Johnson's Lasting Legacy
Since his passing in January 1973, Texas State University has continued to honor Johnson’s memory as an extraordinary alumnus who greatly impacted the school and the nation. Numerous events, awards, and memorials commemorate Johnson's legacy and devoted investment in his Alma Mater.
Scholarships
Two scholarships were established in Johnson's honor. The LBJ Family Foundation Scholarship Program, was created quickly after Johnson's death in 1973, and annually bestowed scholarships to two Hill Country and two South Texas area students. Ten years later, the LBJ Achievement Scholarships for Ethnic Minority Students was created for first-time freshmen and transfer minority students. This program carries on today.
LBJ Sculpture
In 2006, a bronze sculpture of Johnson was installed in front of Flowers Hall on the quadrangle. Created by sculptor Lawrence Ludtke of Houston, the sculpture imagines Johnson as a young college student during his time at Texas State University.
LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series
In 1982, President Robert L. Hardesty established the Lyndon Baines Johnson Distinguished Lecture series. Fulfilling a promise made by Johnson "to bring some of the nation's finest minds" to Texas State University, the first lecture was delivered on April 2, 1982, by Tom Johnson, publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times. The series continues today, with William H. McRaven serving as its most recent presenter. Other notable speakers include President Gerald Ford, Barbara Jordan, Maya Angelou, and John Carlos. The University Archives houses materials relating to the LBJ Distinguished Lectures and its speakers.