John Cody Stalsby | Photographer

Tens of thousands of tourists will flock to Austin’s annual South By Southwest (SXSW) music, film and interactive festival next week, leaving minimal impact on San Marcos.

Adriana Cruz, president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP), said San Marcos does not experience a “substantial increase” in tourism during the 10-day festival. Cruz and Mike Kamerlander, vice president of GSMP, will attend SXSW to represent the city and the GSMP.

Fine arts programs continue to evolve with a variety of majors and minors to choose from as Texas State increases. 

Thomas Clark, director of the School of Music, said he has watched the school grow since coming to Texas State in 2008.  Changes to the program included recent building renovations and the addition of the Performing Arts Center.

"When I started here, we had music courses and activities going on in three different buildings," Clark said. “The School of Music has a very respected sound recording technology program, and the laboratory space for that is in an old fire station that was renovated into a recording studio—a whole complex area of studios."

Clark said the music program is now housed in seven different buildings across campus.

The patter of footsteps grew in size and sound, and audience members could feel the campus connect as students marched forward in unity.

Texas State celebrated the 30th annual Power Of Unity march Tuesday night in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday was officially on Monday, but the celebratory spirit remained with the students of Texas State along with the message of togetherness that was sent over 50 years ago.

Martin Luther King Jr. famously campaigned for unity of the American people by promoting equal rights, an idea that once seemed impossible to spread.

Ashley Kerlin, nursing sophomore, said she was excited to be a part of the MLK event and further his mission.

Senior Jake New hums a tune ranging from Loreen’s "Crying Out Your Name" to Conchita Wust’s "Rise Like a Phoenix" that's been stuck in his head as he waits for gear and wires to be checked.

Then the referee yells "En garde!"   

That's when everything goes into attack mode for Jake. He lunges forward with only one thing in mind—hit him first. He collects himself and tries to determine what his opponent may possibly do.

New’s anxiety begins when he is on the fencing strip. He hums to combat his anxiety.

This is what New experiences at every fencing event. It wasn't always like this. There was a time when he felt he'd never get the opportunity to fence.

The recent renovations completed on Old Main have earned the architect and construction companies responsible a regional award

The South Texas chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. awarded Brown Reynolds Watford Architects and Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, both Dallas-area companies, the 2014 Excellence in Construction Award for their work on Old Main.

The most important part of Old Main’s restoration was repairing wear and tear on the sides of the building and its signature maroon roof, said Bill Nance, vice president of Finance and Support Services.