Memorable Mentor Award
SWGSB "Memorable Mentor" Award is presented annually by the senior class. This recognition is reserved for those faculty who lead by example and,
through their outstanding contribution to the curriculum and personal style, make a positive lasting impression on the class’s "SWGSB Experience." It was first awarded in 2017.
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2018 Memorable Mentor Award
Merrill Reynolds - Class 59 presented the 2018 Memorable Mentor Award to Merrill Reynolds, President of the Reynolds Williams Group.
2017 Memorable Mentor Award
S. Scott MacDonald - On the 60th anniversary of the SW Graduate School
of Banking, Class 58 presented the 2017 Memorable Mentor Award to S. Scott MacDonald, President and CEO of the SW Graduate School of Banking.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor awarded to a graduate of the SW Graduate School of Banking by the SWGSB Alumni Association. This award is reserved for those individuals who have served the financial services industry in a way that both distinguishes themselves among their peers and draws honor to their organization and the School. The contributions they make to their profession elevate them to a leadership position that gives them the opportunity to guide, instruct, and build on our banking legacy.
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2020 Distinguished Alumni Award
J. Rogers Pope, Jr. - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award to J. Rogers Pope, Jr.,
Vice Chairman and CEO of Texas Bank and Trust.
2019 Distinguished Alumni Award
David R. Seim - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award, posthumously, to David R. Seim,
former Region Chairman of Happy State Bank.
2013 Distinguished Alumni Award
F. Scott Dueser - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award to F. Scott Dueser,
President and CEO of First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
2012 Distinguished Alumni Award
James B. Gardner - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award to James B. Gardner, Chairman of Commerce Street Capital, LLC.
2009 Distinguished Alumni Award
Cynthia Blankenship - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award to Cynthia Blankenship, Vice Chairman and COO of Bank of the West.
2006 Distinguished Alumni Award
Gayle M. Earls - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award to Gayle M. Earls, Chairman Emeritus of The Independent BankersBank.
2005 Distinguished Alumni Award
Randall James - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award to the Honorable Randall S. James, Texas Banking Commissioner, on Thursday, June 2, 2005.
2002 Distinguished Alumni Award
Donald E. Powell - This year the senior class had the rare honor of meeting SWGSB alumnus and FDIC Chairman Donald E. Powell, who returned to his alma mater to deliver the annual Winstead Keynote Address and to accept the first "Distinguished Alumni Award" in the School's history. Mr. Powell, the 18th chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, is a member of SWGSB Class XVI.
Distinguished Service Award
Distinguished Service Award presented by the SWGSB Alumni Association is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the SW Graduate School of Banking and its educational mission. Past recipients have shown through their dedication and leadership a unique commitment to the School's objectives, ideals, and principles.
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2020 Distinguished Service Award
Robert L. Clarke - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2020 Distinguished Service Award to Robert L. Clarke, of counsel to the law firm of Bracewell L.L.P. He currently serves on the SWGSB board of trustees.
2019 Distinguished Service Award
Christopher L. Williston - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2019 Distinguished Service Award to Christopher L. Williston, principal at Williston Consulting Service, LLC. Chris was formerly President and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. He served on the SWGSB board of trustees from 2000–2018.
2018 Distinguished Service Award
Richard "Ro" O'Connor - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2018 Distinguished Service Award, posthumously, to Richard J. O'Connor, former President and CEO of Collin Bank. Ro was a graduate of Class 29, attending SWGSB from 1986–1988. He later returned to serve on the SWGSB faculty as a class mom and BankCEO instructor from 2001–2008.
2017 Distinguished Service Award
Lyle Sussman - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2017 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Lyle Sussman, Professor and Department Chair at the University of Louisville.
2013 Distinguished Service Award
Scott Hein - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2013 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Scott Hein, Emeritus Professor of Finance at the Rawls College of Business Administration, Texas Tech University.
2008 Distinguished Service Award
James L. Shield - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2008 Distinguished Service Award, posthumously, to James L. Shield, former President and CEO of Regions Bank.
2007 Distinguished Service Award
William G. Cone - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2007 Distinguished Service Award to William G. Cone, Regional President of the Heart of Texas Region for Wells Fargo.
2006 Distinguished Service Award
Jeffrey R. Schmid - The SW Graduate School of Banking Alumni Association presented its 2006 Distinguished Service Award to Jeffrey R. Schmid, former President and CEO of Mutual of Omaha Bank.
2004 Distinguished Service Award
Charlie M. Fugit was a graduate of Texas Tech University, the SW Graduate School of Banking/SMU, and the National Commercial Lending School. His banking career began at First National Bank in Longview, Texas, in 1952. He has served as a vice-president of the Bank of the Southwest, Houston, senior vice-president of the First National Bank and First United Bancorp in Fort Worth. He was executive vice-president of Mercantile Bank in Dallas, and senior vice-president of MCorp. He also served as vice-chairman of the board of Grand Bank in Dallas. Fugitt served on the SW Graduate School of Banking, Stonier and Texas Tech Faculty.
2002 Distinguished Service Award
Two SWGSB contributors were recognized for their banking achievements and work at the SW Graduate School of Banking: former class "mom" Vince Thompson and his daughter – and current class mom - Christi Thompson (SWGSB Class XXX). Both received the Distinguished Service Award. The honor - the first of its kind awarded - was presented to them jointly at the annual Alumni Program Breakfast.