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Austin College
Alum Ron Kirk
Appointed to Key Obama Cabinet Post
 SHERMAN,
TEXAS —Austin College alumnus Ron Kirk has been selected by
president-elect Barack Obama to serve as the United State Trade
Representative. This cabinet-level appointment is the first to be held
by a graduate of Austin College.
“Austin College is proud of Ron’s success in Texas, and I am sure he
will be equally successful as he works with world leaders,” said Oscar
C. Page, president of Austin College. “Ron’s leadership at the state and
local level is impressive, and these experiences have prepared him well
to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative for the new administration.”
Kirk’s appointment was announced by Obama today at a press conference
held in Chicago. “As mayor of Dallas, Ron helped steer one of the
world’s largest economies,” said Obama. “During his tenure as mayor, Ron
brought different groups together to create jobs, invest in the
community, and spur economic growth.” In accepting his nomination, Kirk
insisted that “trade can help us create jobs at home and encourage
development abroad.”
A native of Austin, Texas, Kirk came to Austin College in 1972,
graduating in 1976 with a degree in political science and sociology.
Kirk then attended law school at the University of Texas, where he
earned his J.D. degree in 1979. Soon after, he began working for U.S.
Senator Lloyd Bentsen in Washington, D.C., which was followed by
political positions as Dallas assistant city attorney, Texas secretary
of state, and Dallas mayor. He is currently a partner at the Dallas
offices of the Houston-based law firm of Vinson & Elkins.
In an Austin College profile written at the time of his 2002 run for the
United States Senate, Kirk discussed his undergraduate years, along with
his early political experience working for Senator Bentsen.
“I was struck in a positive way with how much potential there was for
that body to really make a difference in shaping the tone and direction
of this country when you had senators who were willing to rise above
partisanship and ideology to do things that were in the best interest of
the people they served,” Kirk said.
In addition to joining a fraternity and becoming a cheerleader at Austin
College, Kirk tried to get involved in all aspects of campus life and
could often be found in the gym playing pick-up games of basketball.
“When you’re an ethnic minority, there is no choice but to reach out and
build friendships with people different from where we grew up,” Kirk
said. He met fellow freshmen Tommy Miller and Alberto Lopez Jr. his
first day on campus. Along with another freshman, Rick Clemons, they
formed the Second Floor Social Club, a brotherhood that gave its four
members a place to belong.
“Philosophically we believed in the same principles,” said Lopez, who is
proud of the fact that the Second Floor Social Club was comprised of one
African-American, one Hispanic, and two Caucasians. “We had an
understanding and appreciation of who we were socially and culturally.
As we matured, we all exerted our own leadership at Austin College.”
While Kirk pursued politics, Lopez chose education, Miller took the
business route, and Clemons became a doctor.
Miller noticed Kirk’s confidence right away. “Even as a freshman, Ron
acted like he’d been around the school a long time,” Miller said. “He
was one of those guys people meet and like immediately. Ron had a bunch
of friends the first day of school.”
At Austin College, Kirk quickly built a reputation as someone who could
bring people together. “He’s always had that ability,” said Lopez,
remembering the Second Floor Social Club. “A lot of people don’t realize
that he’s a very good listener. That’s part of his charm and charisma.
He hears you out.” Lopez noted how this helped Kirk during his run for
Senate. “People warmed up to Ron’s campaign because of his genuine
concern for people. Others may see him as an underdog or an
overachiever, but Ron has prepared himself to serve people. I don’t see
him as an underdog—he’s a natural.”
Fellow Social Club member Miller concurred. “It’s not like he had to
reinvent himself to go into politics,” Miller said. “When I see him
speaking on television, he seems to be the same person I’ve always
known, even when there were no cameras around.”
Miller remembers driving to Dallas with Kirk during their freshman year.
On the way they made a small detour. “I need to stop off here,” he
recalled Kirk saying. Miller followed Kirk into a building where a group
of 500 people were gathered. Kirk gave a speech and then he and Miller
left, continuing their drive to Dallas. Miller was surprised that Kirk
had not mentioned he would be giving a speech. “This was not something
he feared,” Miller said. “Nor was it difficult for him. He always seemed
to be connected to people, and people sensed he had special talents.”
Developing a range of talents is definitely part of Kirk’s educational
philosophy. “I am a huge believer in the liberal arts education,” he
said. “The value of a liberal arts education is the ability to think
critically, a skill that makes you adaptable to any environment.”
Kirk encourages young students to enjoy their college experience. “It
can be as open and exploratory a period of time you’re ever going to
have,” Kirk said. “Take advantage of it. Enjoy it. If you’re not happy,
don’t be afraid to change. It’s too important a period of your life to
be at a place you don’t enjoy. Try things you’ve never tried before.
Meet people outside your normal sphere of influence. Stretch your mind.
Stretch your culture. Invest in every aspect of your life while you have
that opportunity.”
Ultimately, while serving others is important to Kirk, it is not the
only barometer he uses to measure success.
“My mother, my wife, my friends have always made fun of me for this, but
there’s only one question you have to ask yourself: Are you happy?” Kirk
said. “You can’t be successful at anything that doesn’t give you joy. We
can make it more complex, but the Bible teaches us that God gives each
of us a joy, and you either use that joy to its fullest extent or you
lose it. If what you do comes from the joy in your heart, then
everything else falls into place.”
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