Welcome Message to Students

Good morning, Bobcat!

Today marks my first day as president of Texas State University, and I am kicking it off in the best possible way: by connecting with you and all the other students at TXST! I am thrilled to be joining you as a member of the Bobcat family, and I am ready to begin serving you alongside my faculty and staff colleagues! My goal early on is to learn everything I can about the student experience here at Texas State, and that starts with engaging with you as directly as possible.

To that end, I am in the process of scheduling a series of recurring events where I can meet in-person with our students. Just like we did during my April town hall sessions, I want to hear your thoughts and concerns, to receive your feedback, and to answer your questions. One of your fellow students told me, “It’s not enough to be listened to. We want to be heard, and we want to see action that results from those conversations.” That’s perfect because that is such a fundamental value for me. Every Bobcat matters and deserves to be heard. I’m committed to keeping open lines of communication and taking action to address challenges. 

Aside from those more formal conversation opportunities, I won’t be hard to find this fall for more informal chats. As often as possible, you will find me out and about, exploring our campuses and attending student events (often with my wife Beth, and sometimes with our dog Maple). In the meantime, you can always share your questions with me on my website, or follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Like almost half of our students at Texas State, I was a first-generation college student. I know from personal experience that a quality education opens doors and sets your life on an amazing trajectory. My college degree gave me opportunities that my parents could only dream of for themselves. It has been said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you discover “why.” I hope that you will soon discover that my “why” is ensuring that every student who comes to Texas State finishes what they started. I will do everything in my power to protect and enhance the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at Texas State, and to make sure you have what you need to be successful. 

Thank you for choosing Texas State and for welcoming me and my family into your community. I look forward to discovering with you what’s NEXT here at Texas State. #EatEmUpCats!

Sincerely, 

Dr. D
Kelly Damphousse, Ph.D. 
President