"Texas State is about giving people the opportunity to improve not just their lives but their family's future."
Kelly Damphousse, TXST President
Next Is Now
Elevating Student Success and our Run to R1 is what's NEXT for Texas State University
Our Run to R1 and Student Success goals are driving the NEXT IS NOW campaign priorities:
- Provide more students entry to college and retention support from scholarships and student success enrichment resources.
- Fund construction and renovation of campus facilities, like the new music building to match the caliber of students and faculty we are recruiting.
- Strengthen our research capabilities and teaching support with increased Ph.D. graduates and post-docs to be designated as a national research university.
- Elevate our football program and renovate the Football Performance Center to enhance our overall student-athlete experience to put us on par with our peers in the State of Texas and nationally.
The NEXT IS NOW Capital Campaign was launched publicly in 2021 with the goal of raising $250 million. We've surpassed $215 million raised for the four campaign priorities: Students, Academics, Facilities, and Athletics. What's NEXT for TXST? Reaching Tier 1 research university status, powered by the NEXT IS NOW campaign.
Transforming Lives and Futures
News and Updates
Randy Rogers Band Family Foundation Supports Students Studying Texas Music History
Front row: Dr. Mary Brennan, Dean of Liberal Arts, Luis Ruiz-Pacheco, the 2023 Kent Finlay Legacy Endowed Scholarship in Texas Music History scholarship recipient, and Randy Rogers, representing The Randy Rogers Band Family Foundation. Back row: Dr. Jason Mellard, Director of the Center for Texas Music History, and Mr. Brooks Hull, Vice President for University Advancement.
The Legacy Continues
Darcy and Rick Hardy, Randy Rogers, Randy Rogers Band, and the Cheatham Street Partners, LLC established the Kent Finlay Legacy Endowed Scholarship in Texas Music History in 2018 at Texas State University. On February 15, 2023, The Randy Rogers Band Family Foundation made an additional $25K gift to the endowment. All donations are appreciated to the endowed scholarship and Kent Finlay is now making an impact on students that attend Texas State University as well.
Kent Finlay graduated from then Southwest Texas State College in 1961 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Education and then completed his Master of Education in 1964. In 1974, he opened Cheatham Street Warehouse, a live music venue in San Marcos, TX, where Kent nurtured up-and-coming musicians and songwriters for decades. Finlay’s impact on Texas musicians has been far-reaching and impactful for many young people who have become successful in the Texas music industry and beyond. Finlay passed away on Texas Independence Day in 2015 leaving behind a far-reaching legacy. It is this legacy that the donors wish to honor and memorialize for generations of future Texas Music students, fans, and performers.
The $1,500 scholarship is open to students of any major if they have a demonstrated interest in Texas music. The 22/23 scholarship recipient is Luis Ruiz-Pacheco. The scholarship deadline to apply for the 23/24 academic year is March 1, 2023. The Scholarship Selection Committee in the Department of History will review applications and make recommendations to the Director of the Center for Texas Music History, who will make the final recipient selection(s). Students may apply for the scholarship through the Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) https://www.finaid.txst.edu/scholarships/boss.html.
Donors like Randy Rogers and his foundation help drive what’s NEXT at Texas State by supporting student success. Thank you, Randy Rogers!
Doing More with More
Teaching and research are two sides of the same academic coin. Texas State is committed to applied research that matters. Doing more is essential to catapult TXST to the NEXT level in our teaching and research mission. Thank you for your strong support of the campaign. You are helping bring our vision to life.
Students NEXT is Each Promising Student
Students are our top priority, so we're fundraising for more undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, student enrichment programs and support services.
Academics NEXT is each Inspiring Professor
TXST research and faculty shape what's NEXT. The campaign powers innovative research, adds endowed faculty positions, and engages corporations and foundations.
Athletics NEXT is each talented
scholar-athlete
Bobcat student-athletes deserve the best. NEXT IS NOW will expand athletic scholarships and renovate the South End Zone Complex to sharpen our competitive edge.
Campuses NEXT is our beautiful and cutting-edge facilities
What's NEXT for TXST is a new Music Building, renovations to Spring Lake Hall at the Meadows Center, and an expansion of the South End Zone Complex.
Join Us Inspired to Give
More than 49,000 donors have already contributed $120, 435 in gifts to NEXT IS NOW - each contribution moving us closer to our goal of $250 million.
To learn more about how you can make a difference for our university, the community, and the next generations of Bobcats...