Great Conversations Honorees
Shirley Bird Perry Longhorn
Citizenship Award
2026 Award Recipient
Larry Temple
With undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas, Larry Temple has given back to his alma mater in nearly every way there is to give. Currently serving as Chairman of the LBJ Foundation, he is the former Chairman of the UT Development Board and President of the Texas Exes. He also shaped statewide higher education policy as Chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Chairman of the Texas Select Committee on Higher Education, and Chairman of the Texas Committee on Statewide Governance of Higher Education. His commitment to expanding student opportunity is reflected in the Larry Temple Scholarship Endowment established by the UT System Board of Regents in 1990. His distinguished public service career includes serving as Chief of Staff to Governor John Connally and as Special Counsel to President Lyndon B. Johnson. Through his lifelong dedication to educational advancement and the Longhorn community, Larry Temple exemplifies the spirit of citizenship and commitment recognized by the Shirley Bird Perry Longhorn Citizenship Award.
The Shirley Bird Perry Longhorn Citizenship Award recognizes UT students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni for individual or collective acts that bring honor to the University community and positively impact civic life. This annual award was created in 2017 by Sam Perry. Like Shirley Bird and her dear friend, Annette Greenfield Strauss, the recipients are to be trusted, impactful, engaged citizens who demonstrate exceptional judgment, compassion for others, boundless energy, and a strong work ethic.
Similarly, Shirley Bird Perry recognized the value and unique qualities of the many students she influenced during her career at The University. Through her guidance and friendship, she helped them uncover talents and purpose beyond what they may have seen in themselves.