Presenting The Six Recipients Of The 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award (Slideshow)

By Rebecca Fontenot in Blog on May 6, 2011 at 3:08 pm | No Comments

Can’t see the slideshow? Click here.

The Texas Exes are proud to announce the six recipients of the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award. The cream of the crop! The best of the best! The burnt-est of the burnt-orange!

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the University’s most prestigious way to honor an ex, and this year’s class demonstrates yet again what we mean when we say “What Starts Here Changes the World.”

This year’s award recipients are:

Mr. John W. Barnhill Jr., BJ ’59, Brenham, is a retired executive vice president of Blue Bell Creameries and a former UT regent. In his career of almost 40 years, he helped lead the company from a small creamery to the number three brand of ice cream in the country.
Mr. I. Jon Brumley, BBA ’61, Fort Worth, is chairman & CEO, Bounty Investments. He has been integrally involved in eight companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange and was named, along with his son, as “Entrepreneurs of the Year” in 2005 by Forbes magazine.
Ms. Jane Chesnutt, BJ ’73, New York, is a civic leader and former editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day magazine. She has a special interest in issues of women’s health, women business leaders and the performing arts.
Mr. James R. Huffines, BBA ’73, Dallas, is president and COO, PlainsCapital Corporation and former chairman of the UT Board of Regents. He has a long record of civic involvement including service on the boards of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Mr. Jodie L. Jiles, MPA ’79, Houston, is managing director, RBC Capital Markets. He also served as chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership in 2005.
The Hon. Pamela P. Willeford, BA ’72, Austin, is a former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. She is also president and partner of Pico Drilling in Breckenridge.

“The accomplishments of this group once again validate the University’s vision of ‘What starts here changes the world,’ says Bill McCausland, interim executive director and COO of the Texas Exes. “Each of our six deserving recipients has proven yet again the lifelong benefits of an education from The University of Texas at Austin.”

The honorees will be presented with their burnt-orange blazers at a ceremony Oct. 14 in Austin. Congratulations, all!