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Dwayne Goetzel: Launching a Life

December 12, 2014

For ASU alum Dwayne Goetzel (Class of 1986), enrolling in Angelo State was the first step on the road to becoming a successful lawyer and international traveler.

Why did you choose to attend Angelo State University?

When I was in high school, my parents sat me down and said, “Son, you can attend any college that you can afford to pay for.” That certainly provided plenty of incentive for me to look not only for a quality university, but also for one that was economically feasible.

I did not know much about Angelo State, but my father, who was a high school teacher, told me that ASU had an excellent reputation and a low student-teacher ratio, plus it had a superb academic scholarship program. I was fortunate to graduate as the valedictorian of Tivy High School in 1982, and as it turned out, I received a full Carr Scholarship to ASU. Without the support of the Carr Scholarship program, I really do not know what I would have done.

While the scholarship took care of the immediate financial concern, I was still thinking that I would attend ASU for a year or two, and then transfer to a larger “brand name” school. After my father and I visited the ASU campus, however, I was sold. I liked the facilities, the ease of getting around, the friendliness of the other students, and the fact that I would not be “just another number.”

After I had been at ASU for a while, I learned that the professors not only taught their own classes, they actually made it a point to genuinely get to know their students and to help them try to succeed. By the time I was finished with my first semester at ASU, there was no more thought or discussion of transferring, as I absolutely loved where I was.



Name a professor who made a difference in your education. How did he/she help you?

As a liberal arts major (history and German), I got to know my history and language professors extremely well. Their dedication to the teaching profession, and more broadly, in getting us to learn to think, was inspiring, and for me in particular, life-changing. I took every history course that I could with Dr. Charles Endress and every German course possible from Dr. Otto Tetzlaff. By the beginning of my fourth year, the professors in the History, English and Modern Languages departments not only knew me, they actively looked for opportunities for me, and would say that I should apply for this particular writing contest, or that particular speaking engagement. They also brought up the possibility of applying for a Rotary International Graduate Scholarship, which would enable me to study for a year in Germany, all expenses paid. I had dreamed of such, but never thought I would be able to actually live and study abroad. I applied, went through the interviews, and was awarded a full scholarship. Dr. Endress and Dr. Tetzlaff, as well as Dr. Phil Holcomb with the English department, served as my references and were invaluable in obtaining that scholarship.

What academic and/or career opportunities did ASU provide for you?

I ultimately received the Presidential Award from Angelo State, and after graduating, I spent a year in Marburg, Germany, where I traveled all around the country and Europe in general, studying German law and absorbing history, language and culture on a daily basis. I made friends that I am in touch with to this day, and the overall experience was not only one of the highlights of my entire academic career, it was one that I would not trade for anything.

After returning home, I attended the University of Texas School of Law, which at the time was one of the top 10 law schools in the entire country. My grades from Angelo State and the references from my ASU professors allowed me to gain admittance to a school that I never would have thought possible just a few years previously. As time has slipped by over the years, I have become more and more aware of the debt of gratitude I owe to Angelo State and the dedicated, tireless professors there who taught me how to think, to use my time wisely, to try, succeed and achieve, and to work for a better purpose.

How did ASU prepare you for your current position?

I have been very fortunate in finding a career in intellectual property law that combines my interests, allows me to learn something new every day, and gives me the opportunity to be of use to society as a whole. I take great pride in what I do, and it has thrilled me to be the one who was able to register Angelo State University’s various trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. None of my accomplishments would have been possible, though, without the educational foundation that I received at Angelo State University. The strength of that educational foundation is because of professors who taught, who cared, who were actively involved in their students’ academic lives, and who sought out various opportunities for students such as me. As a result, I would match the quality of education that I received against that received by anyone, anywhere.

Where was your favorite place on campus and why?

Between library and history department, people-watching, talking with friends, waiting for class to begin.

What student groups or activities were you involved with as a student?

History, Modern Languages, Intramural Sports

What was one of your most memorable experiences as a student?

Being selected as the Presidential Award winner, and getting a Rotary International Graduate Scholarship to Germany.

What was your favorite thing about being an ASU student?

Being at a school where professors took interest in me, got to know me, and actively sought to help me learn, grow and be a better person.

What would you say to prospective students who are considering attending ASU?

When I decided to attend Angelo State University, I was hoping for a decent education that I could afford. In looking back, I realize just how lucky I was. ASU was more than just home for four years. In addition to the broadening of my horizons and the opening of my educational awareness, my time at Angelo State was an investment in opportunity, which has yielded dividends for me far in excess of what I could have imagined at the time. I thought Angelo State University would be good for me; I did not know that it would be great. I chose ASU, but to a certain extent, it chose me. And for that, I am fortunate and grateful.