Dr. Darlene & Mr. Gilson Westbrook

After graduating with honors from Athens School in 1968, Dr. Darlene Renfro Westbrook became the first recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Award at SFASU. She also was a charter member of the first African American sorority at SFA, Delta Sigma Theta. After graduation from SFA in 1972, Dr. Westbrook became the first African American to teach at Montclair Elementary in Corpus Christi, Texas. When she moved to Austin, she was transferred from one school to another to integrate the faculty at that school. Dr. Westbrook served as a teacher for five years and was selected as the first African American principal at Oak Hill Elementary by Austin ISD. She returned to her hometown, Athens, Texas in 1985 becoming the first African American principal and district administrator since integration of the Athens Public Schools in 1965. On returning to Austin in 1990, she was selected as the first African American principal at Lamar Middle School by Austin ISD.
Dr. Westbrook worked as an Austin district administrator for the remainder of her career serving the district as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Area Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and Chief Academic Officer. She received many professional recognitions for her work including the University Council for Education Excellence in Leadership award, the Outstanding Texan award, the YMCA Woman of the Year award, and the Texas Congress of PTA Exemplary Principal award.
Dr. Westbrook earned a Doctorate in Education Administration from Texas A&M University, a Masters Degree from Texas State University, and a Bachelors Degree in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Dr. Westbrook is married to Gilson Howard Westbrook. Mr. Westbrook graduated from SFA in 1971. They have two sons, and a daughter, Nicholas, Darrell, and Deidre. They also have three grandchildren, Tyus, Sydney, and Simon.
Dr. Darlene Renfro Westbrook has often stated that the high quality education she received at SFA changed her life and opened doors of opportunity throughout her career in education.