Distinguished?

Back in October, Texas State University named me as one of its “Distinguished Alumni”.

It is impossible for me to imagine a higher honor. The forty-plus-year bond I have with the university marks it as possibly the longest sustained relationship of my life. We’ve had periods of turmoil, made the long-distance thing work for a bit, went online during COVID, and suffered through lots of change, but we have always been there for each other when it mattered. The university has a claim on an important piece of me. It is part of my identity.

The relationship isn’t based on fair trade. I take much more than I give. In addition to the education, I get life-long friends, inspiring students, business partners, valuable employees, teams to root for, and a community full of people who support each other.

As a part of the award ceremony, recipients are presented with a custom maroon sports coat. The Alumni Association asked me to come to campus to check the fit before the presentation. When I first put mine on, it was waaaay too big! And that is an apt metaphor for how I feel about the entire recognition. They had to shrink the award to fit me.

With around 250,000 living alumni, I am certain that someone out there deserves this award more, but I am going to do everything I can to justify the recognition. Being on the same list as Lyndon Johnson makes me incredibly uncomfortable. Fortunately, the story is still being written, and I have an opportunity to continue to earn the accolade (although I am not sure that anyone will ever describe me as “distinguished” in any other setting).

I am eternally grateful to Drs. John Garrison and Gerald Hill for nominating me, and to the many friends who wrote letters of support. I treasure your friendship and am in your debt.

I am a proud Bobcat! Eat ‘Em Up!