July 19th, 2015
Governor names Texas State University System student regent

FROM STAFF REPORTS

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Spencer Copeland, a Sam Houston State University graduate student, to a one-year term as the Texas State University System’s student regent.

Copeland, a San Antonio native who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, is currently seeking a master’s degree in homeland security from Sam Houston. As an undergraduate, he was president of the Associated Student Government and an “Orange Key” student ambassador for the university. His term as student regent ends next May 31.

Legislation carried in the upper chamber by then-State Sen. Jeff Wentworth in 2005 created non-voting positions reserved for students on the boards of regents that govern the state’s public universities and university systems.

Since 2006, 10 students have held the Texas State system position including four from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, four from Texas State University in San Marcos, one from Lamar University in Beaumont and one from Sul Ross State University in Alpine. The Austin-based Texas State University System includes five universities, two colleges and a technical institute.

Texas State University System student regents

COVER: Austin Hall AT the Sam Houston State University campus in Huntsville. Completed in 1852 for Austin College — later relocated to Sherman — the building pre-dates Sam Houston Normal School by 27 years. SAM HOUSTON STATE MARKETING PHOTO

CORRECTION 11:49 JULY 20: The list of former regents originally omitted Texas State University student William Clayton Patterson who served as student regent between May 2009 and May 2010. Also, the list originally misstated the date of Nicole Lozano’s appointment. She served between May 2008 and May 2009.