November & December 2017 College News

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION NOVEMBER & DECEMBER ISSUE FALL 2017 COVER PHOTO: Barry Stone’s new monograph, Daily in a Nimble Sea . [ P G . 3] f inearts.t xstate.edu facebook.com/t xstcollegefac instagram.com/t xstfac twitter.com/t xstfac youtube.com/t xstatecollegefac FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! LETTER FROM THE DEAN DR. JOHN FLEMING As the Fall 2017 semester comes to a close, it is time to extend my appreciation to all the faculty, staff, students, and alumni that make Texas State such an exceptional place. Our goal of sustained excellence has been externally validated. That statement is not just Dean Cheatham hyperbole (see Richard, you haven’t been forgotten), but rather it is a substantiated list of national accolades documented in our 20 Points of Pride (pp. 22- 23). It is an impressive list that can rival any fine arts and communication school in the country. Likewise, the sections on each individual unit provide but a sample of recent accolades but due to timing of when we go to press, exceptional accomplishments such Mariachi Nueva Generacion’s recent victory at the national Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza (their 8th title in 12 years) will have to wait until the February edition for inclusion. In addition, it is notable that 25 of the 26 theatre performances this fall were sold-out, with cumulative ticket sales exceeding 100% capacity. In short, our cup of excellence overfloweth. While College News exists primarily to celebrate, it is with great sorrow that we also extend our deepest condolences to our colleagues Michel Conroy (whose spouse Billy Mayer passed away on November 11) and Ludim Pedroza (whose spouse Edward Pearsall passed away on November 24). May the Bobcat family helped provide some of the comfort and support that I received when my father passed last January. With wishes for a peaceful holiday for all.