About The University Star
The University Star, also known as The Star, is the student-run news organization at Texas State University and one of the oldest publications in the state. The Star provides news and information on issues affecting the university and the San Marcos community.
Our History
The first issue of The Star was published in February 1911 by student Fred W. Adams, son of the founder of Adams Extract and Spice Company. At the time, Adams was milking cows, carrying wood for his room and board, and selling his father’s extracts to pay for an education at a small teacher’s college in the Texas Hill Country.
Adams, who was 20 years old at the time, made a proposal to the college president and assured him that Adams would absorb any printing costs that advertising didn’t cover. In exchange, the president allowed Adams to keep the profits.
With student body approval, the newspaper became the documentation tool of the institution’s history. The name of the paper, The Star, can also be traced to Adams who noted in his diary, “The Star rose again all right today.” And, it has been rising each day on the institution’s grounds ever since.
The Star has published steadily from 1911 through the Great Depression, two world wars, as well as the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars. Lyndon Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, served as the summer editor of The Star in 1930.
Core Values
Mission The University Star strives to uphold the following non-negotiable core values:
- Accuracy
- Impartiality
- Honesty and Integrity
- Inclusivity and Fairness
- Transparency and Accountability
- Humanity and Public Service
As a student-led publication, we view our newsroom as a learning experience and strive to uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics. We aspire to the goal of encouraging constructive conversation among our campus community and serving as a forum for discussion and debate.
Vision & Mission
Journalism is an act of civic responsibility. We see our work as a public service that is necessary for any community to thrive, because knowledge is empowering.
The University Star is editorially independent from Texas State University, meaning fellow students make all the decisions about what to cover and how. The university has no say in our content. Period. Our journalism is by students, for students. We also venture into San Marcos to cover the issues that are important to the community that hosts our university because the two are so interconnected.
Contact Us
The University Star is located in the Trinity Building on the Texas State University campus at 203 Pleasant Street. Our main phone number is 512-245-3487. Email is [email protected].
News
The Star has the largest newsroom covering San Marcos. Our student journalists cover a range of issues from health care, immigration, transportation, sports, and local government.
Events
The University Star hosts the Star Stories event each year to highlight the first-person stories of those in our Texas State community. This event is held annually during Mass Comm Week in October.
Volunteerism
Our students regularly volunteer in our community having participated in Bobcat Build, Sights & Sounds, and Great Texas River Cleanup events both in fall and spring.
Distribution
The Star prints 3,000 newspapers each Tuesday during the long semesters that are distributed at locations across campus and the city of San Marcos. The organization also has a website UniversityStar.com, a weekly subscription e-newsletter, as well as a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The University Star app is part of the College News Network app available in the app store.
Professional Memberships
Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)
College Media Association (CMA)
College Media Business and Advertising Managers (CMBAM)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA)
Awards and Honors
2024
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Division I
Second Place, Static Information Graphic, Megan Walters
Third Place, Sports Column, David Cuevas
Third Place, Photo Illustration, Delaney Compean
Honorable Mention, Advertising Campaign, Michele DuPont
Honorable Mention, Cartoon Strip/Panel, Devon Crew
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association On-Site Open Division
First Place, Feature Photo, Blake Leschber
First Place, TV Sports Writing, David Cuevas
First Place, PR Crisis Management, Abbie Taylor
Second Place, Best of Show, Newspaper Division I
Second Place, TV News Writing, Lucciana Chouiery
Third Place, Print News Writing, Blake Leschber
Honorable Mention, Spanish News Writing, Carlotta Pulgar
Honorable Mention, Newspaper Design, Sarah Manning
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards Region 8
Winner, Editorial Writing, Staff
Finalist, General News Reporting, Nichaela Shaheen and Carson Weaver
Finalist, Breaking News Photography, Kobe Arriaga
Finalist, Photo Essay/Slideshow, Kobe Arriaga
Finalist, Feature Writing, Brianna Chavez
Finalist, Best Affiliated Website, Staff
2023
Headliners Foundation
Stuart Long Scholar, Madelyn Weirich
FOI Foundation of Texas
Ralph Langer Scholarship, Brianna Chavez
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Division I
First Place, Feature Story, Carson Weaver
First Place, Static Information Graphic, Staff
First Place, General Column, Andrew Hodge
Second Place, Sports Column, David Cuevas
Second Place, Website, Staff
Third Place, Feature Photo, Liliana Perez
Third Place, Editorial Cartoon
Honorable Mention, Best Use of Social Media – Breaking News, Vanessa Buentello
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association On-Site Open Division
First Place, Editorial Writing, Rhian Davis
First Place, TV Sports Writing, David Cuevas
Second Place, Print Sports Writing, Carson Weaver
Second Place, News Writing, Nichaela Shaheen
Third Place, Radio Sports Writing, Dillon Strine
Third Place, Magazine Design, Sarah Manning
Third Place, Sports Action Photo, Sarah Manning
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards Region 8
Finalist, Best Affiliated Website, Staff
Finalist, Sports Photography, Vanessa Buentello
2022
Associated Collegiate Press
Finalist, Online Pacemaker
College Media Association Pinnacle Awards
Finalist, Best Breaking News Story, Staff
Finalist, Best Breaking News Photo, Vanessa Buentello
Finalist, Best Sports News Photo, Vanessa Buentello
Finalist, Best Portrait, Vanessa Buentello
Headliners Foundation
Barry Bishop, Madelyn Weirich
Stuart Long Scholar, Sarah Hernandez
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards Region 8
Best Affiliated Website finalist
Best Use of Multimedia finalist
Best use of Multimedia finalist, “House Fire” Jaden Edison and Brianna Benitez
Breaking News Photography finalist, “House Fire” Jaden Edison
Breaking News Reporting finalist, “House Fire” Jaden Edison and Brianna Benitez
Editorial Writing Finalist
Feature Photography finalist, “ACL” Natalie Ryan
Feature Writing finalist, “Dignity in Death” Leanne Castro
Sports Photography finalist, “Football” Vanessa Buentello
Sports Writing finalist, “Texas Skate Forever” Aidan Bea
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Previously Published Division I
First Place, General News Multimedia Story, Staff
First Place, Multimedia Feature, Brianna Benitez, Jeffrey Halfen, Liliana Perez
Second Place, Website, Staff
Second Place, Editorial, Staff
Second Place, Feature Story, Aidan Bea
Second Place, General News Reporting, Arthur Fairchild
Second Place, Breaking News, Jaden Edison and Brianna Benitez
Second Place, General News Multimedia Story, Jaden Edison and Brianna Benitez
Second Place, Documentary Video, Kim Davis, Jr.
Second Place, Sports Action Photo, Vanessa Buentello
Second Place, Video Feature Reporting, Jeffrey Halfen, Natalie Ryan, Liliana Perez
Third Place, General Column, Jacklynn Broussard
Third Place, Documentary Video, Rasika Gasti and Douglas Smith
Third Place, Overall Design Website, Staff
Third Place, Feature Photo, Natalie Ryan
Honorable Mention, Feature Reporting Audio, Rasika Gasti
Honorable Mention, In-Depth Reporting, Payton Russell
Honorable Mention, Overall Design Newspaper, Molly Gonzales
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association On-Site Competition Open Division
First Place, Radio News Writing, Madelyn Weirich
First Place, Radio Sports Writing, Kyle Owen
First Place, PR Crisis Management, Nadia Gonzales
Second Place, Press Release Writing, Nadia Gonzales
Second Place, Feature Writing, Brianna Benitez
Second Place, 2-person Photo Essay, Vanessa Buentello and Liliana Perez
Second Place, Feature Photo, Vanessa Buentello
Second Place, Sports Action Photo, Vanessa Buentello
Third Place, Copy Editing, Sarah Hernandez
Honorable Mention, Print Sports writing, Dillon Strine
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Jeff Henderson Memorial Scholarship $1,000
Sarah Hernandez
2021
Associated Collegiate Press
First Place, Sports Feature Story, “Raising Declan” Aidan Bea
College Media Association
First Place, Online Best Breaking News Coverage, “House Fire” Jaden Edison, Brianna Benitez
Second Place, Best Online Infographic, “Black History at TXST”
Honorable Mention, Online Best Breaking News Coverage, “Winter Storm” staff
Honorable Mention, Best General News Story, “Dignity in Death” Leanne Castro
Headliners Foundation
Stuart Long Scholar, Brianna Benitez
Stuart Long Scholar, Valeria Torrealba
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards National
Sports Writing finalist, “Raising Declan” Aidan Bea
Editorial Writing finalist, staff
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards Region 8
Editorial Writing, winner
Sports Writing, winner, Aidan Bea
In-Depth Reporting, winner
Breaking News Reporting, winner
Online In-Depth News Reporting, winner
Best All-Around Student Newspaper, finalist
General News Photography, finalist
Sports Photography, finalist
Best Affiliated Website, finalist
COVID-19 Coverage, finalist
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Division I
First Place, Environmental Portrait, “MLK Commemoration” Jaden Edison
First Place, General News Video, “A Lifeless City” Rebecca Harrell
Second Place, Overall Design Website, Morgan Byers
Second Place, Photo Story, “Death of police officer” Jaden Edison, Rebecca Harrell
Second Place, Interactive Graphic, “The 11% Project Timeline” Staff
Second Place, Multimedia Feature, “The 11% Project Timeline Editorial” Staff
Second Place, Headline Writing, “Volleyball finds magic broom” Staff
Second Place, Breaking News, “Texas State student-athlete killed in apartment shooting” Staff
Second Place, Feature Reporting (Audio), “Behind the names” Hannah Thompson, Michele DuPont
Second Place, Sports Column, “Opinion: Football is not worth athletes risking long-term COVID-19 complications” Toni Mac Crossan
Third Place, Cover Design Newspaper, “BLM issue” Molly Gonzales, Blake Wadley, Jaden Edison, Rebecca Harrell
Third Place, Multimedia Sports Story, “Revisiting Michael Jordan’s ‘Last Dance’ at Texas State” Aidan Bea
Third Place, Documentary Video, “Blevins” Haley Brand
Third Place, Editorial, “Stop hiding COVID-19 information” Editorial Board
Third Place, Feature Photo, “It is our time to speak” Jaden Edison
Third Place, Feature Reporting (Audio), “Necessary now, forever essential” Rebecca Harrell
Third Place, In-Depth News Reporting (Audio), “We built this country” Rebecca Harrell
Third Place, Sports Feature Photo, “Texas State’s missed opportunities” Kate Connors
Third Place, In-Depth News Reporting (Video), “Black history professors reflect on significance behind Juneteenth” Daniel Weeks, Rebecca Harrell
Honorable Mention, Feature Story, “Raising Declan” Aidan Bea
Honorable Mention, Environmental Portrait, “Bicycle repair” Douglas Smith
Honorable Mention, General News Photo, “death of police officer” Jaden Edison
Honorable Mention, Overall Design, “Feb. 18 Housing Guide Issue” Molly Gonzales
Honorable Mention, Sports Action Photo, “TXST vs. Arkansas State” Kate Connors
2020
Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Awards
Honorable Mention, Best Sports News Story, Colton McWilliams
Seventh Place, Social Justice Reporting
Seventh Place, Advertising Rate Card
College Media Association Pinnacle Awards
Second Place, Best Campus Engagement, Star Stories
Second Place, Best Sports Feature Photo
Honorable Mention, Best Online Sports Section, Staff
Headliners Foundation
Stuart Long Scholar, Jaden Edison
Poynter College Media Project
2020 Newsroom
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards National
Editorial Writing finalist
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards Region 8
Editorial Writing winner
Best Use of Multimedia winner “Pegasus School” Bayley Bogus, Jaden Edison, Morgan Byers
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Division I
First Place, Special Edition Print Design “Year in Review,” Staff
Second Place, In-Depth Reporting “Clery reporting,” Jakob Rodriguez
Second Place, Headline Writing, Staff
Second Place, General News Photo “Cite and Release,” Rebecca Harrell
Third Place, Editorial “Texas State, Do Your Job,” Staff
Third Place, General News “Free Speech Feud,” Sierra Martin
Third Place, Documentary Video “Flaka,” Jaden Edison and Rebecca Harrell
Third Place, Photography Environmental Portrait “Memorial Day,” Jaden Edison
Third Place, Overall Design Website, Staff
Third Place, Sports Page Spread Design “Sept. 24, 2019,” Molly Gonzales
Third Place, Interactive Graphic “Iconic Village Plans,” Sawyer Click
Honorable Mention, Interactive Graphic “Sexual Assault Crimes Timeline,” Camelia Juarez
Honorable Mention, In-Depth Reporting “Haven Only Knows,” Laura Figi
Honorable Mention, Editorial Cartoon “Luv is Luv,” Lindsey Taylor
Honorable Mention, Sports Feature Photo “Homecoming Celebration,” Jamie Dorsey
Honorable Mention, Cover Design Newspaper “Oct. 15, 2019 issue,” Molly Gonzales
Honorable Mention, Overall Design Newspaper, Gloria Rodriguez
Texas Auto Writers Harold Gunn Journalism Scholarship
Jaden Edison
2019
Associated Collegiate Press Story of the Year
Fourth Place, Sports Game Story, Colton McWilliams
Finalist, Editorial, Staff
College Media Association Pinnacle Awards
Second Place, Best App/Plugin of the Year
Headliners Foundation
Stuart Long Scholar, Carrington Tatum
Darrell K. Royal Scholar, Jakob Rodriguez
SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards Region 8
General News Reporting winner, “Keep Quiet,” Carrington Tatum
Feature Writing finalist, “Sutherland Springs: Evil Did Not Win,” May Olvera
General Column Writing finalist
In-Depth Reporting finalist
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Division I
First Place, Interactive Graphic, “Clegg Administration Timeline,” Jessi Spain, Garrett McGinley, Sawyer Click
Second Place, Cartoon Strip/Panel, “Procrastination,” Stephanie Cloyd
Third Place, In-Depth Reporting, “TPUSA Allegations,” Sawyer Click, Jakob Rodriguez, Katie Evans
Third Place, Print Ad Campaign, “Soapbox Soundoff,” Megan Hicks
Third Place, Cover Design Newspaper, “He’s Out,” Vivian Medina
Third Place, Special Section Design, “Apartment Guide,” Vivian Medina
Honorable Mention, Feature Page Design, “San Marcos Stars,” Vivian Medina
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Onsite Competition Open Division
First Place, Sports Writing, Jakob Rodriguez
First Place, Sports Action Photography, Jaden Edison
Second Place, Editorial Writing, Samantha Guerrero
Third Place, Feature Photo, Sierra Martin
Honorable Mention, Copy Editing, Claire Partain
Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Breaking News, 17th place, Sawyer Click