Kathryn
Greenwade ’88
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
College Station, TX
Greenwade dedicated her life to selfless service. As a student, Greenwade served her peers through Muster, Fish Camp and more while earning a degree in journalism. She began work in marketing and training before returning to Aggieland for a role with the Texas A&M Career Center. In 1999, she began a 22-year career with The Association of Former Students.
Greenwade championed Aggies as the vice president of communications and human resources at The Association. She supported and connected current, former and future students by leading with empathy and promoting community. Passionate about beginning a tradition of giving, she sponsored hundreds of students’ first year in the Century Club. She served with the Aggie Women Network, was an Endowed Century Club member, established an Aggie Ring Scholarship and supported programs across Texas A&M.
On campus, she served 13 years as an academic advisor to Company C-2 in the Corps of Cadets, honored twice as academic advisor of the year. She sponsored the Fish Camp attendance of many freshmen and purchased multiple students’ Aggie Rings over the years. In 2000, she was selected as a Fish Camp namesake. Her volunteer service also reached off campus as president of the board of the Bryan-College Station chapter of Habitat for Humanity and a Brazos Valley Figure Skating Club board member.
Greenwade passed away in February 2022. She is survived by her parents, James ’66 and Sharon Greenwade, her sister and brother-in-law, Karen ’92 and Kevin ’91 Schiller, and their children, Sarah ’18, Sam ’22 and Jacob Schiller.
“Kathryn seemed to be everywhere … promoting our university and The Association while endearing herself to everyone she encountered.”
- Dr. R. Bowen Loftin ’71
Hector
Gutierrez, Jr. ’69
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
El Paso, TX
Gutierrez was very involved in student life at A&M, leading as a member of the Ross Volunteers, president of the University Honor Council and the first Hispanic Corps commander.
Upon graduation, he received a commission into the U.S. Air Force and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in Russian.
Gutierrez spent nearly 20 years of his career at Southwestern Bell Telephone, acting as assistant vice president of government relations before leaving the company in 1993. He soon became a consultant, specializing in public relations, communications and governmental affairs. His past clients include the city of El Paso (where he still lives today), AT&T, the El Paso Water Utility Public Service Board, HILLCO Partners and more corporate entities. He also served as the first senior advisor for legislative affairs to the lieutenant governor of Texas, Rick Perry ’72.
Generous with his time, Gutierrez has made it a point to lead and mentor wherever he can. He has served on the boards of The Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M University Press, the Bush School of Government and Public Service, the Texas A&M Health Science Center and the Corps of Cadets Board of Visitors. He is also the founding chairman of the Texas A&M Hispanic Network, where his passion and vision directly supported A&M’s recent designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, which in turn unlocked new levels of federal funding.
Gutierrez and his wife, Debbie, have one daughter, Camila.
“I know of few people who possess such focused dedication, sincere personal integrity and thoughtful communication style.”
- Lupe Fraga '57
Mike
Havel ’76
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Dallas, TX
Mike Havel ’76 is known for his simple, optimistic motto: “Life is terrific!” Of all the terrific projects he is known for at Texas A&M, he said, “The most fulfilling engineering project I have ever had was to manage the design and construction of the Aggie Ring replica [on] the Haynes Ring Plaza.”
However, this wasn’t the first time Havel was involved in constructing a campus monument. As an upperclassman, he served as treasurer for the Class of 1976, where he was heavily involved with fundraising for the ’76 Class Gift of the Centennial Eagle Statue. The Class of 1976 was the first class to select and fully fund a Class Gift prior to graduation.
Havel started out as a salesman, and his extraordinary people skills, warm attitude and ambitious vision quickly allowed him to manage his own business. He is president and owner of Metro Custom Plastics Inc., where he has worked since 1982, as well as three additional associated distribution companies. Havel’s companies have been honored with the Aggie 100 award a total of eight times for their impressive growth.
Havel enjoys mentoring and supporting others. He and his wife, Kathy, have ministered to engaged couples through their church for over 30 years. He was also highly involved with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a scout leader for 13 years. At Texas A&M, he has served as a Class Agent and sat on several advisory boards. It was during his tenure on the board of The Association of Former Students that he had the idea to construct a “Kodak moment” to draw people to the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center — an idea that became the Haynes Ring, a 3-ton Aggie Ring replica on the Haynes Ring Plaza. He applied his professional skills in manufacturing and sourcing to direct the project from beginning to end.
The Havels have two children, Christy ’03 and Andy ’05, and three grandchildren.
“Mike Havel’s enthusiastic service to Texas A&M and his local community continues to be extraordinary.”
- Keith H. Merrick ’76
T. Michael
O'Connor ’77
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Victoria, TX
The life of T. Michael O’Connor ’77 has been motivated by the desire to “champion for those who are not able to champion for themselves,” he said.
O’Connor has worked in law enforcement for over 40 years, beginning in 1973 when he was deputized with the Refugio County Sheriff’s Office. He studied range science at Texas A&M, in line with his family’s multi-generational heritage of Texas ranching. He has followed his passions by remaining involved with the O’Connor Ranch since 1977, but he has upheld his duty to his community through law enforcement.
O’Connor was elected sheriff of Victoria County in 2005. His motto was and continues to be “excellence in law enforcement.” At the Victoria College Police Academy, he taught law enforcement professionalism and ethics and sat on the board of directors.
He has also served on the Victoria Police Department Advisory Board, the University of Houston-Victoria Criminal Justice Board of Directors and a gubernatorial Commission for the Comprehensive Review of Criminal Justice Systems.
In 2020, O’Connor was sworn in as U.S. marshal for the Southern District of Texas. He is one of 94 presidentially appointed marshals currently serving across the nation. He leads multiple law enforcement organizations, including the South Texas Coastal Sheriff’s Alliance, Law Enforcement Alliance Project and Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
In addition to his professional affiliations, he has served on the boards of at least 15 other businesses and community organizations. He received a gubernatorial appointment to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in 1993, serving as vice chairman 1994-99. He has also volunteered with The Association of Former Students, the Chancellor’s Century Council, the College of Agriculture Development Council and the AgriLife Vice Chancellor’s Forum.
O’Connor and his wife, LuAnn, have two children, Jane ’05 and Thomas ’11.
“He has selflessly given to the people of Texas over 40 years of excellent leadership in law enforcement.”
- Thomas K. Edwards ’87
Henry B. "Hank"
Paup ’70
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Fort Worth, TX
Henry B. “Hank” Paup ’70 believes that “a person’s word is their bond, and a handshake is a contract.”
Paup commonly sums up his time in Aggieland with “the three S’s: soldiering, studying and swimming.” He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, serving as first sergeant, the company commander of his outfit and a Ross Volunteer. A varsity swimmer and three-year letterman, he set the Texas A&M record for the mile swim in 1969. He graduated from A&M with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a commission in the U.S. Army, and he would later earn a law degree from SMU and his CPA certification.
Specializing in estate planning and probate, Paup has served the Fort Worth area as a lawyer for 50 years. He founded his own practice, Law Offices of Henry B. Paup, in 1982. Although it was created after his student days, he has been a strong supporter of the Texas A&M School of Law, establishing an endowed dean’s scholarship and law faculty chair.
Paup reinvests in his passions. He and his wife, Anne, have been significant supporters of the Texas A&M swim team, including as the lead donors of the team’s newest indoor facility, Paup Pavilion. They have established seven academic and athletic scholarships at A&M, and are Endowed Century Club members.
In 2019, the couple gave the lead gift on a new sanctuary pipe organ for their church. He has also given of his time, serving as president of the Fort Worth A&M Club, president of the First Methodist Church of Fort Worth Foundation and a member of the 12th Man Foundation board of trustees. In recognition of the Paups’ exceptional giving, they were recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Philanthropists of the Year by the Fort Worth chapter of Fundraising Professionals.
The Paups have two children, Spivey ’01, married to Brooke ’01, and Robbie Jane ’07, and five grandchildren.
“He exemplifies the core values of Texas A&M in how he conducts his business, lives his life and deals with every person.”
- James A. Creel ’69
Albert G. "Bert"
Pfaff, Jr. ’25
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Austin, TX
Pfaff graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1925 with a degree in electrical engineering.
According to the 1925 school yearbook, he played football and basketball while a student, making “his debut in athletics … as he dashed madly on the field to save the day for the fighting Signal Corps Battalion football team. Bert has always had the true Aggie Spirit.”
Upon graduation, Pfaff found impressive success in the East Texas oil industry, eventually founding McCord-Lane Co. However, Pfaff is best remembered by Aggies for his support of Texas A&M athletics.
In the midst of the Great Depression, the A&M athletics department was in a troubling amount of debt. They reached out to Pfaff around 1936, and he helped secure a key loan of $25,000 that the department used for scholarships to recruit top players for A&M. Not only that, but during school breaks, Pfaff employed the student-athletes in his oil fields, giving them a chance to support themselves and stay enrolled in college.
Pfaff’s meaningful support paid off. In 1939, those hardworking student-athletes became an undefeated football team, ending their season with a national championship. Their wins brought the program much-needed revenue, allowing it to pay off its debts and support student success.
Pfaff is remembered by family and friends as a generous and humble Aggie who would go above and beyond in support of his beloved alma mater.
He is survived by his granddaughter, Elizabeth Pfaff Heldenfels ’79, and a host of Aggie great-grandchildren.
“Texas A&M is a better place today because of the loyal benevolence of Bert Pfaff.”
- Dr. Tom Lyles '49
Michael J.
Plank ’83
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Houston, TX
Plank knew he wanted to study mechanical engineering, and Texas A&M’s world-class engineering program attracted him to the university. Impressed by several members of the Corps of Cadets at Fish Camp, he knew he had to join and found his place in Squadron 11, where he served on group staff and embraced A&M’s rich traditions.
Plank is chairman and CEO of The Plank Companies Inc. and three operating companies: Rail Logix, National Property Holdings and Speed Shore Corporation, which are respectively engaged in industrial real estate development, rail logistics and construction equipment manufacturing. Ernst & Young recognized his business leadership in 2019 with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Gulf Coast region.
Appointed to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in 2019, Plank serves his alma mater along with 11 system universities and eight state agencies. He has previously served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Governor’s University Research Initiative Board. He was inducted into the Mechanical Engineering Department’s Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 2000 and received the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Alumni Award in 2019.
In addition to donating his time to various charitable organizations, Plank has generously funded a host of initiatives at Texas A&M. He and his wife, Susan, have given major gifts to Aggie Park, the Corps of Cadets Quad renovation and the Zachry Engineering Education Complex. The Planks have also funded multiple scholarships and are members of the Endowed Century Club, the Chancellor’s Century Council and the 12th Man Foundation.
The Planks have two children, Kendall ’18 and Jared.
“A superb regent, a passionate Aggie and outstanding human being, Mike Plank is indeed worthy of this great honor.”
- Michael A. Hernandez III ’83
Jeff
Potter ’78
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Dallas, TX
Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, Potter was drawn to A&M both by the architecture program and the opportunity to compete on the Texas A&M rifle team. An Olympic small-bore rifleman, he was a three-year letterman at A&M and was on the 1976 winning Southwest Rifle Association Championship team. He received both his bachelor’s of environmental design and master’s of architecture at A&M.
In his work, Potter integrates design with community engagement, especially regarding school safety. He and his wife, Shelley ’78, founded their own architecture firm, POTTER, in 1983, which specializes in educational facilities. The firm has received six design awards from the American Institute of Architects. Potter participated in the Texas governor’s 2018 School Safety Roundtable, the only architect to receive an invitation.
Highly involved with the AIA, Potter was elevated to their College of Fellows in 2010, a distinction given to only 2.5% of all AIA architect members. He served a term as AIA president in 2012, sat on their board of directors and was repeatedly an international delegate. He has also held leadership in the Texas Society of Architects and The National Architects Foundation. In 2023, he received the Edward C. Kemper Laureate from the AIA, honoring a lifetime of leadership and significant service.
The Potters recently completed work on the new Distinguished Alumni Tribute in Aggie Park, which they consider a consummate career highlight. They have supported students by establishing an endowed scholarship for nonresident architecture students and by joining the Endowed Century Club through The Association of Former Students.
The Potters are the first married couple to each receive the honor of Distinguished Alumnus; Shelley received the award in 2019.
“He models the values and behaviors that give us hope that others will … actively participate in making our towns, cities, states and the country a better place for all.”
- R. Steven Lewis
Joe R.
Straus, Jr. ’50
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Selma, TX
Straus’ love of horses and agribusiness stemmed from his childhood in San Antonio. His family owned L. Frank Saddlery, a manufacturer of saddles and other horse equipment. The company later became Straus-Frank Co. and sold wholesale auto parts, but horses remained an important part of the family’s story. He headed to A&M to study animal husbandry, also serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Returning to San Antonio after graduation, Straus worked at Straus-Frank Co. for 55 years, eventually retiring as president.
He is also a partner in the family-owned Straus Medina Ranch, where he successfully imported the first full-blood Simmental cattle into the United States. The European breed had been notoriously difficult to bring in, due to U.S. regulations meant to prevent disease in livestock. He and his partners were able to quarantine a small herd in Germany and move them through Norway before finally establishing the breed in Texas.
Straus remains best known for the role he played in Texas horse racing. In 1973, he founded the Texas Horse Racing Association, which advocated legalizing pari-mutuel wagering in Texas. After this new legislation passed, he established the Retama Park Association in 1989, eventually co-founding and constructing Retama Park Racetrack.
Straus is a longtime member of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture Development Council. He and his late wife, Jocelyn, gave generously to A&M through The Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M Foundation and the 12th Man Foundation.
The Strauses have three children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
“Joe R. Straus, Jr. ’50 has a knack for turning dreams into reality.”
- Phil Adams '70
James D. "Jimmy"
Tittle ’49
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2023
Abilene, TX
Tittle has been called “Abilene’s architect” for his numerous designs throughout his hometown. His illustrious architecture career began at Texas A&M, which he originally chose to attend because of the financial benefits and free uniforms offered through the Corps of Cadets. Tittle served two years in the U.S. Army before returning to Abilene.
In 1957, he cofounded The Tittle Luther Partnership with Jack Luther ’49. They designed iconic residential and commercial builds that are still standing in Abilene today, including the Taylor County Courthouse, expansions to the Hendrick Medical Center, a terminal at Abilene Regional Airport and various buildings at both Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University.
As Tittle’s designs rose in prominence, he actively sought opportunities to give back. He was a member of Abilene’s Chamber of Commerce, Business Council and Cultural Affairs Council. In 1988, he was named Abilene’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He supported Aggies by establishing three scholarships with the now School of Architecture. Serving the state of Texas, Tittle was appointed to the Texas Commission on the Arts and was a founding member of the Texas Cultural Trust. In 1998, Tittle was named chancellor of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Most recently, in 2022, the Abilene Zoo dedicated Tittle Lake in his honor.
Tittle leaves, in addition to numerous physical landmarks, a legacy of integrity, leadership and service to his beloved city and state.
“Through his infectious personality, talent, education, generosity, loyalty and high moral and ethical standards, Tittle stands tall.”
- Fred Lee Hughes '49