2024 Archive

Gonzalez will open for comedian Chelsea Handler for the third year in a row on an international tour in 2024. She’s also landed some television work, including a new feature on the Netflix special Verified Stand-Up. Read more from Texas Monthly.

Morris was recently announced as a finalist for the 2024 Music Educator Award by The Grammy Museum. She is a published author, composer, and currently a professor and choir conductor at Portland State University. Read more from the Grammy Museum.

Debra Davis '82 has recently received a Grammy nomination for Best Music Film as the producer of Kendrick Lamar's 'The Big Stepper Tour, Live From Paris'. Debra is no stranger to the award show life as she received an Emmy for producing NBC's Olympic broadcast in 1996. Read more from Austin Woman Magazine.

Kristi Duplichen '99, deputy manager of the ISS Program Transportation Integration Office for NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, credits the work ethic she learned at Texas State for her success in managing international space station logistics. Read more from Hillviews Magazine.

Dannie McCallum '16 is one of the newest member of the Marvel Universe! She plays Tuklo in the TV mini series "Echo" streaming on Hulu and Disney+. McCallum graduated from #TXST with her BFA in theatre performance and production. Read more from My San Antonio.

Geoff Ellis '15 is the owner and chef at Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen in Austin, which is one of USA Today's Top Restaurants of the Year! This barbecue and Jewish deli-fusion spot is catching a lot of eyes in the Austin area. Also, in 2023, Ellis was named a StarChefs Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars Award Winner. Read more from the Austin-American Statesman.

Preston Perez ‘22 will be making his national touring debut as Hans in the Broadway musical, Frozen! The show will be coming to the Majestic in Perez’ hometown of San Antonio this May 22 through June 2. Read More from KSAT News.

Bailey and Anthony Smith are featured contestants on Season 36 of "The Amazing Race" – the new season premiered March 13, 2024. Read more from TXST News.

Angela Ubias '10 is the co-founder and chief product officer at Common Heir, a clean and plastic-free skincare line. Before launching her own brand, Ubias used her top-notch product and business savvy to help Texas Beauty Labs (now Goodkind Co.) develop over 50 brands. Read more from Byrdie.

Carter is named a 40 Under 40 Award Winner by the San Antonio Business Journal. He is the Chief Business Officer and Managing Partner at Higginbotham and recently created a podcast, HiggTalks, which highlights entrepreneurs, startups and businesses with a social mission. Read more from the San Antonio Business Journal.

Gabo is featured on the HGTV website to showcase her ceramic pottery inspired by her Mexican heritage. She received her degree in studio art with a concentration in ceramics from TXST. Read more on the HGTV website.

Randi has been named one of the 2024 Top Women Leaders in San Antonio! Passionate about community, education, and women's empowerment, her journey includes mentoring, adjunct lecturing, and a commitment to making a difference. Read more from Women We Admire.

Aaron's work is featured in "Texas, Being: A State of Poems" which was recently highlighted in Texas Monthly! This book collects more than forty-five poems from a beautiful and brutal state. Read more in Texas Monthly.

Texas State University alum Pablo Mejia, ’17 advertising and mass communication major, was selected for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, a program honoring the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Read more in TXST News.

Leron Rogers '93 is named a 2024 Top Music Lawyer by Billboard Magazine! Rogers is an attorney for Fox Rothschild LLP, a group that manages several clients including Cash Money Records, Stevie Wonder, Trace Adkins, Kool & The Gang and more. Read more in Billboard Magazine.

Rebecca is a first-gen alum and supporter of McCoy College of Business students. In fall 2022, she made her first commitment to TXST, endowing a scholarship to support students from small communities. Read more in Hillviews Magazine.

Juana has joined C.F. Monterrey Femenil (Las Rayadas) in Liga MX Femenil – the top tier of professional women’s soccer in Mexico! A defender, she is also a member of the El Salvador Women’s National Soccer Team. Read more in the Hillvews Magazine Class Notes. 

Dr. Killian has been named superintendent of the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. He has nearly 20 years of superintendent experience, including positions at Pflugerville ISD and Hutto ISD. Read more in Hillviews Magazine Class Notes.

Reba is celebrating 20 years with WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia! The winner of four Emmy Awards, she also contributed to the new book "Lipstick and Legacies" about women entrepreneurs. Read more in the Hillviews Magazine Class Notes. 

Rod has been appointed the CEO of Lynx Motors, a trailblazing automotive innovator, based in Austin, Texas. He is a McCoy College of Business graduate and a Trustee for the Development Foundation for Texas State University. Read more in the press release. 

Jillian has been hired as the Social Media and Creative Manager for the Dallas Jackals, a professional rugby team. Jillian, who played volleyball at Texas State, was previously a marketing intern at Rodeo Austin. Read more in Hillviews Magazine.

In 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission returned samples of the asteroid Bennu to Earth. Scientists across the globe can study high-resolution images of astroid samples from this mission thanks to Joseph's work. Read more in TXST News.

Anicka Newell, a 2016 exercise and sports science graduate, is competing in the pole vault at the 2024 Paris Olympics representing Team Canada. Read about her journey from a childhood gymnastics injury to becoming a three time Olympian.

Kayln was recognized for her contributions to her industry with a Delta Zeta Sorority “35 Under 35” award. A former Texas State Strutter, she heads the Cedar Park Middle School Fine Arts Department and the Cadets Drill Team. Read more in Hillviews Magazine.

Chad, distinguished operational commander, paramedic and educator with a career spanning over 18 years in emergency medical services, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 James O. Page Legacy Scholarship. Read the press release.

Katie, '06 wildlife biology major, was recently featured on a KPRC2 segment showcasing her work as a Veterinary Technician Supervisor at the Houston Zoo. Watch the segment on YouTube. 

Lilye, '17 psychology major, is the founder and head drapery fabricator at Laveña Luxe Interiors where she sews drapes, shades, pillows, cushions, and light upholstery. Read more from doingmoretoday.com.