Texas State University presents Sally Wittliff with first Patron of the Arts and Humanities Award

Texas State University presented Sally Wittliff, co-founder of The Wittliff Collections at Texas State, with the university’s first Patron of the Arts and Humanities Award, created to recognize distinguished individuals whose support, contributions, and vision have amplified the arts and humanities.

The award was presented Dec. 2 at The Wittliff Collections Festival in Austin.

With the donation of their lifelong collection of original manuscripts and books, Bill and Sally Wittliff founded the Southwestern Writers Collection at Texas State in 1986, then contained in one room of the university’s library. Today, The Wittliff Collections include more than 500 special collections in literature, music, photography, and film housed on the top floor of the Albert B. Alkek Library on the San Marcos Campus.  

In 2014, Texas State awarded the Wittliffs honorary doctoral degrees.

Bill Wittliff, a gifted Texas filmmaker, author and photographer, passed away in 2019. He wrote the screenplays for “Lonesome Dove,” “The Perfect Storm,” “Barbarosa,” “Raggedy Man,” and many others films.

“What a privilege it is for Texas State to be home to The Wittliff Collections — where we reveal the beauty, mystery, and power of Texas, Mexico, and the Southwest,” said Texas State President Denise M. Trauth. “For the past several years, Sally has carried the torch and strengthened the Wittliff family’s legacy and impact in the arts. We are honored to recognize Sally Wittliff as our inaugural honoree for her tremendous contributions to the arts and humanities.”