Garnet Coleman: A Remembrance from the Dean

Simply put, Representative Garnet Coleman was a force of nature. Passionate — even fiery at times — you never had to guess what he was thinking. Twenty years ago in the summer of 2006, Renée Cross introduced me to Garnet and his consigliere and cousin Keith Wade. His fervor was evident within minutes. At the end of the meeting, Garnet said, “Let me know what I can do to help.” For some people that is a throwaway line, sort of a polite “glad to meet you.” In Garnet’s case, he MEANT it. What transpired from that day forward was a realization that when Garnet supported something, it was a permanent commitment.  

Indeed, what unfolded at the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs over the next 20 years was largely due to Garnet’s leadership, with his initial efforts actually going back even further. In 1999, he secured a special legislative line item for the Center for Public Policy, which was the precursor to the Hobby School. In 2013, he led the effort to get internal UH approval to start the process in creating the Hobby School, and in 2015, he obtained state funding to support its establishment. Later, in 2019 and 2021, he worked relentlessly to fund a new building to house the ever-growing school. It is truly a tragedy that he will not see its completion in 2028.  

All along the way, he took great care to maintain momentum in expanding the reach of the Hobby School. Again, his intensity was ever present. Numerous texts, phone calls, meetings, workshops — and whatever else he could do — took place. In the case of phone calls, you learned to appreciate that nature provides us with two ears. As one ear got warm in the first hour of the call, you could switch to the other, and then back again after the second hour.  

True to his character, Garnet was always prodding, encouraging, questioning, “Don’t forget this...what about that?...this is something to think about.” He wanted the Hobby School to be a “think and do” problem solving entity serving Texans. Yet he respected the academic mission of the Hobby School, with its emphasis on quantitative research and ethics.

These uncountable interactions with him could become, let’s say, more than tense at times. Yet if he blew up, Garnet was self-aware enough to apologize either before the conversation ended or shortly thereafter. This quality — his humanity — was unforgettable.  

When all is said and done, no one outside the Hobby School knew as much about its creation and development as Garnet did. This tells you a lot about his overall commitment to public service and higher education. He never let up.

The record shows that Garnet led or was part of many legislative accomplishments in his long career of public service. The Hobby School’s existence is just one example.

To reflect on Garnet’s life and to know him — really know him — was to bear witness to a person who was as straight forward as anyone. At the same time, if he believed in you or what you were doing, you could never have a better ally.  You could always count on him — and equally important — trust him. That aspect of Garnet’s character, in addition to all his accomplishments, will be his legacy to those who were fortunate to work with him at the Hobby School.  

Thank YOU, Garnet.  

Jim Granato, Ph.D.
Dean
Hobby School of Public Affairs
University of Houston