Discover Texas State rolls out maroon carpet for families, alumni, community

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
August 17, 2010 

There will be something for everyone, from campus tours and information sessions to a Green Festival and downtown wine walk as Texas State University-San Marcos rolls out the maroon and gold carpet on Sept. 24-25 for area alumni, families and the San Marcos community during Discover Texas State, the university’s premier open house event.

“Discover Texas State will showcase the exciting things going on Texas State,” said Kim Porterfield, director of community relations. “Discover our world-class academic programs and cultural centers are well as our stellar faculty, staff and students from 10 to 2 in and around the LBJ Student Center.”

Events are free, open to the public and family-friendly. Free parking will be available in the LBJ Student Center parking garage off Comanche Street.

Discover Texas State, which will be held on Family Weekend this year, will feature information sessions on innovative Student Service programs, Wittliff Collections, McCoy College of Business Administration Trading Lab, Higher Education Awareness, Campus Walking Tour, Art and Design, Geography, the PACE Center and others.

Saturday’s Greenfest, held in conjunction with the university’s Common Experience theme of sustainability, will feature 20 booths hosted by local and businesses and organizations featuring educational activities. Live performances by Texas State’s award-winning Salsa del Rio, the Hill Country Youth Chorus, San Marcos CISD Ballet Folklorico and other groups will highlight the festival.

Discover Texas State kicks off Friday evening with a Downtown San Marcos Wine Walk, sponsored by the City of San Marcos, the LBJ Museum, Main Street Program and the Downtown Association.

“We’re pleased to show off our unique downtown as part of Discover Texas State,” said Scott Gregson, president of the Downtown Association. For $5, Texas State University parents and local community members are invited to sample food and wine from five unique San Marcos restaurants. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the LBJ Museum on Guadalupe Street.

Saturday’s activities kick off with the Family Association breakfast, featuring Texas State President Denise Trauth as the speaker. Information sessions follow from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Sessions include:

  • Innovative Student Services at Texas State
  • Higher Education Awareness Session (presentation and student panel) for youth ages 8-18
  • PACE (Personalized Academic and Career Exploration) and the new Undergraduate Academic Center overview
  • School of Nursing at Texas State
  • Campus Walking Tour
  • Student Recreation Center Tour
  • Wittliff Collections
  • McCoy College of Business Administration Trading Lab
  • Geography
  • Art and Design

Also on Saturday, the annual Family Weekend Golf Tournament will be held. The two team, 18-hole scramble will be held at the Texas State Golf Course, with registration beginning at 7 a.m.

Wrapping up the fun-filled weekend is the Bobcat football game against Southern Utah at 6 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.

For more information on all activities, visit www.ua.txstate.edu/discover or call the Office of Community Relations at (512) 245-9645.