Hoyt Purvis

UA prof. finds niche through hard work

Profile from The Hill

By: Allen Moseley

Posted: 4/7/04

From average beginnings at the University of Texas, Hoyt Purvis moved into the elite circles of the international community in 30 years. The secret to his success - staying motivated and always aspiring to do more with the profession he loves.

Purvis graduated from UT-Austin with a degree in journalism and politics in 1961. He earned his graduate degree two years later in the same field. He was also editor of The Daily Texan, UT's student newspaper.

Upon graduation, Purvis began working as a political writer for the Houston Chronicle in 1964, all the while maintaining a keen interest in the political maneuvering of his home state of Texas and in Washington, D.C.

Departing the Chronicle, Purvis' international interest guided him to teach journalism at the University of East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.

From there, he moved to Capitol Hill as the press secretary and special assistant to Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.

Fulbright was one of the more influential men in the Senate chambers. He chaired the Senate Foreign Relations committee and was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam conflict.

During his stint as Fulbright's press secretary, Purvis became very involved with the Fulbright Exchange Program, which had been borne out of legislation proposed by the senator and passed in 1946.

The exchange program, which is now the largest of its kind, organizes the transfer of students, scholars, professors and professionals between the United States and more than 150 countries around the globe.

At last count, more than 260,000 participants have benefited directly from the work of the Fulbright Exchange Program, Purvis said.

In 1993, Purvis was appointed by President Bill Clinton as a member of the Fulbright Scholarship Board, a 12-member committee consisting of leaders from the educational community and public life.

The Board organized all of the inner workings of the program, including the establishment of new host nations and universities, Purvis said. Purvis served three consecutive terms and was the chairman of the board from 1995 until 1998. He retired from the committee last year.

Purvis is a professor in the journalism department. He teaches Media and Society, Sports Journalism and several classes dealing with government and the media. He established the Fulbright Institute at the UA 18 years ago. He also created a degree program in international relations.

Surveying his work, both nationally and abroad, Purvis said the major catalyst for his success has been his undying focus on pursuing his career.

"Early in my life, I developed a strong interest in politics [and] international relations," he said. "I kept focused in those areas. I tried to pursue things that would enable me to combine my different areas of interest."

Among Purvis' greatest professional strengths is his never-ending pursuit to get the job done, no matter what the assignment.

"If I take on something, I am strongly connected to it," Purvis said.

In fact, Purvis' focus has been a double-edged sword.

Because of his intense pursuits doing what he loved, his efforts are often in high demand.

"I have always had more than a full plate," Purvis said. "I always want to keep busy."

Outside of his professional life, Purvis' greatest personal achievement has been raising two daughters as a single parent. Both have become very successful, Purvis said.

Juggling so many time-draining activities is tricky business. Learning to manage his time has been a continually developing process, Purvis said. He points to his roots in journalism as a major reason for his ability to manage so many different things effectively.

Those with high demands on their time should always try to look ahead and plan for future diversions so they don't get caught off guard, he said. Journalists learn this skill early in their careers, he said.

"Journalism is a series of deadlines," Purvis said, adding that writers are among the best in the world at working under pressure. "It's something that everyone has to do."

Above all, Purvis attributes his success - and the good fortune of all successful people - to the ability to do what he loves everyday.

The greatest advice for any student is to pursue a career that is interesting and inspiring every single day, Purvis said.

"I've always done things that I really liked," Purvis said. "I always wanted to go to work."

Many times, however, the perfect career will not offer itself immediately after graduation, Purvis said, which is why it is important to take risks.

"Be willing to start small, even if you can only get your foot in the door. If you seize the opportunity, you will get a chance to prove yourself," he said. "Prove what you can do. The rest will take care of itself."