Texarkana
native H. Ross Perot, left, joins A&M-Texarkana president Stephen Hensley
at commencement exercises in December.
(Texarkana, Texas)—Texarkana native and international businessman H. Ross Perot made his way back home Dec. 17 to be presented an honorary doctorate by Texas A&M University-Texarkana and to give the keynote address at the university’s commencement exercise.
The honorary doctorate of leadership was presented by A&M-Texarkana President Stephen Hensley and was the first such award A&M-Texarkana has given since it joined The Texas A&M University System in 1996.
Texarkana, Texas, Mayor James Bramlett issued a city proclamation making Dec. 17, 2005, “Ross Perot Day” in Texarkana and gave Perot received a framed copy of the proclamation.
Perot was a self-made billionaire philanthropist by the age of 38 with his computer service company Electronic Data Systems Corp., which he sold to General Motors for $2.5 billion in 1984. He has ranked on the Forbes 400 Richest People in America every year since 1982.
Perot received the Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1972 after working to free POWs in Southeast Asia, and in 1979 funded a successful rescue operation of two of his employees from an Iranian prison.
He ran for President as an independent candidate in 1992. As a candidate in 1996, after helping establish the Reform Party, he garnered 8 percent of the popular vote even though he was excluded from the Presidential debates.
Perot, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, said he was excited to be home.
“To come back to Texarkana and see this great university is a boyhood dream come true, because I thought it would be a tremendous asset to have a university and it is,” said Perot.
Although Perot lives in Dallas, he still keeps up with what is going on in his hometown. He has made several philanthropic contributions to local community organizations such as The Salvation Army and the arts. He has also been instrumental in the development of the proposed College of Engineering and Information Sciences at A&M-Texarkana.
Perot’s commencement address focused on leadership.
“Treat others with respect, the way you would like to be treated,” said Perot. “The only way not to make that honest mistake is not to do anything. Honest mistakes are learning experiences.”
Perot went on to share some of his experiences in scouting and business to emphasize the importance of honesty and leadership in society.