Frequently Asked Questions

Bobcat Pause is an annual event proudly hosted by the Dean of Students Office. 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, we hope 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, 2023 - February 29, 2024). We offer our deepest condolences for your loss. If you believe we have missed someone that meets the criteria for this year's ceremony, please contact us at dosoffice@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 2024 ceremony is Friday, April 5, 2024. 

Photos of your honoree can be submitted through our RSVP form through Friday, April 5, 2024. After this date, the inclusion of photos in the service cannot be guaranteed. If you have already RSVPed, but would like to send a photo, you may email it to the Dean of Students Office at dosoffice@txstate.edu. 

Parking will be in the LBJ Student Center Garage (704 Gaillardia Street). 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, a musical performance, and a roll call of those being remembered. For families who are able to join us in person, a small gift 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.