This year’s array of apartments offered masses of free swag. Students who attended the fair left the ballroom with bags filled with T-shirts, coozy’s, and candy, oh my! But the sugary candy was taken over by something even sweeter: the apartment Community Assistants, general managers and leasing coordinators. No, they didn’t sing and dance like Oompa Loompas, but they did genuinely talk to students in an attempt to help them make a good decision on where to live next year, which is just as awesome. On top of that, there was a man in a purple gorilla suit running around that I’m sure was an Instagram darling throughout the day!

Need a sweet word of advice from this Bobcat to another? GO TO THESE EVENTS WHENEVER YOU CAN! The LBJ Student Center houses so many fairs throughout the year that can always help students with resources that can really help shape a positive college experience. (And the free shirts aren’t bad either.) Alright Bobcats! I leave you with this amazing Willy Wonka quote that totally relates to Texas State!

 “If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it; want to change the world… there’s nothing to it.” –Willy Wonka

Candy! Stickers! Maroon and gold beads everywhere! No, this wasn’t a Boko piñata; it was the Student Organization Fair sponsored by Student Organizations Council held in the LBJSC Ballroom! Organizations from all over campus came to the ballroom to hand out information and goodies in the hopes of attracting fresh Bobcats into their organization.

Over 90 organizations ranging from University Ambassadors to Japanese language and culture club had tables inside the ballroom. The feeling inside was electric. The music was loud, tables were yelling, and the crowd was flowing in at an almost non-stop pace. In fact, this year’s org fair garnered a record turn-out of students! Over 2100 students attended this year’s fair, easily toppling the 1600 who attended last year.

The purpose of the Organization Fair is to get students on campus involved! Being involved isn’t just a fantastic résumé builder; it’s a great way to make friends and make the best of your college experience. That’s the awesome thing about college, every day is a learning experience, and class is just one part. The rest is finding what one is really about, and through an organization, the process can be that much easier.

The day begins for these almost-Bobcats at the LBJ Student Center where they’re welcomed with a video in the Lair and then sent around campus to experience all Texas State has to offer! This includes guided campus tours, residence hall tours, financial aid sessions and a chance to eat at any dining hall on campus! Prospective students and parents also get the chance to rub elbows with faculty from each school. Organizations and other Texas State staples will also be present at this event, especially at the org fair in the LBJ ballroom.

The day is basically a way for potential students to see what Texas State has to offer. If you see these potential Bobcats around campus, remember to be friendly, and be everything Texas State represents! And if all else fails: EAT EM’ UP CATS! It doesn’t matter if it’s Bobcat Day; EVERYDAY is a great day to be a Bobcat!

The LBJ student center is often host to a variety of events and programs! A comprehensive event list can be found at http://www.lbjsc.txstate.edu/. Also, make sure you follow the LBJ Student Center twitter, @lbjsc to be completely in the know on all LBJ-hosted events.

Bobcats! Do you follow LBJSC Facebook or @lbjsc on Twitter yet? Do you tag every possible photo and re-tweet blog updates? If you live your life through social media, you might want to know what it would be like as a career, so…

Quick-witted, media savvy Bobcats ASSEMBLE! That’s right! It’s that time of year again; Mass Communication week! Mass Comm Week is a 4 day-long conference held annually in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism. Mass Comm Week is an awesome way for Bobcats, mass comm or otherwise, to look into the many different career options in media!  With over 35 different events and more than 60 presenters representing all things mass comm: advertising, journalism, public relations, digital media, social media; the learning opportunities are endless!

There’s not only learning opportunities abound, but also endless chances to rub elbows with a few renowned industry figures! Such as Gustavo Arellano, writer of the extremely popular syndicated column, ¡Ask a Mexican!  Arellano has also appeared on a variety of popular shows including, “The Colbert Report” and “Chelsea Lately”. Or Evan Smith, CEO and editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune; however, these are only 2 of the many respected speakers that will be here giving presentations and answering your questions!

The week culminates with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Job and Internship fair held Wednesday, October 31st from 1:30-4:00 in the LBJ Ballroom. It may be Halloween, but trust me Bobcats; you’re going to want to be looking your sharpest! That way you can scare up a frighteningly good internship or job with one of the amazing companies that are going to be here such as: South by Southwest Festival & Conference, Univision, and KENS-TV among other companies. The LBJSC houses a variety of job fairs and events; a complete schedule of events can be found at http://www.lbjsc.txstate.edu/ . After all that business, be sure to check out some real scary fun at SACA’s Haunted Maze in George’s from 7:00-10:00. Good luck Bobcats, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Riverfest 2012!

Thousands of students and San Marcos residents  flocked to Sewell Park yesterday afternoon with just one goal in mind: to have a great time.

Amidst the large crowds and gorgeous April day, the 9th annual Riverfest kicked off with a bang as Texas State alumnus DJ Coty Morris pumped up the volume with some of  today’s hottest beats. Her music really amped up the audience for a night of fun. Next, BET Comedian Ronnie Jordan took to the stage and evoked laughs from the very beginning, setting the stage for this year’s Battle of the Bands winner Hope and Stay. As soon as Hope and Stay finished entertaining the crowd with their eclectic mix of rock and roll, the winners of the LBJ Student Center’s Great Weiner Battle were announced. Congratulations to HBSA’s dog, Perro Caliente, being named the “official Texas State dog” and to all of our finalists!

Following the announcement, Hip Hop Congress took the stage with several great acts and got the crowd into it with the city roll call and the DJ spinning tracks from all over Texas and beyond. Ronnie Jordan took the stage one last time and then, before we knew it, it was time for the final act: Young Joc!

Taking the stage with a flourish and great stage presence, Joc performed many old favorites to his crowd of over 4,000 people and got them rounded up into a music-induced frenzy. The performance was one for the record books and one that Texas State will not forget anytime soon. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Young Joc following his performance right here: http://youtu.be/TMN19DO6QTI

At some point each of our Bobcats will graduate, go out into the real world and become a productive member of society, and because we are Bobcats, we will succeed in whichever field we choose. Though graduation is farther away for some than others, one thing that we can all get involved in to better help us when enter the work force is internships.

Internships aren’t just there to take away your summer, they’re a great way to not only gain experience in your future occupation, but also to get your foot in the door so that once you do graduate you already have someone you know in your respective field.

One of the most common questions students ask is,  ”How do I find an internship?” Actually, the answer is easier than you may think. It may seem a little too easy, but checking out different places on the internet can be very helpful in your search. The upside to the internet is that you can search in specific areas where you live now or would eventually like to live. If you’re going to apply for an internship online be sure you contact the company in some capacity so that they know of your interest. Anyone can apply online so it’s important that you take the initiative and go one step further.

Of course if you would like more personalized help, Career Services on the 5th floor of the Student Center is a great place to speak with someone about where you might want to intern. In addition to the online database Jobs4Cats, Career Services also has Career Counselors who are more than happy to assist you in your search. You can also visit the Internship Coordinators within your respective college.

As the year winds down, we’re often more concerned with the exact moment that we don’t have to go to class anymore. But summer isn’t just time for vacation, it’s also a great time to get a small taste of what the real world is like. Most applications are still being accepted at many internship locations and your dream internship could be out there somewhere. Don’t let it pass you by!

As many Bobcats have discovered since April began the semester is finally winding down to that amazing time of year known as Summer Break. Ah yes, the weather is beautiful, the river is calling and some days all you want to do is lounge out in the sun for a while instead of getting that paper done. With just 2 full weeks of classes left it’s slowly becoming easier and easier to mentally check out. However, even though we’re  getting closer to vacation, remember that you’re also getting closer to completing your ultimate goal of accomplishing a successful semester.

The last few weeks of school are definitely where you want to do your best and work hard if you have not been doing so already. This is the time of year that Finals are just far enough away that you will still have quizzes and tests to prepare your for that final exam in your class. It is also the peak of special presentations and projects so be very careful not to become complacent or procrastinate until the last-minute. If you wait, you’ll be up to your ears in days of work that you will only have hours to complete.

Stay on your toes and push to the finish Bobcats! The work may be difficult now, there may not seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, but trust me that your reward for being productive far outweighs your potentially stressful time. And it doesn’t have to be stressful at all! So long as you stay active and maintain a balance between your work you’ll finish out the semester in the best way!

Student Employee Appreciation Week is a national week that celebrates student employees everywhere, but especially the more than 100 student center employees we have in the Student Center.  This year the University’s Appreciation Week is April 9-13th and commemorates student worker’s campus wide. Each department and office comes up with their own ways to show their student employees they care and Student Center will be hosting different events each day.

In addition to small events throughout the week, Career Services will be involved in a Student Employee of the Year awards ceremony on Monday where the top student employee for the Student Center will be recognized.

Every employee makes a difference at Texas State University and the Student Center would like to commend and thank all of the student employees who help the Center function on a regular basis. Thank you and please continue with all of the hard work you put in each and every day!

Andy Rhoades

The LBJ Student Center strives to bring a sense of community to Texas State through our 5 core values: Service, Excellence, Respect, Empowerment and Collaboration. Director Andy Rhoades, now on his way into retirement, embodies each and every one of these values.  For the past 12 years Andy Rhoades has been a major part of not only Student Center life, but the lives of students themselves.  Known for loving Texas State students as much as the university itself, his priority has always been the student voice.

His “lead by example” attitude has impacted many students as well as faculty and staff and stems from his idea that because students choose to come here, allowing them to use their voice will create the sense of community the Student Center strives so hard to maintain. This sense of community helps to create the family atmosphere we have at Texas State and helps students feel more like a Bobcat.

His last day of March 31st is rapidly approaching where he will be participating in one last Bobcat Build alongside his fellow Bobcats. Anyone who has come into contact with Andy knows what a great influence he has had on everyone he meets. With a wink and a smile he can ease the most hectic day, and sitting down and speaking with him was as easy as asking. The LBJ Student Center and all of Texas State would just like to thank Andy for all of his hard work over the years and wish him the best as he steps into the next phase of his life. And remember Mr. Rhoades, though you may not be with us here on campus, once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat.