Dr. Davis L.
Ford ’59
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Year Awarded: 1990
Lubbock, TX
Ford received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Texas. In 1985, he established Davis L. Ford and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in environmental engineering. Prior to founding Davis L. Ford & Associates, Dr. Ford was affiliated with several other engineering companies, including Hasie and Green & Associates and engineering Science Inc., for which he served as a consultant to more than 150 industries and agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a registered professional engineer and has written more than 150 articles and 5 books in the environmental field in which he is a recognized expert.
He served as President of both the Capital City A&M Club and The Association of Former Students.
"During the time I have known him, his dedication to Texas A&M University has been unbelievably strong. However, not only his loyalty to Texas A&M has been exceptional, in my opinion his dedicated leadership has helped Texas A&M move toward academic greatness."
- Earnest F. Gloyna, P.E., Dean, College of Engineering, Retired, University of Texas
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."
Joe B.
Foster ’56
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Year Awarded: 1997
Arp, TX
Foster received bachelor degrees in General Business and Petroleum Engineering. Foster joined Tenneco Oil Co. and served as Executive Vice President. In 1989, he established Newfield Exploration Co. which he served as Chairman and President. He served as Trustee of the Texas A&M Foundation and on the Board of Directors of The Association of Former Students.
"Joe is a superb role model for future generations of Aggies, and represents the finest example of what Texas A&M has to offer."
- Eddie J. Davis ’67, President, Texas A&M Development Foundation
Dr. Lawrence E.
Fouraker ’44
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Year Awarded: 1975
Bryan, TX
Fouraker received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics in 1947 and 1948. He served as Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Business from 1970-1980. He has been a member of the Harvard business faculty since 1961 and held the prestigious Edsel Bryant Ford Professorship of Business Administration from 1968 until his appointment as dean.
His teaching, research and consulting activities have been focused primarily on questions of business strategy, organization and the role of the private corporation in the development process. He is widely regarded for his theories in international business and his pioneer work in the development of experimental economics. His published articles and book s include Bargaining and Group Decision Making, a study performed with Sidney Siegal, which earned the 1959 monograph prize in the social science of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Thomas W.
Fowler ’43
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Year Awarded: 2012
Thomas W. Fowler, Class of 1943, graduated from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. While at A&M, he participated in the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Block and Bridle Club, and Wichita Falls Club. He served as a corporal his sophomore year, a sergeant his junior year, and a cadet captain and executive officer of the cavalry squadron during his senior year.
After college, he completed military training at the Armor Officers Candidate School in Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, armor. In 1944, Fowler received orders to Italy as a replacement officer and was assigned to the 191st Tank Battalion on the beaches of Anzio. During the attack on Carano, he came upon two disorganized infantry platoons that were held up by an enemy minefield, so he took command and organized the units. He made a personal reconnaissance through the minefield, lifting antipersonnel mines out of the ground with his hands. Once the infantry deployed, he made a second reconnaissance into enemy territory in search of a route to continue the attack. One of the American Sherman tanks was set on fire by German fire, and under intense fire, Fowler ran to the burning vehicle in attempts to save the lives of the wounded tank crew. Only when the enemy tanks had almost reached his position did he withdraw and personally render first aid to the nine wounded infantrymen. Fowler was the second Texas Aggie awarded the Medal of Honor.
Fowler and his wife, Ann, had one son. He passed away on June 3, 1944.
"Thomas was a soldier and a gentleman and he seemed to know better than most of us what we are fighting for. He died that you people back home would never see or feel the suffering that we have seen."
- -Lt. Ralph W. Carr, Jr., an officer serving in Company B, 191st Tank Battalion
Dr. Joe R.
Fowler ’68
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Year Awarded: 2022
Houston, TX
“The essence of Texas A&M is the Aggie Spirit,” said Dr. Joe R. Fowler ’68. “In my mind, this means competence in your chosen work, a desire to get the job done correctly, caring deeply about others, and being willing to pitch in and help others who need your help.”
Fowler holds three degrees in mechanical engineering, all from Texas A&M, and all earned with honors. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Student Engineers’ Council. As a graduate student, he discovered a love for engineering consulting, which would eventually become his life’s work.
After earning his doctorate, Fowler co-founded Stress Engineering Services Inc. In 1984, he was named president of the company, and would continue to hold that title until 2016. Stress Engineering was twice named to the Aggie 100, and won “Best Place to Work” awards in Texas, Ohio, Houston, New Orleans and Cincinnati. In 2012, Fowler was selected by Ernst and Young as a regional winner in their Entrepreneur of the Year contest.
When he was an undergraduate, Fowler relied on a scholarship from a former student to assist with his expenses; and it is now important to him to pay that investment forward. He and his wife, Linda, have supported 35 Aggies through endowed scholarships. In addition, they have given a number of scholarships to students at their local church who are pursuing higher education. Joe and his brother, Don Fowler ’66, endowed the Fowler Lecture series in 2001, and Joe himself has returned as a guest lecturer for many different engineering classes.
All three of Joe and Linda’s children are Aggies who met their spouses at A&M: Jodi Malanga ’90 (John ’89), Rob Fowler ’92 (Barb ’92) and Amy Shawver ’96 (Robert ’95). Five grandchildren and Joe’s two older brothers are also Aggies.
“Joe is unique in his gifts and talents, in his humility, and in his quest to build up all those around him.”
- James M. Donnell '82
Lupe
Fraga ’57
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Year Awarded: 2015
Houston, TX
Lupe Fraga, Class of 1957, received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas, where he played baseball from 1953 to 1957 and was a letterman. He was inducted to the Phi Eta Sigma honor society and won the T.W. Mohle Accounting Award for Excellence.
After serving in the Army, Fraga built Tejas Office Products into one of Houston’s largest minority-owned businesses. It has been named in the Hispanic Business Magazine Top 500 Companies. He has chaired the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank Dallas, the Greater Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Fraga was appointed a Texas A&M University System regent by Governor Rick Perry ’72 and served from 2005 to 2011. He was honored by the Houston Aggie Moms’ Club in February 2015, and his company made the Aggie 100 both in the list’s inaugural year and in 2011. He was named a Texas A&M Mays School of Business Outstanding Alumnus in 2003 and was honored as one of 2004’s Fathers of the Year by Community Partners.
He has served as a trustee of St. Thomas University and a member of the Galveston-Houston Catholic Diocese development board as well as serving other organizations including the Metropolitan and National YMCA, Houston Hispanic Forum, Strake Foundation, Houston Urban League, Houston Proud, Sam Houston Area Boy Scouts, United Way of Greater Houston and Greater Houston Partnership.
Fraga and wife Irene have three children, including Stephen M. Fraga ’97, and five grandchildren, and his brother Thomas Fraga ’55 is also an Aggie.
"Very few people I know can demonstrate the power of the Aggie experience to the people of Texas, the nation and the world better than Lupe Fraga."
- John D. Schiller, Jr. '81
William M. "Will"
Fraser III ’74
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Year Awarded: 2017
Garden Ridge, TX
GENERAL (RET.) WILLIAM M. FRASER III ’74 received a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology. As a student, he was first sergeant and commander of Squadron 10 in the Corps of Cadets and was on the 1971 national champion Fish Drill Team, then served as an FDT instructor 1971-73.
He served as the commander of U.S. Transportation Command, the single manager responsible for global air, land, and maritime transport for the Department of Defense, from October 2011 to May 2014; commander of Air Combat Command from September 2009 to September 2011; vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force from October 2008 to September 2009; and assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from May 2006 to October 2008.
His experience in wartime, contingency and humanitarian relief operations includes Operation Southern and Northern Watch, Operation Desert Thunder, Operation Allied Force, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
He serves on the Corps of Cadets Board of Visitors and the Texas A&M-Galveston Board of Visitors, as well as the board of directors of the Corps of Cadets Association. He is an at-large representative on the Leadership Council of The Association of Former Students and is a Diamond level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 35 years of giving.
He was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor in 2013.
He chairs the board of the Military Child Education Coalition, serving all military-connected children, and is a member of Mission Readiness - Council for a Strong America, also serving U.S. youth.
His family includes wife Beverly; two children, including daughter Ashlee Fraser Cain ’01; and seven grandchildren.
Jack G.
Fritts ’53
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Year Awarded: 1987
Austin, TX
Fritts received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry in 1953. His 25+ year career included executive positions in insurance and real estate development. He served as Owner and President of Casita Investment Corporation.
Fritts served as the 1982 President of The Association of Former Students and created the Texas Aggie Credit Union in which earnings from benefited Texas A&M through the Association of Former Students and the Development Foundation. Mr. Fritts also has been instrumental in originating many programs to benefit Aggies past and present, including the candlelit service that has become a featured part of Muster ceremonies, and the Weirus Spirit Awards that recognize students for their dedication to student life programs.
"Jack has shown evidence of this strong character in everything he has done all his life—a dedicated family man, devout Christian, active in civic affairs, a successful businessman, and a true Aggie. He has always had high moral values, and has passed these on to his children and to other young people. Jack’s feelings for his Alma Mater run deep. While some Aggies may have given more of their worldly goods, no one has given more of his or her time and efforts to support Texas A&M University."
- Rowland W. Persons ’40
Thomas R.
Frymire ’45
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Year Awarded: 1986
Abilene, TX
Frymire received a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1947. He began his career as a Sales Engineer and 29 years later was Chairman of the Board of Frymire Engineering Co., Inc., the largest mechanical and electrical service company in the south.
He was the President of the Aggie Club, a charter member of the 12th Man Club, and a sponsor three President’s Endowed Scholarships. Mr. Frymire also donated the “Kyle Field” sign located on the west side of the stadium.
"He is always hailed as the epitome of A&M spirit when his name is mentioned."
- Thomas A. O’ Dwyer '47, Distinguished Alumnus, 1984