2017 Guardian of the Human Spirit Luncheon

The 2017 Guardian of the Human Spirit Luncheon honored Gregory L. Fenves, president of The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas at Austin.
The 2017 Guardian of the Human Spirit Luncheon honored Gregory L. Fenves, president of The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas at Austin.

Holocaust Museum Houston honored Gregory L. Fenves, president of The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas at Austin with the 2017 Guardian of the Human Spirit Award for their commitment to service and building an open-minded society.

Honoree Gregory L. Fenves, the 29th president of The University of Texas at Austin, has impacted society with his lifelong dedication to teaching, research and academic leadership. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Fenves spoke publicly for the first time about his father Steven’s harrowing story of survival, and how his dad’s courage as an immigrant to the United States helped shape his views.

The University of Texas at Austin, an enduring symbol of the spirit of Texas, works to change the world through groundbreaking research and cutting-edge teaching and learning initiatives. Holocaust Museum Houston has collaborated with The University of Texas at Austin since 2003 on the museum’s Warren Fellowship for Future Teachers, a Holocaust education fellowship with 583 graduates to date whom have gone on to impact tens of thousands of students with lessons of the Holocaust.

Together, The University of Texas at Austin and President Fenves educate and inspire tomorrow’s leaders to explore countless opportunities and cultures. This combined human impact exemplifies what it means to be a Guardian of the Human Spirit.

Honorary Chairs
  • =The Jack S. Blanton Family
  • =The Cockrell Family
  • =UT System Chancellor Bill McRaven
Luncheon Chairs
  • =Linda & Les Allison
  • =Tali & Eric Blumrosen
  • =Hannah & Cal McNair
  • =Kelly & Bill Montgomery
Host Committee Chairs
  • =Pauline & Alfie Meyerson
Host Committee
  • =Lisa & David Aaronson
  • =Joan & Stanford Alexander
  • =Clay Allison
  • =Allen J. Becker
  • =John Blaisdell
  • =Polly & Murry Bowden
  • =Claire & Dan Boyles
  • =John B. Connally IV
  • =Mary & John Craddock
  • =Megan & Brian Cushing
  • =Michele & Richard Deutsch
  • =Jill & Brad Deutser
  • =Carla Diaz-Lewis & Kenneth J. Lewis
  • =Nancy & Jack Dinerstein
  • =Brenda & John Duncan, Sr.
  • =Eliza & John Duncan
  • =Marcy & Robert Duncan
  • =Anna & Brad Eastman
  • =Elizabeth & Zachary Fertitta
  • =Susan & Bill Finnegan
  • =Shari & Thomas Fish
  • =Cathy & Ed Frank
  • =Suzan & Julius Glickman
  • =Cheryl & Stephen Golub
  • =Claudine & David Hartland
  • =Punkin & Walter Hecht
  • =Sara & Brad Howell
  • =Yvonne & Walter Johnson
  • =Nicole & Evan H. Katz
  • =Gail & Milton Klein
  • =Rhona & Ronald Konig
  • =Melanie & Stan Levy
  • =Barbara & Barry Lewis
  • =Shanna & Andrew Linbeck
  • =Janiece Longoria & Steve Lasher
  • =Nicole & Glenn Lowenstein
  • =E. Javier & Lucinda Loya
  • =Rosalyn & Barry Margolis
  • =Joanna & Brad Marks
  • =Libba and John H. Massey
  • =Chris & Mike Mizell
  • =Kristi & Mike Oldham
  • =Monica & Ianni Palandjoglou
  • =Gary Petersen
  • =Joy & Scott Plantowsky
  • =Vicki Rabin & Andy Bursten
  • =Macey & Harry Reasoner
  • =Polly & Ralph Robinson
  • =Melissa & Jamey Rootes
  • =Glen Rosenbaum
  • =Randa Safady
  • =Suzy & Jack Schaffer
  • =Senator Kel Seliger & Nancy Seliger
  • =Jeri & Marc Shapiro
  • =Mary & John Steen
  • =Jennifer & David Stockel
  • =Catherine G. & Sam L. Susser
  • =Phoebe & Bobby Tudor
  • =Bria Wall
  • =Joy & Benjamin Warren
  • =Sarah & Larry West
  • =Aileen & Mark Weycer