There were times I didn’t think I would make it, but my long journey through college is finally coming to an end. Soon, myself alongside my fellow Bobcats and friends will don our black gowns and silly hats and proudly walk the stage.

Texas State President Denise Trauth announced the university would become a tobacco-free campus effective August 1. Texas State will become the largest university in Texas and the third four-year institution in the state to adopt a tobacco-free policy.

Trauth said in a press release the decision was based on staff, faculty and students wants in addition to health concerns.

“This tobacco-free policy will help to reduce health risks and create a healthier and safer university,” Trauth said.

     Students serving students — that is what The University Star is all about. And if the tons of awards the Star just won are any indication, the students are being served very well.

     The University Star brought home 33 awards — 29 off-site and four on-site at the 2011 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference/competition.

The University Star won 13 awards this year from the Society of Professional Journalists — the most in our publication's history. These awards are for Region 8, which encompasses Oklahoma and Texas.

              I proudly present to you the Spring 2011 editorial board of The University Star. We have three new faces and two old ones that have switched positions. I made the announcement in our last Glimpse into the newsroom podcast (note: shameless plug), but the blog was a surprise hit last time (maybe it was just the pictures), and I figured we’d do this again.

ASG president Mel Ferrari vetoed the senate's controversial handgun legislation Wednesday. The senate passed legislation that disagreed with Texas State's current policy against allowing people with concealed carry licenses to carry firearms into classrooms. Thus, the vote was in favor of handguns in classrooms. Below is Ferrari's official concealed carry memorandm.

The University Star, like every newspaper, has its ups and downs. Our mistakes are made in front of thousands and possibly immortalized on the Internet. However, our triumphs typically go unnoticed.

I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the talent at The Star. This week we had two photos place in the national Associated Collegiate Press photo excellence contest. Out of the 938 entries and 30 winners from universities across the nation, two were from The Star.

He calls it a Gesamtkunstwerk — a total work of art.

Samuel Mungo, director of opera studies, is taking a somewhat unconventional approach to teaching an art form that has been around for more than 400 years. He is trying to dispel the image of opera being a “fat lady in a Viking helmet” and is focusing on teaching students acting.

People closing their eyes while taking in the opera music is not uncommon, Mungo said, but he wants to change that.