THE TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION MAGAZINE | S U M M E R 2 0 1 4

Take a Walk With Me How the legacy of professor John J. McDermott permeates Aggieland PRESIDENT’S LETTER

A Testament to Two Legends here’s an old saying that when you reach a certain age, everyone you see reminds you of someone you already know. I’m old enough to attest that there is a modicum of truth to the statement. Yet, the assertion that there are only so many human archetypes is soundly refuted by a couple of articles in this issue of Spirit . I’ve been privileged to know a number of unique characters, and we high - light two of them in this issue. I met Dr. Thomas Hargrove ’ 66 “on the wall” in Dorm 2 in September 1963 . Tom was a sophomore in Spider D, and I was a fish in Saber C. We both came to Texas A&M from dusty West Texas cotton farms to study agricultural journalism. Tom was a mentor in many way s— some enjoyable, some not so much. He was an absolutely unique human being. He was extraordinarily bright but more impor - tant, he was a creative storyteller and adventurer. Times were spartan at Texas A&M, and Tom found many ways to enliven the experience, often fueled by his passion for a quick trip to Whiskey Bridge, where distilled spirits were for sale. If he were still around, he would probably be embarrassed by an oft-quoted statement, but it will stimulate memories among his myriad old friends: “The most useless thing in the world is the top to a whiskey bottle.” Tom harnessed those youthful forays and adventuresome activities into an extraordinary career as an international agriculturalist. His most famous adventure was unfortunately being captured by narco-guerillas in South America. The book and movie that documents his experience there only adds to the Hargrove legend. The second person highlighted who broke the mold is John McDermott, a distinguished professor of philosophy. I got to know John in the early 1980 s when I returned from a three-year absence from Texas A&M. With President Frank Vandiver, he led the charge to create a Faculty Senate and was holding down the post of its first chair. Curmudgeonly, always puffing on a pipe, and somewhat unkemp t with a shock of long hair and a sweat-brimmed fedora, he was the proto - typical image of the crazy professor. His slightly disheveled appearance and con - frontational style gets your attention, but his well-camouflaged soft side is inter - ested in what is going on to expand a person’s mind. All it took was a few minutes time engaged in conversation with McDermott to understand his deep affection for Texas A&M, in particular his students. His leadership of the Faculty Senate was based on a belief that faculty had a legiti - mate role in the governance of the institution. John and I continue to have thought ful and provocative conversations about his love for Texas A&M and his never-ending commitment to its students by protecting their interests and ex - panding their intellectual boundaries. He is and has been a faculty conscience for Texas A&M for almost four decades. I heartily endorse your careful reading of the two stories highlighted here as well as the other inspirational content about Texas A&M in this issue of Spirit .

eddie j. davis ’ 67 president texas a &m foundation Texas A&M’s Center for Teaching Excellence helps faculty do a better job of teaching so that they can do a better job of helping students learn. » p.36

FEATURES 16 CROSSINGTHEPOND

The second story in a series on Texas A&M’s Contents global reach explores the College of Architecture’s study abroad offerings. 24 Faculty Impact: ATAPESTRYOFWOVENTALES The College of Architecture has four main Distinguished Professor John J. McDermott international options for its students to interact has built a legacy in the field of American with building design and extend Texas A&M’s philosophy during his 62-year career. global reach—Italy, Germany, London and Spain. » p.16 28 Student Impact: PATRIOTANDPIONEER The Aggie International Ambassadors An endowed memorial scholarship honors see themselves as liaisons between 66 cultures, sponsoring activities and events Dr. Thomas Hargrove ’ , a Vietnam vet- 11 that introduce international students eran who endured months of Andean to American traditions. » p.32 captivity on his journey to becoming one of the Green Revolution’s finest. 32 Spirit Impact: ATHOMEWITHTHEWORLD

V O l U M E X V n O . 3|SUMMER 2 014 The Aggie International Ambassadors are Spirit is published three times a year by the Texas cultural liaisons who learn from and teach A&M Foun dation, which manages major gifts international students attending Texas A&M. and endowments for the benefit of academic programs, scholarships and student activities at Texas A&M University. Please direct inquiries to 36 the Marketing Office, Texas A&M Foun dation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX College Impact: 77840- 2811, call (800) 392-3310 or (979) 845-8161, LET ’ STALKTEACHING or email [email protected]. Information in this magazine is for educational purposes only When a Texas A&M department was and should be examined by independent legal counsel due to possible differences in local laws struggling to meet national standards, and individual needs. the Center for Teaching Excellence txamfoundation.com came to the rescue. txamfoundation.com/SpiritMagazine facebook.com/TexasAMFoundation youtube.com/AggieSpiritandMind twitter.com/TXAMFoundation copyright © 2014 texas a &m foundation EDITOR Sondra White ’87

MAnAGInG EDITOR Megan Kasperbauer

ART DIRECTIOn & D E S I G n Geer Design, Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHY Aggie International Ambassadors (p. 35, top) DEPARTMENTS John Benson, The Battalion (p. 6) The Bush School of Government & Public Service (p. 12-13) Ana Escobar (p. 16; 17; 18 and 19, bottom) 3 THELEGACY Mark Everett (p. 8, top) Miles Hargrove (p. 28; 29; 31) In a tremendous philanthropic gesture, Ann Jason Jones (p. 10, bottom) and Charles P. Manning ’82 established 7 11 Robb Kendrick (p. , top; , top) dean’s excellence endowments to benefit Igor Kraguljac (p. 38; 40) A&M Chanam lee (p. 8, left) four Texas entities after their lifetimes. 14-15 25 36-37 44 45 Jim lyle (p. ; ; ; ; , left 4 LETTERS / CORRECTIONS and top; 46) 43 Mays Business School (p. ) 6 ONCAMPUS Do you know where your food comes from? Dr. 18 Brian Sowell (p. , top left) Aleda Roth, a visiting scholar in the Texas A&M 18 Korean cadets visit Aggieland; Student Texas A&M College of Architecture (p. , University Institute for Advanced Study, believes 21 22 top right; p. , bottom right; , Recreation Center undergoes renovations; that U.S. consumers are at a high risk of con- 23 bottom left; ) Texas A&M pledges to increase study tamination from food that is imported from Texas A&M College of Education and abroad participation. emerging countries. » p.42 Human Development (p. 10, center) 10 Texas A&M College of Science (p. , bottom) 8 LABWORK Texas A&M Dwight look College of Engineering (p. 11, bottom) College of Architecture students design Texas A&M at Galveston (p.7, bottom) nigerian medical facility; researchers explore Texas A&M Marketing and Communications the history of Alcatraz. (p. 9, bottom) Zackary Chance Medlin (p. 1, left) 10 NEWGIFTS

P R I n T I n G Physician endows second-ever chair in the Chas. P. Young Printing Department of Statistics; ConocoPhillips $6 BOARDOFTRUSTEES commits million toward new Engineering Van H. Taylor ’71 Education Complex. Chairman George K. Hickox Jr. ’80 12 ONEVOICE Chairman-elect “Go to hard places and do hard things.” 73 Jorge Bermúdez ’ This call to action guides future peacemakers T. Randall Cain ’82 Charles H. Gregory ’64 at The Bush School of Government and Richard Kardys ’67 Public Service. P. William Toler ’76 By Ryan C. Crocker

EXECUTIVES 14 VIEWPOINT 67 Ed Davis ’ Paint USA delivers an engaging tool to President learn and teach geography with larger- Jim Palincsar Senior Vice President for Development than-life maps of the United States. Doyle Thompson 42 OPPORTUNITY Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Texas A&M’s Institute for Advanced Study Contents liska lusk facilitates pioneering research by bringing Vice President and General Counsel world-renowned scholars to campus. Janet Handley ’76 Vice President for Investments 44 @FOUNDATION Kathy McCoy ’80 Outstanding student receives $2,500 Assistant Vice President of Marketing award; Maroon Coats welcome seventh class; Bermúdez joins trustees. COVER John J. McDermott is more than a professor; 46 POSTSCRIPT he’s a storyteller who instills in his students the “From Aggie Jokes to Graduation” importance of self-discovery. Inspired by the layers By Dunae Crenwelge ’15 of meaning within McDermott’s lessons, College Station artist Scott McDermott (no relation) 47 CONTACTUS created this portrait of the philosopher.

2 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION Ann and Charles Manning ’82, who document- ed a generous gift to Texas A&M in their estate plan, snagged a photo with Reveille VIII during a visit to campus in February.

TheLegacy

veryone who grows up in Texas knows that at some point, there comes a choice: Aggie or longhorn. “Half my peers went one way, half the other, and for some reason I chose A Promise Made Will Be a Promise Paid A Spirit Worth Preserving Aggie,” said Charles Manning ’82, who generous bequest planned in their came to Texas A&M University in 1978 living trust, they have named the Mays Business School Dean Jerry and graduated a year early with a de - Texas A&M Foundation as a benefici- Strawser says the Mannings’ gift will gree in finance. ary of their retirement accounts after impact students in countless ways. “I remember walking around cam - their lifetimes. “With the flexibility they are al - pus, seeing names on buildings and “Retirement account assets are not lowing, it can support student schol- read ing about former student bene- very tax-friendly, so a planned gift was arships, study abroad opportunities, factors, and I vowed to myself that I an easy decision,” said Charles. With student travel competitions and fac- would join their ranks if circum- both gifts, the Mannings will hold, ulty teaching and research activities,” stances allowed,” he said. man age, enjoy and continue to build he said. Flash forward to today, where his their estate during their lifetimes, and During a recent conversation, promise is set to be fulfilled. In a Texas A&M will benefit greatly. Dean Eleanor Green of the College tremendous philanthropic gesture, They designed all of their endow - of Veterinary Medicine and Bio med - Charles and his wife Ann solidified a ments to allow college deans maxi- ical Sciences told the Mannings that significant planned gift through the mum flexibility in the use of funds. private gifts keep the spirit of Texas Texas A&M Foundation to benefit four “I have no idea what the needs A&M a reality. Texas A&M entities: Mays Business of each college will be in 20, 30 or 40 “She reminded us that cultures School, the College of Agriculture and years, but I do trust that the deans will must be nurtured and that giving life Sciences, the College of Veteri nary be good stewards of these funds,” said resources to the right people can gen- Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Charles, who chose each beneficiary erate a culture and spirit worth pre- and the 12th Man Foundation. with care. serving,” said Charles.

Thoughtful Planning Banking Reaps Benefits —by dunae crenwelge ’15 With hefty retirement accounts and Retired now and living in Austin, the To discuss how a planned gift to the no children, the Mannings wanted to Mannings enjoyed productive and Texas A&M Foundation might benefit you, your family and the university, plan for the final distribution of their fruit ful careers. Charles worked in contact Glenn Pittsford ’72 in the Office estate in a tax-efficient way. They banking technology, writing software of Gift Planning at [email protected] worked closely with their attorney, used by banks nationwide. Ann re - or (800) 392-3310. Amy Bloomquist ’83, to create a giv- ceived a juris doctor degree from Ohio ing strategy that is now documented northern University and originally in their estate plan. In addition to a worked for a law practice.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 3 Letters

Share Your Comments We always enjoy receiving our readers’ reactions to . If Spirit TEXASA &M ’ SGLOBALIMPACT ates insight into operating in the world of any of the magazine’s content I read with much interest the article in the future. moves you to write, please email Spirit magazine about the TAMU campus Gig ’em. us at [email protected] in Qatar. I was one of a small group of —thomas h. taylor ’66 or send a note on the postage-paid faculty and administrators from the Interim Vice President for Administration (2010) form on the inside back cover. College Station campus who worked on Texas A&M University College Station, Texas the startup of the Qatar and Mexico City 87 Center initiatives. My first trips to those sondra white ’ Spirit Editor countries were made with many questions I just received the latest edition of and instantly had negative feelings for megan kasperbauer and reservations. However, as I returned, Texas A&M University, which had a sterling Managing Editor I realized that these initiatives had the reputation as one of the few remaining potential for Texas A&M University to have a global impact and to possibly change the conservative educational institutions in world through relationships, as well as our country. I look to the State of Texas education. In looking back, they also fit as one of the last bastions of freedom and nicely with the Vision 2020 imperative to conservatism left in our poorly led and declining country. diversify and globalize the Texas A&M community. The State of Texas maintains its There were enormous challenges to status for me and I have recently thought overcome in order to establish an opera- of moving there from Florida. I earned a tion in a foreign country: currency and doctorate in veterinary medicine from A&M Spring 2014 magazine cultural differences, purchasing procedures, Texas ’s College of Veterinary Medi - Spirit 1972 hiring faculty and staff, compliance with cine in . I have and will always respect foreign laws, etc. As difficult as this was, it my classmates and the vet school for offer- would have been much more challenging ing me a sound education in my field. without the help of our former students I still have hope for our country and who lived in those countries and who still highly respect the State of Texas, but provided great insight into working in will no longer be donating in any way to & those environments. Aggies really do live the Texas A M Foundation. Please take Spirit everywhere and they were excited about a my name off your list of subscribers TAMU presence. and save that money as my issues will I look forward to reading the remain- promptly be recycled. The cover of the spring issue has placed a lasting memory ing series of articles about Texas A&M’s global footprint in Spirit. The world has in my nonpolitically correct mind. changed significantly since I graduated in —linda wendelken sample ’72 1966, and I was privileged to witness the Tampa, Florida changes in students and opportunities THANKSFROMSALSAFUSION during my 36-year career at Texas A&M. I hope the recent efforts to extend study On behalf of Salsa Fusion latin Dance abroad opportunities to more Aggies will Company, I would like to thank you for be successful as it will provide our gradu- your generous donations to our organiza- 4 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION A group of Texas A&M University faculty and administrators from the College Station campus worked closely with former students who lived abroad on the startup of the univer- sity’s Qatar and Mexico City Center initiatives.

tion, which helped us to represent Texas look and behavior. The clean-cut, whole- A&M University and the Hispanic commu- some Aggies were a world apart from that. nity at the Houston Salsa Congress. I received the first Ph.D. in English in Salsa Fusion was established in 2008 1971, but memories of my Aggieland by a handful of friends who wanted to experience linger still. extend their love and appreciation for —eleanor rettig mitchell’71 salsa and latin culture to the student Retired Professor of English body and the community of the Huntsville, Texas Bryan/College Station area. Since then, the organization has grown to more than Editor’s note: Shortly after we published 70 2014 members for the spring semester. the fall 2013 issue of Spirit, we received Using donations that individuals a thoughtful letter from Dr. Dean C. directed to our group through the Corrigan, who served as dean of Texas Foundation, we were able to travel to the A&M’s College of Education from 1980 Houston Salsa Congress to perform for a to 1990. crowd of more than 400. We also learned Under his leadership, the college new dances to share with the students revised its degree programs in response to and faculty of Texas A&M, and we net- the educational reform movements of the worked with international dancers and Reveille IV (1975–1984) late 1980s. In his letter, Corrigan reflects students from other colleges. on how the College of Education led the Thank you again for your support, I studied zoology at Texas A&M, grad- way in integrating the Texas A&M faculty. and on behalf of Salsa Fusion, I would uating in 1978 and continued my studies Although we could not publish the like to extend my sincerest gratitude to at Corpus Christi State University, which entire letter in print, we can share this you for your donations. is now part of the Texas A&M University excerpt: System. little did I know that the political “In reflecting on my experience at —joshua rivera ’14 Executive Director climate of those times would strip national Texas A&M, the decision that the faculty Salsa Fusion Latin Dance Company funding for careers in natural sciences. But made to take the lead in seeking minority somehow this old tree-hugger ended up in faculty and students Illinois in a career as a civilian federal was the action that I employee with the Department of Defense will always remember and later the Department of the Army. as the most impor- It can only be the environment of tant and most satis- Texas A&M that could have led me to such fying in my 50 years a rewarding life. I am forever indebted in the field of educa- to my Aggie brothers and sisters. With tion,” Corrigan eternal thanks, writes. “As we read this issue of Dr. Dean C. Corrigan —jim mcfarlen ’78 Spirit Rock Island, Illinois today and feel good about the progress Donor generosity enabled Salsa Fusion to regarding diversity, we need to remember represent Texas A&M University at the 2014 “ HOWDYMA’ AM !” the minority faculty and their colleagues Houston Salsa Congress. who were out in front at the beginning. Spirit Reading letters in the spring issue It was not easy. That is what makes it so prompted me to add one more about rewarding. It was such a pleasure to work ONECLASSYLADY 1960 women on campus in the s. I began with people who proudly did what was the 14 Kudos to Joanna Raines ’ on a really working part-time on a doctorate in right thing to do. As each day goes by, 1966 great article that provided the history of English language studies in while the moments that we shared in this effort 2013 our first lady, Reveille, in the fall teaching at Sam Houston State Teaching become more precious.” Spirit issue of magazine. I was moved to College in Huntsville. For five years I To read Corrigan’s letter in its entirety A&M tears by this wonderful story as it remind- enjoyed the Texas campus, especially and other letters that would not fit in this ed me of my first day of orientation in the cadets who, in passing, always said, issue, visit the “Letters” section of 1976 Spirit Aggieland in , when I got my first “Howdy ma’am!” This was especially magazine online at txamfoundation.com/ glimpse of her. Oh, to be young again and notable after my student days at a big-city SpiritMagazine. full of hope! university where many opted for the ’60s

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 5 OnCampus

Korean Cadets Visit Aggieland Ramirez Jr. ’79, Corps commandant. In January, the Corps of Cadets host- “This was an amazing learning expe- 35 ed ROTC cadets from South Korea rience for all of these cadets to work for a three-week leadership devel op - together, learn from each other and ment program offered through the develop relation ships that could last Corps’ Global Initiatives Program. a lifetime.” During their stay in Aggieland, the The program is designed to offer South Korean cadets lived on the Quad opportunities for cadets to be ex posed with the Corps, attended classes, and to countries, cultures and perspectives participated in leadership activities and from around the world. It also gives ROTC military training. They also at - select Texas A&M cadets the opportu- tended Texas A&M baseball and bas ket - nity to travel abroad—this year to ball games and visited several locations Turkey, Chile and India. across Texas, including Fort Hood near Killeen, the USS lexington in Rec Center Grows Corpus Christi and the Johnson Space Cristina Palomino ’14 speaks with To accommodate its growing student visiting Korean cadet Nam Do Whui Center in Houston. body, Texas A&M’s Student Recreation outside the Trigon en route to a mili- “We are honored to have hosted Center is undergoing a $54 million tary science class. The Corps of Cadets welcomed 35 South Korean ROTC these cadets and to have such an ex - renovation and expansion that will students to Aggieland this spring as citing international program on our continue through 2015. part of its Global Initiatives Program. campus,” said Brig. Gen. Joe E. Satterfield & Pontikes Construc - tion Inc. is leading the expan sion and Marmon Mok Architecture is creating the design. The facility will remain fully operational throughout the proj - ect, which is being funded without an increase in students’ recreational sports fees. (Rev enue bonds support- ed by the existing recre ational sports fees will fund the project). The Student Recreation Center has operated at capacity since open- ing in 1995. The project will increase activity and support space by 25 per- cent, and will provide significantly more programs and services for Aggies. The expansion will add strength and conditioning space, another gymnasi- 6 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION The Student Recreation Center is undergoing major renovations to accommodate a growing student population. All facilities will remain open during the renovation, including the pop- ular indoor rock wall.

at Galveston offers students of all ages a unique opportunity to dive into STEM experiences. This year, the university hosted nearly 1,000 junior high and high school students and their teachers at major STEM events, including the Dol - phin Challenge, the Galveston County Science and Engineering Fair, the Sci - ence Olympiad and the Texas Acade - my of Science Conference. Sponsored by the Texas A&M Sea um, new multi-purpose activity rooms, In 2012-13, Texas A&M had more Grant, the Dolphin Challenge is the a second entrance, an outdoor plaza, than 3,000 students studying or par- north Texas regional competition of an additional pool, a natatorium ren- ticipating in non-credit programs in the national Ocean Science Bowl. Dur - ovation and lighting retrofit. more than 90 locations around the ing the challenge, students demon- world with virtually all of its academ- strate their knowledge of marine and More Aggies Will Go Global ic units represented. coastal science by answering questions Texas A&M University has pledged a For more information about the from biology, physics, chemistry, geol - 100 percent increase over a five-year “Generation Study Abroad” initiative ogy, geography, mathematics and the period in the number of students tak - and a complete list of commitment social sciences. ing advantage of study abroad oppor- partners, visit www.iie.org. The Galveston County Science tunities—reaching a level that would and Engineering Fair encourages stu- exceed 4,000. Texas A&M officials say Diving Into STEM Experiences dents from seventh to twelfth grades they believe their pledge represents the As a coastal center for ocean-related to engage in STEM education through largest increase in Texas and among science, technology, engineering and competitive exhibitions. Fourteen 200 the largest nationally. math (STEM), Texas A&M University schools and more than students Texas A&M officials made the participated in the fair this year. pledge as part of the Institute of Inter - The Science Olympiad introduces national Education’s “Generation students to practicing scientists and Study Abroad” initiative to vastly in - career choices. This year’s regional crease the number of American stu- Texas Science Olympiad tournament, dents who study abroad by 2020. At held for the seventh year at the Galve - least 156 institutions from 41 U.S. ston campus, was a rigorous academic states have made a commitment, in - interscholastic competition that con- clud ing almost 100 public colleges and sisted of a series of team events in both universities. Texas is among the top Students from Riverwood Middle School in science and engineering disciplines. five states in terms of institutions that Kingwood, Texas, participated in team events like the rotator egg drop during the Texas A&M have pledged to date, and Texas Science Olympiad. The event, hosted at Texas leads the state in sending students A&M University at Galveston, is an inter- abroad for study opportunities. scholastic science and engineering competition.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 7 LabWork

Landscape Architecture Students Zhong ’13 and Wenyan Ji ’13 and led Design Nigerian Medical City by Dr. Chanam lee, associate professor In an effort to raise health care stan- of landscape architecture and urban dards in nigeria—which ranks seventh- planning, includes an 800-bed hospital, highest in infant mortality among the 200-bed children’s hospital, medical world’s nations—Thompson & Grace school and research institute. Stu dent Investments, a nigerian oilfield services teams in the Texas A&M Architecture- For-Health studio developed dual- hospital concepts for the project. “In developing their designs, students had to consider nigeria’s climate and cul- ture, as well as the leading causes of illness and death in the country includ - ing malaria and HIV/AIDS,” said George J. Mann, studio director and holder of the Ronald l. Skaggs Pro - fessorship of Health Facilities Design.

Unlocking Secrets of “The Rock” Texas A&M University Professor Mark Everett is part of a team that recently probed below one of the country’s most infamous sites—Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Twelve to 15 feet Dr. Chanam Lee and three architecture company, is building a world-class beneath the prison’s recreation yard, graduate students traveled to Uyo, Nigeria, last summer to study the site medical service and research city in they explored the remains of a Civil for a proposed Nigerian medical facility. Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State War-era military fortress. The team developed a master plan, in nigeria, based on a master plan cre - Everett, a professor of geology and which was adopted in February by Thompson & Grace Investments and at ed by landscape architecture graduate geophysics, joined colleagues from the the Dallas-based architecture firm students at Texas A&M University. Departments of Architecture and An - HKS Inc. Set to open in 2018, the Thompson & Grace is launching thropology, California’s Chico State 100-acre medical facility will improve standards for Nigerian health services. the project to address nigeria’s severe - University and the national Parks Serv - ly inadequate health services, shortage ice to examine what lies beneath layers of qualified health professionals and of soil and concrete on Alcatraz. At var - absence of a medical research infra- ious times, the island has been home structure. to the oldest operating lighthouse on The master plan for the 100-acre the West Coast, a military fortification, city, developed by Xue li ’13, Sinan a military prison and a federal prison. 8 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION Dr. Mark Everett and anthropology doctoral student Tim De Smet ’11 check underground According to Murphy, a Texas ers involved in the conflict, “post-war readings using ground-penetrating radar on A&M specialist in mammalian compar - democratization is highly unlikely.” Alcatraz Island. Everett is part of a team that ative genomics and feline genetics, cats A professor of international affairs discovered the remains of a Civil War military fortress beneath the former prison’s recreation and humans share several hundred at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Gov - yard and parade ground. disease pathologies. ernment and Public Service, Huang “Often, mutations in the same conducts macro studies of civil wars Using ground-penetrating radar, genes in both humans and cats cause across the post-1945 period, fo cusing which sends electromagnetic waves the same disease, so if we can find a on rebel group dynamics. She finds into the ground that then reflect off of gene in a cat that causes a certain dis- that in civil wars in which rebel any structures below, the team scanned ease, we may be able to find the same groups are politically organized and the ground beneath the prison. in humans,” Murphy said. For in - less dependent on foreign aid, democ - The team found evidence of sub- stance, Murphy says that cats are a rati zation is more likely to be the out- terranean tunnel systems, embank- good model for diabetes because they come. ments and magazine buildings—since are sedentary and have risk factors While some rebel groups are vio- covered over for federal prison use— sim ilar to those of humans. lent toward civilians and interested in that were part of a military fortification As part of the initiative, re - loot and profit, others are more disci- during the Civil War. Because of its searchers will gather 99 additional cats plined and organized, often providing loca tion away from the mainland and of diverse breeds from a wide variety the citizenry with social services such the cold waters surrounding it, Alca - of geographic locations, take DnA sam - as schools and health clinics while also traz was used to house Civil War pris- ples and work to sequence their ge - creating legislatures, laws and court sys - 1861 1868 oners as early as , and by it nomes. The hope is that bet ter genet- tems. was designated a long-term detention ic tests for cats, as well as infor mation When Huang applies her argu- facility to hold military prisoners. applicable to human dis ease, may be ment to the ongoing crisis in Syria, The most promising potential dis - developed based on the knowledge she finds that intervention by other covery lies at the south end of the gained from the sequencing project. countries, including the U.S., will only island, beneath the prison’s recreation serve to lengthen the conflict and to yard and parade ground. The team Foreign Intervention May Decrease decrease the chance for a Syrian believes a caponier—a large structure Chance of Democracy democ racy by forestalling grassroots that juts out into the bay and pro- The more foreign intervention there mobilization for change. vides defensive cover—lies below. is in a civil war, the less likely the end

result will be democratization, says Texas A&M professor Reyko Huang studies Texas A&M Professor Reyko Huang. the effect of foreign intervention in civil wars across the post-1945 period. Huang has found When applying her findings to the that when foreign powers intervene in a civil ongoing Syrian Civil War, Huang says war or provide support for rebel groups, that given the numerous outside play - democracy is less likely to result—as is the

Feline Health Tied to Humans A cat may have only nine lives, but it has tens of thousands of genes that determine everything from physical traits to disease susceptibility. Expanding upon research that pro duced a high quality genome of a single domestic cat, Professor William Murphy and a team of Texas A&M Uni versity researchers will join others at several institutions in an initiative to sequence the 20,000 genes in vari- ous breeds of felines in hopes of find- ing keys to better health in cats and humans.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 9 Gifts to the Texas A&M Foundation Inspire Spirit and Mind NewGifts

Physician Creates Statistics Chair ing practice specializing in staff train- 83 Florida physician Stuart A. Harlin ’ ing, clinical studies work and research created an endowed faculty chair in assistance. the Texas A&M University Depart ment “This is a way to pay things back of Statistics to advance the use of sta- since I attended Texas A&M on schol- tistics in medical areas. arships,” Harlin said. “It was impor- 83 The Jill and Stuart A. Harlin ’ tant to me in providing funds that the Chair in Statistics, established through College of Science be able to direct a combination of current and plan ned them toward their best use, in this case gifts to the Texas A&M Foundation, the procuring of prestigious faculty marks only the second faculty chair within the Department of Statistics.” created within the department. The Harlin Chair is intended to support Good Living at Camp LIFE the teaching, research, service and pro - fessional development activities of the faculty holder, whose academic focus shall be in the field of medical and As the inaugural holder of the Jill and Stuart A. Harlin ’83 Chair in Statistics, public health statistics. Texas A&M Distinguished Professor Harlin, a 1983 zoology graduate, of Statistics Dr. Raymond J. Carroll hopes to apply his vast, pioneering is a board-certified vascular surgeon in expertise in many avenues of statistical the Pensacola area and the founder research to help improve vascular care. of Harlin Consulting, a medical advis -

Mary Ann and Gordon Gibson ’55 created an endowment to support Camp LIFE, an adventure camp affiliated with the College of Education and Human Development that has served more than 600 children with disabilities throughout Texas, including their son Glenn.

In support of Texas children with dis- abilities, Mary Ann and Gordon Gib son ’55 established the Gibson Fam ily Camp life Endowment to boost the Camp lIFE program in the College of Education and Human Development. Founded by the Family Support network within the college, Camp lIFE (leader ship, Independence and Friends 10 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION through Experiences) provides camp- ing adventures twice a year in Burton, Texas, for children ages 5 to 21 with disabilities. It has the dual purpose of providing an inclusive camp experi- ence for special needs children, while giving Texas A&M University pre- service special education students who staff the camp hands-on experiences with children who have disabilities. The Gibsons’ son, Glenn, an adult with special needs, and their daughter Sharon ’86, a College of Education and Human Development graduate with a certification in special educa-

tion, inspired the couple’s interest in The William and Susan Ouren Preservation Librarian Endowment will aid the Cushing Memorial supporting Camp lIFE. Library and Archives with maintenance and storage of its hundreds of thousands of rare books, “Glenn is a Special Olympics ath - manuscripts, photos and other artifacts. lete, competing in volleyball, bocce Couple’s Gift Enhances Library Preservation ball, soccer and swimming,” Mary Ann Texas history has a special place in the hearts of Susan ’74 and Bill ’74 Ouren. So when the said. “These have been wonderful ac - Kingwood couple had a chance to tour the Cushing Memori al Library and Archives, they recog- nized an opportunity. tiv ities for him, and we wanted to “We asked what we could do to make a difference,” said Bill, “and we learned that they support similar opportunities for other needed a preservation librarian position as well as funding to expand their ongoing preservation children while providing invaluable program.” To support the Cushing Library in the maintenance of its hundreds of thousands of rare experience for future special education materials, the Ourens created an endowment to fund a pre-eminent preservation program and a teachers.” named faculty position, the William and Susan Ouren Preserva tion Librarian. The Ourens also in clud ed a planned gift in their estate plan that will significantly increase the value of the endow- This endowment marks the Gib - ment after their lifetimes. sons’ fifth at Texas A&M. Under the leadership of Julie Mosbo, the inaugural beneficiary of the Ouren’s gift, the preservation program is undertaking physical restoration, repair, stabilization and digitization of ConocoPhillips Gives rare materials. $6 Million to Engineering “This endowment aids our mission by providing resources to build a robust preservation unit that focuses on both physical and digital collections,” Mosbo said. “The endowment will fund A $6 million contribution by Conoco - state-of-the-art equipment in a planned preservation facility as well as support our growing Digital Phillips to the Dwight look College Ser vice Center.” The Ourens also included gifts in their estate plan that will provide additional funding to of Engineering at Texas A&M Univer - endowed schol arships they have established in education, agriculture, engineering and accounting. sity will support construction of a new Engineering Education Complex on Texas A&M’s campus. brightest minds through this dona- tial impact within our company and The new facility will be dedicated tion,” said Ryan lance, chair man and around the world.” solely to undergraduate engineering CEO of Conoco Phillips. “Texas A&M As an innovative learning environ- education and will be built adjacent to consistently de livers top-tier gradu- ment, the complex will feature flexi- the existing Zachry Engineering Cen - ates that continually make a substan- ble classrooms, design and fabrication ter, which will be renovated shared-use laboratories, collaborative during the project. When space and tutoring services. In recog- completed, the two cen ters nition of the company’s support, the will feature 600,000 square lobby will be designated as the Conoco - feet of state-of-the-art learn- Phillips Atrium. ing space. During an event at the company’s Houston “An educated work- headquarters on April 11, ConocoPhillips force drives our global eco- Chairman and CEO Ryan Lance presented a $6 million check to Dr. M. Katherine Banks, nomic future, and we’re Texas A&M vice chancellor and dean of proud to continue to sup- engineering, to support construction of a new port some of the best and Engineering Education Complex.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 11 Preparing the Peacemakers the bush school of government and public service OneVoice

“Go to hard places and do hard things.” Students at The Bush School of Government and Public Service have heard my call to action before, and they heard it again at the school’s May commencement ceremony. As for- mer ambassador to six Middle Eastern countries, I’m a Dean Ryan Crocker was appointed Ambas sador to Lebanon by former firm believer in the power of diplomacy, whether it entails President George H.W. Bush. He sitting around a table with Iranian diplomats discussing subsequently served as ambassador to Kuwait, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and war and peace or talking with gang members on the Afghanistan. streets of los Angeles. Our graduates can do both.

Diplomacy, I’ve learned, is a whole lot places for our MPSA graduates could cheaper in terms of blood and treas- entail working for nongovernmental ure than is the use of force. organizations abroad or staying in the The concept of going to hard United States to tackle challenges in places and doing hard things isn’t inner-city or impoverished rural areas. novel to any of our students; in fact, During my Foreign Service career, it’s the reason most choose to attend I was privileged to be involved in a the Bush School. Students enroll with number of high-stakes diplomacy ef - a desire to better our world, and my forts. These days, though, while I’m greatest satisfaction is that they leave occasionally called upon for advice, I here two years later fully equipped to leave negotiating to the active diplo- do so. mats. While we are proud to bear the But while I take a backseat role, name of a man I tremendously admire, our students are being called upon to former President George H.W. Bush, conduct studies and to present policy we are a nonpartisan training ground options that address real-world issues. for public servants—not for politicians. Through capstone projects, they work Our mission is precise, and we there- in teams to identify ways to approach fore focus on two programs alone: the an issue or to find a solution, usually Master’s Program in International Af - for a government agency or a non- fairs (MPIA) and the Master of Public profit organization. Unlike capstones Service and Administration (MPSA) at other institutions, however, ours program. For MPIA graduates, going to aren’t fabricated: each one is complet- hard places might involve diplomatic ed for a paying client. or intelligence efforts in war zones or This year, the U.S. Department of developing countries, while hard State called upon our students to rec- 12 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION From left to right: Mauricio Cifuentes Soto ’12; Melissa LaReau ’11; Ryan Crocker, dean of The Bush School of Government and Public Service; and David Sutton ’11.

Ryan C. Crocker ommend a U.S. policy toward Iran. erosity of donors becomes even more The Bush School of Government Joint efforts with other Texas A&M crucial to funding scholarships. and Public Service: groups led students to travel to the likewise, we must recruit the best ◊ Dean and executive professor Democratic Republic of the Congo faculty to teach these promising stu- ◊ Edward and Howard Kruse and to research health service delivery dents, and to provide critical employ - Endowed Chair

in liberia. Internships are likewise re - ment and internship contacts. Some Other Universities: quired of our students. Such oppor tu - of our faculty members have worked ◊ University of Virginia—James nities range from local nonprofit in - at the world’s most prestigious uni- Schlesinger Distinguished Visiting volve ment to studying Arabic in Beirut. versities, while others made their mark Professor Yale University—Kissinger Senior While public service is highly val - in the U.S. Foreign Service, the CIA or ◊ Fellow ued by the American people, it is not globally recognized nonprofit agencies. ◊ National War College— always financially rewarding. But we They are constantly recruited by other International affairs advisor

must be able to draw in the most tal- universities. With the help of donors, Career: ented students, regardless of their we provide endowed chairs, faculty fel - ◊ Ambassador to Afghanistan, finan cial circumstances. President lowships and travel and research funds Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait Bush feels strongly—as do I—that any needed to attract and retain them at and Lebanon student who sacrifices financial gain The Bush School. ◊ First director of governance for 1991 the Coalition Provisional Authority to serve others should not be expect- In his State of the Union in Baghdad, Iraq

ed to do the nation’s work under a Address, President George H.W. Bush ◊ Deputy assistant secretary of crushing burden of debt. Each and delivered the oft-quoted lines: “let state for Near Eastern Affairs every one of our students therefore fu ture generations understand the ◊ 37 years in Foreign Service receives some level of financial assis- bur den and the blessings of freedom. Other:

tance. As we grow, however, the gen- let them say, we stood where duty re - ◊ Presidential Medal of Freedom quired us to stand.” He certainly did. recipient (nation’s highest civilian Dean Ryan Crocker of The Bush School award) of Government and Public Service I certainly tried. And our graduates— Career Ambassador—the highest 1,000 ◊ now strong—are going forward personal rank in the Foreign throughout this country and this Service th world following in his footsteps. ◊ Honorary Marine—the 75 civilian so honored in the —by ryan c. crocker 238-year history of the corps dean and executive professor ◊ The State Department’s Ryan C. holder of the edward and howard Crocker Award for Outstanding kruse endowed chair Achievement in Expeditionary the bush school of government Diplomacy established in his name and public service

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 13 Every semester, Paint USA brings together volunteers who introduce elementary school stu- dents to a wider perspective of the United States. Members from The Bush School of Govern - ment and Public Service, Texas A&M Rotaract Club and Rotary Clubs of Bryan and College Station get involved by painting 30-foot maps of the United States at local elementary schools in hopes of providing youngsters and teachers with an engaging tool to learn and teach geography. Marlee Kingsley ’07 ’14, Paint USA advisor and a 2014 international affairs graduate from the Bush School, started this project in College Station last spring because she wanted to find a way to unite organizations that were committed to public service. “This project seeks to provide students with a deeper understanding of where they are in relation to others, helping them to understand the vastness and diversity of our country,” Marlee said. “It’s the first step in helping children see that they are part of something that extends way beyond their hometown. They are a part of Bryan/College Station, Texas, and the United States of America.” Back (L-R): Bush School students Kevin Allshouse ’14, Cait Stadler ’14, Sky Barlow ’14 and Breanna Irvin ’15; College Station Rotarian Bob Brick; Texas A&M Rotaract Club member Alicia Frink ’14; Bush School students Savannah Collins ’14 and Annette Denton ’14; Texas A&M Rotaract Club members Jennifer Jordan ’17, Jamie Duong ’17 and Richard Tran ’15; and Bryan Rotarian Scott Pool ’93. Front (L-R): Paint USA Advisor Marlee Kingsley ’07 ’14; Kemp-Carver Elementary School Principal Bren McCullar; Texas A&M Rotaract Club member Ashley Rogers ’15; and College Station Rotarian Jerry Kingsley. TEXASA&M’S GLOBALFOOTPRINT

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of features on Texas A&M University’s global footprint.

The Gothic Quarter is the center of the old city of Barcelona. Many of the buildings date from Medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. This neogothic-style bridge at Carrer del Bisbe (Bishop’s Street) was designed by architect Joan Rubió and built in . The tiny covered space links the Palau de la Generalitat (Catalan Govern - ment seat) with the Casa dels Canonges (residence of the president). The College of Architecture’s Semester Abroad

Christopher Chomer ’ will always have Barcelona. It’s there in his mind, a spot to return to again and again for inspiration— as he did earlier this school year while working on a design proj - ect for a landscape architecture studio class. When considering how he wanted a pedestrian area near a waterfront to look, his thoughts went to La Rambla, the famous, mostly-pedestrian boulevard that winds through the center of Barcelona. He recalled how the placement of trees and vendors directed people through the area, how the linking of small areas with open ones created inviting spaces to congregate. With these memories, he added similar concepts to his own project. “I wouldn’t have created a design like that if I hadn’t been to Barcelona and moved around in that space,” said Chomer, who visited the Spanish city while spending his fall semester in Bonn, Germany, as part of the College of Architecture’s study abroad program. “I think it was key that I had real world experience to draw on. I wasn’t just going on Pinterest and looking up ‘land- scape architecture.’ ” Clockwise: Brian Sowell ’ studied in Barcelona because the program emphasized modern architecture.
Amy Brodeur ’ (right) an environ- mental design major, and Gabrielle Fernandez ’, a communication major, help remove rocks from an area students later turned into a community garden.
The Basílica de la Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic church de signed by Antoni Gaudí (‒).
CaixaForum Barcelona is an art gallery that was originally completed in  as a textile factory.

SPAIN BARCELONA, CATALONIA

Barcelona is the capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain and the coun- try’s second largest city, with a population of . million. Because architecture is a profoundly three-dimensional dis - cipline, it is best understood that way. This is the idea that 15 years ago prompted Thomas Regan, then dean of the Col lege of Architecture, to mandate that his students spend a semester away from Texas A&M University—either in an internship or studying abroad. In the majority of depart- ments in the College of Architecture, students prefer the study abroad option if they can afford it. Because the archi- tecture cours es overseas match up with those on campus and are taught by Texas A&M professors or adjunct faculty, students can stay on track with their degree plan while expe - riencing a far different environment. With this requisite, the Col lege of Architecture has a higher percent age of stu - dents studying abroad than any other college at Texas A&M. “Tom believed it shook students up, that it magnified their level of learning,” said Elton Abbott, assistant dean for international programs at the College of Architecture. “It’s one thing to study slides and quite another to walk around buildings, to touch them and talk about them. Learning is much more effective in the 3-D world. The ex - perience turns ‘C’ students into superstars.”

he College of Architecture has four main international options for its students to extend Texas A&M’s global reach. In Italy, the Tuscan town of Castiglion Fiorentino (population 12,000) has been the gorgeous setting for the college’s oldest study abroad program for 25 years. The stone buildings in this walled hilltop enclave, which dates back to the seventh century, have red tile roofs and are rich in character. One of them is a 17th century former con vent that has been converted into the Santa Chiara Study Center, where students live and take classes in design, Ital ian arts and civilization. “Our joke over the semester was that we felt like we were living at Hogwarts,” said Abbe Emerson ’15, a senior environmental design major who spent the 2013 fall semes - ter with about 35 other Col lege of Architecture students at Santa Chiara. (Texas A&M students from other majors are allowed in the program, but architecture students dominate.) The fantasy element extends beyond housing. Stu - dents make regular visits to nearby cities like Florence— an hour away by train—and longer field trips to study the classical architecture in Rome and Venice. “In addition to studying architecture and landscapes,” Emerson said, “I grew as a stu dent, a person and a worldly citizen.” Brian Sowell ’14 chose to study in Barcelona during the spring 2013 semester rather than Italy because he wanted an urban experience. The Barcelona program emphasizes modern architecture, which is fitting since this city of 1.6 million is known for its innovative designs (including bout 30 percent of architecture students those by re nowned architect Antoni Gaudi). Students in the do not study abroad, choosing instead a Barcelona Architecture Center program live in apartments one-semester domestic internship (usually separate from the study area. After Sowell’s classes and his paid), said Abbott. The hindering factor for midday siesta, he regularly wandered through the city, observ - these students is often financial: the cost ing not just eaves and entryways but how people interacted for a semester overseas is about double that of a semester with each other and the architecture. Over time he began in College Station. Sowell estimated that he spent a total to re think his design philosophy. of $20,000 for his semester in Barcelona—an amount he “If a building is private in the United States, you often patched together through a summer job, a loan and several think only about what’s happening within the property line,” scholarships. said Sowell, who graduated this spring. In Barcelona, he saw Students who can’t afford to study overseas can apply how buildings related to other structures and encouraged for partial scholarships—up to $3,000 from the College of social discourse and interaction. “No one wants to hang out Architecture—or for study abroad scholarships administered at a strip mall,” he commented. “I want to figure out how to by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and the elevate design so people are encouraged to interact and con - Study Abroad Programs Office. But often it’s not enough nect. It’s a concept of giving back to a city.” to get students over the financial hurdle. “I had a student His time in Europe—including a field trip to the Nether - here the other week who really wanted to go to Italy, but it lands, a country also known for its modern architecture— was just going to be too hard on her family to do it,” Abbott had a direct impact on the next step in his career. On grad- said. “It breaks my heart.” He stressed, however, that no one uate school applications, he was able to discuss architecture is looked down upon or penalized for not going to Europe. principles in more detail. “I don’t think I had the maturity “I wish we had enough money to cover the difference before,” he explained. “Barcelona really refined my idea of between a semester at College Station and a semester abroad what I wanted to do in my career.” for everyone,” Abbott said. And there are many people who Many of the students taking their semester in the third share this wish, including Mikeual ’69 and Laura Perritt ’72, location option—Bonn, Germany—are studying landscape both retired architects living in Alexandria, Virginia. The architecture or visualization. cou ple made an estate gift to the College of Architecture to “I want to figure out how Germany excels at integrating provide scholarships to students who want to explore envi- to elevate design so environmental aspects into ronmental design in Bonn (or in China, if the college ever building designs and city people are encouraged establishes a program there). “One of the things that has plan ning. Students in this to interact and connect. helped us most in our careers is exposure to other cultures,” pro gram, operated by the It’s a concept of giving said Mikeual. “In Germany, you get to see how they take Acad emy for International back to a city.” care of public transportation and how they’re developing Edu cation, live with host solar and wind energy and sustainable building practices. fam ilies to experience deep- —Brian Sowell ’ They’re significantly ahead of most countries.” er cultural enrichment. The Perritts applaud the College of Architecture’s semes- “In Bonn, we focused a ter-away policy, but realize they couldn’t have afforded to lot on conservation, like re - study abroad if it was in place while they were at Texas A&M. using rainwater,” said Chris Their desire that no student miss out is part of the motiva- Chomer. “My host family tion for their gift. “There are enough former students doing har vested rainwater and grew their own fruit. I had home- well,” said Mikeual. “If they could just donate something, made plum cake about a million times.” it would make studying overseas so much easier for stu- Construction Science majors have the option of com- dents.” bining an internship with a study abroad experience in Lon - But it’s not just the Texas A&M students who benefit don. The semester there, called Wingtips, Work Boots & from these study abroad programs; the host cities gain some- Wigs, focuses primarily on legal and risk management in thing as well. Last spring, students at three study centers went the U.S. and other countries. An international bonus for global with the Big Event, Texas A&M’s annual day of service all architecture students is a popular course on innovation to give back to the community. In Bonn, Aggies cleaned up and creativity taught every winter break by Dean Jorge green spaces at Beethoven Haus, a chamber music hall, and Vanegas at the Soltis Center for Research and Education planted a garden at a retirement home. Aggies in Barcelona in Costa Rica. (More on the Soltis Center in the next issue joined Architects Without Borders to plant vegetables and of Spirit.) build a fence in one of the city’s neighborhoods. In Cas - Clockwise: The Bonn Minster, a Roman Catholic church noted for its Romanesque architecture, is one of Germany’s oldest churches.
A large bronze statue of Ludwig van Beethoven stands on the Münster platz in Bonn, Beethoven’s birthplace.
Ricardo Montes ’ (right) a visualization major, and Branden Nettles ’, a biosciences major, helped plan and build a garden at a retirement home.
Bonn excels at integrating environ- mental aspects into building designs and city planning.

GERMANY B O N N , NORTHRHINE-WESTPHALIA

Bonn sits on the banks of the Rhine River in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and is one of the country’s oldest cities. ITALY CASTIGLIONFIORENTINO

Castiglion Fiorentino is a small, walled city in eastern Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Arezzo, between the cities of Arezzo and Cortona. tiglion Fiorentino, students helped clean ceramic fragments dating back to the Roman Empire and painted a mural in a middle school classroom. “It was a great way to show our Aggie spirit to our global partners,” said Abbott. The town of Castiglion Fiorentino got a bonus from the Texas A&M students there last fall: a novel plan for a new community center. As part of a design competition, Abbe Emerson ’15 and two other Aggies created demon- stration kitchens on top of a much-needed parking garage as a way to help the town promote tourism. Their kitchen concept won first place in the competition against archi- tectural stu dents from other big U.S. universities at the Santa Chiara Study Center. The team’s idea was for locals

Clockwise: Castiglion Fiorentino is and tourists to take cooking classes led by chefs who com - the setting for the college’s oldest bine the flavors of Tuscany with American and other world study abroad program.
Stu dents cuisines. in the spring  semester helped clean ceramic fragments dating back to the Roman Empire at an ll of the Aggies who study abroad ac -
Etruscan archaeological site. The knowledge the importance and rewards Santa Chiara Study Center is housed in a th century former convent of bringing cultures together. Through that has been converted.
Rachel his experiences in Spain and Germany, Griffith ’, an environmental design major, harvested grapes during her Chris Chomer said his mind was liberat- semester abroad.
Many of the ed. “I now think about the envi ron ment a lot more when stone buildings in this hilltop enclave I am designing,” said Chomer, who after his graduation date back to the seventh century. this spring began working at Edminster, Hinshaw, Russ & Associates, a Houston engi neering firm. “Since my study abroad, I feel so much more creative, and not nearly as limited. It was truly a life-changing adventure that future Aggies should explore.”

—by jeannie ralston

To help students in the College of Architecture add an interna- tional dimension to their education, contact:

Larry Zuber Assistant Vice President for Development

Texas A&M Foundation (800) 392-3310 or (979) 845-0939

[email protected]

To donate online to study abroad scholarships in the College of Architecture, visit give.am/SupportArchAbroad.

To donate online to a scholarship in memory of Paolo Barucchieri, the late and beloved director of the Santa Chiara Study Center, visit give.am/SupportPaolo. —FACULTY IMPACT—

On a Tuesday this April, As we enter the Academic Build - dance, his voice low and gravelly, a New John J. McDermott greets me from his ing, the centerpiece of main campus, York accent still prominent. seat on a bench outside of Nagle Hall. McDermott laments that he lost a bat- McDermott’s class is a tapestry wo - He is six weeks into his convalescence tle with university administrators to pre - ven of various tales. For the next 90 after a quadruple spinal laminectomy. serve the building’s original palladium minutes, he regales the group with sto- And yet, McDermott, who holds the doors and windows during a renova- ries about his children, personal details Melbern G. Glasscock Chair in the Hu - tion in the early 1980s. When he start- about American philosophers William manities and has held the George T. ed teaching at Texas A&M at age 45, he James and John Dewey and advice on and Gladys H. Abell Professorship in recalls that he would take the stairs “two traversing through the journey of life. Liberal Arts, is surprisingly not prone; up, four down.” Now, with nearly four His lesson is interspersed with sage one- he is already walking around campus decades of surplus wisdom, he chooses liners—“education is supposed to be a with his plain leather satchel (an an - to take the elevator. feast, not an obstacle course”—and punc - tique physician’s bag that was a gift from In the classroom, students hush up - tuated by his occasional chalkboard students) and signature fedora. In fact, on McDermott’s entrance. Unlike many scrib blings. the 82-year-old University Distinguished other college students, his are not dis- Êhe ˆectar is in the Journey Professor of philosophy has returned to tracted by laptops or cellphones. Pens teaching much ahead of schedule and poised over paper, they are focused, McDermott grew up in Depression-era despite his doctor’s wishes. This bench eager to hear what stories he will share New York City, the oldest of eight chil- is a temporary resting spot, like several today. It would seem anachronistic with dren in a lower middle-class Irish Cath - others along the way to the Academic any other professor, but with McDermott olic family. They had no books, but they Building, where he teaches American at the helm, it is fitting. Then, just as were, as McDermott describes, “rich in Philosophy. they expect, he calls roll to check atten- stories and experiences.”

24 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION   —A former udent of John McDermott’s recently created a  million endowed scholarship at Queens College in New York. Don Brownein, an alumnus of the college who udied under McDermott in the early s at Queens, named the gift in his honor. “One got the sense from Professor McDermott that being engaged in philosophy and the humanities was intrinsically valuable,” Brownein said in The Magazine of Queens College. Brownein’s gift will fund scholarships for up to  human ities honors udents each year. For 62 years, the professor has been connected from their own experiences. worked for five years as his research assis - at the front of a classroom. He has taught The affective is being squashed. These tant, said McDermott’s influence on oth- preschool children, high schoolers, dis- experiences have to be cradled, recon- ers extends far past his students. “The abled students, prisoners, and, of course, noitered and reconstructed.” number of people he helps is amazing,” college students. In that time, his beard In a course on the philosophy of said Carlson. “For him, it’s a way of life. and wild shock of hair have grayed, but aesthetics, which McDermott has taught The guy who fixes his boots, the dry his teaching philosophy has remained for 50 years, he requests that students cleaners, and the people who bag his mostly unchanged. create, perform or build something they groceries all know him by name and as “I believe that everybody’s educa- have never done before and write about someone who cares about them.” ble,” McDermott said of his calling. “I the experience. Students have worked Still, after teaching tens of thou- live the life that I teach, and I teach the with clay, painted, written poetry, danced sands of students, McDermott claims he life that I live.” the tango and even given up certain per - is the one who has gained the most. Evidence of this mantra can be sonal comforts for the duration of the “From my students, I can say that I have found in nearly all of McDermott’s writ - project. This opportunity, McDermott learned far more than I have taught. ings. The stories he tells are like onions— believes, allows them to reflect on their And what did I learn? Life is difficult.” peel back one layer and another stratum experiences in a deeply personal way. Âeflection is ˆative and Çonstant of meaning is revealed. Alex Haitos, McDermott’s research In one of his tales, McDermott re- assistant and a third-year doctoral stu- McDermott doesn’t practice medita- calls his time as a 16-year-old volunteer dent in the Department of Philosophy, tion—at least, he doesn’t attempt to free for the Cath olic Worker Movement in believes that this authenticity and unique his mind of thought. “You should always New York City at a triage ward at the Bellevue Hospital. A quadruple ampu - tee requested two Puerto Rican ci gars; no other cigars would suffice. After a frenzied search, McDermott produced the cigars. Many years later, he wrote that he finally un derstood the mean- ing of this experience: “I was teaching the philosophy of Albert Camus, and the theme was personal authenticity. In a flashback, my Puerto Rican pa - tient taught me of authenticity, the aesthetic moment, and the difference between the literal and the symbolic.” McDermott instills in his students his belief that one can grow from every experience; and he does so not only through words, but also through deeds. His post-surgery trek across campus is evidence that he practices what he preaches: By continuing to do what he loves most, undeterred by all obstacles, he is encouraging students to savor their teaching style resonates with McDermott’s be reflecting,” he explained. “Follow ing every experience, despite discomfort or students. “He doesn’t sim ply exposit the John Dewey, reflection is native and challenge. text,” said Haitos. “He wants you to un - constant.” “I live a service life,” he added. der stand ideas by connecting them to His constant search for truth and “We’re here to serve the state, nation your own life and experiences.” progress is apparent in his 37-year ten - and the world at large by teaching, re - On a weekly basis, McDermott re - ure at Texas A&M. He is contemplative search and service. Because we are a land ceives correspondence from former stu - about his professional journey and the grant university, this is especially so. dents thanking him for the contributions way the university has changed over time: “I want my students to come alive he made to their lives. You don’t need to “A&M has a pockmarked and splen dif - to themselves and buy into the impor- know him long to recognize his inspir- erous history,” he said. Furthermore, in tance of their own experiences. With ing dedication and selflessness. his tireless efforts to give voice to faculty the saturation of modern technology, I Charles Carlson, who received his opinions, McDermott is a catalyst for find my students to be increasingly dis- doctorate in philosophy last year and reflection for the university as a whole.

26 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION In 1983, he called the first faculty “I’m ecstatic about the wonderful re - Indeed, McDermott has taken his meeting in the history of Texas A&M. sponse from retirees and the cooperation own advice on savoring experiences. That meeting, held in Rudder Theater, from the university,” said McDermott Sharing and passion are his way of life. was the seed that grew into the Faculty about the events, which typically draw He was the first in his family to go to Senate. For McDermott, this was “a rev - 50 to 100 faculty retirees. “There are college. He left his home state of New olution in consciousness” for the uni - smiles upon smiles at every gathering.” York to create new roots in Texas. He versity. Another marker of McDermott’s was a founding member of the Ameri - That same year, he became the char - foot hold at Texas A&M is being the third can Montessori Society and a charter ter speaker of the Faculty Senate and person to receive the title of University mem ber of the Society for the Advance - continued in that role for three years. Distinguished Professor in 1982 (there ment of American Philosophy. Four aca - Today, the senate is one of the univer- are now more than 120). The honor is demic conferences have been held in sity’s primary governing bodies, respon - reserved for pre-eminent faculty mem- his honor. His 50-plus-page curriculum sible for reviewing all policies related to bers who have generated a sea change in vitae lists published work, awards and curricula and instruction, admission, their field. For McDermott, this was giv - achievements. He has been married to scholarships and faculty hiring. ing new life to a “mocked and dismissed Patricia for 24 years, and he has five McDermott’s contributions to Texas area of philosophy.” His work on the children (all, as he describes them, in a A&M continue. In an effort to reconnect 19-volume Harvard critical edition of “helping pro fession”) and six grand- retired faculty with the university, he The Works of William James is one way children. became the founding director of the we “brought American philosophy to Çherished Åpples Community of Faculty Retirees in 2012. the center of the stage.” Following the com pletion of that project, McDermott As I tried to encapsulate the depth and took on the role of editor, project direc - breadth of McDermott’s experiences tor and principal investigator for the into a mere 2,000 words, the poem 12-volume edition of The Correspon - “After Apple-Picking” by Robert Frost dence of William James. He worked on came to mind. During our interviews, the collection for more than a decade; McDermott would share poems that the final volume was published in 2004. inspired him. Knowing his love for the written word, I sent him a stanza that ‰at Áour ‰xperiences reminded me of the legacy he has cre- In his book The Drama of Possibility, ated: “There were ten thousand thou- McDermott wrote, “The most perilous sand fruit to touch, Cherish in hand,

— J O H N J . M C DERMOTT— threat to human life is secondhanded- lift down, and not let fall.” ness, living out the bequest of our par- McDermott responded with two ents, siblings, relatives, teachers, and sen tences: “I am my stories, their hap - other dispensers of already program med pen ing, their telling and retelling, their possibilities.” This idea of “secondhand - adumbrations and their messaging. edness” fuels McDermott’s personal Along with Robert Frost and his ‘fall- MCDERMOTT INSTILLS IN HIS STUDENTS motto: “Eat your experiences.” en apples,’ I believe that the nectar is HIS BELIEF THAT ONE CAN GROW FROM EVERY EXPERIENCE. McDermott’s teachings transcend in the journey and there alone.” the boundary of the classroom. His With tobacco still lingering in his lifelong quest is to teach people to be pipe, McDermott’s journey is far from trailblazers, freethinkers and explorers complete. There are far too many more “In the old Webster’s dictionary—the of their passions. As Carlson puts it, apples to pick before he sleeps. 19th century one that I can’t pick up “He’s not necessarily preparing philoso - anymore—you look up ‘retirement,’ and phers, he’s helping people become con - —by monika blackwell one of the meanings is ‘forgotten, aban - fident in what they’re doing to develop doned,’ ” McDermott explained. The and nurture their interests.” To learn how you can support faculty and Com munity of Faculty Retirees is his This out-of-the-classroom experience students in the College of Liberal Arts, preemptive strike to prevent faculty from culminates each year with a reception at contact: fading away. his home. McDermott and his wife Patri - Larry Walker ’97 The group hosts speakers of all back - cia host all of his students for a celebra - Director of Development grounds, including a recent presentation tory gathering at which McDermott Texas A&M Foundation by Celia Sandys, the granddaughter of learns more about his students and gives (800) 392-3310 or (979) 458-1304 Winston Churchill, and guest lectures them the opportunity to explore his [email protected] by former faculty. impressive library.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 27 STUDENT IMPACT

The clock reads 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 23, 1994. can author Robert Fulghum used: “Always Dr. Thomas Hargrove ’66 is running late for take the scenic route.”It was the last deci- work at the International Center for Tropical sion he would make for a long time. Agriculture (CIAT) in Cali, Colombia. He ap - proaches an intersection, where he must de - Everything Before Then cide which of two routes to take. One involves Hargrove grew up on a red-dirt, dry-land cot - a nerve-wracking drive through the heavy ton farm in Rotan, Texas. He began attending

traffic of urban Cali; the other is longer, but Texas A&M University in 1962 and graduated winds through the scenic sugar cane fields of in 1966 with degrees in agricultural science the Colombian countryside. He remembers and journalism along with a commission as one of the rules for a better life that Ameri - a second lieutenant in the United States

28 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION In 1969 Dr. Thomas Hargrove ’66 served as an agricultural advisor in Vietnam who was responsible for introducing IR8, a newly developed, high-yield rice, to farmers in the region.

A Memorial Scholarship Honors One of the Green Revolution’s Fine Patriot and Pioneer Army. While at Texas A&M, he was a class Team 73, Military Assistance Command in officer, a member of Company D-1 (Spider Chuong Thien province. Located at the south - D) in the Corps of Cadets and editor of The ern tip of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, it was Agriculturalist, a magazine published by the one of the country’s most war-torn areas. College of Agriculture. Traveling mostly by sampan on canals A deferment allowed Hargrove to earn and rivers, Hargrove was charged with intro - a master’s degree and Ph.D. in agricultural ducing IR8, a newly developed, high-yield science from Iowa State University and to rice variety, to farmers in the re gion. Nick - marry the daughter of a pioneer Rotan family, named “the miracle rice” by international Susan Sheldon, before going to Vietnam in media, the strain revolutionized rice pro- 1969 as an agricultural advisor to Advisory duction and contributed to the Green Rev -

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 29 olu tion. (IR8 was developed by Henry years into his work with the center, he Beachell, who helped form the Texas confronted the day that would alter his Rice Improvement Association to sus- life for the next 11 months. tain rice research at Texas A&M and whose endowed professorship and schol - Life in Limbo arships support the Department of Soil Having decided on the scenic route, Har - and Crop Sciences.) It also sparked Har - grove’s picturesque drive to work ended grove’s fascination with rice and its role when he approached a roadblock man - in the fight against starvation around ned by Colombian narco-guerrillas of the world. the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Co - Years later, on a return trip to Viet - lombia (FARC), a U.S.-classified terrorist nam, Hargrove met a former Viet Cong organization. In a matter of minutes, his officer who remembered him from the briefcase and $400 were confiscated and war years. The offi cer told Hargrove he he was taken hostage—presumably be - could have killed him at any time dur- cause he was a foreigner. ing the war. When Hargrove asked why His captors took him to a remote he hadn’t, the officer replied, “Because location in the Andes Mountains, where you had the rice seeds.” he lived as a prisoner during the next 11 “Tom dedicated his Three years after an honorable dis- months in harsh conditions, spending life to agriculture, charge from the army, Hargrove became most of his time in a plastic-covered shed communications a journalist in 1973 with the Interna - or—for a two-month period—tethered and helping feed tional Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in day and night to his bunk bed with a peo ple all over the Manila, Philippines. Friends jokingly 15-foot chain. 11 world.” called him a “rice bore,” but his work “During those months, we had translating com plex crop science into no contact with Tom whatsoever, except —Leroy Shafer ’ plain language helped farmers in devel- for a proof-of-life video and one photo- oping coun tries increase their yields. graph. In the video, he was speaking One of his publications through IRRI, Span ish, asking for help, for his life. In A Farm er’s Primer on Growing Rice, was the photograph, he looked so sick I written and distributed in 44 countries thought he had lost his mind, and won - Hargrove kept a diary recorded on in 29 different languages. dered what we would find if he ever was the backs of checkbook blanks Hargrove relocated to CIAT in 1992 released,” said Raford Hargrove ’70, during his captivity by Colombian terrorists. He hid these scraps as head of its communication program, Tom’s brother. of paper documenting his experi in charge of publicizing how CIAT im - Colombia is notorious for kidnap- ence in a money belt along with a small collection of antibiotic proved varieties and technology for ping incidents, and FARC is a leading pills he had secreted, in case beans, cassava and tropical pastures in culprit. Most abductees are held until a he got a severe infection. Latin America and the Caribbean. Two ransom is negotiated, a task that Tom’s wife Susan and his sons, Miles and Ged - die, had to master. “Susan and the boys were in spo- radic contact with the FARC, using two-way radios and a Spanish-speaking interpreter. They would hang on to every word, and then the FARC messenger would abruptly cut off communication for another period of days or weeks,” Raford said. Negotiations were slow-going and stressful, but culminated in the payment of two ransom demands and ultimately Hargrove’s release on Aug. 11, 1995. “I met him in Houston a couple days later. We embraced, and I remem- ber feeling a bag of bones in my arms. He pulled off a money belt and showed 30 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION Hargrove died of heart failure on more than a professional colleague; the Jan. 23, 2011, at age 66. He was buried two have a dated history. Growing up on the family’s farm, where Aggies from in West Texas, their family farms were all over came to sing “The Spirit of Aggie - about 20 miles apart; both majored in land” one last time at his grave. His life agricultural journalism and were mem- is captured by a simple list on his tomb - bers of Company D-1 at Texas A&M; and stone that reads: “Farmer, Aggie, Sol dier, both served in Vietnam. Scientist, Writer, Survivor, and Master “This scholarship will benefit fu ture of the Green Revolution.” students in the field of agricultural com - munications while keeping alive the lega - An Innovator and Inspiration cy of a tremendous man, humanitarian, “When he passed away, the first thing educator and communicator,” Shafer I thought was, ‘I do not want Tom’s said. “If future students who receive tracks to be forgotten,’” said Rev. Jim Tom Hargrove scholarships carry on the Tom Hargrove ’66 was kidnapped in Colombia by narco-guerrillas and Lanning ’64, a lifelong friend. “Tom mission that he started, then Tom’s lega - held for ransom at a remote was a friend to the world, and I cannot cy will live on and the world will be a location in the Andes Mountains for 11 months He was released think of a better way to leave one’s lega - far greater place.” from captivity. on Aug. 11, 1995. cy than to address the issue of hun ger. The first recipient of the scholarship, He greatly inspired me by showing no awarded April 11, is Rachel Wales ’15, an fear in the face of danger and by seek- agricultural communications and jour - me where he had hidden two things: a ing out adventure. His desire to serve nalism major involved in St. Mary’s small collection of antibiotic pills he had his fellow man was mixed with his desire Cath olic Church Women’s Chorus, Re - secreted, in case he got a severe infection, to explore new places.” lay for Life and Big Event. and little scraps of paper, documenting Lanning helped spearhead the “The support of former students his captivity,” Raford said. effort to establish through the Texas through this scholarship demonstrates When the captors took Hargrove’s A&M Foundation the Dr. Thomas R. to me the vitality of the Aggie family 66 briefcase and money, they returned to Hargrove ’ Endowed Memorial Schol - and proves that Aggies want to help him two checkbooks. On the backs of arship, funded by friends and family of each other succeed,” said Wales, who First National Bank of Rotan check Hargrove. The scholarship is designated also holds an on-campus job at The blanks, he kept a diary that was pub- for students majoring in agricultural Association of Former Students and is lished in 1997 as a book, Long March to communications and journalism with- self-funding her degree. Freedom: Tom Hargrove’s Own Story of in the Department of Agricultural Lead - “We hope that Aggies will be in - His Kidnapping by Colombian Narco- er ship, Education and Communications spired to know that it is just as impor- Guerrillas. His captivity also inspired at Texas A&M, in keeping with Har - tant, if not more important, to spread the 2000 movie, “Proof of Life,” which grove’s passions and life mission. It gives the word of agricultural research ac com - starred Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe. preference to students with an interest in plishments as it is to make those accom - inter national agriculture, public relations plishments yourself—because if no one Return to Reality for an agricultural entity, or those pur- knows about them, they don’t do any- Upon his release and return to the U.S., suing advanced degrees in an agricul- one any good. Tom understood that,” Tom worked as a kidnapping and anti- tural discipline. Raford said. terrorism consultant, conducting train - “When we learned about the plans ing courses at the U.S. Joint Special for this scholarship, we knew we wanted —by dunae crenwelge ’15 Operations University and United to be a part of it,” said Leroy Shafer ’67. States Air Force Special Operations “Tom dedicated his life to agriculture, To learn how you can support the School, where he was adjunct professor communications and helping feed peo - Dr. Thomas R. Hargrove ’66 Endowed of dynamics of international terrorism. ple all over the world. He accomplished Memorial Scholarship, contact: He later became involved with the his mission through research, commu- Torii Kapavik ’11 ™ Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo , nication, implementation by example, Assistant Director of Development serving nearly a decade as a pressroom and by genuinely caring for the people Texas A&M Foundation editor, where he oversaw and mentored he assisted.” (800) 392-3310 or (979) 862-1247 & Texas A M agricultural student in - Shafer and his wife Nancy are the [email protected] terns. His last full-time job was as an lead donors for the scholarship. Shafer employee of the International Fertilizer is vice president and chief operations To contribute online, visit Devel opment Center in Muscle Shoals, officer for the Houston Livestock Show give.am/HargroveMemorialScholarship. Alabama. and Rodeo™, but he knew Hargrove as

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 31

< ONE OF THE AGGIE INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS’ FAVORITE EVENTS IS HOLI, AN ANCIENT HINDU RELI GIOUS CELEBRATION KNOWN AS “THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS,” IN WHICH PEOPLE PLAYFULLY THROW COLORED POWDER ON EACH OTHER TO MARK THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING.

Total percentage of Texas A&M international students (enrolled at all Texas A&M University campuses)

Percentage of doctoral degree candidates who are international students

Percentage of master’s degree candidates who are international students

Percentage of undergraduates who are international students

International Student Enrollment Profile

SPIRIT IMPACT: At Home With the World. For international students who are new to Texas A&M University, there is much to learn and discover about the Aggie and American way of life—namely new customs, traditions, man- ners and norms. Omid Kazemi ’15 has a few questions and luckily he’s in the right place for answers on a breezy April afternoon: an end-of-the-year picnic at Texas A&M University’s Spence Park sponsored by the Aggie Inter national Ambassadors. Number of international students organizations (to see a full list, visit iss.tamu.edu/living/clubs.asp)

“How do you rent a car?” asks the 22-year-old Iran native who is earning his master’s degree in construction management. He needs to travel to Houston for a summer internship interview. The other students at the picnic table offer advice ranging from explaining the requirements of car rental companies to suggesting carpool sharing as alter - native transportation. Then comes a more pressing question: How do you throw a football? “I could kick it with my foot,” says Kazemi, wearing a red Budweiser T-shirt with headphones wrap ped around his neck. “But throw it…I don’t know.” “Don’t worry,” says Kelsey Ffrench ’15, a sophomore international studies major from Houston and the new president of the International Ambassadors. “It’s not that hard. I’ll teach you.” Cultural Liaison on Campus This kind of teaching is part of the mission of the Aggie International Ambassadors. Formed in 2002 to bring more global awareness to the Texas A&M campus, the group is made up of 20 to 30 American and international students. Its members are often service-minded individuals who are interested in learning more about other cultures; foreign- born students usually join to learn how to better integrate into their new setting. The ambassadors say the blend of American and international members benefits both groups. “In other organizations on campus, the international students will be mostly with other international students,” said Elani Duzich ’14, a Corpus Christi native who grad- their faces painted with Texas A&M emblems and learn the uated in the spring and studied for a year in France. “A lot inimitable ways of Aggie football. “It’s good [for Texas A&M of people studying abroad tend to stick to people they’re students] to have our own identity and to have our own comfortable with. We get them out of their comfort zone crazy things to do,” said Kazemi, over the clanking and if they’re willing to be part of our group. The campus is grinding of construction on nearby Kyle Field. “It brings becoming more global, and this is our way of encouraging people together.” that shift.” Also popular is a fall pumpkin-carving event. “I had to The ambassadors see themselves as liaisons between Google, ‘pumpkin carving’ beforehand to find out what cultures, sponsoring activities and events that introduce was going to happen,” laughed Johnu George ’14, from international students to American traditions—such as a Kerala, India, who completed his master’s degree in com- tailgating party during football season, where students get puter sci ence in May and now works at Cisco in Silicon

34 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION < AGGIE INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS MEMBERS LIKE #L!R$ RASHA AL!AZZAWI ’, CHRISTINE NGUYEN ’, NINA EWING ’, NORAIR VARTANIAN ’ AND HASSAN ALMOMIN ’ ARE REGULAR VOLUN!

TEERS AT BRAZOS VALLEY WORLDFEST, A BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION

FESTIVAL THAT CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY AND PROMOTES INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS BY OFFERING CULTURAL DISPLAYS, DEMONSTRATIONS, INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, PER! FORMANCES, EDUCATIONAL COMPETITIONS, CHILDREN’S CRAFTS AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES.

fun events.” The ambassadors point out that they celebrate New Year’s three times a year, and one of their favorite events is Holi, an ancient Hindu religious celebration known as “the festival of colors,” in which people playful- ly throw colored powder on each other to mark the arrival of spring. Study Abroad Supplement “I didn’t have friends who were interested in international events, so I joined this group,” said Ffrench. “Now if there’s something going on—like a prayer vigil for protesters in Venezuela—we can go as a group and it’s not intimidating.” Ffrench and other ambassadors have studied abroad, and they consider their involvement with the group a supplement to that experience. It could even be an alter- native. “People spend a lot of money to study overseas and that’s really valuable. You learn that the world is different than you think,” she said. “But not everyone can travel and there are chances to broaden your thinking right here on campus.” Later on at the picnic, Kamezi gets instruction on foot - ball passing and plays a pick-up game with other students. Afterward he comes back under the gazebo, sweaty but smiling. “It was Internationals versus Americans. Guess who won?” he asks as he grabs a wedge of watermelon. “But it was fun!”

—by jeannie ralston Valley. George said the group helped him find friends beyond his classes and major and gave him a whole new For more information about how you way to enjoy college—like a native. can support the Aggie International Other elements of the ambassadors’ work include sym - Ambassadors, contact: posiums via Skype with counterparts at other universities Cindy Munson ’99 (such as a discussion with students at the University of Director of Development

Kurdistan on whether the Americanization of the world Texas A&M Foundation is a good thing) and celebrating the rich traditions of other (800) 392-3310 or (979) 458-1689 U.S. cultures. “In the you have your usual holidays,” said [email protected] Alexis Silvestre ’17, a sophomore from Browns ville. “But if you’re tied into, say, 10 cultures, there are many more

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 35 College Impact: let’s talk Teaching*

The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management (ESSM) had a prob - lem: its curriculum had not been updated in a number of years. As the College of Agriculture and Life Science’s leadership emphasized an in creased focus on curriculum outcomes, administrators recognized an oppor tunity to hone the program and to develop innovative new meth ods to prepare work-ready graduates. The solution involved Texas A&M Univer sity’s Center for Teach ing Excellence (CTE). *The Center for Teaching Excellence stepped in to help the Department of Ecosystem Science and Man agement overcome a formidable challenge. Dr. M. Mort Kothmann ’61 ’68 is a professor in the Depart - ment of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M University. One ecosystem science professor and former CTE client was well-poised to take the lead on this curriculum- redesign process. Dr. M. Mort Koth - mann ’61 ’68 had attended a CTE- sponsored workshop on syllabus development, and was so impressed by what he learn ed that he registered for the sem inar every time he was assigned to teach a new course. “CTE-sponsored events are a great place to get ideas,” Kothmann said. “They are focused on helping faculty do a better job of teaching so that we can do a better job of helping students learn.” As national and state governing bodies began to put pressure on uni- versities to more accurately assess stu - Before instructing students, ies and peer universities to discover teaching assistants partici- dent learning, the administrators and pate in CTE-designed train- educational and societal trends. After faculty of ESSM knew the time was ing. The CTE also presents identifying the qualities of an ideal ripe to implement change in their work shops on topics such as graduate, the faculty agreed upon course design, assess ment, de partment. The process involved rel evant content and learning out- large classes, class room thoughtful analysis, candid discus- response systems, syllabus comes—knowledge, skills and atti- sions and programmatic reorganiza- construction and creation tudes—for effective graduates. tion, with a goal to design a better of a teaching portfolio. The faculty then analyzed the educational experience for the de part - ESSM cur riculum to identify gaps and ment’s 230 undergraduate students to determine the best sequence of and 100 graduate students. cours es to build on Initially, the redesign efforts in - con cepts that were volved a faculty committee to deter- “It changes the way you think, taught in lower-level mine exactly what students needed to the way you act, the way classes. During the learn—and how to best teach them— you build and assess your multi-year process, the so that they could secure good jobs college had combined upon graduation. Kothmann worked two departments closely with CTE Associate Director courses.” (range land ecology Dr. Debra Fowler ’03 to facilitate the management and for- —Dr. M. Mort Kothmann ’61 ’68 multi-year project. est sciences) into one The group collected and analyzed (ecosystem science and data from a variety of sources, in clud - management), which ing employers, former students and added an additional challenge. graduating seniors. They also studied The final steps of the curriculum the requirements of accreditation bod- r e d e s i g n | CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 38 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION Giving for Student Success

Financial support from several generous Texas A&M former students is making an enduring impact on teaching excellence and improved student learning. Current operations and future development of the CTE are sup - to impart knowledge is important to support,” Carlos Cotton ported by a $25,000 endowment from Dr. Dale G. Konicek ’90 said. “If we want to produce well-educated students, we need that honors the center’s first director, Dr. Glenn Ross Johnson. exceptional teaching. The more we help teachers with re - Johnson was the director of the CTE from its opening in 1983 sources like the CTE, the more everyone wins.” until 1990.During that time, he also maintained a professor- The center has also enjoyed more than 20 years of sup- ship in the College of Education and Human Development, port from the Montague family. In 1991 Judy and Kenneth where he served as a graduate advisor to Konicek while he Montague ’37 funded the Montague-CTE Schol ars Awards, was completing a Ph.D. in educational curriculum and in - given annually to a tenure-track faculty member from each struction. college based on their early ability and interest in teaching. Johnson’s passion for the center and for teaching influ- Awardees receive a $6,500 grant to encourage further devel- enced Konicek to become an advocate for faculty development opment of undergraduate teaching excellence, and today there activities. are more than 150 Montague-CTE Scholars on the Texas A&M “Providing funding to the CTE is essential to the contin- campus. uation of this resource to develop faculty and graduate assis- Their son James Montague ’69 and his wife Vicki have tants across all departments at Texas A&M, which benefits continued to financially support the CTE and the Montague- students but also has a lasting impact on those who further CTE Scholars Program. Most recently, they made a $10,000 their careers elsewhere with the knowledge gained from the donation to directly benefit the curriculum redesign program. CTE,” said Konicek, who designated the funds from his en dow - “Our family's interest in the center is all about enhancing ment to be used to benefit the CTE in areas that need it most. the student learning process at Texas A&M, and curriculum de - Gifts from Carlos ’73 and Carolyn ’73 Cotton are also sign touches multiple aspects of teaching that influence stu- enhanc ing faculty develop ment. The couple made a $15,000 dent learning,” James Montague said. “Texas A&M must con - gift in 2012 to fund CTE faculty teaching workshops for three stantly review, redesign and update its curriculums to better years. A second $15,000 gift in 2013 was used in part to help serve the changing needs and expectations of employers that fund a three-day summer institute for new faculty from all hire our graduates. The university’s willingness to listen to disciplines, while remaining funds will continue to support employers and apply suggested changes to curricula makes faculty workshops. us a great learning institution.” As an adjunct professor for the civil engineering depart- Konicek, the Montagues and the Cottons are all members ment at Texas A&M, Carlos teaches a two-week course on of the CTE Advance ment Council, which seeks to promote the surveying between the spring and summer semesters. CTE as a valuable resource for the improvement of teaching “I think teaching is the primary responsibility of the and learning throughout the university. university, so anything that can improve a professor’s ability

From left: Dr. Dale G. Konicek ’90, Carolyn ’73 and Carlos ’73 Cotton, and Vicki and James Montague ’69.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 39 involved developing an as sess ment of fered through the plan, and identifying professional de - “This process helped faculty CTE, which is part of velopment and additional resources members understand that you the Office of the Dean that faculty would need to accomplish can’t cover a topic just once of Faculties and Asso - the redesign. ciate Provost at Texas “This process helped faculty in class.” A&M. The center also mem bers understand that you can’t hosts work shops and cover a topic just once in class,” said —Dr. Georgianne Moore other en rich ment op - Dr. Georgianne Moore, ESSM asso- por tuni ties for faculty ciate professor. “It needs to show up mem bers on topics in an early class so students get that such as course de sign, exposure right away and know what engaging students with tech nolo gies, it is. We can then reinforce the topic and work ing with students who have in a later class and ask students to ap - dis abilities. In addition, the center ply what they have learned.” offers spe cial programs that sup port The CTE actively sup ported the new fac ulty and graduate students. ESSM faculty as they worked through Kothmann says the process led each step of the proc ess. “CTE was to a major shift in faculty thinking cru cial in the success of this effort by in his department. “It changes the helping plan and facilitate the work - The CTE provides a comfort- way you think, the way you act, the able setting in which shops,” Kothmann said. “They also participants can gain new way you build and assess your cours- recorded the proceedings and pro- perspectives and strategies. es,” he said. “I know it has signifi- duced documents that we could take The process encourages and cantly changed my teach ing for the supports open conversations back to work with faculty.” about what works and what better.” Curriculum redesign is just one of doesn’t work, both inside —by dorian martin many professional development tools and outside the classroom.

For more information about how you can support the Center for Teaching Excellence, contact:

Carl Jaedicke ’73 Vice President for Principal Gifts

Texas A&M Foundation (800) 392-3310 or (979) 845-6551

[email protected]

To learn more about the CTE, visit cte.tamu.edu.

To contribute online, visit: give.am/SupportCTE.

40 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION

Your Food Supply: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You Opportunity

Do you know where your food comes from? If not, you are not alone. Dr. Aleda Roth, who has been investigat- ing food safety for years, says that U.S. consumers are at a high risk of contamination and ill health from food that is imported from emerging countries that charge less but often have lower standards of hygiene, environ- mental standards and quality control processes.

Roth is a Burlington Industries Distin - nies were exempt from public scrutiny guished Professor at Clemson Uni ver - about their imported foods.” sity and a member of the first class of Serious contamination of pet food visiting scholars in the Texas A&M Uni - spurred U.S. regulators to enforce versity Institute for Advanced Study label ing of fresh meat, fish, fruits and (TIAS). Her research on the origins of vegetables with country sources. But our nation’s food supply are chroni- country-of-origin labeling is not avail- cled in a forthcoming book, “Saving able for processed food, including baby Baby Dylan.” foods. Because of exceptions granted Few food companies report the by the U.S. Department of Com merce, origins of ingredients in products they many companies selling branded food produce, so there is no way for con- items do not reveal the source of the sumers to know the source. In fact, ingredients, and instances of mislead - “THE SHEER SCAlE OF many of these companies do not know ing labeling are not hard to find. FOOD IMPORTS COMBInED the origins of ingredients that they About a quarter of all food in WITH THE OPAQUEnESS use in their own foods. Before ending America is imported, and much of it, up in the hands of American distrib- including seafood, vitamins, pharma- OF GlOBAl FOOD SUPPlY utors or retailers, most food travels ceuticals, and frozen fruits and veg- CHAInS HAS EXPOnEn- through many channels—raw ingre- etables, now comes from China. It is TIAllY InCREASED THE dients to farms, farms to storage, and well-documented that China is a pol- RISKS OF SUPPlIER then onward for processing, marketing lution haven. Toxic fertilizers and pesti - OPPORTUnISM AnD FOOD and distribution. These channels are cides banned in the U.S. are common - COnTAMInATIOn.” rarely documented or investigated. ly used in China, and industrial and “There is no easy way for a con- human waste is not treated as it is in U.S 2 — DR. AlEDA ROTH sumer to know about ingredient the . Yet, only percent of food sourc ing,” said Roth. “When I queried imports are tested, and those that are hundreds of branded food companies, examined are screened only for bio- few would reveal the source of their logical contaminants. ingredients. And when I traced data “The sheer scale of food imports from the U.S. Commerce Department, combined with the opaqueness of glob- I discovered that most large compa- al food supply chains has exponentially 42 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION increased the risks of supplier oppor- tions match their public statements tunism and food contamination,” of corporate responsibility. The ulti- Join Our Endeavor Roth said. “But perhaps more insidi- mate objective is to assess how the Texas A&M faculty and administra- ous is that there is no routine testing food supply can be returned to local, tors have embraced the Institute for Advanced Study with startup funding for heavy metals or non organic toxins sustainable, agricultural sources. of more than $10 million during the from imported foods, and the long- first five years, through 2018. The term effects of cumulative amounts New Heights of Academic Leadership Texas A&M Foundation is seeking of minute levels of such contaminants Roth’s work is only one example of the additional funds for endowments to support TIAS faculty and graduate remain unknown. I am con cerned important research being conducted at fellowships, as well as sponsors for about their effects on our most vul- Texas A&M in conjunction with TIAS its annual gala. A substantial gift nerable populations—pregnant wom - Faculty Fellows. TIAS brings some of from a signature donor would endow en, infants, children and the elderly.” the world’s top scholars to College Sta - and permanently name the institute. Thanks to these faculty members, As a TIAS faculty fellow, Roth is tion for up to 12 months to collaborate who have contributed estate gifts for conducting further research into the on research with Texas A&M faculty the TIAS endowment: consequences of outsourcing our food and students. Its goal is to bring to Janet Bluemel, Department 20 ◊ supply. She is collaborating with Texas Texas A&M world-renowned schol - of Chemistry A&M professors in the Mays Business ars per year. ◊ John Gladysz, Department School and two graduate students on This advanced study institute is of Chemistry TIAS fellowships to model security A&M unique to Texas in that it in - ◊ John Junkins (with Elouise Junkins), risks in food supply chains in regulat- cludes all 11 colleges and the Health Department of Aerospace ed industries. The team is estimating Science Center. The first two TIAS Engineering and TIAS founding the impact of environmental pollution class es are collaborating with Texas director on the hidden costs of our food and A&M researchers on pioneering proj- ◊ Ozden Ochoa, Department of Mechanical Engineering on our well-being, as well as investi- ects in engineering, energy, quantum gating the extent to which firms’ ac - physics, lasers, genomic analysis, genet - For information on how you can sup- port TIAS, contact Don Birkelbach ’70 ics and geosciences. at [email protected] or Dr. Aleda Roth is the Burlington Industries “Faculty and students at the Distinguished Professor at Clemson University (800) 392-3310. and a member of the first class of visiting schol- world’s greatest universities must have ars in the Texas A&M University Institute for access to the finest minds that are en - Advanced Study (TIAS). gaged in the groundbreaking research,” said John Junkins, TIAS director and distinguished professor of aerospace engineering. “In just two years TIAS has significantly advanced the quality and reputation of our academic pro- grams. It is a key element intended to set Texas A&M on a course to realize goals set out in Vision 2020 and to elevate Texas A&M’s status as a world academic leader.”

—by dr. clifford fry associate director texas a &m university institute for advanced study

To watch a video about food safety featuring Dr. Aleda Roth, visit give.am/AledaRoth.

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 43 @Foundation

Bermúdez Joins Board of Trustees to The Association of Former Stu dents, 1973 Jorge Bermúdez, a Texas A&M and a wall outside the center features University graduate and former chief a quote from him about integrity. risk officer for Citigroup Inc., joined In 2007 he established through the Texas A&M Foundation Board of The Association of Former Students 1 Trustees on July . the Jorge A. Bermúdez ’73 Family Bermúdez, a Cuban native who Endowed Scholarship Fund, which lives in College Station, holds bache- provides scholarships to the dependent lor’s and master’s degrees in agricul- child or spouse of a veteran killed or tural economics. His career with disabled in a conflict, or to the depen - 34 Citigroup spanned years and equip - dent child or spouse of a veteran who ped him with extensive financial served in a conflict. expertise and business management Bermudez is a member of Texas 2008 experience. Following his retire- A&M’s International Advisory Board, ment, he found ed Byebrook Group, the development councils for the Col - a small College Station firm dedicat- lege of Agriculture and life Sciences ed to re search and advisory work in and Mays Business School, and a for- the finan cial services industry. mer chairman of the board of The “I came to Texas A&M on a one- Asso ciation of Former Students. way ticket from Bogotá, Colombia, He received the Outstanding where my family was living at the Alum ni Award from the College of time,” Bermúdez said. “I knew nothing Agriculture in 2009 and was added in about Texas, but the first Texans I met 2006 to the Tyrus R. Timm Honor were Aggies. Even though I wasn’t Registry, which recognizes outstanding Texan or American, Texas A&M gave former students within the Depar - me an education that allowed me to tment of Agricultural Economics at compete in the business world, and I Texas A&M. have always felt that I have the obliga- He replaces Texas A&M Founda - tion to give back financially and with 74 Jorge Bermúdez ’73, former chief risk tion Trustee John Bethancourt ’ . officer for Citigroup Inc., joined the my time.” Texas A&M Foundation Trustees Award Texas A&M Foundation Board of Bermúdez is a generous benefactor Trustees on July 1. to Texas A&M, with a recent $250,000 $2,500 to Outstanding Student gift to the Mays Business School to The Texas A&M Foundation Board of support scholarships for undergradu- Trustees awarded Mollie lastovica ’14 ate business honors students. The with its second Trustees’ Outstanding Bermúdez Conference Room in the Student Award. The award was created Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Cen - in 2012 through an endowed gift from ter is named in honor of his 2009 gift Susanne and Melbern Glasscock ’59 44 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION of Houston to honor one exception- al student per year with $2,500. lastovica is a political science and agricultural communications and jour - nalism graduate from Fredericksburg, Texas. In 2012, as president of the Col - lege of Agriculture and life Sci ence’s Student Council, lastovica led the coun cil to endow a $25,000 scholarship to support students in the college who have demonstrated leadership abilities, involvement in extracurricular activi- ties and service to the community. lastovica has also served as a cau - cus leader in student senate and re - Texas A&M Foundation Welcomes New Maroon Coats ceived the Southerland Aggie leader The Texas A&M Foundation on April 4 welcomed 17 new members into the seventh class of its Scholarship, the Who’s Who Among student ambassadors organization, the Maroon Coats. Maroon Coats enhance the impact of the Foundation through stewardship and service. The group consists of Texas A&M student leaders Students in American Universities and who are pursuing various educational disciplines. Each member volunteers a minimum of 20 hours Colleges Award, the Buck Weirus Spir - per semester and receives a signature maroon blazer during induction ceremonies. it Award, the Gathright Scholar Award New members of the 2014-2015 Maroon Coats are (back row, left to right) Drew Williams ’15, and the Phi Kappa Phi University-Wide DJ Cieply ’15, Daylon Koster ’15, Zach Rozinsky ’15, Shep Klinke ’14, David Trigg ’15, Outstanding Junior Award. Cameron Blizzard ’16, Michael Powell ’14, Will Nereson ’14, Tyler Moffett ’15 and Patrick “The trustees selected lastovica McGinty ’15; and (front row, left to right) Uli Robles ’15, Chet Champion ’15, Kelsey Hammond ’15, Layeeka Ismail ’16, Morgan Cochran ’15 and Will Tindol ’15. because of her inspirational story, ded - ication to academics and drive to suc-

“The award money will help me development for offset the cost of living in Houston the College of while pursuing my passion in the com - Medicine in the munications field,” lastovica said. Texas A&M Health “Hope fully it can be the foundation Science Center fol- to allow me to establish savings so that lowing its merger I can one day endow a scholarship with the Texas Andrew Robison ’04 through the Texas A&M Foundation A&M University

The Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees to ben efit students as I have benefit- Sys tem. He joined the Health Sci - awarded Mollie Lastovica ’14 with its second ed from scholarship donors.” ence Center in 2011 after serving six Trustees’ Outstanding Student Award. years in other development positions ceed,” said Board of Trustees Chair - Foundation Staff Changes in Ohio and College Station. man Charles Gregory ’64. “It is a lydia Godfrey ’90 Jody Ford ’99 privilege to honor someone who has began work as the joins the College truly demonstrated the Aggie core val- Foundation’s direc - of Education as its ues in her everyday life.” tor of development director of devel- During her time at Texas A&M for Mays Business opment after nine Uni versity, lastovica worked several School in April years in various part-time jobs and completed five in - after working the posi tions at the tern ships, including one with Houston- past 18 years as a Lydia Godfrey ’90 Foundation, most Jody Ford ’99 based FleishmanHillard Global Com - senior sales manager with the Hilton recently as regional director of major munications Agency, which in May College Station and Conference gifts for the central United States. hired her as an assistant account exec- Center. utive for its food, beverage and agri - Andrew Robison ’04 joined the business sector clients. Foundation in April as director of

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 45 Dunae Crenwelge ’15 has learned that Aggie generosity is no joke.

he first time I came to College Station—I was maybe six years old—the driving lanes left an im - pression. Having come from Freder - icksburg, Texas, where there are still no double-lane turn lanes, I noticed that the intersection of Texas Avenue From Aggie Jokes to Graduation and University Drive had dotted lines to guide turning drivers. awarded its annual scholarships that ed by former students, corporations I had been introduced to Aggie summer in Rudder Tower. Halfway and other friends of Texas A&M. jokes around the same time, because through the ceremony, I was called for The Aggie record of philanthropy my sister had accepted her admission one of three $16,000 scholarships from is a strong draw for prospective stu- to Texas A&M University and some the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo (Rodeo dents. I applied to only one other col - longhorn relative gave her the book Austin). If you’ve ever stood up too lege, the University of Texas at Austin, “The Best of 606 Aggie Jokes.” So quickly and felt the blood rush to your but I received virtually no offers of from the backseat of my parents’ mini - head, then you know how I felt at that financial support, despite being vale- van, having noticed those white dash- moment. I do not wear heels as a gen - dictorian and an involved student; that es, I asked my family if “Aggies were eral safety rule, so the only thought I was a major deterrent. At Texas A&M, too dumb to know how to turn and had walking onstage was please don’t not only did I have financial support, that’s why they needed lines to show fall. It was only a little later that I proc - but I’ve had many out-of-classroom them?” essed the full magnitude of what I had ex periences because of it: studying You can bet that story has been been given. abroad in nicosia, Cyprus, interning at retold a time or two. I applied for more than 40 schol- a public affairs firm in Washington, neither of my parents went to col - arships my senior year of high school, D.C., working at the Foundation, lege. My mom Susan worked more and I received 22. Combined with work ing as an under graduate assis- than 30 years for the U.S. Postal Service schol arships I later received in college, tant and serving on staff for the MSC as a highway contract carrier, while my I generated a total of nearly $75,000. leland T. and Jessie W. Jordan Insti - father Atlee is a rancher. I have three The Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo schol - tute for International Awareness. older sisters, Colleen ’02, laura ’04 and arship was the largest, and it helped me Something else I’ve learned at the Janiece ’07. We all finished top of our singlehandedly pay for my entire col- Foundation is that $75,000 is almost class in high school—a favorite fake lege education. pocket change to the many millions argument of my parents is to debate I’ve been working in the marketing that donors give annually. But to me, from which side of the family we got department at the Texas A&M Founda - it was no joke. our brains—and we all ended up in tion for more than two years, and I —by dunae crenwelge ’15 Aggieland. learned quickly that there are a thou- One of my favorite Texas A&M sand stories like mine. There are thou - Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Dunae, who received the 2014 Texas A&M On Cam - mem ories is from June 2011. The Texas sands of Aggies who get a tremendous pus Student Employee of the Year Award! 4-H Youth Development Foundation boost from private scholarships fund- 46 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION Dwight Look College of Engineering Executive Staff 67 Andy Acker Ed Davis ’ , President Senior Director of Development Jim Palincsar, Senior Vice President [email protected] for Development (979) 845-5113 Doyle Thompson, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Departments of Aerospace, Biomedical liska lusk, Vice President & General Counsel and Nuclear Engineering Janet Handley ’76, Vice President for Investments Reagan Chessher ’97 Kathy McCoy ’80, Director of Marketing Director of Development [email protected] (979) 862-1936 Development Staff 73 Department of Chemical Engineering Carl Jaedicke ’ 99 Vice President for Principal Gifts Thadd Hargett ’ [email protected] Director of Development (979) 845-6551 [email protected] (979) 458-1299 David Hicks ’75 Contact Assistant Vice President for College Programs Department of Civil Engineering [email protected] Jay Roberts ’05 (979) 845-2904 Director of Development 81 [email protected] Mark Klemm ’ (979) 862-8044 Get in touch with the Campaign Director & [email protected] Departments of Computer Science & Texas A M Foundation. (979) 845-6537 Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering 401 George Bush Drive College Programs Jeremy Quast Director of Development College Station, Texas 77840-2811 College of Agriculture & Life Sciences 83 [email protected] Toll-free: (800) 392-3310 Steve Blomstedt ’ (979) 845-5113 Senior Director of Development Phone: (979) 845-8161 [email protected] Departments of Industrial & Systems (979) 845-9582 Engineering and Engineering Technology Fax: (979) 845-3973 & Industrial Distribution Cara Milligan ’08 txamfoundation.com 84 Director of Development Don Fazzino ’ [email protected] [email protected] Assistant Director of Development (979) 458-2204 [email protected] (979) 458-2354 Darin Paine Director of Development Department of Mechanical Engineering [email protected] Andy Acker txamfoundation.com/SpiritMagazine (979) 458-5725 Senior Director of Development 92 [email protected] Patrick Williams ’ (979) 845-5113 Director of Development facebook.com/TexasAMFoundation [email protected] Department of Petroleum Engineering (979) 845-4740 Derek Dictson ’00 Torii Kapavik ’11 Director of Development youtube.com/AggieSpiritAndMind Assistant Director of Development [email protected] (979) 862-4843 [email protected] (979) 862-1247 Erin Gage ’02 twitter.com/TXAMFoundation Jon Rigelsky ’02 Assistant Director of Development Assistant Director of Development [email protected] [email protected] (979) 862-1876 (979) 458-7929 Texas A&M University at Galveston College of Architecture larry Zuber larry Zuber Assistant Vice President for Development Assistant Vice President for Development [email protected] [email protected] (979) 845-0939 (979) 845-0939 College of Geosciences Mays Business School Jack Falks ’85 Brian Bishop ’91 Director of Development Senior Director of Development [email protected] [email protected] (979) 862-4944 (979) 862-3615 The George Bush School of Government lydia Godfrey ’90 & Public Service Director of Development Jessica McCann ’07 [email protected] (979) 862-7247 Senior Director of Development [email protected] Caroline Gunn ’10 (979) 458-8035 Assistant Director of Development Health Science Center College of Medicine [email protected] 04 (979) 845-2775 Andrew Robison ’ Director of Development College of Education & Human Development [email protected] Jody Ford ’99 (979) 862-6423 Director of Development [email protected] (979) 847-8655

SPIRIT MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2 0 1 4 47 Texas A&M University School of Law William Fusselman ’95 Myke Holt Senior Gift Planning Officer Senior Director of Development [email protected] [email protected] (979) 845-5680 (817) 212-4061 Mark Browning ’88 College of Liberal Arts Gift Planning Officer larry Walker ’97 [email protected] Director of Development (979) 845-7594 [email protected] 80 (979) 458-1304 Mark Matthews ’ Gift Planning Officer True Brown ’04 [email protected] Assistant Director of Development (979) 845-5502 [email protected] 03 (979) 845-5192 Angela Throne ’ Gift Planning Officer College of Science [email protected] (979) 845-5638 Michael V. Morelius ’98 Contact Director of Development Gina Jett ’79 [email protected] Gift Planning Stewardship Officer (979) 847-9218 [email protected] (979) 845-5458 College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences O. J. “Bubba” Woytek DVM ’64 Real Estate Services Assistant Vice President for Development & Tim Walton ’90 Director of Alumni Relations Assistant Vice President for Real Estate Services [email protected] [email protected] (979) 845-9043 (979) 845-8026 Chastity Carrigan Director of Development Regional Major Gifts [email protected] (979) 845-9043 David Wilkinson ’87 76 Senior Regional Director of Major Gifts Guy Sheppard DVM ’ (Central States and East Coast) Director of Development [email protected] [email protected] (979) 845-7609 (979) 845-9043 Don Birkelbach ’70 Student Affairs Senior Regional Director of Major Gifts (Houston) Cindy Brown Munson ’99 [email protected] Director of Development (979) 845-7560 [email protected] 98 979 458-1689 Jennifer Hester ’ ( ) Regional Director of Major Gifts (north Texas) Corps of Cadets [email protected] (979) 845-7479 Jerome Rektorik ’65 Director of Development Matt Jennings ’95 [email protected] Regional Director of Major Gifts (Western States) (979) 862-4085 Assistant Campaign Director Kyle Bryson ’09 [email protected] (979) 845-7604 Assistant Director of Development [email protected] Kirk Joseph ’84 (979) 845-7183 Regional Director of Major Gifts (Dallas/Fort Worth) [email protected] Private Enterprise Research Center (979) 845-7453 Jerome Rektorik ’65 Director of Development [email protected] Scholarship Programs (979) 862-4085 Marcy Ullmann ’86 Manager of Scholarship Programs [email protected] Corporate & Foundation Relations (979) 845-6383 Jim Keller ’63 Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations Donor Relations [email protected] lynn Harris (979) 845-6227 Manager of Donor Relations Al Pulliam ’87 [email protected] (979) 845-5963 Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations [email protected] 979 845-6023 ( ) Gift Processing Ann lovett ’81 Office of Gift Planning Manager of Gift Processing [email protected] Glenn Pittsford ’72 (979) 845-8167 Vice President for Gift Planning [email protected] (979) 845-5493

48 TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION Endowed Scholarship ( Pres the program, scholarship i dent’s strated student leadership to make Texas demon- recordsand academic strong with seniors school high inspiring lycontributed toTexas haverecent- who donors thank to like the merit-basedthe The TexasThe Donors Scholarship EndowedPresident’s AppreciationIn Our of $ A dent for four years, plus a bonus for a for bonus a plus years, four for dent stu- forone stipend a funds gift the by estate gift. The endowment established an with or period, five-year a during ih a lish 100,000 & cut along dotted line ✄ M An individual or group mayestab- group or individual An Universitytheir school ofchoice. PES , with a series of payments made A & ih oetm gf of gift one-time a with economic merits of local agriculture. agriculture. local of merits economic farmer’s markets and experiments with sustainable crop sustainable with techniques. experiments and markets farmer’s fresh produce and education about the health benefits and benefits health the about education and produce fresh variety of vegetables, greens and herbs for sale at local at sale for herbs and greens vegetables, of variety build a new center for classes and workshops. workshops. and classes for center new a build ◊ ◊ ◊ $ with community Valley Brazos the farming provides that sustainable project student-run a is Farm Howdy The FarmHowdy Growthe of two gardens and a planting field. The farm grows a grows farm The field. planting a consist and gardens operations two of current Farm’s Howdy the Campus, 45,000 for additional demonstration gardens and to and gardens demonstration additional for 45,000 M PES Foundation wouldFoundation Started in 2009 on Texas Texas on 2009 in Started Texas Texas odnt,vstgive.am/SupportHowdyFarm. Tovisit donate, give.am/HowdyFarmVideo. visit video, a watch To give.am/HowdyFarm. visit more, learn To programbeenhas PES A A & & M ). Since M student farmers are working to raise to working are farmers student ’spre mier 1968 , A & M viously acknowledged in print. acknowledgedin viously donors pre-whose recent gifts were not port students in perpetuity. in students port tion invests these gifts so that they sup- Founda The experience. abroad study - of yourchoice.oflistrecognizesThis honor of a person, class or organization benefitting from the generosity of of generosity the from all are ’15 benefitting Cromer Clayton Katie and ’15, ’15 Kuch Fowler Kirsten ’15, Trantham Ryan University’s West University’s A PES may be named in memory or

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