Alumni
2013-2014 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.
2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Dr. Patrick L. Cox ('88)
Distinguished historian specializing in 20th-century American and Texas political history; former associate director of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at UT Austin
Veronica Muzquiz Edwards ('86)
Founder and CEO of InGenesis; named one of the 50 most influential Hispanic business leaders in the country by HispanicBusiness magazine and one of the Top 100 middle market CEOs in the nation by Chief Executive magazine
Robert Grogan ('70)
Advocated for legislation designed to protect and preserve the environment during his career in the Alaska state government; launched a second career as an artist and photographer, with work exhibited throughout the U.S. and in South Africa
John H. McCall ('70)
Co-founder of Farouk Systems, Inc., a company that provides the professional beauty industry with products that meet the underlying principles of education, environment, and ethics
Brigadier General John E. Michel ('87)
Logged more than 3,300 hours as a command pilot and served in support of numerous operations in the Middle East during his military career; author of inspirational books
Dr. Melba J. T. Vasquez ('72)
Thirteenth woman and first Latina to be elected president of the American Psychological Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization of psychologists; author of more than 70 journal articles and book chapters
2013 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
The Honorable Geoffrey S. Connor ('85)
Served as Texas Secretary of State; led foreign trade missions on behalf of Texas; founded Warm Heart International charity performing relief work in Malawi
R. Tom Roddy ('66)
President of Bensco, Inc., and chairman of the board of Lone Star Capital bank; director of the NFL New Orleans Saints and NBA New Orleans Pelicans
Cleofas Rodriguez, Jr. ('91)
President and CEO of
the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce; former executive director
of Texas State Head Start Assoc.; developed Rodriguez & Associates consulting firm addressing early childhood education, public policy, advocacy, and nonprofit management
Virginia Ann Stevens ('72)
Founding president of BioMed SA; plays a key
role in recruiting biomedical companies to San Antonio; raises the visibility of San Antonio’s biomedical sector within the region and on foreign economic missions
Dr. Ken Wilson ('66)
Taught and conducted research at the University of Zurich, Switzerland; established the Kenneth J. and Verena Wilson Asian Faculty/Student Exchange Program; teaches at the Royal University of Phnom Penh
*Deceased