Frequently Asked Questions

Bobcat Pause is an annual event proudly hosted by the Gold Star Society and the Department of Student Involvement. The ceremony honors students, faculty, staff, and retired faculty and staff who have passed away during the preceding year between the beginning of March and the end of February. With this event, Gold Star Society hopes to instill the importance of remembrance and community, and we hope to offer comfort to those who mourn the deceased. It is our compassion and caring for each other that reflect the excellence of our university and what it truly means to be a Bobcat.

The ceremony honors individuals that were classified as current students, current faculty or staff, and retired faculty or staff at the time of their passing. Unfortunately, this means alumni or community members who are connected to Texas State University in other ways are not able to be honored at Bobcat Pause. We are also only able to recognize those who have passed away during the time period for this year's ceremony (March 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023). We offer our deepest condolences for your loss. If you believe we have missed someone that meets the critieria for this year's ceremony, please contact us at sfoundation@txstate.edu. 

You may RSVP at any time up until the day of the event. Attendees that have not submitted the RSVP form will still be able to attend the service. The last day to submit honoree photos to be included in the April 2023 ceremony is Monday, April 3rd. 

Gold Star Society invites all students, faculty, staff, administration, and guests to use the online guest book to submit tributes and comments in honor of deceased loved ones. With your permission, these comments will be posted on this website and may be used during Bobcat Pause Memorial services. Submit your tribute via our Guestbook form. The guestbook submissions will be posted closer to the event.

Photos of your honoree can be submitted through our RSVP form through Monday, April 3rd. After this date, the inclusion of photos in the service cannot be guaranteed. 

Parking will be in the LBJ Student Center Garage. If you choose to park in this garage during the event, we will have parking validations available for community members that do not already have a Texas State University parking pass. More information regarding campus guest and visitor parking is available via Parking Services. 

The ceremony includes remarks by the university president, words of comfort, and a roll call of those being remembered. For families who are able to join us in person, small gifts will be handed out during the ceremony.

There will be a display table set up for each honoree. Families are invited to bring any sort of memorabilia to honor their loved one. Examples include: photos, trophies, flowers, graduation caps, stuffed animals, etc.

A reception will be held prior to the ceremony with light refreshments. A full dinner will not be served.