For Steve Lufburrow, it wasn’t the book learning but the life lessons presented during his time in college which allowed him to extend his education after Southwestern into his career with Goodwill Industries of Houston. He says that his experience at Southwestern University was one of the highlights of his life because it gave him the opportunity to grow up and experience life before moving into a successful career.

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries of Houston and also the Executive Director of the Goodwill Industries of Houston Foundation, Steve certainly holds his share of responsibilities. In addition to these, Steve devotes his time in service to the Houston Galveston Area Council Work Development Board, to which he was appointed by County Judge Robert Eckels. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau, an Advisory Board Member of the Westview School, and a member of the Advisory Board for Target Hunger, an organization which attempts to combat hunger by providing families the opportunity to become more self-sufficient.

Steve Lufburrow’s list of accomplishments which followed his graduation from Southwestern include, among others: President of the Rotary Club of Houston, Vice President of the Houston Club Board of Directors, member of the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee, member of the Advisory Board of the Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped, and President of the Texas Association of Goodwills. Steve also accepted the invitation and served for a while as the Chair of Southwestern University’s Local Association Task Force for Houston and the surrounding areas.

During his time at Southwestern University, Steve was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha while he held a full-time job as a bus driver for the Georgetown Independent School District. He enjoyed May term classes and says that he could have mastered in playing Frisbee.

Steve married Joan Graham ’81 after their graduation from Southwestern. The couple has two sons who “are amazed at the fact that their father can throw and catch a Frisbee like everyone else, since in their minds, dads can’t do that”.

In his free time, Steve is a singer and drummer for a Houston band, Twist & Shout, which plays Classic Rock & Roll and Motown. He is also a Sunday school class teacher as well as a motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys cross country touring.

The most important information Steve can pass on to current students is that attending Southwestern University is a privilege. Not everyone has the opportunity to get into the school, and once graduated, students will understand how close the Southwestern family is and how many doors are open to students because of the influence and reputation of the university.