E. William Doty Awards

Named after the founding dean of the College of Fine Arts, the E. William Doty Award is the most prestigious recognition offered by the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. It is granted to individuals who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary professional achievement and/or have demonstrated dedication to the College of Fine Arts.

The college created the Doty Award in 1995 when James Michener was selected as the first recipient. The award was given during the college’s spring commencement program until 2013, when the college hosted the first E. William Doty Alumnus Awards program honoring Austin philanthropist Ann Butler. In 2014, in honor of the college’s 75th anniversary, the E. William Doty Distinguished Alumnus and Young Alumnus awards were added.

2022 Doty Award Dinner

Two women posing in front of a painting

Still Water Foundation 
2022 E. William Doty Award

A woman speaking at a symposium

Fairfax Dorn 
B.F.A., Studio Art, 1997; B.A., Art History, 1998  
E. William Doty Distinguished Alumna Award

A person speaking at a symposium

Isaac Gómez 
B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2013  
E. William Doty Young Alumnus Award


2019 Doty Award Dinner

one man and two women posing with an award
Mary Bartholow's daughter, Barbara Gary, and granddaughter, Elizabeth Gary, accepted the E. William Doty Award in her memory.

Mary Bartholow 
E. William Doty Award

three men posing with an award
Brant Pope, the chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, presented actor Bruce McGill with the E. William Doty Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Bruce McGill 
B.F.A. 1973 in Drama 
Distinguished Alumnus Award

one man and two women posing with an award
Sondra Lomax, Assistant Dean for Development and a former teacher of Felicia Day, presented her with the E. William Doty Distinguished Young Alumna Award.

Felicia Day 
B.S. 1998 in Mathematics 
Distinguished Young Alumna Award

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2017 Doty Award Dinner

The Kimbell Art Foundation 
E. William Doty Award

Helen Sung 
B.M. 1993 and M.M. 1995 in Classical Piano Performance 
Distinguished Alumnus Award

Meghan Kennedy 
M.F.A. 2011 in Writing 
Distinguished Young Alumna Award

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2016 Doty Award Dinner

Allen Becker 
E. William Doty Award

Kevin Adams 
B.F.A. 1984 in Theatrical Design 
Distinguished Alumnus Award

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2015 Doty Award Dinner

Meredith and Cornelia Long 
E. William Doty Award

Don Bacigalupi 
M.A. 1985 and Ph.D. 1993 in Art History 
Distinguished Alumnus Award

Billy R. Hunter, Jr. 
B.M. 1997 in Music Performance 
Distinguished Young Alumnus Award

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2014 Doty Award Dinner

Robert L. Tocker and Barbara Tocker 
E. William Doty Award

Robert Schenkkan 
B.A. 1975 in Drama 
Distinguished Alumnus Award

Justin Tucker 
B.A. 2011 in Music 
Distinguished Young Alumnus Award

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Previous Recipients of the E. William Doty Award

2013     Ann Showers Butler

2012    Vincent R. DiNino

2010     Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

2009     Mary Winton Green

2008     Shirlee Dodge

2007     W. Kelly Fearing

2006     Francis Hodge

2005     Ernest Butler and Sarah Butler

2004     Joe R. Long and Teresa Lozano Long

2003     William and Bettye Nowlin

2002     Charles A. Roeckle

2001     Kent Kennan

2000     Ruth Denney

1999     Jack Blanton

1998     Oscar Brockett   /   Walter Ducloux   /   Marguerite Fairchild   /   Loren Winship

1997     Edith O'Donnell

1996     Bryce Jordan

1996     Alfred A. King

1995     James A. Michener