Bill O’Neal Lecture March 20

January 23, 2014

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Texas State Historian to Present at UT Tyler Longview University Center

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January 23, 2014

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

January 22, 2014

The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center will host a lecture featuring Texas State Historian, Dr. Bill O’Neal at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20.

“Gunfighterology” will examine frontier gunfighters and shootouts, including the explosive bank robbery in Longview, Texas by the Dalton Gang in 1894. A highlight of the program will be the demonstration of the evolution of revolving pistols, holsters and gun belts with replica weaponry on display.

“Bill is a longtime friend, and I am honored that he has agreed to make this presentation,” said Dr. Van Patterson, director of the UT Tyler Longview University Center. “He is an accomplished author, lecturer and one of the best history teachers ever to come out of East Texas. I’m looking forward to this event, and I hope the community will join us for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable evening.”

O’Neal was appointed the State Historian of Texas by Gov. Rick Perry in 2012. He has been affiliated with Panola College since 1970, where a new dormitory was named in his honor in 2013. That same year he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Texas A&M University – Commerce.

The author of more than 40 books, O’Neal has appeared in documentaries on TBS, The History Channel, The Learning Channel, CMT and A&E. In 2012 he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Wild West History Association, and in 2007 he was named True West Magazine’s Best Living Non-Fiction Writer.

O’Neal will be on hand to greet the public and fellow gunfighter buffs in the downstairs lobby of Garland Hall located at 3201 N. Eastman Rd. in Longview.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 7,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.