Hobby’s Corner
William P. Hobby Jr.
The William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University
Bill Hobby and the Hobby’s family brought tremendous progress to Texas in numerous areas-public education, mental health, water conservation, fiscal management, indigent health care, corrections, and public assistance programs, to name a few.
But none of his many achievements is more important than his determination that Texas must sustain its commitment to excellence in higher education, and his support for the resources that make that possible.
In July 1996, Texas State University established the Public Service Academy to deliver the CPM Program in Texas. In 1998 the name of the Texas State University Public Service Academy was changed to the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service after former Texas Lt. Governor William P. Hobby made a $1 million donation to Texas State University to help fund the Texas CPM Program. Governor Hobby’s gift also provided funds to support the William P. Hobby Professorship, held by Dr. Howard Balanoff, and public service activities such as the annual William P. Hobby Distinguished Lecture, Hobby Scholarships/Fellowships and Student Teaching/Research Assistantships.
The Hobby Family
William P. Hobby Jr.
(1932–Present) William Pettus Hobby Jr., the 37th Lieutenant Governor of Texas, was born in Houston, Texas, the only son of William P. Hobby Sr. and Oveta Culp Hobby.
William P. Hobby Sr.
(1878–1964) William Pettus Hobby, editor, publisher, and governor of Texas, was born in Moscow, Texas, on March 26, 1878, the son of Eudora Adeline (Pettus) and Edwin E. Hobby.
Oveta Culp Hobby
(1905–1995) Oveta Culp Hobby, first secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, was born in Killeen, Texas, on January 19, 1905, the daughter of Ike W. and Emma Elizabeth (Hoover) Culp.
“Over his years as Lieutenant Governor, Hobby gained a reputation as an astute fiscal manager and parliamentary leader in the Texas Senate”