Alumni
1984-1989 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.
1989 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Barry Andrews ('69)
Owner of Andrews Distributing Company; served in numerous capacities through various industry organizations and is politically active in support of the industry within the state of Texas and nationally
William C. Newberry ('53)*
Nationally known motivational and humorous speaker and writer; recognized by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals
Emmett Shelton, Sr. ('25)*
Land planner for city of West Lake Hills and the Emmett Shelton Bridge, which connected the city with Austin; oral history scholar; attorney; poet
1988 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Powers Boothe ('70)*
Emmy Award-winning actor in film, television, and theater; 1981 NATO New Star of the Year; Texas Film Hall of Fame; Walk of Western Stars; Golden Boot Award
York Willbern ('34)*
President of the American Society for Public Administration; Phi Beta Kappa; American Political Science Association
1987 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Gerald Hill ('70)
State of Texas representative, District
49; named one of Texas Monthly’s 10 Best Legislators; national director of Jaycees
W. C. Perry ('38)*
Leadership role at all levels of the Student Personnel Association; vice president for Student Affairs at Baylor University
Roy Willbern ('38, '44 & '87)*
Attorney; established San Jacinto Savings Association; widely published in Christian education; noted speaker
1986 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Richard B. Henderson ('49)*
Author of award-winning biography Maury Maverick, recognized as an established model for political biographies; professor
Vann M. Kennedy ('25)*
Served on National Association of Broadcasters committees; CBS Television Affiliates Advisory Board; founded Corpus Christi Broadcasting Company
Dr. George Strait ('79 & '06)
Internationally known singer, actor, and country music entertainer; named the Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music
1985 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
William "Henry" Norris ('40)*
Nationally known biologist and educator; chairman of the American Society of Plant Physiologists; president, Conference of Academic Deans
1984 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Burnard S. Biggs ('27)*
Vice president in charge of the Livermore branch of the Sandia Corporation; helped produce a general-purpose synthetic rubber
*Deceased