Now that I’m a proud alumni and won’t be updating this, make sure you’re keeping up with these websites at Texas State University:

Texas State Homepage

Associated Student Government

Texas State Alumni Association

Texas State Athletics

Eat ‘Em Up Cats!

Friends,

The readership of this blog has not been up the the level that I would have wished for this year. However, I happily updated the student body of Texas State University and all those interested in the happenings at the school on the hill in my term as Student Body President.

It is quite bitter sweet to finish. In a way it feels as if college never even ended, like I just rolled over in a deep sleep or something. Yet, there are some things I’ve learned that I would like to leave as I venture into the world as a proud alumni of Texas State.

Leadership is service:

There is no other way, there is no other reason to lead except to serve. I’ve seen many leadership styles in my career and over the past year and no attribute is more honest and right that that of selflessness. It is essential to empower others and elevate them to greater things than themselves. This is only possible by putting their needs above your own.

What do you really want?:

My father forwarded me an email from a collaborative project called Crucial Conversations that has stuck with me the whole year. It focused on conflict and negotiation. It is so important when trying to accomplish something to remember what you really want, not what feels good. The importance is the end result, so it is necessary to restrain personal emotions and feelings in order to achieve a greater success that lasts.

Business is Business:

I had to toughen my skin rather quickly this year. I am an emotional guy and sometimes I would let relationships stand in the way of business. I’d either expect something in the business world as a result of a friendship or cave into doing something because I felt a false responsibility to appease those close to me. The bottom line is that the worlds are different, they cannot mesh and it is healthy that way. I had to go up against some close friends and people that I admire, but outside of work, the real relationships remain.

Return is Directly Related to Investment:

We spent a good deal of money this year. Some fee increased my administration supported were opposed by factions of the student body. However, I firmly believe that our investments are worthwhile. Nothing comes of nothing. There must me pioneers to get things in motion. Some initiatives, programs and changes that are coming to Texas State are coming because the Associated Student Government chose this year to lead the way. Reckless spending is stupid, but calculated and measured investment into areas that promise a yield are necessary for a bright future.

You Know What to do:

Not that any of us will ever have it figured out, but I found that most decisions I made this year, especially the right decisions were already inside of me. Though I was very fortunate to have mentors and close friends to help me through tough calls- the gut speaks true 9 times out of 10. If, however, you are true to yourself and willing to let pride go in order to act with integrity.

The World is Run by Those who Show Up:

Sometimes this year I saw that it was that simple. Things are constantly happening around us, many things which shape our surrounding environment. Decisions and direction are decided upon by those who choose to show up. There is a higher responsibility that we have as servants to be present and active in our community because just as our showing up can influence things, so can the presence of those with ill will.

Mentors are Necessary:

This goes both ways. It is necessary to invest into others and be invested into. From my experience this year of having three close mentors whom I met regularly with and having others who sought my opinion and advice, I confidently say that it is absolutely essential to enter into such relationships. The amount of growth, discovery and learning that will come to you as a result of a mentor and mentee relationship will endlessly benefit the way you lead and live.

All Memorable Events Transpire in the Morning:

This could be up for debate, but as a result of the instruction from one of my mentors this year, I rose with the sun or earlier as much as I could this year. Anything that stood in the way of my time in the morning alone had to go. That aloneness and renewal is essential. Thoreau says it best:

All memorable events, I should say, transpire in morning time and in a morning atmosphere. The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” Poetry and art, and the fairest and most memorable of the actions of men, date from such an hour. All poets and heroes, like Memnon, are the children of Aurora, and emit their music at sunrise. To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning. It matters not what the clocks say or the attitudes and labors of men. Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me.

-Excerpted from Walden Chapter 2: “Where I Lived, and What I Lived for”

Quality of Life is Measured by Quality Relationships:

It is certainly evident in the other anecdotes I have written above the importance of this last important statement. In my opinion all things that transpired this year are a result of quality relationships. My father has always told this to me and I found it to ring true. Above all, find friends, mentors and communicate with your family. Though business and relationships must have a healthy distance, business relationships are the only way to get things done. Respect others, invest into them, write thank you notes and put their needs before your own. The yield is immeasurable and invaluable, when it is all said and done the only thing that will matter is the people in your life that care about you as much as you do for them.

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That’s quite a condensed list and I know there are many things that will be uncovered from this year that I don’t even know about yet. I look forward to continued discovery after the privilege of this past year. Thank you specifically to Alexis Dabney, the Vice President, Brett Baker, the Chief of Staff and Sean Wardwell the Executive Assistant. The senate was wonderful and all of the relationships with the Administration certainly sped things along.

I look forward to continuing my relationship with Texas State. But the important thing now is to move on to the next step. It was a pleasure serving and growing with you all this year and I’ll close with the very platform we ran on, the things I still believe and will strive to do.

“Embracing our Heritage, Taking Pride in our Unviersity and Working Towards a Bright Future”

It’s a great day to be a Bobcat!

Reagan Pugh
Texas State University class of 2008

*Follow the rest of my journey at goodpancreas.com.

Bobcats,

If you haven’t yet, check out FetchMyBooks.com to find the cheapest textbooks possible for the summer and fall. It was built by Texas State Students to help you get cheaper books.

Join the facebook group here!

The next President and Vice President of the Associated Student Government are:

Candidate	Votes	Percent
Brett A Baker	2396	57.51%

Candidate	Votes	Percent
Jason J Moore	2434	58.62%

Congrats to the both of them, we look forward to the next year of ASG leadership!

You can see the official results here.

Bobcats,

It is essential that you vote today, senators were elected, but we still need a President and Vice President!

Presidential Candidates are Brett Baker and Courtney Strange.

Vice Presidential Candidates are Jason Moore and CJ Morgan.

Vote for one of each here!