Perry taps UTSA prof to crunch Texas data
April 30, 2008
Gov. Rick Perry appointed Karl Eschbach of San Antonio as the new state demographer Tuesday, putting the University of Texas at San Antonio associate professor in charge of distributing census information for the state.
Written by Jeorge Zarazua, San Antonio Express-News
Karl Eschbach
Gov. Rick Perry appointed Karl Eschbach of San Antonio as the new state demographer Tuesday, putting the University of Texas at San Antonio associate professor in charge of distributing census information for the state.
Eschbach replaces Steve Murdock, who resigned last year after President Bush named him director of the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Senate confirmed Murdock's appointment in December.
Eschbach will serve as Texas' official demographer for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor, said Perry spokeswoman Krista Piferrer.
“I'm looking forward to the challenge and I'm obviously honored and pleased,” Eschbach said in a telephone interview from Austin. “Texas is an interesting state. It's at the forefront of changes going on in the country, and it's an exciting opportunity to have.”
He said he looks forward to the opportunity of providing quality information and analysis to business and civic leaders so they can respond to the implications of changing demographics.
As state demographer, Eschbach will continue to serve as director of the Texas State Data Center, which is housed at UTSA.
Piferrer said the governor selected Eschbach because of his “wealth of experience” in demography, as well as being a distinguished professor in that field.
Eschbach has been an associate professor at the university's Department of Demography and Organization Studies since August. He also is a past board member of the Texas Economic and Demographic Association and past caucus chairman of the American Public Health Association.
“UTSA is proud to be the home of the Texas state demographer, and I wish Karl continued success,” said UTSA President Ricardo Romo in a prepared statement. “By selecting Dr. Eschbach, the governor chose an outstanding professional and brilliant researcher and also has provided educational opportunities for graduate students in our applied demography doctoral degree program.”
Eschbach, who earned a doctorate in sociology from Harvard University, becomes only the second demographer the state has had.
Murdock became the first when Perry appointed him to the position in September 2001 after the 77th Texas Legislature created the office of Texas State Demographer.
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