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The Student News Site of Texas State University

The University Star



The Student News Site of Texas State University

The University Star
The Student News Site of Texas State University

The University Star









All content by Payton Russell
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Opinion: Freshman should not be forced to live on campus

Payton Russell, Opinion Contributor
December 21, 2021
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Opinion: Texas State film production should provide admission for Austin Film Festival

Payton Russell, Opinion Contributor
November 3, 2021
A fountain flows, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Texas State Theatre Center.

Making of the moat: A history behind Texas State’s Theatre Center

Payton Russell, Managing Editor
July 15, 2021
Alumnus Graham DeFranco duets "Love Like This" with Ben Rector on "American Idol" Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.

Alumnus shines onstage as “American Idol” finalist

Payton Russell, Managing Editor
May 5, 2021
The cast of "Spring Awakening" celebrates its return to the stage at a "Spring Awakening" rehearsal, Monday, April 12, 2021, at the Patty Strickel-Harrison.

‘Spring Awakening’ musical weathers storm after positive COVID-19 test

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Reporter
April 19, 2021
Lights illuminate the UAC Arch, Monday, March 29, 2021, at Texas State.

The price of power: Why Texas State spends $7 million annually on electricity

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Reporter
April 5, 2021
(Left to right) Texas State meteor science engineering doctoral student Fatema Zohra and her daughter, Maya, blow on a dandelion, Sunday, March 7, 2021, at Ingram Hall.

Student mothers forge educational paths toward successful careers

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Reporter
March 22, 2021
Storm students

Weathering the storm: Students unite to find creative solutions amid Texas snow

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Reporter
March 10, 2021
The San Marcos Historic District Map comprised of all seven districts, six of which are residential while the downtown district is commercial.

Preserving the past: How locals are protecting historic homes in San Marcos

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Reporter
February 22, 2021
Dr. Eric Paulson, assistant dean of the Texas State Graduate School, celebrates the successes of the Graduate House of Representatives, Sept. 2019, on the steps of Alkek Library.

Find your future: Texas State instructors help navigate graduate school possibilities

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Reporter
February 2, 2021
Abigail Remaley, a senior acting major, and her family smile for a selfie after running the 2018 AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.

Healthy at home: Students make staying active a priority in 2021

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
January 22, 2021
Psychology professor Dr. Carmen Westerberg analyzes sleep EEG data at Northwestern University in 2009.

Souvenirs of sleep: Professor earns funds for new study analyzing superior memory

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
January 21, 2021
A digital illustration by Aaliyah Ward advertises her production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf".

The rainbow is always enough: Student-run performance magnifies voices of Black actresses

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
December 6, 2020
Musical theater program head Kaitlin Hopkins speaks at a TEDx conference July 21, 2016 in Fargo, North Dakota. Hopkins spoke to her artistic perspective on the importance of teaching mental health in schools.

Musical theater program head offers students free mental wellness course

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
November 30, 2020
Alumnus and author Marcus Peoples holds a copy of his new children's book, "Proud to be in Between", which tells the story of a child born to interracial parents

Alumnus educates families on cultural diversity through children’s book

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
November 10, 2020
Alumni Kayla Hildebrand, Allison Price, Ashlyn Maddox and Jonah Fujikawa along with other cast members rehearse virtually for Less Than Three's most recent production, "The Conspiracy Play".

Born in a pandemic: Alumni-founded company redefines theater

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
October 28, 2020
Camille Duvall, a musical theater senior, films from her at-home makeshift studio for the Department of Theater and Dance production of 'A Piece of My Heart'.

Department of Theater and Dance hosts virtual show season

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
October 13, 2020
Attendees work on painting their canvases while their respective trained volunteers sit with them and offer support during the Love Canvas event, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse.

Seen and heard: Local art event honors BIPOC voices

Payton Russell, Life and Arts Contributor
September 28, 2020
The full cast of “Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed” on display after their live reading Sunday, Sept. 6., 2020 on Zoom. The cast features Eugene Lee, Nadine Mozon, playwright Celeste Bedford Walker and director Lynnie Godfrey. The Black and Latino Playwright Celebration is an annual event conducted by the Department of Theater and Dance, devoted to the development of two never-produced plays by unpublished Black and Latino playwrights.

Bridging the gap: Theater and Dance hosts annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration

Payton Russell
September 7, 2020
Residence Director Ben Cardiff speaks to a desk assistant through a new glass partition inside Retama Hall, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at Texas State University.

Back to business: Student workers return to work with new safety protocols

Payton Russell
September 1, 2020
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