The University of Texas of Austin community mourns the loss of former acting university president William S. Livingston, who died this morning. He was 93.
“Bill Livingston embodied all the best qualities of a university leader: erudition, eloquence, sweeping vision, warmth and good humor,” said President Bill Powers. “The University of Texas is a better place for his lifetime of service. He was an inspiration to generations of Longhorns, and we all will miss him.”
An Ohio native and World War II veteran, Dr. Livingston earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in the Battle of the Bulge. He came to UT Austin in 1949 as a Government professor and spent the next six decades teaching and serving the university in various roles, including chair of the Government Department, vice chancellor of academic programs, and vice president and dean of graduate studies. He led the committee that planned the development of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.
In 1992, he served as acting president.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lana; two sons and daughters-in-law; two grandsons and their wives; and four great-grandchildren.
Dr. Livingston was also beloved by more recent alumni as the baritone voice of TEX, the 1990s telephone registration system, from which he signed off each call with “Goodbye and good luck.”
The memorial service in celebration of Dr. Livingston will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. in the LBJ Auditorium at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. The school is located at 2300 Red River St., Austin, Texas 78712.
There are two endowments established in honor of Dr. Livingston: the William S. Livingston Graduate Fellowship Endowment and the William S. “Tex” and Lana Sanor Livingston Library Excellence Fund.
Contributions to the William S. Livingston Graduate Fellowship Endowment can be made here. When making your online gift please note in the comment box, “William S. Livingston Graduate Fellowship.” The gift area box can be left as, “Area of Greatest Need – University Wide.” Contributions to this endowment can also be mailed to:
William S. Livingston Graduate Fellowship
c/o The University of Texas at Austin
110 Inner Campus Drive, Stop G0400
Austin, Texas 78712-1710
Contributions to the William S. “Tex” and Lana Sanor Livingston Library Excellence Fund can be made here. When making your online gift please note in the comment box, “William S. ‘Tex’ and Lana Sanor Livingston Library Excellence Fund.”
