May 2022

Special kudos to faculty, staff this grad season

Dear Friends:

There is no more powerful a reminder of why faculty and staff are committed to their roles in higher education than the graduation ceremony. To see so much exuberance in the faces of our graduates – and in the faces of their loved ones – is priceless. This month, Texas Woman’s celebrated with more than 2,100 students who participated in seven commencement ceremonies in Houston and Denton. It marked our first graduation season in which we did not have pandemic-related restrictions in place. Their accomplishment was no small feat, given they had to adapt to abrupt changes to instructional modalities during the pandemic.

It is fitting that I recognize the extraordinary efforts of our faculty and staff, who also had to pivot from in-person to online operations numerous times during the pandemic. Many of them took on a heavier workload to ensure that our graduates had the resources and support they needed to complete their degrees. We owe them all added gratitude for their dedication.

^{Twin bachelor’s nursing honor students Jazmine and Marissa Maxwell.}

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Battalion chief blazes higher education trail

^{Assistant Fire Marshal Megan Schuth is now a PhD.}

Speaking of commencement, among our graduates this May was Megan Schuth, an assistant fire marshal and the first woman to hold the position of battalion chief with the Denton Fire Department, who earned a PhD in rhetoric. As a mother of two and a former technical writing instructor, Schuth wanted a credential that supported her passion as a lifelong learner. So she went for it. It was quite an achievement navigating motherhood, school and a full-time job, and we are proud of her for her accomplishment and for the example she set. She is one of many graduates we honored during the commencement season.

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COVID response team honored with keepsake coin

^{Matt Moustakas led our COVID Response Team}

This month, we honored dozens of people within the Texas Woman’s family who were part of an ad hoc team tasked with addressing pandemic-related issues across the university. These individuals, who made up the Coronavirus Core Response team, worked tirelessly since March 2020 contributing to the safety and well-being of the university during the pandemic. To recognize their service, the university held its Inaugural Challenge Coin Presentation. Each team member was honored with a distinctive coin depicting an owl with the university’s logo on one side and the university’s seal on the other. The Challenge Coin, designed by Creative Services Director Renee Thompson, was inspired by the ancient Greek coin of Athens that featured the owl, which was the companion of the mythical warrior goddess, Athena.

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New option for showing TWU spirit

Texas Woman’s has launched a new, officially licensed Amazon store, amazon.com/txwomans, which features men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, including several toddler and infant options. Tailored to the tastes of students, alumni and Pioneer fans everywhere, the new online-only store offers a variety of unique styles and plans to expand options. With fewer people on campus during the summer months, this option makes it easier for Texas Woman’s supporters to show their Pioneer spirit, wherever they are.

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Before I close this installment of Boldly Go, I am sharing an image of a senior tea reception with the President’s Leadership Council, which focuses on leadership development, service and community. We are proud of these young scholars and are excited for the impact they will have in making our world better.

Thanks for your interest in Texas Woman’s. As always, email me with your comments or questions. I am delighted that you have spent a few minutes with me today.

Warm Regards,

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.

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Page last updated 9:46 AM, October 5, 2022