Texas State president shares cancer diagnosis
University’s longtime leader plans to step down from her post by next spring
SAN ANTONIO — Texas State University’s longtime president, Denise Trauth, has cancer.
Trauth, who has led the university since 2002 and plans to retire by the spring, told faculty and staff of her diagnosis in late August, but the news did not reach the wider public until Friday as the San Antonio Express-News prepared to publish a story on the search for her successor.
“Some of you know that I began a battle with cancer this summer. The diagnosis was alarming and scary,” she said in her August speech. “But what could have been dreadful became bearable because of the love and support I received from the Texas State community. You were so kind to me. And you were so kind to each other as we navigated the pandemic.”
Trauth did not elaborate on her diagnosis or treatment plan and was not immediately available for comment Friday.
She previously announced that she plans to retire next spring.
“Leading this great institution has been the honor of my life,” she said in her August speech. “I am enormously grateful to each one of you — our faculty and staff. Your love of Texas State, your dedication to our students and your commitment to excellence, to hard work and to doing what’s best for the Bobcat family has made my job a joy.”
Trauth’s departure comes at a time of record growth for the San Marcos university. Texas State enrolled its largest number of new students — both undergraduate and graduate — for the fall 2021 semester, surpassing 11,000 for the first time, according to the school.
That included a record-setting freshman enrollment of 6,600 for the 2021 fall semester, a 13 percent increase over the previous year.
In total, Texas State reported a total enrollment of 38,077 students across both the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses for fall 2021.
To begin the search for Trauth’s replacement, a 19-member advisory committee has been formed that includes Texas State faculty, staff, students, alumni and community and business members.
The search committee will recommend a small number of candidates to Texas State Chancellor Brian McCall for his review and consideration. McCall will name a sole finalist to be considered by the Texas State University System’s board of regents next spring.
Trauth said she will remain on the job until her successor begins.