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.

Study Tips: Get Out

Get Up! Get Out! Do Something!

By Texas State SLAC

Get out there and get involved with the Texas State community.

College is all about balance! Just like you can’t have all play and no work, you can’t have all work and no play. So get involved. As a Texas State Bobcat, this is your Lair—and you have to make it your home.

Spotlight: Marissa Martinez

As agriculture student seeks vet
career, USDA gives support

Marissa Martinez

By Billi London-Gray

Marissa Martinez says she has “always, always” loved animals. From raising chicks in her bedroom as a child to tending animals at Freeman Ranch during her first class at Texas State University, she has followed a path to make creature care her life’s work.

Added to her enjoyment of this work — and her dean’s list-worthy grades — as evidence that she’s found her calling, last week the federal government gave her its endorsement: she was selected as one of only 24 students nationwide to attend the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual conference, the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum.

The second-year animal science major, on track to become a veterinarian, says the recognition is exciting. But, she adds, she wouldn’t have found the opportunities without the support of Texas State’s Agriculture Department.

“My time at Texas State, the short two years that I have been here, has been nothing but great,” she says. “The atmosphere is amazing, everyone is so friendly, and my professors actually care about me as a person.”

Happenings: Fall Job and Internship Fair

Job and Internship Fair offers students chance to meet employers

By Mary Kincy

The Fall Job and Internship Fair, taking place Oct. 5 at Texas State University, offers students the opportunity to visit with employers about future careers, full- and part-time jobs, and internships.

The Texas State Division of Student Affairs’ Career Services has produced a series of presentations to help students prepare to attend the fair, from 2-5:30 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

Around Campus: Fashion Merchandising Association

Fashion merchandising students combine style with business savvy

Members of the Fashion Merchandising Association on campus.

By Catherine Harper

From dealing with designers to negotiating with wholesale retailers, fashion merchandising requires knowledge of the industry and a passion for fashion. For more than 30 years, the Texas State University Fashion Merchandising Association has taken stylized dedication to the forefront of campus, community and beyond.

FMA is a university-supported student organization within the College of Applied Arts and the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, encompassing the field of fashion merchandising. As a professional and service-based organization at Texas State, FMA provides members with an in-depth view of both the fashion world and the industry of fashion merchandising.

Study Tips: Finals

Final approach: Don’t hit the wall,
climb over it

By Texas State SLAC

Many students find their anxiety level at an all-time high by the end of the semester. Is this you during finals?

• Feel like you go blank?
• Become frustrated?
• Find yourself thinking, “I can’t do this,” or “I am stupid”?
• Feel your heart racing or find it difficult to breathe?
• Suddenly remember the answers after turning in a test?
• Score much lower on exams than on homework or papers?

Pressure can come from many directions. Maybe you just want to do as well on your final exam as you have during the semester. Maybe you must do well on your final to pull up your grade. Reacting to performance pressure, anxiety and stress can challenge even the best students, but you can take control by “preparing to succeed.”

Spotlight: Leanna Miller

Industrial engineering student lights up a career path

By Billi London-Gray

Leanna Miller came to Texas State unsure where her path would lead. But with the help and guidance of her professors, she found a field she describes as “a perfect fit.”

The Texas State senior always new she had a knack for mathematics and problem-solving. She chose Texas State because of the school’s proximity to her hometown, Spring, and because of the beautiful campus. She chose her major after receiving guidance from a professor.

“My introductory professor helped guide all students into the correct major, where they belonged; for me, it was industrial engineering,” Miller says.

Alumni Profiles: Chase Katz

For Bobcat Entrepreneur, Kolaches Fit College-Town Market

By Britney Munguia

Chase (left) and his brother Seth (right), owners of Dos Gatos

Chase Katz, a 2009 Texas State graduate, put his creative juices to work when he began researching the San Marcos market, looking to invest in a new business venture.

Conveniently located next door to Mochas & Javas, a popular study spot for students, Katz and his brother Seth opened Dos Gatos Kolaches on June 6, 2009.

Help Wanted: Social Media Intern

Texas State University’s
Marketing Office wants YOU!

As part of our continual efforts to showcase the amazing talents and develop the global clout of the Texas State community, we’re on the hunt for the next Texas State social media student intern.

We’re looking for a go-getting, wordsmithing, pun-producing, fact-finding, Bobcat-loving Texas State student interested in developing wicked Tweeting, blogging, Facebooking and cross-promoting social media skills as a member of the University Marketing team.

Interested? Read on.

Texas State Faces: Spring Break Edition

What did you do over spring break?

Lacy Davis, sophomore

Lacy Davis, photography major, spent the majority of spring break in her hometown of New Braunfels. “I hung out with my family, and worked in the prime outlets at Hartmanns.”

Kirsti Smithwick, sophomore

 

 

“I worked for the first part of spring break, but got to enjoy SXSW and the free music later in the week,” said Kirsti Smithwick, education major. “My favorite performance was by Kevin DeVine.”

Josh Henfey, freshman

 

 

Josh Henfey, communication disorders major, enjoyed his spring break on South Padre Island. “We spent a lot of time at Coca-Cola beach, and I also watched a performance by Ghostland Observatory.”

Ashley Meeks, junior

 

“I went on a family vacation to Washington D.C.,” said Ashley Meeks, nutrition major.  “We visited the White House and went sightseeing. It was a good trip!”

Jamie Lahiere, sophomore

 

 

“I got to watch Wiz Khalifa and Trey film their new music video, ‘Gettin’ Paid’,” said management major Jamie Lahiere. “It was being filmed at a mansion in Westlake, a community in Austin, and it was really cool.”

Richard Furin, junior

 

“I went to Panama City, Florida for spring break. It was sunny all week, and we hung out at the beach mostly,” said Richard Furin, acting major.