Susie P. Gonzalez

210-999-8406

susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu

Trinity University to Hold Alumni Weekend 2003

Oct. 10, 2003 – Two Trinity University alumni with strong ties to the school will be honored Oct. 24-26 when former Tigers assemble at the skyline campus for the University’s Alumni Weekend 2003. A host of other activities is planned. Army Gen. James Thomas (Tom) Hill ’68 will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award presentation at the Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, Oct. 24. In addition, Virginia Duff ’42, will be honored the same evening with the Spirit of Trinity Award. A third alumnus, Daniel Lubetzky ’90, will receive the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during a luncheon in December.  Classes from the graduating years of 1953, 1963, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, and 1998 will gather during the weekend to celebrate landmark reunions. General Hill, commander of the United States Southern Command, has a distinguished military career that has spanned more than three decades and included tours of duty in Vietnam in the 1960s and in the Middle East during Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s. After receiving his fourth star on Aug. 27, 2002, he assumed leadership of the Southern Command in Miami, where he is responsible for military activities in a 32-country region in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Before his Southern Command assignment, General Hill was commanding general of I Corps at Fort Lewis, Wash. In addition to his Trinity degree, he holds a master’s degree in personnel management from Central Michigan University. Among General Hill’s military decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Ms. Duff, an attorney and state representative from Ellis County from 1951-63, is a long-time and devoted supporter of the University who collects Trinity memorabilia. She is a graduate of Trinity’s Waxahachie campus and served six years on the National Alumni Board. Trinity was located in Waxahachie from 1902-1942. In addition to her Trinity degree, she holds a law degree from the Southern Methodist University. When she took her state bar exam, the test was administered at the Texas Capitol. She recalls that when she saw the ornate walls of the House chamber, she knew she would run for public office. Since there were no television or radio stations in her home county at that time, campaigning meant knocking on lots of doors and swirling through domino halls and barbershops, Ms. Duff says. A memorable bill she helped pass was a law requiring vehicles to stop when approaching a school bus. Other events on Friday, Oct. 24 include an alumni golf tournament at noon at the Quarry Golf Course and an all-alumni gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ruth Taylor Foyer to be followed by a concert at the Ruth Taylor Concert Hall featuring the Trinity Jazz Band. On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 25, alumni can attend special classes conducted by English professor Coleen Grissom or Business Administration professor Don Van Eynde. The day's events also include athletic events as well as a Kids' College, where children of alumni can attend special presentations by Trinity faculty. Alumni Weekend 2003 concludes Sunday, Oct. 26, with a service held in the Margaret B. Parker Chapel honoring and remembering deceased alumni. Tickets to Alumni Weekend events and a detailed schedule can be obtained from Trinity's Office of Alumni Relations at (800) 882-5861 or (210) 999-8404, or by going to the registration form at www.trinity.edu/alumni/weekend_2003.htm.

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Last updated on October 10, 2003 by the Office of Public Relations