TUESDAY
February 28, 2023 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 23 www.UniversityStar.com
MILESTONE
Former TXST professor turns 100 By Nichaela Shaheen News Editor
Roberto Galván receives his 100th birthday cake, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at his house.
On Franklin Drive in San Marcos, Texas, stands a house full of memories from Roberto Galván’s 100-year journey of life. An extensive vinyl collection, shelves full of books and portraits of loved ones take up space on the walls, displaying the generations of love and familial pride that Roberto has lived through. On Saturday, Roberto celebrated his 100th birthday and Mayor Jane
Hughson declared Feb. 25 as Dr. Roberto A. Galván Day. A parade made up of community members, the San Marcos Police and Fire Departments, The Lion's Club, members of St. John's Catholic Church and Roberto's neighbors filled the streets in cars and on foot to celebrate his milestone birthday.
SEE MILESTONE PAGE 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY LUNA
SERVICE
San Marcos resident returns from relief trip to Ukraine By Lucciana Choueiry News Contributor On Feb. 24, 2022, like the rest of the world, San Marcos resident John Meeks watched the news of the RussiaUkraine war unfold from home. Upon seeing the suffering of the Ukrainian people, he went on a monthlong humanitarian relief trip with Samaritan’s Purse to Kyiv, Ukraine, from Nov. 9-Dec. 7, 2022. Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational Christian organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Blake Welch, Samaritan’s Purse’s regional manager for Ukraine, is responsible for supporting the organization’s country office that’s operating in different Ukrainian cities. “What we’ve been doing is just responding to the humanitarian crisis (top) Samaritan's Purse employee tends to a displaced Ukrainian, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Ukraine. (left) Samaritan's Purse [in Ukraine] because people have been employee helps an injured girl, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Ukraine. (right) John Meeks (right) and his wife Karen Meeks (left) suffering there for a year now,” Welch treat civilians, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Ukraine. said. “Most of what we do is taking place along the front lines of far eastern PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN MEEKS Ukraine where the greatest need in the was something more I could do’ and During his business career, John was and daily office operations, you know country is.” he said ‘John, Samaritan’s Purse needs based in Jakarta, Indonesia, among operative kind of tasks. They can It wasn’t until John met with a people with international business other countries in Asia. He gained transfer those skills and jump in to friend, who had just returned from experience.’ So the next day I filled out experience in negotiating cross-border help with the program,” Welch said. another month-long relief trip with an 11-page resume and went through transactions and international finance, “A lot of the people on our rosters are Samaritan’s Purse in Ukraine, that he a rigorous interview process that lasted making him a great applicant for involved in all areas of expertise. It’s all knew there was something he could do several months,” John said. “It was a Samaritan’s Purse and its relief efforts. hands on deck.” to help. really daunting process to be accepted “Somebody with a business SEE SERVICE PAGE 2 “I told my friend ‘man I wish there into the volunteer program.” background could help with finance
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Taylor cements historic Bobcat career By Kobe Arriaga Sports Reporter Texas State women's basketball has a rich history of success and excellence, both on and off the court. Graduate guard Kennedy Taylor has been one of the best playmakers in the Sun Belt Conference throughout her career, constantly showcasing what it truly means to be a Bobcat athlete. Working hard both on the court and in the classroom is what’s most important to Taylor, and her work speaks for itself. Taylor has been on the receiving end of multiple accolades in the Sun Belt Conference and within her academic studies. Texas State graduate guard Kennedy Taylor drives the ball down the court, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at Strahan Arena. PHOTO BY SARAH MANNING
Standing at 5-foot-3-inches, Taylor is considered an undersized guard in the game of basketball but it doesn’t restrict her ability to score, pass and defend players on an elite level. Taylor said that she always believed in heart over height. Head coach Zenarae Antoine believes that she's improved defensively over the years, and she can still thrive in other areas which combine to make her a unique player. “She’s feisty, I mean how many times have you seen her go up against a 6-foot-4 kid and just snatch that ball,” Antoine said. “It’s no surprise to us and the people that know her that she plays much bigger than what you can visually see.”
SEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE 8