TXST 125th Anniversary Issue

HILLVIEWS
The Magazine of Texas State University
Winter 2024

The Legacy of Tomorrow

From its founding in 1899, TXST’s mission has been to build a better tomorrow. In this special edition, we explore the foundations of our commitment and how it’s propelling TXST into the future.

Vintage photo of Old Main

As we come to the end of TXST’s 125th anniversary celebration, it is incredible to think back to Founders Day in 1899 when Governor Joseph Sayers signed a bill to establish a teachers college in San Marcos. From that one visionary act, a whole world of possibilities was born.

From the President's Desk

Yesterday

Connections

Bobcats Through the Decades

Campus life has always been fun and meaningful
Connections

Planting the Seeds

How TXST shaped Lyndon B. Johnson's path from the Hill Country to the White House
Features

Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat

Boko's evolution through the years
Special Section

TXST 125 Timeline

Milestones across university history from 1903 to the present
A miniature Southwest Texas State University football helmet from 1982, signed by all the players.

25 for TXST 125

A collection of objects that illuminate TXST history and culture
Features
A young woman holds up a pennant reading 'Southwest Texas State College.'

What's in a Name?

The evolution of our name going back to the brand-new "normal school"
Features
The Bobcat Band performs, a young man in a cowboy hat plays a bass guitar, partially obscured behind several other band members.

The Hills are Alive

Student music groups — from Schubert to Strait
Features
A young woman holds up a pennant reading 'Southwest Texas State College.'

Blazing a Trail

Groundbreaking Bobcats forged a trail for future opportunity

Catch up with your fellow Bobcats

News about Bobcat alums and their careers — across the world and across the generations

Students celebrate after the annual Soapbox Derby, circa 1970.

Today

Connections

Sacred Springs

Stewarding Spring Lake links TXST to humans of the ancient past
Features

The Long View

Longtime faculty members reflect on the significance of TXST 125
Connections

The Sky's the Limit

High jumper Charles Austin set his course for Olympic gold at TXST
Features

Running to R1

TXST's big strides to elite-level research status

Tomorrow

Research & Innovation
Collage illustration. A scuba diver swims along as a glass-bottom boat passes above.
Research & Innovation

Joining Forces

Research centers harness cross-disciplinary talents
Research & Innovation
A teacher watches an elementary student experiment with a laptop.
Research & Innovation

Shaping the Future

Improving the educational field for teachers and students
Research & Innovation
A young business owner carrying a box of supplies.
Research & Innovation

Small but Mighty

TXST initiatives help small businesses survive and thrive
Research & Innovation
A young woman holds her palm up during a hearing test, indicating she can hear the tone.
Research & Innovation

Breaking Through

Round Rock speech pathologists build on TXST's pioneering work
Research & Innovation
Collage illustration of a brain, one half is an anatomical drawing and the other mimics the nodes and connections of a microchip.
Research & Innovation

Harnessing AI

TXST leads the charge to maximize AI responsibly
Research & Innovation
Collage illustration, a student wearing dust-protection examines materials necessary to create microchips, a hand holds up a completed microchip.
Research & Innovation

All In

TXST faculty and students produce advanced microchips for national effort

Celebrating NEXT IS NOW

After 10 years, TXST's record-breaking capital campaign, NEXT IS NOW, draws to a close.

Snapshot of the drone show at UFCU Stadium during the Celebrate 125 concert. A crowd of students, faculty, staff and community members watch and take photos as the drones form the words 'TXST 125.'

CELEBRATE 125

CELEBRATE 125, an event held in November during Homecoming Week, drew thousands for musical acts Josh Abbott Band and Grupo Fantasma, a Bobcat Spirit Rally, and fireworks.