IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A BOBCAT!

Just got back from Orientation at Texas State University in San Marcos! Two days of sessions and activities for both student and parents.

Here are a few of the things I learned from the Orientation Leaders:
· TX State University was established in 1899 under the name of Southwest Texas Normal School. It was originally created to train public school teachers. It began with 17 faculty members, 303 students, and 5 buildings on 17 acres. It now enrolls more than 30,000 students and has more than 225 buildings on 457 acres.
· The school became a college in 1919 and became a university in 1969.
· The school colors are maroon and gold (after the native Texas gaillardia flower)
· Mascot is the Bobcat (also native to Texas)
· The only elected president to come from a Texas University was LBJ (statue on campus and the Student Center is named after him.
· Other than LBJ, the next most famous alumni is George Strait!
· While wandering the halls I also discovered a few more famous alumni (Rosalyn Baker, Beth Moore, and ‘Ask Heloise’ )

And here are a few observations of my own:
· Wear comfortable tennis shoes! This campus is in Hill Country and it is built “with the terrain”...which basically means every step you take is either up or down – It’s like traveling on a stairmaster! I don’t think he will have to worry about gaining the ‘freshman 15’.
· Don’t drive anything larger than a Honda civic. (LONG STORY...I will post about it later!)
· I will gladly join the Texas State Parents Association – at the ‘Bobcat level ($50) – I don’t have to be at the Maroon, Gold, or President’s level ($1,000) because I can buy my own t-shirt & travel mug!
· Make sure payment is made before Aug 25 or they drop his classes!
· Wells Fargo is the ‘preferred’ bank of the university and they have convenient locations all over campus as well as ATMs (no fees!)...but when you agree to open an accountyou’re your student...they also give him a credit card!

And a few things Kaleb wanted to make sure I learned:
· There is a 9-hole golf course on campus (one of the top rated 9-hole courses in the state!)
· Course fees are $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends for students...OR...a 12-month membership for students is $250 ($100 for 4-month membership)
· The Rec Center has a Golf Simulator which includes 38 PGA courses to choose from ($10/hour) Kaleb wants to play the St. Andrews course.

Move in Day is AUGUST 19th!