Peter T. Flawn, Twice President Of UT-Austin And Renowned Geologist, Dead At 91

AUSTIN, TX — The University of Texas at Austin community is mourning the loss of Peter T. Flawn—twice president of the university and among its most distinguished leaders—who passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.

In a prepared statement, family members said Flawn died at his West Austin home.

"Dad enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a renowned geologist and academic leader," family members wrote. "He served twice as the president of The University of Texas at Austin and, earlier, was president of the University of Texas at San Antonio."

At the time of his death, Flawn was president emeritus of UT Austin and held the Leonidas T. Barrow Chair Emeritus in Mineral Resources, his family noted. Flawn's wife of 70 years, Priscilla Pond Flawn, died last year, his family noted. He also was preceded in death by daughter Laura B. Flawn, M.D., in 2001, relatives added.

A renowned geologist, Flawn spearheaded UT Austin's transformation into a top public research university beginning in the 1980s, university officials said.

"Peter was a visionary leader at UT, a beloved friend and a wise counselor to me and many university presidents," Gregory L. Fenves, president of UT Austin, said in a prepared statement. "Whenever the university sought his help — from his earliest days doing geology research in West Texas through his time as president emeritus — Peter always answered the call. His contributions to our great university were immense and we will miss him deeply."

Born in 1926, Flawn studied at Oberlin College and earned his doctorate in geology at Yale University. In 1949, after a stint working at the U.S. Geological Survey, he began an illustrious career in geological research at UT Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology, a research unit that serves as the state geologic survey. From 1960 to 1970 Flawn was director of the bureau and a professor in UT Austin's Department of Geological Sciences. He became professor of geological sciences and public affairs in 1970 and later the Leonidas T. Barrow Professor of Mineral Resources.

From 1973 to 1977, Flawn was the second president of UT San Antonio, where his accomplishments included a new core curriculum, higher admission standards and a dramatic increase in the number of endowed faculty positions. Flawn was president when UT San Antonio’s main campus began holding classes in 1975.

Upon his return to UT Austin to become president from 1979 to 1985, Flawn declared a "war on mediocrity," pushing the university to pursue greater academic rigor and excellence, university officials said. He had a key role in raising the university's number of faculty endowments from 112 to 851 with the Centennial campaign in the early 1980s, according to university officials. During his six-year tenure as president, sponsored research awards grew to $100 million and five new research buildings were built, officials said. The Academic Center was renamed the Peter T. Flawn Academic Center in his honor in 1985, when Flawn retired and became president emeritus.

Flawn returned to serve the university in 1997 at age 71 as interim president during the search that culminated in the presidency of Larry Faulkner. Not content to be a caretaker president, university officials said Flawn launched the ambitious $1 billion capital campaign, “We’re Texas.” He also actively dealt with changes in admissions policy in the aftermath of the Hopwood v. Texas decision banning racial consideration in admissions.

“When one looks back at the intellectual giants that led The University of Texas, Peter Flawn's name will be right at the top of the list,” William McRaven, chancellor of The University of Texas System, said. “Peter was a special person and over the last two years, I developed a deep respect, admiration, and friendship with this wonderful man. He dedicated his life to educating the young men and women at UT Austin, UT San Antonio and throughout the state of Texas. We will miss him dearly.”

Yet Flawn's impact reached beyond the role of university administrator. He also had a distinguished career as a geologist and research professor, elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1974. He served as president of the Geological Society of America in 1978 and president of the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) in 1988. In 1993, AGI awarded him their most prestigious honor, the Ian Campbell Medal.

"Peter Flawn was inspiring as both a geologist and an academic leader," Sharon Mosher, dean of the Jackson School of Geosciences said. "His field maps and publications on West Texas geology were an essential source for generations of students. And as president, his push for excellence at UT made a deep impression on me and many professors in the 1980s, leading to profound and positive changes in the university."

Funeral services are pending.

>>> Photo of Peter T. Flawn courtesy of Jackson School of Geosciences.