Spring Break
SMU Alums honored at ceremony
Russ Aaron, Contributing Writer, raaron@smu.edu
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: News
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SMU graduates were presented with prestigious honors Thursday night at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas. Many applications were reviewed before they were narrowed down to four, which were approved by university President R. Gerald Turner.
"This year we have four incredibly diverse recipients. The talent exhibited in these alumni is tremendous," Turner said.
The Honorable Craig T. Enoch, Jerry LeVias, John Nieto and Paul Bass each received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest recognition a former student of SMU can obtain.
Craig Enoch, the proclaimed "lawyer's lawyer," first served as a presiding judge of the 101st District Court and chief justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals. At this time, Enoch was the youngest sitting judge in Texas. He was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court and became a liaison to the State Bar of Texas.
"I am greatly honored," Enoch said upon receiving his award. "I've had the opportunity to meet people and go places I never would have imagined. I owe it all to SMU."
Alumnus Jerry LeVias is considered one of the most influential African American college athletes. LeVias was the first African American athlete to receive an athletic scholarship at SMU and in the Southwest Conference. His involvement in the football program allowed giant strides to be made in the battle to destroy the racial barriers of the Deep South.
"It only takes one person to have an effect against racism. It takes many to defeat it. I look forward to the day SMU will fully understand their contributions of integrating the South," LeVias said.
LeVias was honored in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, African-American Hall of Fame among others. Besides being a tremendous athlete, LeVias was also an excellent student, receiving a B.S. degree in 1969. He is still an active businessman today. Upon being notified of his award, LeVias remained skeptical.
"When they told me I'd received this award, I called to make sure I wasn't on that 'Punk'd' show," LeVias joked.
"This year we have four incredibly diverse recipients. The talent exhibited in these alumni is tremendous," Turner said.
The Honorable Craig T. Enoch, Jerry LeVias, John Nieto and Paul Bass each received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest recognition a former student of SMU can obtain.
Craig Enoch, the proclaimed "lawyer's lawyer," first served as a presiding judge of the 101st District Court and chief justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals. At this time, Enoch was the youngest sitting judge in Texas. He was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court and became a liaison to the State Bar of Texas.
"I am greatly honored," Enoch said upon receiving his award. "I've had the opportunity to meet people and go places I never would have imagined. I owe it all to SMU."
Alumnus Jerry LeVias is considered one of the most influential African American college athletes. LeVias was the first African American athlete to receive an athletic scholarship at SMU and in the Southwest Conference. His involvement in the football program allowed giant strides to be made in the battle to destroy the racial barriers of the Deep South.
"It only takes one person to have an effect against racism. It takes many to defeat it. I look forward to the day SMU will fully understand their contributions of integrating the South," LeVias said.
LeVias was honored in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, African-American Hall of Fame among others. Besides being a tremendous athlete, LeVias was also an excellent student, receiving a B.S. degree in 1969. He is still an active businessman today. Upon being notified of his award, LeVias remained skeptical.
"When they told me I'd received this award, I called to make sure I wasn't on that 'Punk'd' show," LeVias joked.
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