STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University welcomed former Texas Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes and U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman to campus today for the second installment of the President’s Speaker Series, “Leaders & Legacy,” highlighting distinguished careers in public service and the experiences that shape effective leadership.
Held at the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Theater, the event brought together students, faculty, staff and community members for a conversation exploring leadership, public service and the experiences and values that shape lasting legacies.
“Leadership is about more than the positions we hold. It is about the impact we make and the opportunities we create for those who follow,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “Lt. Gov. Barnes and Judge Pittman represent decades of distinguished public service, and their willingness to share their experiences provides our students with a valuable perspective on leadership, integrity and the responsibility that comes with serving others.”
A former Tarleton State student and recipient of the university’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, Barnes served as speaker of the Texas House of Representatives from 1965 to 1969 and as the state’s 36th lieutenant governor from 1969 to 1973. A native of Comanche County, Barnes has been a longtime advocate for education, helping advance significant investments in Texas public schools and higher education throughout his political career.
Pittman has served as a U.S. district court judge for the Northern District of Texas since 2019. Previously, he served on Texas’ Second Court of Appeals and as judge of the 352nd District Court in Tarrant County. His legal career also includes service with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Launched in August, the “Leaders & Legacy” series brings accomplished professionals from a variety of fields to Tarleton State, offering students and the university community firsthand perspectives on leadership, career development and the experiences that define lasting legacies. The inaugural event featured Tarleton State alumnus Colton Buckley, chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and ESPN journalist Dan Wetzel.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 28,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 127 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real-world learning and address regional, state and national needs.