Feb. 13, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU Lettermen's Association will honor Rufus P. Cormier, Jr., with its prestigious Silver Anniversary Mustang Award on Feb. 28 at the men's basketball game versus Tulsa in Moody Coliseum. A special presentation will be made during halftime by SMU President R. Gerald Turner and Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. The game tips off at 7 p.m.

Each year, the SMU Lettermen's Association awards the Silver Anniversary Mustang Award to a former letterwinner who graduated over 25 years ago. The recipient's accomplishments bring honor to SMU and highlight the outstanding contributions that they have made to their communities.

Cormier graduated from SMU in 1970 and lettered in football in 1968 and 1969. He went on to Yale Law School and earned his J.D. in 1973. He has worked for Baker Botts L.L.P. since 1974, and he has been a partner since 1981.

Cormier's list of past and current professional and civic affiliations is extensive, but some of his roles have included: American Bar Association Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity--Member of Board of Directors, American Red Cross (Greater Houston Chapter) - Vice Chairman of Board of Directors, Houston Bar Foundation - Vice Chairman of Board of Directors, Houston City Planning Commission - Commissioner, SMU Alumni Association - Member of Board of Directors, SMU School of Law - Member of Executive Board, Texas Southern University - Chairman of Board of Regents, Yale Law School Association - Member of Executive Committee.

Cormier resides in Houston with his wife, Dr. Yvonne Cormier. They have three grown children: Michelle (an attorney), Geoffrey (in the energy business), and Claire (graduate student at Stanford University).