Chancellor Wins State Leadership Award

Kent Hance, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, is the 2009-2010 winner of the Outstanding Texas State Leader Award from the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute

The award will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16 on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives as the culminating event of the 25th anniversary of the Texas Leadership Forum.

“I am honored and most grateful to receive this award,” Hance said. “I appreciate the time and effort put forth by those who participated in the selection process. My life and my passion have been devoted to serving the people of Texas. I love and will always love Texas."

Hance was nominated not only for his work as chancellor, but also for his previous service as a Texas Senator, U.S. Congressman and Texas Railroad Commissioner.

“Chancellor Kent Hance was chosen by a statewide panel of judges to receive the Shepperd Institute’s prestigious Outstanding Texas Leader Award,” said Robert Burns, director of the Shepperd Public Leadership Institute. “This coveted award not only honors those currently serving the state, but also it is designed to inspire other Texans to follow the exceptional public service example of the recipient. The chancellor has a remarkable record of achievement as a strong and effective Texas leader. He has shown extraordinary skill and tenacity in business, government, education and law. The Shepperd Institute is very proud to bestow it highest honor on Kent Hance, chancellor of Texas Tech."

The John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute was founded to provide Texans an education about leadership, ethics and public service. The institute’s goal is to develop a well-rounded leadership program to improve Texans’ personal leadership skills, develop their sense of community responsibility and educate them on the importance of ethics and public service.

The judging panel for the Outstanding Texas Leader Award selects a winner based on proven leadership, exhibition of character and demonstration of high ethical standards. Consideration is also given to the scope and significance of the award winner’s accomplishments as a volunteer, elected official, educator, philanthropist, business or religious leader in community or state affairs

Former winners include former Lt. Governors Bob Bullock and Bill Hobby, Gov. Rick Perry, and former Gov. Preston Smith.

The Outstanding Texas Leader Award was created to honor former Texas Attorney General John Ben Shepperd’s belief that it is the duty of every Texan to contribute to his or her community and state. The award is presented each year at the Texas Leadership Forum, the flagship event of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute.

For more information about the award ceremony, the institute or to reserve tickets, contact the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute at (432) 552-2850 or on the Web at www.theinstitute.us.com.