The greatness of a university system is found not in the bricks and mortar of its institutions, but in the contributions of the individuals it helped educate and inspire. For the last century, The Texas State University System has inspired thousands of educators, innovators, and leaders who have made significant and lasting contributions to Texas and the world. From the school newspaper editor who became a giant in broadcast news, to the boy who dreamed of becoming President of the United States--and did--our graduates are making a difference. Some of our most notable alumni are listed below.
Charles "Doc" Anderson
Texas Legislator
Sul Ross State University
Kelly Asbury
Director/Screenwriter - Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Shrek 2
Lamar University
R. H. Bing
Mathemetician, Discoverer of the Side Approximation Theorem
Southwest Texas State Teachers’ College (Texas State University)
Scott H. Biram
Musician - The Dirty Old One Man Band
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Brian Birdwell
Texas Legislator, 9/11 Survivor
Lamar University
Dan Blocker
Actor - Bonanza
Sul Ross State University
Powers Boothe
Actor - Tombstone
Southwest Texas State College (Texas State University)
Drayton Boucher
Former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
Sul Ross State University
T. Paul Bulmahn
Chairman & CEO, ATP Oil and Gas
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Norm Cash
Major League Baseball Player - Detroit Tigers
Sul Ross State University
C. W. Conn
Founder, Conn’s Incorporated
Lamar University
Joe Deshotel
Texas Legislator
Lamar University
Joe Domino
President, Entergy Texas
Lamar University
Ponce Cruse Evans (“Heloise”)
Syndicated Newspaper Columnist
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Allen Fletcher
Texas Legislator
Sam Houston State University
Pete Gallego
U.S. Congressman
Sul Ross State University
Charles Garrett
Inventor of the Metal Detector
Lamar University
Larry Gonzales
Texas Legislator
Texas State University
Veronica Gonzales
Former Texas Legislator
Texas State University
Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton
Texas Legislator
Lamar University
Tuff Hedeman
World Champion Bull Rider
Sul Ross State University
Lyndon B. Johnson
36th President of the United States
Southwest Texas State Teachers’ College (Texas State University)
Janis Joplin
Singer/Songwriter
Lamar State College of Technology (Lamar University)
Tracy King
Texas Legislator
Sul Ross State University
Nick Lampson
Former U.S. Congressman
Lamar University
Richard Linklater
Filmmaker - Dazed and Confused, School of Rock
Sam Houston State University
Bill Macatee
Sports Broadcaster
Lamar University
Jack Martin
Chairman & CEO, Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Boris Miles
Texas Legislator
Sam Houston State University
Doug Miller
Texas Legislator
Texas State University
Robert Nichols
Texas Legislator
Lamar University
Bill Paxton
Actor - Apollo 13, Titanic, True Lies
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Alfred P. C. Petsch
Former Texas Legislator
Southwest Texas State Normal School (Texas State University)
Bum Phillips
Football Coach/General Manager - Houston Texans
Lamar University
Chente Quintanilla
Former Texas Legislator
Sul Ross State University
Dan Rather
Television News Anchor
Sam Houston State University
Tomas Rivera
Author/Educator, Former Chancellor of UC Riverside
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Randy Rogers
Musician
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
J. T. Rutherford
Former U.S. Congressman
Sul Ross State University
Elvin Santos
Former Vice President of Honduras
Lamar University
Thaksin Shinawatra
Former Prime Minister of Thailand
Sam Houston State University
George Strait
Singer/Songwriter
Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University)
Jack Tinsley
Former Executive Editor, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Sam Houston State Teachers’ College (Sam Houston State University)
Charlie Wilson
Former U.S. Congressman
Sam Houston State University
Bill Zedler
Texas Legislator
Sam Houston State University