Steering Committee

Patton Hall's steering committee are exceptional volunteers who made this project possible.

Mr. Martin W. Dies III, Chair, is a partner at Dies & Hile, L.L.P in Austin, Texas and is an active member of the University of Texas at Austin community. In addition to being Chair of the Liberal Arts Building Steering Committee, he is a member of the Texas Exes 40 Acre Scholarship Committee, UT Development Board, Littlefield Society and Chair of the College of Liberal Arts Development Council. As a student Martin was a Grader/Assistant to the Chair of the Government Department, a member of the Students' Association Advisory Council, Freshman Orientation Advisor and Orientation Planning Committee member, a Texas Cowboy, and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. Martin received a B.A. in Government from UT Austin in 1971. His son and daughter are both proud graduates of the UT Liberal Arts Honors Program.

The Honorable Ben Barnes served in the 57th and 60th Texas State Legislatures and at age 26 was the youngest speaker of the house. He was elected to his first term as Lt. Governor in 1969. As lieutenant governor, he successfully backed an increase in the minimum wage, legislation in the area of mass transportation, and legislation creating the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. After retiring from politics, Ben remained active in Texas philanthropy and community service. Ben has served as the Council Advisor for the Texas Civil Rights Project, and has also volunteered for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the Democratic Majority Trust. Ben currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area in Austin and is a regular contributor the People’s Community Clinic in Austin, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and School of Public Affairs, the Huntington Art Gallery and the Longhorn Foundation. His involvement at UT includes being a member of the Chancellor’s Council, Commission of 125, Littlefield Society, and the UT Development Board.

Mrs. Leslie D. Blanton is a dedicated philanthropist and champion of numerous arts and philanthropic organizations, including: Humanities Texas, Texas Cultural Trust Commission, Houston Arts Alliance, Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, Teach for America, Children’s Museum of Houston and Texas Women for the Arts... to name a few. She is also a member of the UT Development Board, President’s Associates, Chancellor’s Council, College of Liberal Arts Development Council, Advisory Council for the Blanton Museum of Art, and the Littlefield Society. Leslie is married to Jack Blanton, Jr. and resides in Houston, TX. Leslie received her bachelor’s degree in the Plan II Honors Program from The University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Accounting from Rice University.

Ambassador Stan L. McLelland was nominated by President Clinton to serve as the United States Ambassador to Jamaica and was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as Ambassador from 1997 to April 2001. A Texas native from Harlingen, McLelland has been involved with a number of civic, international, and charitable activities. After being commissioned an Officer in the United States Army in the Army Inactive Reserves, McLelland moved to Houston to join the Baker & Botts law firm where he practiced until he moved in 1968 to Austin to start a new firm. He practiced there until February 1971, when he was asked to become General Council and Executive Vice President of Valero Energy Corp, where he remained for 16 years until he was asked to serve as United States Ambassador to Jamaica. Ambassador McLelland serves on the Texas Union Advisory Council, College of Liberal Arts Advisory Council, Littlefield Society, Chancellor’s Council, UT Development Board, Texas Exes Council, and is Chair of the Texas Exes 40 Acres Scholarship Program Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of two New York Stock Exchange Companies and will join the Board of Directors of Pittsburg Corning, Inc when it emerges from reorganization in the last quarter of this year. McLelland earned both his bachelor’s degree in Economics and his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. J. Mark Metts is a partner in the Houston office of the international law firm, Jones Day, specializing as a mergers and acquisition attorney. He is a long time supporter of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. As a student, Mark was President of the Liberal Arts Council, the official student organization for liberal arts students. Mark is a member of the College of Liberal Arts Development Council, Chancellor’s Council and the Littlefield Society. For the past ten years, Mark has helped lead the fundraising efforts for the UT English Department’s Shakespeare at Winedale Program, and has also served as the program’s unofficial photographer. Mark earned both his bachelor’s degree in the Plan II Honors Program and his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Mrs. Ellen Clarke Temple of Lufkin is a retired book publisher who has worked on behalf of public education at all levels, for libraries and for conservation in Texas. She served as a member of The University of Texas System Board of Regents from 1991-1997, serving as vice chair from 1995-1997. A recipient of The University of Texas Distinguished Alumna Award for 2000, Ellen has served as chair of The University of Texas Development Board, on the President’s Executive Council, and on the Commission of 125 for The University of Texas. She currently serves on the UT College of Liberal Arts Development Council. Ellen has also served on the Higher Education Planning Committee for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. She is currently vice chair of the board of Angelina Community College, which serves East Texas. Ellen earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from The University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.