George P. Mitchell ’40
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Year Awarded: 1977

Galveston, TX

George P. Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1940. Nationally prominent in land development and oil and gas exploration, he is one of his alma mater’s foremost benefactors. In 1968, he donated 100 acres of land on Pelican Island in Galveston for creation of a new campus for marine related programs. The Mitchell Campus, named in honor of his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mitchell, now serves as headquarters for the University’s fast-growing Moody College of Marine College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Resources. He subsequently has given the University additional Galveston property, including a facility on Eckert’s bayou which will be used as a marine research station.



He is board chairman and president of Mitchell Energy & Development Corporation based in Houston. His firm developed The Woodlands, an internationally acclaimed project which, in essence, involved construction of a completely new and well-designed town north of Houston. His firm also ranks among the nation’s largest independent oil and gas producers and is credited with the discovery of nearly 100 oil fields and 125 gas fields. He has served as chairman of the 4000 member Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.

William T. Moore ’40
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Year Awarded: 1976

Edge, TX

Moore received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1940 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas Law School in 1949. During his service in the Texas Senate, Moore was instrumental in the passage of many bills that affected the growth and progress of Texas A&M University.

"I am a free soul. Life would be hell if you had to worry about every decision you make and who you might offend. I call things like I see them and never take them home with me."

Dr. Durward B. Varner ’40
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Year Awarded: 1972

Cottonwood, TX

Varner received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1940 and honorary doctorate degrees from Oakland University, Utah State University, and the University of Nebraska. After a more than 30-year career in educational administration, he retired as President and Chancellor of the University of Nebraska System.



His professional career as an educator began in 1946 as assistant dean of students at Texas A&M. He joined the faculty of Michigan State University in 1949. In 1952, he came director if the Cooperative Extension Service at Michigan State, and in 1955 was named vice president of that University. From 1955-71, Varner served as chancellor of Oakland University in Michigan.

"Wherever we go or whatever we may be doing, this A&M college will be with us -a part of us- in our minds and in our hearts, and will serve as a guide in our lives."

Gabe D. Anderson, Jr. ’41
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Year Awarded: 1995

Bovina, TX

Anderson received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1941. He established the Sherley, Anderson Pitman Grain Co. in 1947. The firm ran five Panhandle elevator operations with a total capacity of 22 million bushels.



Over the years, he became a significant agricultural producer, and in the 1960’s expanded his interests in banking and was the Director of the North American Bankshares of Denison, American Bank & Trust of Denison, American Bank of Sherman, and First Bank Southwest of Amarillo. He served as President of the 12th Man Foundation and was named to the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Hall of Honor. Anderson and his wife, Anita, have one son, Gabe, III, and four grandchildren.

"Through the years after graduation, his moral fiber has been a distinguishing mark of his character. In subsequent years, I have been repeatedly impressed with the fact that Gabe has not drifted away from his high ideals and that he still invariably takes a position on the side of honesty and fairness. As do many others, Gabe Anderson loves Texas A&M. This is evidenced by his gifts, his presence, and his personal efforts."

  - Andrew W. Rodgers ’39, former First Sergeant Battery C

Leslie L. Appelt ’41
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Year Awarded: 1977

Hallettsville, TX

Appelt received a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 1941. He was a Major in the 371st Army Engineers Construction Battalion during World War II. He served as General Partner, with full asset management responsibility, in five real estate investment development properties and was the Consultant to Jancintoport Corporation and served as Director and Vice President of Service Tool & Supply Company.



He was President of The Association of Former Students in 1971 and Chairman of the Texas A&M Development Foundation Board of Trustees. His ideas and initial funding resulted in creation of the Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center and the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M.

Rex B. Grey ’41
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Year Awarded: 1971

El Paso, TX

Grey studied Mechanical Engineering while at A&M College of Texas and received a bachelor’s degree in Engineering at the University of Houston. He became owner and President of Texas Apparatus Co. in 1955. He later joined International Telephone and Telegraph Corp., and served as President in the Africa and Middle East Headquarters. There, he initiated coordinating functions of 30 to 40 ITT companies in Africa and the Middle East from one London headquarters and these activities tripled in size under his management.



Grey gave extensive guidance and advice to the planners of SCONA XV, Black Africa: The Challenge of Development. African leaders and students were suggested for invitations and much money was provided to support these invitations. Grey also has contributed a $25,000 President’s endowed Scholarship to Texas A&M.

"The honor you bring to Texas A&M University is a source of great pride to all of us."

  - Dr. Jack K. Williams, Past President, Texas A&M University

Robert R. Herring ’41
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Year Awarded: 1974

Childress, TX

Herring received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1941. After service in WWII, he began a more than 30-year career in the natural gas industry, ultimately serving as President and Chairman of the Board for Houston Natural Gas Corp. He was a Director for the Independent Petroleum Association of America, Texas Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the American Gas Association.



Herring also served as President of the Texas Heart Institute, Board of Governors at Rice University, Trustee of the University of Houston Foundation, and Past President and Director of the Houston Chamber of Commerce.

"I consider Bob Herring a most outstanding person. His character and integrity are of the highest order. He represents the epitome of the word ‘distinguished’."

  - Michel T. Halbouty '30, Distinguished Alumnus, 1968

Bernard C. Richardson ’41
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Year Awarded: 2000

Kirbyville, TX

Richardson received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1942. He served as President of Richardson Chevrolet, the largest dealership in the U.S., and Standard Life Insurance Co. Richardson helped finance several Texas A&M projects, including contributing $6 million for The Zone at Kyle Field, which was named in his honor.



He endowed the Jean & Bernard C. Richardson ’41 General Rudder Corps Scholarship, the President’s Endowed Scholarship, a 12th Man Endowed Scholarship, a Diamond Century Club Endowment, and he provided the funding for the Medal of Honor bas-reliefs at the Sanders Corps Center. He is a member of the Corps of Cadets and Lettermen’s Association Halls of Honor.

"I don’t know if I can put into words what Texas A&M means to me. I owe that university so much for shaping my life and making me into the man I became."

J. Howard Shelton ’41
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Year Awarded: 2003

Osceola, TX

Shelton received a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1941. As a student, he was a member of the 1939 National Championship Aggie football team. Shelton held numerous positions at banks across Texas and is currently a Senior Associate at Kasper and Associates.



He is a Director Emeritus of the Lettermen’s Association and inductee of the Texas A&M Hall of Honor and the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame.

"Over the years I have learned that Howard is a man that you can count on for forthright, sage advice. I am so fortunate to have known him."

  - James B. Peterson ’72

Hon. Mayo J. Thompson ’41
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Year Awarded: 1980

Houston, TX

Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1941 and an L.L.B. degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1949. After becoming a noted specialist in admiralty law, he was appointed Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, a role in which he served until 1975.



He participated in the founding of Texas A&M University’s Center for Education and Research in Free Enterprise and serves on the Center’s Board of Consultants. Thompson was recognized nationally as Free Enterprise Man of the Year in 1976.



He served as an Alumni Counselor to the Corps of Cadets and has given strong assistance to Texas A&M’s annual Student Conference on National Affairs and is a founding member of the University’s President’s Endowed Scholarship Program.