Community to meet new SWT president

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — The San Marcos community is invited to meet the new Southwest Texas State University President, Denise M. Trauth, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the San Marcos Activity Center.

Trauth began her tenure as university president on Aug. 7. She was chosen unanimously by the Texas State University System Board of Regents in June to succeed Jerome Supple.

Trauth said she sees herself actively interacting with the community of San Marcos.

“Clearly the university and city are partners, and there are a lot of ongoing win-win situations here,” Trauth said. “What often gets the attention is the minority of issues where there is negative backlash. I would hope to have a strong relationship with the community, so that when there are these negative situations, there is a relationship basis on which we can work them out. The worst thing that can happen is for a bunch of strangers to get together to solve a problem.”

Trauth served previously as the dean of the Graduate School at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Her career includes 10 years in various capacities from assistant professor of speech communication to associate dean of the Graduate College at Bowling Green State University and several years previous to that at the University of Tulsa. Trauth received her B.A. in English literature from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Ohio, her M.A. in journalism from Ohio State University and her Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Iowa. Her husband, John, is a retired professor, and they have two adult daughters.

Everyone is invited to attend the event co-sponsored by the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce and the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact SWT community relations at 245-9645.