Author D.T. Max discusses his new biography on David Foster Wallace April 12 at the Witliff Collections.

Author D.T. Max’s new biography “Every Love Story is a Ghost Story” chronicles the life of “Infinite Jest” writer David Foster Wallace. The book is the first of its kind, filled with grammar, bandanas, antidepressants, irony and love. Max spoke about the mark Wallace left on the world Friday in the Wittliff Collections while on tour to promote his book.

In a dystopian future city, the rich and poor are divided by one bizarre law—everyone must pay to use the restroom, and there are no private bathrooms.

This is the premise of “Urinetown,” the latest play to be performed by the Department of Theatre and Dance, opening Tuesday.

Incorporating both politics and humor, “Urinetown” is a satire about what happens when water becomes a scarce resource, making using the restroom an expensive activity. 

“It’s also a challenge to the audience of ‘Who’s really evil, who’s really right, who’s really wrong?’ because the people have one point of view, and the rich have another,” said Betty Muessig, musical theatre junior. “It definitely challenges the audience.”

Muessig plays Penelope Pennywise, a member of the elite who deals with the poor and the toilets as public
amenities.

Members of the Diamond Way Buddhist Group on campus explore their spirituality every Thursday in the LBJ Student Center.

Sergio Ayala, an anthropology staff specialist and traveling Buddhist teacher, typically gives lessons in Buddhist ways at the meetings. The weekly program is designed to teach people the goal of Buddhism, what it is, and what it is not. 

“Buddhism is one of the major religions that has its basis in experience and one of not really going after numbers,” Ayala said. “People arrive at their own intuitive questions and insights and usually find Buddhism if it’s a right fit for them.” 

Ayala said the religion is not very widespread on campus, but it is fitting to a university environment because of its philosophical basis. 

“Buddhism is really about getting that inner power, strength and independence and bringing those inner qualities out,” he said. 

At the Official Texas State Ring Ceremony students keep the tradition alive by dipping their ring in a fountain of water from the San Marcos River April 9 at Strahan Coliseum.

After years of late nights, long walks to class and caffeine-fueled study sessions, the upperclassmen of Texas State celebrated its success Tuesday by attending the traditional ring ceremony held at the end of each semester. 

The biannual ceremony held at Strahan Coliseum is a time when upperclassmen can invite their loved ones to campus to watch them receive their official Texas State class rings.

One campus organization acts as the face of Texas State, always prepared to explain why, as they say, “It’s a great day to be a Bobcat.” 

The University Ambassadors is a chartered volunteer organization of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Alumni Association. They are responsible for giving tours and organizing Bobcat Days, among other duties. 

University Ambassadors represent the university and dedicate their time to sharing pride for the school. The organization members are known as “The Forty Faces of Texas State.” 

“University Ambassadors is one of the most important organizations here at Texas State because it is ultimately the gateway for every potential Bobcat,” said Paige Vaughn, public relations sophomore. 

Vaughn said she has learned leadership skills and become more confident through the organization. 

The 2013 All-Student Juried Exhibition opened April 8 to showcase selected student works.

The artistic works of Texas State students were celebrated Monday in University Gallery 2 at the 2013 All-Student Juried Exhibition, an annual competition exhibit for art and design students.

The opening ceremony kicked off in the Joann Cole Mitte Building at 5 p.m. with the opening of the exhibit and went on until 7 p.m. Students, including the featured artists, their parents and friends were able to wander about the gallery and observe a selection of the collection of student pieces.

Markus Bonilla, music education freshman, Michelle Bernard, english sophomore, Shallan Johnson, communication studies sophomore, and Lynn Bataillon, communication design sophomore, dance to music April 4 at SACA's masquarave held at George's.

Under the dim lights of George’s in the LBJ Student Center and the illumination of neon glow sticks, Texas State students danced the night away to the steady thump of the DJ’s speakers. 

The Student Association for Campus Activities held its Masquerave event Thursday for students to participate in free of charge. 

Every other Friday some Texas State students visit the City of Resonance, a modern-day mythical place where vampire clans, soul-eating priests and spies run amok. 

The “voice from the drainage ditch” calls to them under the light of the San Marcos moon to participate in this no-contact, vampire live action role-playing game (V-LARP). 

Members of the Texas State Interactive Story Telling Society work to develop psychologically intriguing collaborative narrative nights behind the LBJ Student Center, sometimes playing in Boko’s Lounge. They use the “Laws of the Night” and “Vampire: The Masquerade” series of books as references.

“Our players are so good at getting into character that their characters will make a decision that I know for a fact they themselves would never make,” said Robert de la Garza, theatre sophomore. 

The country band Gloriana will be playing April 18 at Riverfest, a large music festival put on by the Student Association for Campus Activities. The band is comprised of guitarists Tom Gossin and Mike Gossin, mandolin player Cheyenne Kimball and lead vocalist Rachel Reinert.

The University Star spoke with Reinert about the band and its upcoming performance. 

FR: What songs will you be playing at Riverfest?

RR: You know, I don’t really know yet. Usually we just choose our set list the day of, and it depends on what the venue’s like and what we’re feeling. But we’ll definitely be playing a lot of covers, a lot of songs from the new record and some songs from our first record as well.

FR: What is the main message you’re trying to get out to fans with your songs?

George Walden, management senior, is president of Student Theory. It is a new organization where students can talk about their passions and motivate others.

Some students have taken the stage to express their passions and share ideas through a new student organization.

The organization, Student Theory, had its first event Thursday night in the Centennial Teaching Theater. 

“It’s an organization of the students, by the students and for the students,” said George Walden, founder of Student Theory.