SWT celebrates 100th birthday
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — It’s a celebration that was 100 years in the making and the Central Texas community has an open invitation to Southwest Texas State University’s 100th Birthday Party April 10 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. in Sewell Park.
An evening filled with music, food, souvenirs and exhibits, leading up to a concert by SWT alumnus Terri Hendrix and her band and concluding with a fireworks display, is planned for participants.
“The Central Texas community is an important part of our history. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 100th birthday than with a party that included the people of this region as our special guests,” said Jerome Supple, SWT president.
The opening day of an outdoor scuplture exhibit at Aquarena Center is scheduled to coincide with the birthday celebration and will remain on display through Labor Day.
The party at Sewell Park begins at 4 p.m. with music provided by the SWT Salsa Band followed by a performance of the choral group, Gospel Expression.
At 5 p.m. Supple will welcome the audience and cut the official Centennial birthday cake. State Representative Rick Green will present Supple with a Texas flag that flew over the Capitol and a gavel from the Texas House of Representatives.
The entertainment will continue at 5:15 with music provided by the Jazz Bands, the Steel Drum Band and Mariachi de SWT.
Supple will take the stage again at 7:15 along with his wife, Cathy, and join their musician friends, John Kirk and Trish Miller, and the Centennial Singers, to entertain the crowd with a repertoire of songs.
Hendrix takes the stage at 8 p.m. with a blend of her rich vocals, colorful narratives and down-home guitar playing. A popular act for years in the Texas Hill Country, Hendrix’s recent KLRU television special Live at Cibolo Creek Country Club aired nationally on PBS. She self-released her 1996 debut album Two Dollar Shoes and sold over 3,000 copies through her mailing list, website and Hill Country performances.
Her second album, Wilory Farm, recorded at SWT’s Fire Station Studio, was released last summer on her own label, Tycoon Cowgirl Records. The album is dedicated to Marion Williamson, the mentor she met while attending SWT in 1990. Hendrix worked on Williamson’s farm in exchange for guitar and vocal lessons. Williamson played a major role in Hendrix’s life until her death in 1997.
A fireworks display, with viewing from the banks of the San Marcos River, will complete the Centennial birthday celebration. All events are free of charge and open to the public.