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The University of Texas at Austin

Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

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Ben Barnes Fellowship in Public Leadership

Description of the Endowment

In 2000, friends and admirers of former Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes created an endowment at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. The endowment recognizes Barnes' leadership and interest in higher education. Led by Lady Bird Johnson, George Christian, Lowell Lebermann, Bernard Rapoport, and Larry Temple, friends of Barnes donated well over a million dollars to support the endowment.

When asked about Mr. Barnes and the fellowship endowment, Mrs. Johnson said, "Lyndon and I knew Ben when he was just beginning his career and his potential for leadership was apparent even then. It is my hope that these fellowships will enable other young leaders to pursue their goals at the LBJ School while developing the values and integrity we yearn for in today's society."

In 1995, Barnes was named Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas (UT) at Austin. His volunteer efforts on behalf of the University span 25 years. "Graduate education and research will be our avenues to continued and increased prosperity. That means a major commitment, with major incentives, to recruit and educate world-class students," said Barnes.

It was during his first year at the UT School of Law that Barnes made the decision to enter politics. He organized an unconventional but successful campaign, and in 1960 was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. By 1965, while studying for finals, Barnes was named Speaker of the House, and as the youngest Speaker of the House in the nation, the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce honored him as one of five outstanding young men in the state. By the age of 30, he was elected as Texas' youngest lieutenant governor, and in 1970, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named him one of ten outstanding young men in America.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The Barnes Fellowship in Public Leadership will be used to recruit top students from across the nation who have demonstrated interest in public leadership.

Ben Barnes Scholars

Heather Hill, 2002-2003
New Barnes Fellowship Jump-Starts Student's Public Affairs Education