Alumni
2010-2012 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.
2012 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Dr. Linda Gregg Fields ('66 & '12)*
Philanthropist for numerous nonprofits and Texas State; essential supporter for the establishment of significant projects for Texas State, including Bobcat Stadium West Side Complex and the Strutters’ Gallery; funded an endowed chair and two Excellence in Professorship Awards
Dr. Kathleen Fite ('69 & '70)
Leader in education and lifelong children’s advocate; past board member for the Association for Childhood Education International; named a Gesell International Ambassador; author of two books about the Texas State Strutters
Dr. Darcy Walsh Hardy ('82 & '83)
Leads a team of nationally recognized experts in higher education, K-12, e-learning and distance education, information technology, open source technologies, outcomes and assessment, and analytics
Dr. Paul Phillips III ('77)
Colonel in the Army Reserves; served in Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan in support of U.S. service members and humanitarian missions
Dr. Jill D. Pruetz ('89)
Specializes in behavior and ecology of primates; one of only nine “Emerging Explorers” named by the National Geographic Society in 2008
S. Blake Ratcliff ('84)
Manager for external integration within the International Space Station (ISS) program, responsible for negotiating and managing multibillion-dollar agreements for goods and services supporting the ISS
2011 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Connie R. Arnold ('60 & '62)
One of the most respected marine biologists in the nation, and founder of the Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory at the UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas
Micheal E. Bowman ('78)
President of Hunt and Hunt Ltd., a leading producer of tools for the oil and gas industry worldwide
Karen A. Chisum ('72 & '78)
Ranked sixth among active NCAA Division I volleyball coaches; coach of the Texas State Bobcat Volleyball team for 33 years
Jeff D. Foster ('09)
Former National Basketball Association player for the Indiana Pacers for 13 years
Thomas R. Kowalski ('78)
President and CEO of Austin-based Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute – leading advocate of the bioscience industry in the state
2010 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Major General John Howard Burris ('56)
Attained highest rank possible during 38 years in the Air Force Reserve, while he maintained his law practice and his ranching business
Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge ('78)
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, overseeing 90 congregations, 27 schools, 25,000 members, and 200 clergy, as well as world mission partnerships with other countries
Vernon McDonald ('52 & '54)*
Basketball star as a student and became a legendary basketball coach for the Bobcats
Daymon Muehl ('61)*
Enjoyed a 34-year career with Humble Oil and Refining Company, ultimately serving as national advertising coordinator for ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest corporations
*Deceased