Around Campus
New energy partner
Texas State has partnered with MicroPower Global to develop cutting-edge “green energy” technology, with the goal of developing the world’s first 20 percent efficient modules that will revolutionize the thermoelectric market. The new technology is expected to save energy, reduce harmful emissions and lead to the availability of substantial carbon credits. MicroPower is planning to move its operations to the Interstate 35 corridor, becoming an early and key tenant of the off-campus commercialization center.
Another soccer title
The Bobcats claimed their second straight Southland Conference championship in soccer with a win against UTSA on Oct. 30 and an undefeated league record. They entered the conference tournament as the No.1 seed. They lost a defensive battle with Southeastern Louisiana in the conference tournament, breaking an amazing 16-game winning streak against conference opponents. Britney Curry was named SLC Player of the Year.
Collections expand
We officially opened the expanded Wittliff Collections space in October on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library. You must see the new galleries to appreciate them, as well as the research room and new display areas. This new space is in addition to the Lonesome Dove room that was recently set aside to showcase memorabilia from the miniseries permanently.
Common Experience book author on campus
Daniel Pink, author of this year’s Common Experience text, delighted two audiences on Oct. 21. One audience heard about jobs and careers and the other audience heard about this year’s Common Experience theme: The Whole Mind: Crossing Boundaries of Disciplines. In the first talk, Pink referred to his book The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need and in the second to his A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Contract restrictions prevented us from making the talk available at our Web site, but you can get a flavor of the talk here.
Flash flood experts
The university opened its new International Flash Flood Laboratory in October by inviting experts and the general public to recommend activities the lab should undertake to reduce flash-flood casualties and associated damage. The lab will be housed in the James and Marilyn Lovell Center for Environmental Geography and Hazards Research in the Department of Geography. Location of the lab in San Marcos makes sense: The San Antonio-to-Dallas corridor, where more than half of the United States’ annual flood deaths occurred in 2007, has become known nationwide as “Flash Flood Alley.” more…