Today@Sam Article

SHSU Student Recognized By Board Of Regents

Nov. 29, 2022
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

The Texas State University System Board of Regents awarded Sam Houston State University music performance major Mateo Seghezzo the Regents’ Student Scholar Award.

One student from each TSUS university is nominated by the president of their university and selected by the chancellor based on outstanding academic achievement, scholarship, leadership abilities and contributions to the institution and community. Regents then select one to four students to receive the award; two students received the honor this year.

Seghezzo is training to perform Baroque music on the marimba, a unique percussionist twist on classical music, and is expected to graduate in spring of 2023. Originally from Argentina, he came to SHSU to pursue his passion for jazz music that started from childhood and was bolstered by family concerts held when his relatives from Switzerland came to visit.

“This growing jazz passion brought me to the U.S.,” Seghezzo said. “That’s the cradle of Jazz, that’s where it was born, that’s where the industry is, that’s where the best are.”

The exchange rate between the Argentine peso and dollar presented a challenge to Seghezzo’s desire to attend college in America and has made scholarships and financial aid essential to pursuing his college career. Thanks to the financial assistance and support from professors and mentors, he has been able to focus on his coursework and join multiple student organizations such as the Orange Keys, the Collegiate Percussion Association, the Bearkat Orientation Team and the International Student Association.

Seghezzo said he felt receiving the award was a longshot when he applied and credits his work with the Orange Keys for receiving it.

“It just felt awesome,” he said. “We had the Board of Regents meeting here this past year at the end of the semester, so I had a chance to get to know them and I think that helped a lot.”

He also believes his level of campus participation may have potentially set him apart from others who applied for the award.

“A lot of times, as part of the International Student Organization, I saw how international students don’t really feel comfortable getting involved like an American student would because they are not used to having all of these organizations in school,” Seghezzo said.

No matter the case, he is grateful that his involvement on campus provided him with the opportunity to receive the Regents’ Scholar Award, which includes a $5,000 credit for educational expenses. This assistance will enable Seghezzo to continue his studies and start his pursuit of a master’s degree off on the right foot.

“This is helping me to keep doing what I really love without having to dedicate half my time to becoming financially stable, so I am really grateful,” he said.

The TSUS Regents outlined Seghezzo’s accomplishments in the official resolution of award which included maintaining a 4.0 grade point average since 2019, winning first place in SHSU’s instrumental concerto competition, the Fisher Tull Endowed Scholarship, Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Scholarship, Ellen Happe Phillips Music Scholarship, Texas Higher Education Coordination Board’s Good Neighbor Scholarship.

Also listed were his positions held in campus organizations including event coordinator of the International Student Organization, vice president of the Orange Keys, member of the student orientation team, member of the Collegiate Percussion Association.

Lastly, he has also been an active member and performer in multiple music ensembles including the wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, jazz lab band, percussion group, symphonic band, SHSU opera, Bearkat Marching Band, Angry Orange Basketball Band, and commencement band.

Seghezzo was officially recognized, received the resolution and a medallion commemorating his achievements during the Nov. 18, meeting of the TSUS Board of Regents.

Mateo Seghezzo’s debut marimba concerto performance with the SHSU Wind Ensemble:

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