On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the Azle Education Foundation held its 13th annual Red Solo Cup BBQ Fundraiser at The Orchard in Azle. At the event, AEF presented awards to a Distinguished Alum and Distinguished Citizen for 2024-2025.
Dan Mauldin was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Mauldin graduated from Azle High School in 1961. He was a member of the varsity football team and earned All-District honors for both offense and defense. He was senior class vice president, National Honor Society president, and a member of student council.
Mauldin attended the University of Texas, where he played football and received Academic All-American and All-Southwest Conference recognition. He was a member of the 1963 championship team and played in the 1964 Cotton Bowl and the 1965 Orange Bowl. He was inducted into the Azle ISD Athletic Hall of Fame for his athletic achievements in 2015.
Mauldin obtained his bachelorβs, masterβs, and doctoral degrees in mathematics from the University of Texas. His groundbreaking dissertation solved a mathematical problem from the famed Scottish Book, which garnered the recognition of luminaries in the mathematical world.
During his career, Mauldin served as a university professor, regents professor, professor emeritus, and consultant for various agencies. He authored more than 150 research papers and books. He also solved approximately 10 problems from the Scottish Book and edited its modern edition, which further cemented his legacy in the field.
Mauldin said his achievements were deeply influenced by the seeds planted by teachers he had in Azle ISD.
Roddy Murr was presented with the Distinguished Citizen Award. Murr attended all grades in Azle schools and graduated from AHS in 1964. He owned and operated Murr's Main Street Drug in Azle until his retirement.
He is a strong Azle ISD supporter and is never too busy to serve Azle ISD when needed. He has served with multiple Hornet organizations including the Azle FFA Alumni & Supporters Association, Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Long Range Facilities Planning Committee, Azle ISD Career and Technical Advisory Council, and many Building Leadership Team Committees. He has headed up various class reunions and class-related projects such as the Memory Garden at AHS. He was a previous Azle Homecoming parade Grand Marshal.
Murr is president of the Azle/Ash Creek Cemetery Association. He is also a former Azle City Council Member and Azle Rotary Club past-president and is a recipient of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas Community Builder Award.
He has volunteered at the Community Caring Center on Thursday evenings for the past three years and each year, he sponsors six scholarships for AHS seniors as well as the Jaylee Murr Williams Memorial scholarship.
The annual Red Solo Cup event features an evening of dining, dancing, and a unique live auction that raises funds for AEF to provide student scholarships, teacher and campus grants, new teacher gift cards, and more.
Learn more about AEF by visiting the AEF webpage or following AEF on Facebook.