William T. Solomon - engineer, corporate leader, civic servant - has played a pivotal role in expanding opportunities for Dallas citizens. With a B.S. in civil engineering from SMU and an M.B.A from Harvard University, he began his career with Austin Industries, Inc., a leader in commercial construction, in 1967. As president, he transformed it into an employee-owned corporation with a diverse workforce. The firm's local landmark buildings include American Airlines Center, D/FW Airport's International Terminal and SMU's Meadows Museum. As co-founder of the Dallas Together Forum, he helped increase economic opportunities for minorities. He has served as chair of the Dallas Citizens Council and Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and on numerous boards, including the SMU Board of Trustees and the boards of UT Southwestern Medical Foundation, Salvation Army and Dallas Museum of Art. His civic honors include the Linz Award, J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award from SMU's Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility and Humanitarian Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He received SMU's Distinguished Alumni Award and the SMU Engineering Hall of Leaders Award. For his leadership in expanding opportunities for human achievement and economic vitality, Southern Methodist University is honored to confer upon William T. Solomon the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.