TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Over 4,600 candidates received degrees during the Texas State University commencement ceremonies earlier this month. Of those thousands, four were awarded Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, which is an honorary degree awarded to individuals who display significant achievements in their field. These degrees were awarded to Richard A. Castro, Jack Martin, Taylor Sheridan and Nathali Parker Weisman. These recipients will be the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd individuals to be honored by the university with an honorary degree. According to the TXST website, Richard A. Castro is a businessman and philanthropist based in El Paso. He is McDonald’s largest Hispanic owner/ operator with 27 restaurants in Texas, employing over 2,000 employees. He earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Texas State University in 1970, and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1997. Castro went on to receive the College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 2013. The Richard A. Castro Legacy Club at Strahan Arena was named to honor his contributions to TXST. The residence hall that is currently under construction will be named after him to recognize his generous giving to TXST.
Jack Martin is a businessman and entrepreneur who attended the university when it was Southwest Texas State University. He was chair of the Texas State University System’s Board of Regents from 1985 to 1991, and was honored as a TXST Distinguished Alumni in 1990. Martin was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2023 due to his success founding Public Strategies Incorporated, and his work serving on multiple boards including the LBJ Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Taylor Sheridan is an actor, writer and director known for Yellowstone and Landman amongst other shows. He attended Texas State as a theatre major until 1991. In March of 2021 he was inducted to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Nathali Parker Weisman is a businesswoman who graduated TXST in 1998 with honors. She is KLP Construction Supply co-owner, CEO and president. Governor Greg Abbott appointed Weisman as chairwoman of the Governor’s Commission for Women in 2024. She serves on multiple committees for the Austin and DFW Chapters of the Association of General Contractors, as well as committees for the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association.
The first honorary Doctorate was awarded by Texas State University in 1962 to Lyndon Baines Johnson during his time as vice president of the United States. One can explore the full list of the 22 honorary degree recipients online at txst. edu/commencement/facstaff/ honorary-degrees. html
