Texas Exes Celebrates Six Distinguished Alumni

BY Rose Cahalan in TXEX Special on October 14, 2011

Texas Exes Celebrates Six Distinguished Alumni

It's the highest honor The University of Texas can bestow on an ex-student: the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

And today, after months of preparation, six accomplished alumni will join those historic ranks in a red-carpet ceremony at the LBJ Library, followed by a reception at the Alumni Center.

More than 400 alumni and friends will attend. The Longhorn Band will even make a spirited appearance.

The honorees who will receive traditional orange blazers tonight include:

  • John W. Barnhill, Jr., BJ ’59, retired executive vice president of Blue Bell Creameries and a former UT regent;
  • I. Jon Brumley, BBA ’61, chairman & CEO of Bounty Investments;
  • Jane Chesnutt, BJ ’73, civic leader and former editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day Magazine;
  • James R. Huffines, BBA ’73,  president and COO of PlainsCapital Corporation and former chairman of the UT Board of Regents;
  • Jodie L. Jiles, MPA ’79, Houston, managing director of RBC Capital Markets;
  • The Honorable Pamela P. Willeford, BA ’72, Austin, former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The 2011 Distinguished Alumni at a Friday afternoon rehearsal. From left: John Barnhill, Jon Brumley, Jane Chesnutt, James Huffines, Jodie Jiles, and Pamela Willeford.

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