Compiled by Mike Davis, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications; Renata Loyo Perez, and Asier Quiroga, Institutional Marketing & Communications Interns.
International and National Media Highlights
American Council on Education | March 13, 2024
Dr. Marjorie Hass, former President of Austin College and current President of The Council of Independent Colleges, has been selected to receive the American Council on Education’s 2024 Donna Shavlik Award. This award recognizes Dr. Haas for her sustained efforts in women’s higher education.
Weather Geeks | March 6, 2024
Dr. Kevin Simmons, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Austin College, joined an episode of the Weather Geeks Podcast to discuss the economic impact of natural disasters.
Dallas and Regional News
Austin American-Statesman | March 3, 2024
Antoine Thompson ’14, Varsity Head Coach for men’s basketball at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas, led his team to victory in the regional championship in only his second year with the program.
North Texas Daily | March 8, 2024
Jason Burton ’07, Head Coach of women’s basketball at the University of North Texas, won the prestigious Coach of the Year award in his first year in this position, and only his second year as a Division I coach. He led the team to a share of the AAC regular season championship for the 2023-24 season, the first time the program has held such a title since 1986.
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference | March 26, 2024
Grace Moothart ’26, Brooklyn Matthews ’26, and Marianna Bert ’24 have each been selected as women’s basketball Academic All-District Honorees by the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the 2023-24 season.
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference | March 26, 2024
Jordan Hudgins ’26 has been selected as a men’s basketball Academic All-District Honoree by the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the 2023-24 season.
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference | March 24, 2024
Sammi Thiele ’24 finished swimming competitively at the collegiate level with her third individual All-American honor at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III swimming national championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association | March 2024
Lindsey Drake ’04, J.D., was selected for the Corporate/Transactional Attorney of 2024 award by the Travis County Women Lawyers Association in Austin, Texas. Drake is a practicing attorney and adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law.
Local Media Highlights
Herald Democrat | March 28, 2024
Austin College presented the 2024 Posey Leadership Award to artist and activist Rick Lowe for his global work using art to promote social understanding. Lowe's projects, including Project Row Houses in Houston, have contributed to the revitalization of communities around the world. As the 2024 Posey Leader-In-Residence, Lowe has engaged with students on a variety of topics throughout the year, and his Leader-In-Residence engagement will culminate with the award presentation on April 4. The award, funded by Sally and Lee Posey, recognizes individuals advancing humanitarian or educational causes.
Herald Democrat | March 26, 2024
Sammi Thiele ’24 is the first Austin College swimmer to achieve All-American honors for her exceptional performance at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III swimming national championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Herald Democrat | March 26, 2024
Over 130 Austin College students showcased research projects during the twelfth annual Austin College Scholars Conference (ACSC). Events included panel sessions, poster presentations, oral presentations, and artistic performances that highlighted student achievements inside and outside the classroom.
Herald Democrat | March 22, 2024
Austin College organized two community mural painting days at Grand Central Station in Sherman, Texas, as part of the 2024 Posey Leader-in-Residence series events. The collaborative project aimed to highlight services offered by Grand Central Station through public art. The project was inspired by this year’s Austin College Posey Leadership Award recipient Rick Lowe.
Herald Democrat | March 18, 2024
Austin College invited the public to observe the spring equinox on March 19. Attendees were able to witness sunlight passing through the gnomon hole in the IDEA Center's roof, casting an image on the atrium floor, while Dr. David Baker, Professor of Physics at Austin College, provided scientific and historical insights.
Herald Democrat | March 12, 2024
Austin College's fourth annual Giving Day on March 5, 2024, garnered significant support with $664,640 in donations from 583 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends. The event's success reflects the esteem the community holds for the college.
KTEN | March 30, 2024
Austin College hosted two community mural painting days at Grand Central Station in Sherman, Texas. The lively new mural highlights the broad array of services that this non-profit offers to local individuals and families in need.
KXII | March 24, 2024
Austin College collaborated with Sherman's Grand Central Station to paint a new mural, fulfilling a longstanding community desire. The initiative, supported by the Austin College Posey Leadership Award, was inspired by 2024 Posey Leader-In-Residence Rick Lowe's focus on social sculpture. Student leader Nick Estes highlighted the project's community-building impact. Participants found it rewarding and accessible, with paint-by-numbers style.
KXII | March 19, 2024
Austin College invited the public to witness the start of spring through the Solar Observatory, the only one of its kind on a U.S. college campus. Dr. David Baker, Professor of Physics at Austin College, explained the significance of this global event throughout history to the present.
Blogs and Online Media
Austin College | March 27, 2024
The Greater Texoma Jazz Ensemble, led by Dr. Ricky Duhaime, Professor of Music at Austin College, will host its spring concert series "An Evening of Big Band Jazz" across four Texoma locations in April, and will feature a blend of classic swing, ballads, Latin, and modern fusion styles, showcasing soloists from the ensemble. Performances will take place at Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church on April 1, Durant High School on April 8, Whitesboro First Baptist Church on April 22, and Grayson College on April 29. All events are free and open to the public.
Austin College | March 13, 2024
Dr. John Agresto, former president of St. John’s College, delivered a lecture titled “Why do people call our studies the ‘liberal’ arts when they are obviously so very conservative?” at Austin College as part of the Will Mann Richardson Lecture Series. With an extensive career and expertise in politics, law, and education, Agresto provided an insightful view on the topic.
E-Extra News | March 18, 2024
Cody Stevens ’28 and Rhett Bestul ’28 of Paris, Texas, both committed to continue their education and play football at Austin College in the fall.
North Texas E-News | March 30, 2024
Henry H. Bucher Jr., Faculty Emeritus in Humanities at Austin College, penned an op-ed piece discussing the history of Easter and how it is interpreted by different religions.
North Texas E-News | March 30, 2024
Henry H. Bucher Jr., Faculty Emeritus in Humanities at Austin College, penned a four-part op-ed series comparing the historic religious and modern political aspects of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
North Texas E-News | March 29, 2024
Austin College honored Rick Lowe with the 2024 Posey Leadership Award for his transformative use of art in fostering social understanding and community engagement. Lowe's extensive work, including Project Row Houses in Houston, exemplifies his commitment to addressing equity and justice through art.
North Texas E-News | March 22, 2024
Austin College hosted community mural painting days at Grand Central Station, inspired by Posey Leadership Award recipient Rick Lowe. Lowe's acclaimed use of art for social understanding, seen in projects like Project Row Houses, drove the initiative and reflected Austin College's commitment to community engagement.
North Texas E-News | March 21, 2024
Austin College invited the public to view "A Menagerie of Young Minds: Bearcat Art," an exhibit featuring artwork by Sherman High School students and curated by Austin College student Sarah Sandoval ’24, who has been student-teaching at Sherman High this year. The reception celebrated their creativity and aimed to showcase students' artistic growth and talent to the community.
North Texas E-News | March 18, 2024
Austin College invited the public to observe the spring equinox at the IDEA Center on campus, which has the only solar observatory of its kind on a U.S. college campus. The event featured sunlight passing through the gnomon hole to mark the equinox and showcased Austin College's commitment to hands-on learning and inclusive community engagement.
North Texas E-News | March 10, 2024
Dr. John McGinn and Leslie Whelan, both faculty in the Austin College Department of Music at Austin College, joined guest performer Dr. Daniel Lickteig for a trio recital featuring selections from Copland’s “Old American Songs,” original compositions by McGinn, and more.
North Texas E-News | March 7, 2024
Nominations for Austin College’s Distinguished Alumni and First Decade Awards are open until April 12, 2024. Criteria and forms are available on the Austin College website. Recipients will be honored at the Distinguished Alumni and Volunteer Award dinner on November 15 during the 2024 Homecoming Celebration.
News 'Roos Can Use
The Chronicle of Higher Education | March 20, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education finally began sending financial aid forms to colleges around the nation, but this delay continues to present challenges for institutions of higher education and prospective students.
Forbes | March 26, 2024
Artificial intelligence and virtual reality devices are creating new avenues that could enhance the methods used to provide student learning assessments.
- 'Roos in the News
- 2024