Texas State University MPA Program Conducts 50th Anniversary Awards Celebration on September 23, 2023
By: Dr. Howard R. Balanoff, Professor, MPA Program, Texas State University
On Saturday September 23, 2023, the Texas State University MPA Program conducted an in-person anniversary Luncheon in honor of the Program’s 50 Years of existence. The Luncheon was held at the Texas State University LBJ Student Center in San Marcos, Texas.
The Luncheon program began at about 11:30 am with a meet and greet reception which was followed by a plated lunch for about 125 MPA alumni, students, faculty, and guests. Attendees at the Luncheon were welcomed by Texas State University President, Dr. Kelly Damphousse. The featured speaker at the Luncheon was Mr. Franklin Parker, Assistant Secretary of the United States Navy. Secretary Parker’s presentation focused on “The Value of Public Service and Public Servants”.
After Mr. Parkers, presentation, distinguished MPA alumni and distinguished MPA faculty plaques were presented by Secretary Parker, Texas State President Kelly Damphousse, Dr. Andrea Golato, Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Howard Balanoff, Director of the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service and Dr. Patricia Shields, Regents Professor.
The Individuals shown below received Distinguished MPA Alumni Awards.
Martha Castex-Tatum, Charles Matthews, John Sharp, Brenda Eivens, Zohaib Qadri, Brion Oaks, Nim Kidd, Debby Tucker, Stephanie Reyes, Ismael Amaya, Larry Douglas, Ana Lisa Garza, Mickey Autrey, Dr. Lamar Collins, Brian Withrow, Eddie Molina, Larry Gilley, Jason Alexander, Brendan Scott, Barney Knight, Mike Eastland, David MacCabe, Larry Gonzales, Barry Bales. In addition, to the distinguished alumni awards Dr. George Weinberger, Dr. Charles Garofalo, Williard (Bill) Stouffer, all of whom have retired from Texas State University were honored with recognition plaques for their teaching service in the MPA Program.
Awards were presented to Texas State students graduating from the MPA Program from the early 1970’s up through the 2020’s. Some of the MPA alumni graduates honored as distinguished alumni were Charles Matthews, former Chancellor of the Texas State University System and John Sharp, current Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
Former Texas House of Representatives Legislator Larry Gonzales was honored as was Stephanie Reyes, current City Manager of San Marcos, Texas and Brenda Eivens, current City Manager of Cedar Park, Texas.
Twenty four (24) distinguished alumni and Three (3) faculty members were called to the stage where they received their awards and reflected on their time in the MPA Program and on their careers in public service. The 50th Anniversary celebration ended about 1:30 pm. The Program was closed by Dr. Mary Brennan, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
If you have any questions or need any additional information about the Texas State University MPA Program and/or the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the MPA Program, please contact Dr. Nandhini Rangarajan, Director of the Texas State University MPA Program at nr11@txstate.edu
Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse presents Navy Under Secretary Franklin Parker with an appreciation plaque for delivering the “keynote address” at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the MPA Program
MPA alumni, faculty, students & guests attending the 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Secretary Parker (center) with Dr. Nandhini Rangarajan, Director of the MPA Program (right) and Dr. Helen Lowman, MPA Professor of Practice.
Texas State University MPA alumni, Stephanie Reyes, City Manager of San Marcos, Texas (left) and Brenda Eivens, City Manager of Cedar Park, received distinguished alumni plaques at the 50th MPA Anniversary celebration.
The Honorable Larry Gonzales, former Legislator in the Texas House of Representatives (center, holding his plaque). On the stage from left to right are, President Kelly Damphousse, Graduate College Dean Andrea Golato, Secretary Franklin Parker, Larry Gonzales, MPA Professor Howard Balanoff and MPA Professor Patrica Shields
Dr. Barry Bales, former Associate Dean at the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs displays his distinguished alumni plaque. Dr. Bales was one of the first MPA graduates. He received his MPA degree in the early 1970s.
Barney Knight, former City Attorney and City Manager of Austin and Temple, Texas shown with his wife Linda Knight. Mr. Knight graduated in the 1980’s. Mr. Knight recently retired as the CEO of the Barney Knights & Associates Law Firm and was named as one of our distinguished MPA graduates.
John Sharp, current Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System (right) and Nim Kidd, Chief of the State of Texas Division of Emergency Management (left) received their distinguished MPA alumni plaques at a special presentation which was held in the Texas A&M University System Office in College Station, Texas. Shown with Chancellor Sharp are MPA Professor, Dr. Howard Balanoff (center right) and Dr. Sheriff Folarin, Visiting Scholar at Texas State University (center left).
Dr. Charles Garofalo, retired MPA professor shown with his wife Ann Garofalo. Dr. Garofalo was honored as a distinguished professor for his service to the MPA Program.
Dr. George Weinberger, retired MPA professor shown with his wife Corrine. Dr. Weinberger was honored as a distinguished professor for his service to the MPA Program.
The Luncheon Schedule for the 50th MPA Anniversary Celebration.
The short CV of Secretary Franklin Parker, who gave the “keynote” presentation at the 50th MPA Anniversary Celebration.