UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Texas State Historian to Present at Longview University Center

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March 2, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center will host a lecture featuring Texas State Historian and award winning author, Dr. Bill O'Neal at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17.

O'Neal will speak on his newly released book, "Sam Houston, A Study in Leadership." Sam Houston is a Texas icon, general of the spectacular victory at San Jacinto, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence (on his 43rd birthday on March 2, 1836), and governor of Texas (and of Tennessee – the only man ever to serve as governor of two states). Soldier, statesman, duelist, brawler, thrice married – Houston lived a turbulent and controversial life filled with drama, conflict and superlative achievements.

"The topic of leadership is very relevant to today's society," said Dr. Van Patterson, director of the UT Tyler Longview University Center. "An individual's ability to lead others will be the key to their success. Sam Houston was a leader in his time, and I am confident the information presented by Dr. O'Neal will prove beneficial to those seeking to someday lead businesses, cities, states or possibly this great nation."

O'Neal currently is serving his second two-year term as State Historian of Texas. He is the author of more than 40 books, as well as 300 articles and book reviews. Last September, at the West Texas Book Festival in Abilene, Bill was presented the A.C. Greene Distinguished Author Award of 2015. In 2012 Bill received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Wild West History Association, and in 2007 he was named True West Magazine's Best Living Nonfiction Writer.

O'Neal will be on hand to greet the public in the downstairs lobby of Garland Hall located at 3201 N. Eastman Rd in Longview. Admission is free, and the lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.