Past Honorees

Celebrating the Javelina alumni and friends who have been recognized for their achievements and service.

118 honorees

Dinah Bowman

2025

Class of 1978

Artist & Biologist

Master of Arts & Master of Science · Art & Terrestrial Biology · College of Arts & Sciences

Gregory Portland, TX

Dr. Juan E. Mejia

2025

Class of 2002, 2012

President & CEO, Tyler Junior College

Master of Education & Doctor of Education · Education · College of Education

Tyler, TX

John Michael "Mike" Howard

2025

Class of 1995

CEO, Howard Energy Partners

Bachelor of Science · Chemical Engineering · College of Engineering

San Antonio, TX

Major General Joe M. Ernst

2025

Class of 1965

Retired Major General, U.S. Army; Business Executive

Bachelor of Science · Agriculture Science · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

San Antonio, TX

Dr. Tadeo Reyna

2024

Class of 1982

Former Bilingual Educator & Higher Ed. Administrator

Doctor of Education · Education · College of Education & Human Performance

Kingsville, TX

Javier Peña

2024

Class of 1974

Retired, Drug Enforcement Agency

Attended · Sociology, Psychology · College of Arts & Sciences

Hebbronville, TX

Presnall Cage

2024

Class of 1968

Philanthropist & Rancher, Cage Ranch

Bachelor of Science · Animal Science · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Falfurrias, TX

Anne Grady

2023

Class of 1997

Chief Resilience Officer, Anne Grady Group

Bachelor of Arts · Communications · College of Arts & Sciences

Corpus Christi, TX

Col. (Ret.)  Richard Waterhouse

2023

Class of 1975

Superintendent,

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Mount Clemons, MI

Col. (Ret.) Henry Hodge

2023

Class of 1968

Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton

Bachelor of Arts · History · College of Arts & Sciences

Kingsville, TX

Debbie Lee Winslow

2023

Class of 1983

Former Educator & Administrator

Bachelor of Science · Home Economics Education · College of Arts & Sciences

Donna, TX

John Bickham

2023

Class of 1973

Former President and Chief Operating Officer, Charter Communications

Bachelor of Science ·  Electrical Engineering  · College of Engineering

Corpus Christi, TX

Dr. Martha D. Salazar-Zamora

2022

Class of 1987, 1992, 1999

Superintendent, Tomball ISD

Bachelor & (2) Master · Education and Education Administration · College of Education & Human Performance

Tomball, TX

Josefina Villamil Tinajero 

2022

Class of 1980

Author & Professor, University of Texas at El Paso

Master of Education · Bilingual Education · College of Education & Human Performance

El Paso, TX

Sarah R. Saldaña 

2022

Class of 1973

Retired, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Bachelor of Arts · English & Spanish · College of Arts & Sciences

Dallas, TX

Armando Hinojosa

2021

Class of 1966

Renowned Artist

Bachelor of Arts · Art · College of Arts & Sciences

Laredo, TX

Dr. Linda Mora

2021

Class of 1968

Retired Public Education, Associate Commissioner of Accountability and Accreditation for TEA

Bachelor of Arts · Education · College of Education & Human Performance

San Antonio, TX

I.J. "Chip" Berthelot II

2021

Class of 1982

President, Azure Midstream

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

Houston, TX

Angelica Barrera

2020

Class of 2000, 2001

Associate Vice Provost of Student Success, UTSA

Bachelor & Master of Science · Kinesiology · College of Education & Human Performance

San Antonio, TX

Carmen Lomas Garza

2020

Class of 1972

Famed Mexican-American Artist

Bachelor of Arts · Arts Education · College of Arts & Sciences

San Francisco, CA

David Allex

2020

Class of 1958

Former President & CEO, Harlingen Chamber of Commerce

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Harlingen, TX

Dr. Donna Shaver

2020

Class of 1984

Chief of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, National Park Service

Master of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences 

Corpus Christi, TX

Jose Luis Cortez

2020

Class of 1960, 1961

Formerly U.S. Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Bachelor & Master of Science · Physics · College of Arts & Sciences 

Weslaco, TX

Roberto Montoya

2020

Class of 1970

CEO of VRC Corporation

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Garden Ridge, TX

(Ret.) Col. Lisa Carrington Firmin

2019

Class of 1979

Retired U.S. Air Force, Author, Former AVP of Military & Veteran Affairs, UTSA

 Bachelor of Arts ·  Journalism · College of Arts & Sciences

San Antonio, TX

Jackie Collins

2019

Class of 1972

Owner, VT Collins, Inc. 

Bachelor of Science ·  Home Economics · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Kingsville, TX

Richard Ritchie 

2019

Class of 1977

Attorney, The Richard P. Ritchie Law Firm

Bachelor of Science ·  Education/Kinesiology · College of Education & Human Performance

Mineral Wells, TX

Alan Johnson

2018

Class of 1971

CEO, Valley Baptist Medical (Legacy) Foundation

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Harlingen, TX

Cynthia Lee Vidaurri

2018

Class of 1991

Curator/Researcher, Smithsonian Institute

Master of Arts · Sociology (Folklore) · College of Arts and Sciences

Washington, D.C.

James Gandy

2018

Class of 1974

President, Frisco Economic Development Corporation

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Management · College of Business Administration

Frisco, TX

James W. Hill 

2018

Class of 1968

Former NFL player, Sports Broadcaster

Bachelor of Arts ·  Communications · College of Arts and Sciences

Los Angeles, CA

Robert H. Welker

2018

Class of 1950

Retired, Welker Engineering Company

Bachelor of Science ·  Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

Washington, TX

Benjamin Marconi

2017

Class of 1988

Detective, San Antonio Police Department

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Business Administration · College of Business Administration

San Antonio, TX

Carol L. Scott

2017

Class of 1982

Public Affairs Consulting

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Management · College of Business Administration

Corpus Christi, TX

Dr. F. Monte Rouquette 

2017

Class of 1965

Faculty, Texas A&M University AgriLife Research & Extenstion Center

Bachelor of Science ·  Agricultural Science · College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Human Sciences

-

V. Louis Mogas

2017

Class of 1963, 1964

Founder, Mogas Industries

Bachelor & Master of Business Administration ·  Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Houston, TX

Alvaro "Al" Hinojosa

2016

Class of 1977

Holt Cat

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Accounting · College of Business Administration

San Antonio, TX

Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez

2016

Class of 1966

University of Texas-Arlington

 Bachelor & Master of Arts ·  Political Science · College of Arts & Sciences

Crystal City, TX

Harold Hees

2016

Class of 1961

Environmental Evolution Energy Services LLC

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Aransas Pass, TX

Larry Busby

2016

Class of 1969

Live Oak County Sherriff

Bachelor of Science · Agricultural Science · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

George West, TX

Dr. Arnold Gonzales

2015

Class of 1965

Artist

Bachelor of Arts ·  Education · College of Arts & Sciences 

Corpus Chrsiti, TX

Dr. Nancy Rabalais

2015

Class of 1972, 1975

Professor, Louisiana State University

Bachelor & Master of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences 

Wichita Falls, TX

Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr.

2015

Class of 1994, 1998, 2003

President, San Antonio College

 Bachelor, Master, &  Doctorate of Education ·  Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, Elementary Education · College of Education and Human Performance 

Alice, TX

Tom Best

2015

Class of 1979 

Owner, Rockin' B Land and Cattle Company

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Marketing · College of Business Administration

Kingsville, TX

Bill Wallraven

2014

Class of 1952

Writer & Reporter

Bachelor of Arts · English · College of Arts & Sciences

Fort Worth, TX

Dr. Janice Perrin

2014

Class of 1972

Adjunct, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Bachelor of Education ·  Education · College of Education and Human Performance

Kingsville, TX

Leonard Bedell

2014

Class of 1968

CEO, Mobil Steel International, Inc.

Bachelor of Business Administration ·  Accounting ·  College of Business Administration

Corpus Christi, TX

Abel Lopez

2013

Class of 1972

Associate Producing Director, Grupo de Artistas Latinoamericanos Hispanic Theatre

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

Washington, D.C.

Balous Miller

2013

Class of 1966

CEO and President, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q

Bachelor of Education · Agriculture Education · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

San Antonio, TX

Gloria Hicks

2013

Class of 1970

CFO & Partner at Ed Hicks Imports of Corpus Christi

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

Corpus Christi, TX

Hon. Mark Hamilton

2013

Class of 1978

Founder, President, CEO of H&H Staffing Services and AppliedWisdowm LLC

- · Engineering Business · -

Cummings, GA

Carl Paul

2012

Class of 1963

Founder, Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.

Bachelor of Science · Engineering · College of Engineering

Austin, TX

Dr. Arturo Almendarez

2012

Class of 1972

Superintendent, Callalen Independent School District

Master of Education · Education · College of Education & Human Performance

Corpus Christi, TX

Eugene Dawson, Jr.

2012

Class of 1982

President, Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc.

Bachelor of Science · Civil Engineering · College of Engineering

San Antonio, TX

Hon. Rogelio Valdez

2012

Class of 1976

Chief Justice for the 13th Court of Appeals

Bachelor of Arts · - · College of Arts & Sciences

Harlingen, TX

Robert J. Underbrink

2012

Class of 1983

Former President, King Ranch, Inc.

Bachelor of Science · Agriculture · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Houston, TX

Dr. Jaime Chahin

2011

Class of 1974

Professor & Dean of the College of Applied Arts at Texas State University

Bachelor of Arts · Sociology & Political Science · College of Arts & Science

Austin, TX

Dr. Roger Campos

2011

Class of 1981

Dentist, Campos Family Dental

Bachelor of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences

San Antonio, TX

Hon. Theresa Chang

2011

Class of 1981

Associate Judge, City of Houston Municipal Courts

Master of Science · Chemical Engineering · College of Engineering

Houston, TX

Col. (Ret.) Edward J. Preston, Jr.

2010

Class of 1962

Retired U.S. Army

Bachelor of Business Administration · Marketing ·  College of Business Administration

Kingsville, TX

Janell Kleberg

2010

Class of 1974

Photographer, Conservationist & Horsewomacn

Bachelor of Science · Arts & Education · College of Arts & Sciences and College of Education & Human Performance

Kingsville, TX

Dr. Demarious Keller Frey

2009

Class of 1959

Veterinarian

Bachelor of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences

Corpus Christi, TX

Randall A. Odom

2009

Class of 1957

Vice President & Manager, TCS Corporate Services of Houston & San Antonio

Bachelor of Science · Electrical Engineering · College of Engineering

San Antonio, TX

Herbie Maurer

2008

Class of 1964

President of Maurer Advisory and Consultant Service Inc.

Bachelor of Science · General Engineering · College of Engineering

Friendswood, TX

Jean Claire Turcotte

2008

Class of 1958, 1986

Retired Principal, St. Gertrude Catholic School

Bachelor of Arts & Master of Education · Communications & Education · College of Education & Human Performance

Kingsville, TX

Allen J. Tarbutton, Jr.

2007

Class of 1961

Retired President, Mitchell Gas Services

Bachelor of Science · Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

The Woodlands, TX

Dr. D. Lynn Drawe

2007

Class of 1964

Director of the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation

Bachelor of Science · Agriculture Education · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Sinton, TX

Hugh M. Morrison

2007

Class of 1969

Former President and CEO of Pilgrim Cleaners; Chairman of the Board of Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.

Bachelor of Business Administration · Accounting ·  College of Business Administration

Houston, TX

John P. Jackson

2007

Class of 1973, 1975

Vice President for Morgan Stanley

Bachelor & Master of Business Administration · Business Administration · College of Business Administration

Rockport, TX

Stevens G. Herbst

2007

Class of 1958

President, Rainbow Investments Company

Bachelor of Science · Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

Corpus Christi, TX

Hector Farias, Jr.

2006

Class of 1961, 1965

Chairman of the Board of Farias & Farias, Inc. International Trade Firm-Customhouse Brokerage, Warehousing, Freight Fowarding & Distribution

Bachelor of Science & Master of Education · English & Education (Speech) · College of Arts & Sciences and College of Education & Human Performance

Laredo, TX

Rodney A. Klett

2006

Class of 1965

Retired Texas Band Director & Coordinator of Georgetown High School 

Bachelor of Arts · Music · College of Arts & Sciences

-

Al Gonzalez

2005

Class of 1965

Chairman & CEO of Age Refining, Inc.

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

-

Miguel A. Nevarez

2005

Class of 1961

Executive Directorship of University of Texas Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory

Bachelor of Science · Agriculture · College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

-

Richard A. Nevill

2005

Class of 1942

Retired Vice President of Houston Pipe Line Co. Pipe Line Operations

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Eliseo "Cheo" Torres

2004

Class of 1969, 1971, 1976

Vice President for Student Affairs, University of New Mexico

Bachelor & Master of Education · Education · College of Education & Human Performance

-

Joe Henkel

2004

Class of 1969

President & CEO, Kleberg Bank

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

Kingsville, TX

Wayne King

2004

Class of 1959

Retired Senior Vice President of Valero Energy Corp.

Bachelor of Science · Chemical Engineering · College of Engineering

San Antonio, TX

Carlos Guerra

2003

Class of 1969

Columnist

Bachelor of Arts · History, Political Science, and Sociology · College of Arts & Sciences

Robstown, TX

Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez

2003

Class of 1973

Commander of the U.S. Army's V Corps

Bachelor of Science · History & Mathematics · College of Arts & Sciences

Rio Grande City, TX

Merle Muckleroy

2003

Class of 1958

Retired President of Camco Products & Services

Bachelor of Science · General Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Dr. L. E. Ramey

2002

Class of 1942

Retired Medical Doctor

Bachelor of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences

Kingsville, TX

Sen. Carlos Truan

2002

Class of 1959

State Senator (D-Corpus Christi)

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

Kingsville, TX

Irma Rangel

2001

Class of 1952

Representative, Texas Legislature

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

Kingsville, TX

Mr. Thomas V. Shockley, III

2000

Class of 1967

Vice Chairman, Central and Southwest Corporation

Bachelor of Science · Electrical Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Dr. Carrol A. "Butch" Thomas

1999

Class of 1969

Superintendant of Schools - Beaumont

Bachelor of Education · Education Administration · College of Education & Human Performance

-

Albert Huerta

1998

Class of 1966, 1968

Attorney

Bachelor of Science & Master of Arts · - · -

-

Amado Pena

1997

Class of 1965, 1971

Artist

Bachelor of Arts · Arts · College of Arts & Sciences

Laredo, TX

Cynthia K. Gilliam

1996

Class of 1974

Vice President of Retail Customer Operations, Nevada Power Co.

Bachelor of Business Administration · Management ·  College of Business Administration

-

I. Q. Vidaurri

1995

Class of 1967

Retired Dean of Students-Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Bachelor of Business Administration · Business · College of Business Administration

-

William C. "Bill" English

1994

Class of 1949

Vice Chancellor of Fiscal Affairs, University of South Texas

Bachelor of Business Administration · Accounting ·  College of Business Administration

-

Ed DeMouche

1993

Class of 1949

Dr. Vice President, Entex Inc.

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

J. E. Turner

1992

Class of 1935

Dean of Men, Texas A&I University

- · - · -

-

J. Philip McCormick

1991

Class of 1964

Sr. Vice President, Lone Star Gas Company

Bachelor of Business Administration · Accounting ·  College of Business Administration

-

R. Boyd Ladd

1990

Class of 1935

Consultant, National Associations

Bachelor of Science & Master of Arts · Agriculture Science & Mathematics · -

-

John N. Lauer

1989

Class of 1969

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, B. F. Goodrich Co.

Master of Business Administration · Business Administration · College of Business Administration

-

Robert F. "Hawk" Wright

1988

Class of 1956

Retired President & Chief Operating Officer, Amerada Hess Corporation

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

B. Finley Vinson

1987

Class of 1937

Chairman Emeritus, First Commercial Corporation in Arkansas

Bachelor of Business Administration · - ·  College of Business Administration

-

William K. Bell

1986

Class of 1950

Attorney & Former President of the Oklamhoma Bar Association

- · - · -

-

A. M. Wiederkehr

1985

Class of 1947

President & Founder, Supron Energy

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Donald W. Patrick, M.D.

1984

Class of 1958

Retired Neurosurgeon

Bachelor of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences

-

William D. Stevens

1983

Class of 1958

President, Exxon Co., U.S.A.

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

John S. Gillett

1982

Class of 1934

Superintendent of School, Kingsville ISD

Bachelor of Business Administration · Economics ·  College of Business Administration

Kingsville, TX

Edward N. Wheeler

1981

Class of 1947

Vice President R & D, Celanese Chemical Co.

Bachelor of Science · Chemistry · College of Arts & Sciences

-

Preston Doughty

1980

Class of 1935

President & Founder, Citeizens Standard Life Insurance Co.

Bachelor of Business Administration · Accounting & Business Administration ·  College of Business Administration

-

George F. Rhodes

1979

Class of 1950

Attorney & Former Texas A&I Regent

Bachelor of Science · Electrical Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Lawrence A. McNeil

1978

Class of 1948

Partner, Corpus Christi Oil & Gas

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Cecil E. Burney

1977

Class of 1933

Attorney & Political Activist

- · - · -

-

Bruce M. Withers

1976

Class of 1950

Divisional President, Mitchell Energy & Development

Bachelor of Science · Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-

Lola L. Bonner

1975

Class of 1953

Attorney & Former Chairman Texas Democratic Party

Bachelor of Education · Reading Education · -

-

E. C. Weekley

1974

Class of 1943

Executive Director, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Bachelor & Master of Science · Agriculture · -

-

Gilbert E. Steinke

1973

Class of 1942

Legendary Football Coach

Bachelor & Master of Education · Reading Education & Education · -

-

James A. Rickard

1972

Class of 1948

Vice President, BP Exploration

Bachelor of Science · Agriculture Science & Physics · -

-

Claude Kay Ballard

1971

Class of 1934

President Columbia Nitrogen Corp.

Bachelor of Science · Chemistry · College of Arts & Sciences

-

Herscehl H. Cudd

1970

Class of 1933

President, Amoco Chemical Company

Bachelor of Science · Chemistry · College of Arts & Sciences

-

Charles C. Cumberland

1969

Class of 1936

Dist. Professor, Princeton, Rutgers, Michigan State

- · - · -

-

Joseph J. Trevino, M.D.

1969

Class of 1950

Physician, Psychiatrist & State Health Official

Bachelor of Science · Biology · College of Arts & Sciences

-

Robert L. Mitchell

1968

Class of 1943

Vice Chairman, Celanese Corp.

Bachelor of Science · Chemical & Natural Gas Engineering · College of Engineering

-