Alumni
2002-2004 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.
2004 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
John Beck ('61)
President of Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities; executive board, National Council of Professors of Educational Administration
Dottie St. Clair Hill ('65)
Named an Outstanding Educator of America; twice recognized as Outstanding Citizen of Texas; Top 25 Brokers in America
Bobby Patton ('62 & '63)
Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas State University; National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame; president and Hall of Fame of the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association
Gregg Roberts ('74)
Founder, chairman, faculty of two Environmental Risk Institutes; developed The Environmental Risk Management professional curriculum, a nationally recognized program
for environmental professionals; served on various government panels, recognized by U.S. Senate
Ralph Rushing ('69 & '71)
Pioneer in the development of student loan financing for higher education; instrumental
in creation of Higher Education Authorities
Karen Thompson ('85)
Chief Technologist of the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center; leads all the Center’s Research and Technology
2003 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Dan Bates ('66)
President and CEO of Southwest Research Institute, one of the largest not-for-profit applied research institutes in the country
Jim T. Brown ('61)
Honored as Worthy Grand Master, the highest national office of Kappa Sigma fraternity; management and philanthropic efforts recognized nationwide
Tony Dieste ('88)
Chairman and co-founder of Dieste, Inc. (NYSE: OMC); recognized as pioneer and leader in U.S. multicultural marketing and advertising; named one of 100 most influential Latinos in the U.S. and AdSTAR by American Advertising Federation
James Rogers ('85)*
2002 inductee into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame; received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Gary Woods ('65)
President/CEO Red McCombs Enterprises; presided over NBA franchise San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets
2002 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Shelton Padgett ('70)*
One of the top trial lawyers in the nation, arguing before the Supreme Court; top 1 percent of legal professionals as a Best Lawyer in America
Rick J. Short ('77)
Served the World Health Organization through the revision of International Classification of Impairment, Disabilities and Handicaps
Bill Squires ('72 & '76)
With an international team, helped develop the first formal NASA exercise space flight protocol; Group Award for Advanced Space
Suit Design
Marsha Wills-Karp ('80 & '82)
Major contributions to the understanding of immunological factors of asthma; named one of the top 1,000 scientists in the world
*Deceased