LBJ School News Brief

Sheila Wilson Beckett (M.P.Aff. 1977), was named as the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Public Service Award by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs' Alumni Association at its annual reception on June 26.

A resident budget advisor with the U.S. Treasury Department, Beckett was previously executive director of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, served as special advisor to the Texas Legislative Council, and was budget director for the late Texas Lt. Governor Bob Bullock.

Beckett was unable to accept the award in person since she is currently stationed in Macedonia. Instead, Beckett asked her two children, Kerry DeWitt and Drew Beckett, to accept the award on her behalf. DeWitt read a letter of appreciation that her mother wrote to the alumni association. In her letter, Beckett expressed appreciation for the "opportunity to work for some of Texas government's legendary leaders and with really talented, dedicated, and, too often, underappreciated, professional state employees."

The Distinguished Public Service Award was established in 1989 by the LBJ School Alumni Association. The award is presented each year to an LBJ School graduate whose career and public service record best represent the values on which the School was founded.

Sheila Wilson Beckett Named 2006 Distinguished Public Service Award Winner