BenefactorPartners in advancing the world’s prosperity The Spirit of Mays Jerry ‘72 and Kay Cox ‘02 We are appreciative of you, our benefactors, who provide generous support in so many ways. Your continued support is actively moving Mays Business School forward in our vision of advancing the world's prosperity through our mission of being a vibrant learning organization that creates impactful knowledge and develops transformational leaders, as you will see in the pages of this edition of the Benefactor. We are truly thankful for all you do for our students, our school, and our future. CONTRIBUTORS A message from the Dean... DEAN Eli Jones At Mays Business School, Wendy Boswell is a prime EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION & STRATEGIC benefactors are impacting example of a recipient of the PLANNING the transformational Coxes’ generosity. She and William Peel leadership of our departments, nine other faculty members programs, centers, and – most have received financial support DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE & importantly – students. allowing them to focus on their ALUMNI RELATIONS research and teaching. Cynthia Billington Within these pages we are honored to share stories about Ronnie Hale Sr. proved he DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, significant people to Mays and was an Aggie at heart with COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC how their investments have had his generosity and business RELATIONS exponential impacts. acumen. He helped the Aggie Blake Parrish family by bringing Aggie Bucks Jerry '72 and Kay Cox '02 EDITOR and outdoor ATM machines to embody the spirit of Mays with Texas A&M. Within his family, he Kelly Levey Reynolds their warmth and welcoming helped numerous descendants presence. Thousands of Aggies ART DIRECTION & DESIGN attend Texas A&M. Since his have benefitted from their passing in 2017, Ronnie is sorely Brie Pampell generosity and mentoring. missed. Taylor Stephens Megan Ryan ’98 shares her Enjoy learning about these and PRODUCTION MANAGER story, including advancements other stories that make up our in her career, milestones in her Molly Painter great school. And remember, life, and the multiple ways she no matter your distance or time CONTRIBUTING WRITERS, stays engaged with Mays. She away, you're always Mays. EDITORS, & DESIGNERS credits much of her success Andrew Barker to her time at Texas A&M, and Gig ’em Cynthia Billington she is pleased to be able to provide similar opportunities to Christina Court current students. Kenny Dao Melissa Lund Molly Painter Eli Jones ‘82 Kelli Levey Reynolds Dean and Professor of Marketing Taylor Stephens Texas A&M Foundation PHOTOGRAPHY Butch Ireland Michael Kellett TABLE OF CONTENTS Igor Kraguljac Brie Pampell 04 THE SPIRIT OF MAYS 20 A LEGACY OF Taylor Stephens Jerry ’72 and Kay Cox ’02 GRACIOUS LIVING Texas A&M University Ronnie Hale Sr. 06 LIFETIME PARTNERS Mays Business School 23 NEW GIFTS 08 TRANSFORMATIONAL mays.tamu.edu PRIORITIES 24 CORPORATE AND Texas A&M University FOUNDATIONS 4113 TAMU 14 ONE PARTNER’S JOURNEY College Station, TX 77843-4113 Megan Ryan ’98 26 SYNERGY IN MOTION Mays and EY 16 INDIVIDUAL © Mays Business School 2018 CONTRIBUTORS BENEFACTOR 2018 3 4 MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL The Spirit of Mays: Jerry & Kay Cox Jerry ’72 and Kay Cox ’02 are scholarships to students in the • Been inducted in the Corps avid supporters of Mays Business Honors program. Hall of Honor Business School. They are ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS A&M • Been a three-time Aggie 100 engaged recruiters of top talent, RUNS DEEP Award recipient often opening their homes to promising students before they Jerry Cox has been a strong Jerry said he and Kay feel ever enroll in class. member of the Dean’s Advisory blessed to be “a small part of Board at Mays for several years. supporting the excellence of Eli Jones, dean of Mays Jones values Cox’s contributions, Mays Business School. We love Business School, notes; “If and soon after Jones came to the students and want them to you have met them, you have Mays as dean in 2015, he asked reach their full potential. The felt their welcoming spirit, Cox to serve as chairman of quality of intellect and character encouragement, and warmth.” the board. Together, the two of Mays students is remarkable. They often call Texas A&M preside over the semi-annual Mays graduates will surely make University students their “kids,” meetings, and the chairperson a huge and positive impact on and consider them part of their serves as the primary liaison the world they will become a extended family. between the dean, the board, part of after graduation.” and the Office of Development. “These two set the Both value education and The Coxes’ impact is felt lifelong learning, prompting bar for us.” throughout Texas A&M in even them at age 50 as empty more ways. Together, they: nesters to return to school Dean Eli Jones – Kay for a master’s in • Led the funding of the educational psychology at Visitors to the Wehner Building Cox-McFerrin Center for Texas A&M (largely because will notice Jerry and Kay Cox Aggie Basketball she wanted an Aggie ring), and Hall and see their portrait in the • Led the funding of the Jerry for a master’s degree in first-floor entrance. The Coxes Cox Diamond Club at theology from Houston Baptist gave $1.5 million toward the Blue Bell Park University. Their Aggie roots expansion, leading 40 other run deep. ◆ former students and friends • Were honored with the to contribute to this important Sterling C. Evans Medal enhancement to our campus. With Kay's support, Jerry has: In 2017, the Peggy and • Served on the board of Lowry Mays Impact Award directors of the Texas Jerry Cox outlines was established. The A&M Foundation namesakes were the first the qualities of a award recipients. “It was an • Served on the board of transformational leader: easy decision to confer the 2018 directors as president of the award to Kay and Jerry Cox,” 12th Man Foundation • Committed vision of what the organization can be Jones said. • Served on the Corps “This award is for people who Development Council • Unwavering character and integrity have really put their imprint • Served as presiding chairman on Mays Business School, and of Texas A&M’s One Spirit, • Promotes transparency these two set the bar for us,” One Vision Campaign said Dean Jones. “They think of the students first. They want • Been honored as a them to have all the tools they Distinguished Alumnus of need to succeed.” Texas A&M See the full conversation: tx.ag/MTLCox The Coxes established the Jerry • Been named an Outstanding and Kay Cox Endowed Chair Alumnus of Mays at Mays and have provided Business School BENEFACTOR 2018 5 LIFETIME PARTNERS $20,000,000+ Charles Koch Foundation Kathleen L. and J. Rogers Rainey, Jr. ’44 Peggy and L. Lowry Mays ’57 The Reynolds and Reynolds Company Helaine and Gerald L. Ray ’54 $10,000,000+ Robyn L. ’89 and Alan B. $1,000,000+ Roberts ’78 Artie and Dorothy McFerrin Foundation Denise and David C. Baggett ’81 Patricia and Grant E. Sims ’77 Beaumont Foundation of Texas A&M Research $3,000,000+ America Foundation Gina and Anthony Bahr ’91 Demi N. and John R. III Elizabeth H. and James R. Carmichael ’73 Whatley ’47 Ernst & Young Peter H. Currie ’85 Barbara and Donald Zale ’55 Mays Business School - Center and M.B. and Edna Zale Gina L. and William H. Flores ’76 for Executive Development Foundation Reliant Energy Ford Motor Company KPMG $500,000+ $2,000,000+ Paula and Ronald S. The H.G. Ash Foundation Letbetter ’70 The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte AT&T Foundation Trisha and L.C. “Chaz” Bank of America ConocoPhillips Neely, Jr. ’62 Sandra L. and Ronnie W. PwC Kay A. ‘02 and Jerry S. Cox ’72 Barclay ’68 ExxonMobil Ed Rachal Foundation 6 MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL Foreman R. Bennett ’27 Elizabeth and Graham Angie '84 and William R. Weston '86 Lemmons, Jr. ’83 BP Corporation Sherry and David J. Lesar Chevron $250,000+ Macy’s Brandon C. Coleman, Jr. ’78 Aggie Real Estate Network Marathon Oil Ashley R. ’88 and David L. American Institute of Certified Coolidge ’87 Maria B. and Michael K. Public Accountants McEvoy ’79 Deloitte Foundation Sandra K. and Bryan N. Cydney Collier Donnell ’81 Jorge A. Bermudez ’73 Mitchell ’70 Mark H. Ely ’83 Blue Bell Creameries Donald H. Niederer ’53 Harriet D. and Joe B. Foster ’56 Diana and Todd O. Brock ’85 Neiman Marcus Group G.W. Glezen, Jr. ’56 Pamela M. and Barent W. Newfield Exploration Cater ’77 Halliburton Rebecca ’74 and William S. The Cullen Trust for Higher The Herman F. Heep and Minnie Nichols III ’74 Education Belle Heep Foundation Sharee and David R. Norcom ’73 Becky ’76 and Monty L. Davis ’77 Howard W. Horne ’47 Karen N. Pape ’80 Kay M. and G. Steven JCPenney Dawson ’80 Florence and M. Bookman Kelly P. ’86 and Robert E. Peters ’59 Dell Jordan ’85 Frank J. and Jean Raymond Dillard’s Marian J. ’82 and Willie T. Foundation Langston II ’81 Duke Energy Foundation The Summerfield G. Roberts Rhonda and Todd A. Energy Future Holdings Foundation Overbergen ‘88 Janis A. and John T. Eubanks ’62 Sewell Automotive Phillips 66 Gallery Furniture Deborah D. Shelton Randall’s Food Markets General Electric Company Syracuse University Shell Oil Company Sam K. and Barnett L. Jamey and Richard C. Tanner ’53 Ruby and Earle A. Shields, Jr. ’41 Gershen ’69 Shelley and Joseph V. Adam C. Sinn ’00 Patricia and Raymond R. Tortorice, Jr. ’70 Hannigan ’61 John H. Speer ’71 Walmart Kathy and Terry E. Hatchett ’68 Robin ’76 and Robert Starnes ’72 Earline and A.P.