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Eleven men have been ACU presidents since its founding in 1906. Teague was its ninth (1981-91), and had been his alma mater’s chancellor emeritus since 2007. He died Nov. 28, 2018, in Abilene at age 91.
The venue Thursday was the Teague Center, named for Bill and his late wife, Margaret Louise (Newlen ’56) “Peggy” Teague. Guests gathered on Court 1 of the building’s Great Room, which doubles as an indoor tennis facility and as a conference center for meals and other special events for large gatherings of people.
At 11:57 a.m., ACU trustee (and former director of athletics and head tennis coach) Cecil Eager (’71) welcomed the crowd and invited them to a surprise feast catered by world-famous Perini Ranch Steakhouse from Buffalo Gap, Texas. The start time was explained as mirroring Teague’s habit of meeting others three minutes before noon for lunch gatherings throughout his long career.
After the meal, university vice president Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64) and Teague’s son, Tom (’71), remembered the late president as a man who lived with purpose and passion; found his career and purpose in higher education; embraced competition; and loved God, his family and friends while leading the university he held in high esteem.
Those gathered sang “I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord,” “Oh Dear Christian College” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” and ACU senior Andrew Boone performed Teague’s favorite, “Danny Boy.”
Teague was buried Friday in his hometown of Nocona, Texas, alongside Peggy. The couple had been married 67 years when she died in 2015.
Our coverage of his life begins here, and includes a gallery of photography and links to several speeches and articles providing insight into the former president credited with many advancements in ACU’s academic programs and campus, and tremendous growth in its endowment.
Look for more in the Fall-Winter 2019 issue of ACU Today magazine, which mails next month.