Tom Luce, Education Visionary Who ‘never Takes a Bow,' Joins His Heroes as Linz Award Winner

Anyone familiar with Dallas goings-on knows the name Tom Luce, no matter how much he might try to shun the limelight.The Dallas native, a founding partner of a prominent law firm, has been involved in public service, and in particular education reform, for 30 years.Those efforts are being recognized with the 2018 Linz Award, an annual honor recognizing enduring civic or humanitarian efforts benefiting Dallas.Growing up, Luce said, he looked up to many figures who received the Linz Award — people such as R.L. Thornton, J. Erik Jonsson and Eugene McDermott. "They were people I always revered," he said, "and to receive the same honor is certainly rewarding."The award, one of the city's oldest and most respected civic honors, is sponsored by The Dallas Morning News and the Junior League of Dallas Sustainers. Luce will be officially presented with the award at the 89th annual Linz Award Luncheon in Dallas on April 16."He has been a warrior for important causes," said Jim Moroney, publisher and CEO of The News. "To me, he is the epitome of the selfless volunteer who leads and creates so much good, and never takes a bow."Meadows Foundation president and CEO Linda Perryman Evans, who nominated Luce for the award, described him as "a true visionary" and a humble man. The foundation is one of Texas' largest philanthropic organizations."You can't live in this city and not know who Tom is," Evans said. "He's just an amazing man who's accomplished so much. He's so deserving of this award that, frankly, I'm shocked that he'd never gotten it before."Among other things, Evans noted in her nomination that the National Math + Science Initiative, where Luce was founding chief executive, has helped 2 million students in 40 states since 2007. Students in the program — especially girls, Latinos and African-Americans — have outpaced their public school peers in AP exam performance over the last decade."Tom Luce knows the doors a good education can open," she wrote.  Continue reading...