Alumni
1976-1979 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.
1979 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
R.H. Bing ('35)*
Award of Distinguished Service in 1974 by the Mathematical Association of America; president of the American Mathematical Society
James A. Littleton ('49)*
Presented seminars to National Association of Basketball Coaches; two- time Texas High School Coach of the Year
Yancy P. Yarbrough ('24)*
Held state and national offices in Secondary Principals Association; educator; school administrator; San Marcos High School principal
1978 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Emory D. Bellard ('49)*
Received Academy of American Football award as the inventor of the wishbone offense; named Coach of the Year by The Sporting News
Leon Kelly Frels ('66)
President of National Organization on Legal Problems of Education; chairman of the National School Board Association, Council of School Attorneys
1977 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Joe Frazier Brown ('38)*
Judge, Texas Supreme Court; Texas Criminal Justice Council; National Advisory Council; prominent in establishing National Corrections Academy
Claud H. Kellam ('23)*
Helped organize the Texas High School Coaches Association; member, Hall of Honor, Texas High School Coaches Association
Leslie C. McDonald ('21)*
Held offices in national and state Retired Teachers Association; World War I veteran; educator; school administrator
1976 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Lewis Gilcrease ('53 & '55)*
Became the first Southwest Texas graduate to be drafted into the National Basketball Association, in 1953 to the Boston Celtics
Henry Pochmann ('23)*
Founder and chairman of the American Literature Group of the Modern Language Association; authority on American and German- American literature
Sidney C. Hughes ('39)*
Responsible for maintaining and staffing LBJ’s Texas White House; served on the General Service Commission
Jerry L. Moore, Sr. ('48 & '51)*
Numerous national awards and national Top Club President, Southwestern Life Insurance; lifetime member, Million Dollar Round Table; noted educator; founder, Central Texas Higher Education Authority
*Deceased