Alumni
1972-1975 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by Texas State University and the Texas State Alumni Association. The award recognizes graduates who have achieved prominence and distinction in their chosen business, profession, or life work on a national or international level. The leadership shown by these alumni inspires all members of the Texas State community.
1975 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
John Dailey ('36)*
Developed behavioral profile for airline hijackers for the Federal Aviation Administration; received the FAA Flight Safety Award in 1972
Debs Hensley ('41)*
Regional director of personnel for the U.S. Postal Service, responsible for a territory that included five states
Henry "Pete" Shands ('24)*
Lifetime member of Texas State Teachers Association; named to the Helms Hall of Fame for outstanding basketball achievement
1974 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
C.E. "Curley" Doyle ('31 & '40)*
U.S. Air Force colonel and chief of Publicity Division at the Pentagon during the Korean conflict; member of National Youth Administration
Bryan Wildenthal ('25)*
General assistant to the director of operations of the American Red Cross during WWI; president of Angelo State College and Sul Ross State College
Bertha Leifeste ('30)*
Pioneer in the field of early childhood education; developed various programs for the National College of Education
Joseph T. Roberts ('29)*
Senior medical consultant to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C.; heart specialist
1973 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Fred W. Adams ('12)*
President and chairman of the Adams Extract Company, founded by his father; established the campus newspaper, The Normal Star (now The University Star) in 1911
John G. Flowers ('13)*
One of the founders and president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; third president of Southwest Texas State College
Harper H. Bass ('35)*
Served on General Agents’ National Executive Committee for Massachusetts Mutual Insurance; president of the Texas Association of Life Underwriters
J.R. "Bob" Thornton ('34)*
Member of the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve; held various offices in state professional organizations
Jack Edwards ('43)*
President of the Oral Rehabilitation Seminar of the Southwest; recipient of the 1954 Cooley Award; president of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry
1972 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Raymond Cavness ('25)*
District governor of Rotary International; Who’s Who in America; helped change Angelo State University from a two-year school to a four-year school
Milton Jowers ('35 & '40)*
Member of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame; basketball and football coach at Southwest Texas from 1946-1972
*Deceased