Stephen F. Austin State University

For Nacogdoches native Duane Stephens, April was a month to remember.

The 73-year-old Tyler resident was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton April 12, and less than a week later he and his wife, Sandra, both were honored at Stephen F. Austin State University where they earned their diplomas 50 years ago this spring.

Both graduated from SFA in 1958, and Mr. Stephens later earned his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law. He paid his way through college and law school with his rodeo earnings, bullfighting and riding bulls and horses in rodeo circuits around the country.

“It’s been a busy couple of weeks, but we feel very honored to have received both these recognitions,” said Stephens, who also recently retired after trying his last case in a 40-year career of practicing criminal law in Tyler.

“When people ask me what kind of law I specialized in, I always say I specialized in winning,” he joked.

During their return visit to SFA earlier this month, the couple reminisced about their time on campus.

“My friends and I organized the first SFA rodeo back in 1957, and we held it out at the old fairgrounds,” said the hall-of-famer, who was born and raised in Nacogdoches. “We have a lot of good memories here.”

The couple met while attending SFA and now have been married more than 52 years. They have a son and two daughters.