To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Heman Sweatt Symposium on Civil Rights at The University of Texas at Austin, 21 individuals, four couples and three groups will receive a Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award at A Special Evening of Honors to be held at 7 p.m. on May 6 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on campus.
The Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award honors University of Texas at Austin alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends who embody the life and legacy of Heman Marion Sweatt by breaking down barriers and challenging the status quo. This year’s group of honorees includes prominent faculty, staff, alumni, judges and community leaders who have made significant contributions as pioneers who opened the door for others in their respective fields of education, the arts, law, business and social advocacy. The honorees are as follows:
- The Precursors
- The Heman Marion Sweatt Family
- The Heman Sweatt Symposium Inaugural Committee
- W. Charles Akins
- Gary Bledsoe
- Randy Bowman
- Brenda Burt
- John Sibley Butler
- John Chase
- Barbara Smith Conrad
- Wilhelmina Delco and Dr. Exalton Delco Jr.
- Rodney G. Ellis
- Lonnie and Maudie Fogle
- Edmund T. Gordon
- Choquette Hamilton
- James L. Hill
- Leon and Peggy Holland
- Ira Iscoe and Louise Iscoe
- Wallace B. Jefferson
- John Q. Taylor King
- Ron Kirk
- Reuben McDaniel
- James H. Means Jr.
- Harriet Murphy
- Wanda L. Nelson
- William Spearman
- Barbara W. White
- Marlen Whitley
Honorees were selected through a nomination process that was juried by the Heman Sweatt Symposium planning committee, a group of staff, faculty and students in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement that organizes the annual event. The symposium is named after Heman Marion Sweatt, the first African American student admitted to The University of Texas School of Law, and commemorates the ruling in Sweatt v. Painter that brought an end to segregation at public colleges and universities.
The event hosted by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement is free and open to the public. Dress is black tie. The evening program will include an awards ceremony, entertainment and a reception. The alumni center is at 2110 San Jacinto Blvd. and valet parking is available. RSVP is required by May 4.
For more information or if you need accommodations, contact Leslie Blair, 512-232-4621.
