COL Edward B.
Cushing, Class of 1880
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Year Awarded: 2006
Houston, TX
Col. E.B. Cushing, Class of 1880, majored in civil engineering at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now known as Texas A&M University).
Cushing joined the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1881 as chief engineer of construction and was an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was a colonel and advising engineer in the U.S. Army and received distinguished service medals from the governments of France, Belgium and Italy.
As a former student, Cushing dedicated himself to supporting and improving the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and after the legislature failed to appropriate funds for the college, underwrote the needs of the college to prevent closure. In 1880, he was elected chief secretary of the Association of Ex-Cadets (now known as The Association of Former Students) and while serving as president on the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas’ Board of Directors, was responsible for bringing President W.E. Bizzell to the college.
Cushing had the foresight to compile records of student enrollment from the first years of the college, setting the precedent for the Directory of Former Students. He helped establish the Alumni Bureau and the Alpha Phi Fraternity, and was elected to the Houston Committee in 1914 to represent the college before the state legislature.
Upon his death in 1924, Cushing bequeathed to A and M his large collection of engineering texts, which are now stored in the Cushing Library.
"There is perhaps no man who has had the interests of the college so much before him and no man whose memory deserves such a fitting tribute by the college."
- Library Committee statement to the Board of Directors on the naming of ‘Cushing Library’
Dr. Jimmy
Williams, Jr. '83
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Year Awarded: 2022
Wexford, PA
To Dr. Jimmy Williams, Jr. ’83, Texas A&M means family. He said, “Family shapes your values, helps you to maintain your humility. They challenge you to be your best, they protect you in the most fierce manner, they honor and applaud your growth, they deeply care.”
Williams knows what it means to contribute to a large family: He grew up the fourth child out of 10. He is a first-generation college graduate, and was the first in his family to study engineering. He joined the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as a student, and soon accomplished his goal of earning a mechanical engineering degree.
Williams returned to Missouri for his MBA, and stayed for a Ph.D. in engineering and public policy. During this time, Williams began a 20-year career with Boeing, eventually becoming director of research and development. Boeing honored Williams with its Black Engineer of the Year Award in 2001. Williams then moved to Alcoa, again with a focus in research and development, and later moved to Pall Corp., where he was made senior vice president of global engineering. Williams retired from industry in 2015, taking on a new role at Carnegie Mellon University as the executive director and distinguished service professor of the university’s Engineering and Technology Innovation Management Program.
In addition to his notable engineering career, Williams has also served on the boards of many organizations. In 2020, he co-chaired Texas A&M’s task force on diversity, equity and inclusion, with findings that directly impacted the university’s current initiatives. He became the first Black chair of the board of The Association of Former Students in 2018. He also served as president of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation board and on the boards of Innovation Works, Tech-Solve Corp. and the Washington University Alumni Association.
Williams and his wife, Valerie, have two children and a granddaughter.
“He is not only an outstanding engineer but also an outstanding and compassionate leader and a great example of the Aggie core value of selfless service.”
- Dr. John E. Hurtado '91
Dr. Frederick E.
Giesecke ’86
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Year Awarded: 2006
Latium, TX
Dr. Frederick E. Giesecke received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now known as Texas A&M University) in 1886 and a doctorate of engineering from the University of Illinois in 1924. While a student at the college, he was captain of the Corps of Cadets.
After graduation, Giesecke became an assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department from 1886 to 1888, and at age 19 was made head of A and M’s Department of Mechanical Drawing. He founded the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas’ Department of Architecture in 1905 before moving to Austin as a professor and then dean of the University of Texas’ Department of Architecture. In 1927, Giesecke returned to A and M as the dean of the College of Architecture and head of the Department of Architecture. Within a year, he was named head of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station.
Through 1939, Giesecke designed and supervised the construction of many campus buildings that are still standing today including the Chemistry Building, the Williams Building, Cushing Library and Hart and Walton halls. In 1942, he was awarded with the F. Paul Anderson Gold Medal for outstanding contribution to the science of heating and ventilation.
As a former student, Giesecke led the formation of, drafted the constitution for and served as the first secretary of the Alumni Association of the A and M College of Texas, a precursor to The Association of Former Students.
Travis Logan
Smith ’98
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Year Awarded: 2022
Travis L. Smith Jr., Class of 1898, enrolled at A&M when he was only 15, after personally petitioning then-president Lawrence Sullivan Ross for admission into the sophomore class. Smith honored Ross’s generosity by earning a degree in civil engineering in only three years, just short of his 18th birthday. Smith led in the Corps of Cadets as a first lieutenant and staff adjutant. He became one of the original Ross Volunteers, both serving Ross during his lifetime and presiding over Ross’s 1898 funeral.
After graduation, Smith embarked on a prolific career. It is thought that he founded 18 companies in his lifetime. Whether as a civil engineer, surveyor, airplane engine manufacturer, oil driller, aerial crop-duster or anything else, Smith served those around him, especially those in financial need.
He was generous to a fault, even when it wasn’t in the best interest of his business. When developing real estate, Smith would often sell lots for less than they were worth to make them more affordable to prospective land owners. He once constructed student housing near campus, employing primarily students and World War II veterans. He then deeded it to The Association of Former Students, stipulating that when it was sold, the profits would go toward scholarships. Smith also created two Presidents’ Endowed Scholarships.
Aggie community was important to Smith. He served as a Class of 1898 Class Agent. He founded the Sul Ross Group, originally composed of Aggies who had been students during Ross’s tenure, and served as the group’s permanent president until his death in 1972. Smith is remembered by many former cadets as a generous benefactor and mentor.
Smith’s Aggie legacy has continued in his 11 direct descendants who are Aggies and many other family members who attended Texas A&M.
“For a number of years I have known of his unbelievable energy, diversified interests, great achievements and, most of all, his enormous generosity.”
- Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Darling ’54
Edwin J.
Kyle ’99
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Year Awarded: 2007
Kyle, TX
Kyle graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1899 with a degree in horticulture. As a senior, Kyle served as senior captain (now known as Corps commander), class president, president of the YMCA and valedictorian. Kyle brought national recognition to Texas A&M through his contributions to agriculture, education and athletics, but his most lasting impression would be the naming of Kyle Field in his honor.
Kyle began his professional career at Texas A&M in 1902 as an instructor, the head of the Department of Horticulture and Mycology and horticulturist to the Experiment Station. He became the first dean of the School of Agriculture in 1911. Kyle retired from A&M in 1944 and served as director of the Farm Credit Administration in Houston until the late 1950s. In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him United States Ambassador to Guatemala. After his resignation in 1947, Kyle was called back to Guatemala to receive that nation’s highest decoration, The Order of the Quetzal. Kyle served as executive secretary of The Alumni Association from 1905 until 1906 and was president of the General Athletic Association, a precursor to the Texas A&M Athletic Council, and a member for 24 years. Born in Kyle, Texas, Kyle lived in Bryan until his death in 1963.
Joe
Utay ’08
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Year Awarded: 2010
Utay, Class of 1908, received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University and went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1912. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Ross Volunteers, the “T” Association, the Athletic Council and the Dallas Club and was captain of the varsity football team.
Utay returned to Texas A&M in 1912 and served as a freshman football coach and was director of athletics. He is recognized as a pioneer of football in the Southwest. He was the president of the Texas Officials Association from 1912 until 1936 and was instrumental in establishing the Southwest Officials Association, which helped organize the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, starting the tradition of the Southwest Conference appearing in the Cotton Bowl. He was also a practicing attorney in Dallas for more than 55 years.
Utay was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. He was a founding member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association and a charter member of the National Football Hall of Fame.
Utay served on the Texas A&M Board of Directors (now the Board of Regents) from 1935 to 1941. He was a contributor to The Association of Former Students’ Century Club. Dormitory 12 (Utay Hall) is named in his honor.
"I believe my uncle would try to instill the following advice to today's student body: Avail yourself of all opportunities. Choose your endeavors carefully, with passion, and do them well. Promote and be loyal to your school and live with Aggie values all of your life."
- Gary Utay '60, nephew of of Joe Utay, Class of 1908
Jesse L.
Easterwood ’09
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Year Awarded: 2009
Wills Point, TX
Easterwood, Class of 1909, studied agriculture at Texas A&M, leaving in 1909 to pursue business opportunities in Mexia, where he would become one of the town’s leading citizens. As a student, he was a member of B Company Infantry and played second base on the baseball team.
Upon the United States’ declaration of war on Germany in 1917, Easterwood sold his business and volunteered for duty as an aviator. He would become one of the first Americans qualified to fly as a naval aviator and sailed to Europe with the first group of American pilots to serve overseas in World War I. He completed 16 missions deep behind German lines and later saw service with the air forces of France and Italy. By the end of the War, Easterwood was one of only three survivors from the original group of 68 American pilots.
After the war, Easterwood remained in the Navy, flying the dangerous early airmail experiments. As a naval lieutenant he took it upon himself to fly all aircraft with mechanical problems and perished while attempting an emergency landing in a seaplane with a notoriously bad engine.
Easterwood was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic deeds during World War I. In 1940, Texas A&M paid tribute to his service by naming its new flying field - now known as Easterwood Airport - in his memory.
"Lt. Easterwood exemplified the values on which this institution was founded - duty, honor and service. His life illustrated the leadership abilities TAMU instills and values in other great Aggies such as Earl Rudder ’32, including leading from the front, inspiring by example and never asking others to do what he was not willing to do himself."
- Stephen H. Lucy ’82
Owen W.
Sherrill ’10
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Year Awarded: 1974
Kerens, TX
Sherrill received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1910. Much of his life was devoted to the development of the city of Georgetown, serving as Mayor and as President of numerous local banks. He was past president of the National Association of Farm and Land Brokers and served as director of the National Association of Real Estate Boards for 18 years. He was named Texas Realtor of the Year and the Texas Association of Realtors named Sherrill “Texas All Time Farm and Land Broker”.
Sherrill was President of The Association of Former Students from 1928-1929 and organizer of the Williamson County A&M Club.
Julian B.
Thomas ’11
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Year Awarded: 1974
San Marcos, TX
Thomas received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1911. He served as president and general manager of Texas Electric Service Co. In the early 50s, he fostered development of the futuristic “Gruen Plan” for downtown Fort Worth and served as chairman of a state water conservation committee appointed by Governor Allan Shivers.
Thomas was President of Dallas and Fort Worth A&M Clubs, President of The Association of Former Students, and a Trustee and Councilor to the Texas A&M Research Foundation. He was selected from more than 1200 nominees to serve on the A&M Century Council which recommended guidelines for the overall development of the university.
James M. “Cop”
Forsyth ’12
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Year Awarded: 1973
McKinney, TX
Forsyth received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering in 1912 and 1913. After two years of military service, he founded Forsyth Engineering Co., a heavy power plant company he owned until 1970.
He has worked tirelessly to repay what he considers to be his debt to Texas A&M. As a Class Agent for the Class of ’12, he was instrumental in leading his classmates to establish the first class-sponsored President’s Endowed Scholarship. Forsyth also served The Association of Former Students as a Vice President and he and his wife endowed three of the $25,000 President’s Scholarships. Perhaps the greatest contribution Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth have made to Texas A&M University is their $300,000 commitment toward construction of the new alumni center that was located in the expanded Memorial Student Center which is now the Forsyth Center Art Galleries.
"We receive more from A&M than we will ever give back. I just want to try and repay the school that has meant so much to me, and help young people receive as I have received."