Alumni
2020-2021 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.
2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Coach Stacy Chessher-Fowler ('79)
Served as the Colorado State Coordinator for the President's Challenge, Vice President of the National Association for Health and Fitness, and on the faculty of the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Bob R. Covey ('69)
Served on the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees and the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce. Past director of the Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards and serves as Second Vice President on the Texas Association of School Boards Board of Directors.
2020 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees
Dr. Deborah Bergeron ('87)
Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation for the National Head Start Association (NHSA). NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children, 245,000 staff, and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the United States.
Mrs. Gloria Campos Brown ('76)
Elected to the National Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s Hall of Fame in 2012. She received the American Women in TV/ Broadcast News Award of Excellence (2010) and was named the Fort Worth Star Telegram’s Reader’s Choice Best TV Newswoman (2007).
Mr. John L. Navarrette ('87)
President of CenturyTel Investments of Texas Inc. He oversees South Texas Region Operations for CenturyLink’s South Texas District properties in Port Aransas, Pettus, Pawnee, Charco, Berclair, Stockdale, West Columbia, and San Marcos.
Mr. James S. Taylor ('81)
Co-founder of Vianovo, an international strategic advisory consultancy, and of Grupo Compadres, a company that produces and markets SUSTO Mezcal, a new brand of Mexico’s oldest agave spirit.
Mr. Johnny R. Weisman ('72)
Successfully owned and operated three businesses that support the construction and expansion of roadways in the state and federal highway systems: Hunter Industries Ltd., Colorado Materials Ltd.,
and Weisman Equipment Co. Ltd.