

Veterans Alliance at Texas State (VATS) is a chartered student organization that supports student-veterans.

By Billi London-Gray

The Veterans Alliance at Texas State (VATS) is sponsoring its third annual golf tournament on Friday, April 19, at Quail Creek Country Club in San Marcos. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3413, located in San Marcos.

“The VFW has a long history of supporting the surrounding community and providing veterans with a voice in local, state and national government,” says Jeremy Casselberry, a Navy veteran and president of VATS.

Happenings: Peace Paper Project

Artists to bring transformative papermaking process to campus

Detail of a print on handmade paper by participants in the Peace Paper Project

By Billi London-Gray

As an artistic activity, papermaking dates back nearly 2,000 years to ancient China. The process of creating paper by hand — pulping fibers into a watery slurry, then straining the slurry with a screen to form the sheet of paper — has not changed much in the intervening millennia.

As part of the 2012-13 Common Experience theme, “A Global Odyssey: Exploring Our Connections to the Changing World,” Texas State University will help students and the community explore the art of papermaking by welcoming the Peace Paper Project to campus April 11-16.

Happenings: Women and Gender Research Collaborative Symposium

Gender issues highlighted during National Women’s National History Month

By Audrey Webb

Political, social and environmental issues, such as climate change, have an impact on gender equality.
(Photo: Duda Arraes / flickr.com)

On March 3, 1913 — just 100 years ago — 5,000 women marched to the White House to demand their right to vote. In the U.S., women have won many fundamental rights since then, but both here and around the world, gender inequality remains an issue to be addressed.

The third annual Women and Gender Research Collaborative Symposium, which will take place in the LBJ Student Center Multipurpose Room this Friday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., draws international scholars to present their research on a variety of topics that have an impact on gender equality, such as food security, climate change, domestic violence and women in sports.

Happenings: Feria del Mariachi

Annual festival celebrates music
of Mexico, young performers

Texas State’s Mariachi Nueva Generación will perform at the Feria del Mariachi concert March 23.

By Audrey Webb

The origin of the word mariachi has been the source of some debate. Some linguists believe it comes from the French word mariage (marriage), while others claim its origin is in the name of the wood commonly used for dance floors in Mexican dance halls. If you want to know the true meaning of mariachi, we suggest you leave the lingo wrangling to the historians and just attend this weekend’s 14^th annual Feria del Mariachi.

Around Campus: The University Star

Campus newspaper shines light, trains up-and-coming journalists

By Andrew E. Osegi 

Tucked away in the cozy Trinity Building on the Texas State University campus, dedicated students write, manage and edit their way to success through journalism.

The Trinity Building on the Texas State campus is University Star headquarters.

The University Star covers happenings and issues on the Texas State campus and in the San Marcos community. Published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Star distributes approximately 8,000 copies in and around the San Marcos area to keep local citizens and students informed.

Founded in 1911, the Star’s mission since its inception has been to embody the voice of Texas State, a task that falls to the 120 student reporters, photographers, designers and members of the student editorial board who work together to produce the paper. Given the multitude of honors and awards the Star has received over the years, they accomplished their mission regularly.

Study Tips: Mobile Research Apps

Take your research mobile!

By Lisa Ancelet, Head Reference Services Librarian

Mobile apps help you research on the go.

Do you often find yourself conducting research on your mobile device or wishing you could? Alkek Library at Texas State University offers students, faculty and staff many different options to make mobile research not only possible, but easy.

Study Tips: Spring Break

Plan ahead to maintain your academic rhythm over Spring Break

By Texas State SLAC

Plan time to study over Spring Break.

Spring Break is almost here! Unfortunately, semesters don’t always end when a college student’s vacation begins. Learning to manage working while enjoying your time off is an essential skill for college life and beyond.

First: Make a plan. Since your brain is still in college mode, take advantage of it. Just as in the regular semester, put what you have to get done and related deadlines on a calendar and make a schedule to be sure you study some each day and more on days you aren’t actively involved in extracurricular fun. Making a plan now will prevent stress later and keep you from completely losing the rhythm of academic life.

Happenings: Alternative Spring Breaks

Bobcats plan to give back through alternative Spring Break trips

By Billi London-Gray

Texas State is known for its warm sense of community and welcoming atmosphere. Each spring, groups of Bobcats dedicate time over the March break to share that ethos of helpful generosity by volunteering for service projects and events around the state.

Bobcat Break — Harris County

Student Volunteer Connection (SVC) organizes the annual Bobcat Break service trip.

Texas State’s Student Volunteer Connection (SVC) organizes a service trip — Bobcat Break — each year during Spring Break. With a focus on habitat issues, Bobcat Break projects include travel to and service in a community that is living with a particular habitat problem. This year, Texas State volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity in Northwest Harris County, outside Houston, to build affordable housing and serve the community.