Bill Hobby has done his best over a long lifetime to guide his home state, Texas, into the future.  As the longest-serving lieutenant governor in the state’s history, a media executive, distinguished university professor and philanthropist, his contributions have been considerable. 

Guided by a family tradition of selfless public service, he put his keen intellect, respect for history and sharp wit to work in all his endeavors.  Already editor of a major newspaper in the state’s largest city-- Houston, Hobby was elected lieutenant governor in 1972. During his 18 years in office, Texas was undergoing rapid and historically unprecedented change to its population, its culture, its politics and economy. 

Hobby knew that an economically competitive state depended on a strong system of public and higher education, and made education a top priority.  Meanwhile, he helped make health care more accessible.   He understood how to get things done and make things work in a complex legislative environment.

When he left office in 1991, he continued to run Hobby Communications, but   was soon tapped to lead the University of Houston System through a difficult transition period. He also taught at Rice University and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.  The William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and the Hobby Center for Public Policy at the University of Houston bear his name. 

Bill Hobby and his wife, Diana, have contributed to the Hobby Center for Performing Arts in Houston, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory and Rice University.