Sort by: Class Year Year Awarded Name
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The Woodlands, TX
Charles A. Mattei, Jr. '49 received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Texas A&M. A veteran of the U.S. Army and chairman emeritus of United Business Corp., he was chairman and CEO of Cit-Con Oil Co. and a vice president of both Gulf Oil/Chevron and Citgo. He served as president of the Beaumont and Tulsa A&M clubs, Class of 1949 Agent, president of the 12th Man Foundation and the Sul Ross Group, and as a member of the Vision 2020 Task Force, President’s Board of Advisors, and the Corps Development Council. He was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor in 2011 and was the Houston A&M Club’s 2009 Outstanding Aggie of the Year. He and his wife, Bettie, are Endowed Century Club donors to The Association of Former Students, and their generous gifts to the Texas A&M Foundation and the 12th Man Foundation earned them recognition as Eppright Distinguished Donors and members of the Legacy Society. Their gifts to Texas A&M included a President’s Endowed Scholarship, a 12th Man Endowed Scholarship and a Sul Ross Scholarship. The Matteis also supported The Association’s Building Enhancement Campaign, and the Mattei Conference Room at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center is named in honor of Charlie and Bettie Mattie and Joe ’53 and Eddie Mattei (Charlie’s brother and sister-in-law). In addition to his service to Texas A&M, Mattei also filled leadership roles with his local Rotary Club, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and his local United Way. Mattei, who passed away April 18, and Bettie are parents to four children—Gail Lowell, Jim Mattei, Bob Mattei and the late Charles Mattei—and seven grandchildren.
You don’t have to know Charlie long to understand that few things were more important to him than Texas A&M. He believed Texas A&M gave him the knowledge and training that enabled him to build a successful career. Charlie is, was, and always comported himself as an Aggie. He felt the need to satisfy his obligation and love for Texas A&M by loyal and generous gifts of time, financial support and dedicated service to A&M Clubs, The Association of Former Students, and the 12th Man Foundation. His loyalty and actions always represented Texas A&M well.
- Melvin S. Maltz ’47, friend and Distinguished Alumnus
Year Awarded: 2014
Mathis, TX
James A. Mayo, Jr. '70 received a bachelor’s degree in management from Texas A&M, where he was also active in intramural athletics and a performer in a country band. After graduation, he enjoyed a successful career in banking and is the retired chairman/CEO of Alice Bancshares Inc. He is a Past Chair of The Association of Former Students Board of Directors and a past chair of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees. An active A&M Club volunteer, he has served as president of both the Laredo and Brush Country A&M Clubs, and served on Texas A&M’s Vision 2020 Task Force. He has funded two endowed scholarships, an opportunity award and is an Endowed Century Club donor to The Association of Former Students. His generosity to Texas A&M has earned him recognition as a member of the Legacy Society at the Texas A&M Foundation. Mayo provided a gift to The Association’s Building Enhancement Campaign, and the Mayo/Garner Conference Room in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center is named in honor of him and Porter S. Garner, Jr. ’45. He has served on numerous bank boards, the board of directors for the Texas Bankers Association and many civic and philanthropic boards. He is a founding member of the Leadership Jim Wells County program, former president of the Alice Country Club, and a former member of the Alice Chamber of Commerce board, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation board, and the Jim Wells County Industrial Foundation board. He has three children, Sarah McDonald ’06, James Mayo III ’07 and John Mayo ’10.
"The culture, atmosphere, and people at A&M validated and strengthened the very morals, values and character traits my parents had preached to me from a young age. Combining these with learned self-sufficiency, a "can do" attitude, learning to handle success as well as failure with humbleness and dignity, and above all developing the courage and conviction to stand by principles no matter what the consequences, were all things A&M imparted to me and I have attempted to pass on to my children."
Year Awarded: 2014
Rosharon, TX
Clarence E. Sasser ’73, who served as an Army medic in Vietnam, was the eighth Aggie to be awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1968, while helping evacuate wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire, he carried one to cover and returned to help carry others to safety, despite sustaining wounds in both his legs. Sasser’s Medal of Honor citation reads, in part, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. ... Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser ... proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were evacuated. ... Sasser’s extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.” Gen. Earl Rudder ’32, then university president, offered Sasser a scholarship to Texas A&M, where he studied chemistry. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he worked briefly in an oil refinery, then established a lengthy career in service to veterans with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A scholarship at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center has been established in his honor. At Texas A&M’s commencement in May 2014, Sasser was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Letters. He joins Texas A&M’s Medal of Honor recipients from World War II who were named Distinguished Alumni in 2012.
"I often see people proclaim their patriotism on their sleeve. I believe it thrives best when nurtured in their hearts and minds."
Year Awarded: 2014
Fort Worth, TX
Charlie W. Seely '55, received a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was also vice president of his senior Class and president of the Petroleum Engineering Club. Seely, a U.S. Army veteran, is an independent oil and gas producer, president of Seely Oil Co. and chairman of three companies that manufacture plastic products. One of his companies has been honored as part of the Aggie 100, which spotlights the fastest-growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led companies. He is a Past Chair of The Association of Former Students Board of Directors and of the Fort Worth Tarrant County A&M Club. He also is a former Class of 1955 Agent and a former board member for the 12th Man Foundation. He serves on the President’s Council of Advisors and on the development councils for the College of Science, the Corps of Cadets and Texas A&M University Press. He is an Endowed Century Club donor to The Association of Former Students, and his many gifts to the 12th Man Foundation and Texas A&M Foundation have earned him recognition as an Eppright Distinguished Donor and member of the Legacy Society. Seely also provided a gift to The Association’s Building Enhancement Campaign, and a Tribute Pillar in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center is named in his honor. He has given of his time and resources to organizations beyond Texas A&M, including tangible support provided to an orphanage in Russia. Seely lives in Fort Worth with his wife, JoAnn. Between them, they have five children: Lea Ann Seely ’80, Sheri Van Sickle, Charles, Jr., Keith Rayburn ’96, and Kevin Rayburn, plus nine grandchildren.
"As an oilman and business owner, Charlie has seen good times and bad times. I have always admired how he has managed to keep his priorities straight: God, family and Texas A&M."
- Mike Havel ’76, friend and business partner
Year Awarded: 2014
Austin, TX
Dr. Sallie V. Sheppard '65 was one of the first women to graduate from Texas A&M, receiving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the university. She earned her doctorate in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh. Sheppard worked at NASA on simulations of the onboard Apollo computer for the lunar landing expeditions. After receiving her doctorate in computer science, she returned to A&M and rose through the ranks to professor of computer science and associate provost. She received two Distinguished Achievement Awards from The Association of Former Students, one in 1985 for teaching and one in 1998 for administration. She was the founding director of the computer science department’s first laboratory, the Laboratory for Software Research. In 1995 she was appointed interim executive vice president and provost, making her the first female top-ranking administrator at Texas A&M, a milestone she would also achieve at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Sheppard is a charter and organizing member of the Women Former Students’ Network, a constituent network of The Association. She is also a charter member of the Brazos County Advisory Committee for Blinn College, past branch president of the American Association of University Women, and a member and deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin. She and her husband, Leland Blank, have funded a President’s Endowed Scholarship at Texas A&M. She is the recipient of an IEEE Third Millennium Award for Outstanding Achievements and Contributions. Sheppard and her husband have two daughters, Christina Blank and Allison McKay ’95, and three grandchildren.
"Being at Texas A&M in the early 1960s was very exciting – so much was happening as the institution was transforming from a college into a university. But the most exciting and enjoyable part of being an Aggie was the people that I met – faculty dedicated to helping students succeed and students intent on making the most of the experience. It was very special to be a part of it."
Year Awarded: 2014
San Antonio, TX
Dr. Charles R. Wiseman '57 earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He served the San Antonio area for 37 years at the Wiseman Animal Hospital before retiring to run his family’s ranch, the Rogers-Wiseman Ranch in Bexar and Bandera counties. He is a former president of the 12th Man Foundation and the San Antonio A&M Club, and he was inducted into the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association Hall of Honor in 2003. He is an Endowed Century Club donor to The Association of Former Students, and he and his wife, Pat, have endowed a scholarship and a chair in the College of Veterinary Medicine and have funded a President’s Endowed Scholarship in memory of their late daughter, Polly Wiseman Franklin ’86. The Polly Wiseman Franklin ’86 Ring Collection in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center is named in her honor. Their generous gifts to the 12th Man Foundation and Texas A&M Foundation have earned them recognition as Eppright Distinguished Donors and members of the Legacy Society. Wiseman has also been honored by the College of Veterinary Medicine as an Outstanding Alumnus. He is a member of Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, where he also served on the foundation board. He is a former president of the Bexar County Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is a past president of both the San Antonio Gun Club and the Texas International Gun Club. In addition to Polly, Wiseman and his wife, Pat, are parents to a son, Vince ’82, who is a physician in Austin. They have four grandchildren.
"I think all incoming freshman should attend Fish Camp and all students and alumni should embrace the ideals, the traditions and the core values of Texas A&M."
Year Awarded: 2013
Dhaharan, Saudi Arabia
Khalid A. Al-Falih, Class of 1982, graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and went on to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals to earn an MBA in 1991.
Al-Falih’s time at Texas A&M was sponsored by Saudi Aramco — Saudi Arabia’s state oil company — which he joined in 1979. After graduation from Texas A&M, Al-Falih returned to the Kingdom, working his way up from senior project engineer to manager of business analysis by 1998. In 1999, he became president of Petron Corporation, a joint venture of Saudi Aramco and the Philippine National Oil Company, and then leader of Saudi Negotiations Team for the Kingdom’s Natural Gas Initiative in 2000. He then transitioned from vice president to senior vice president and then executive vice president, overseeing various functions within Saudi Aramco from 2001 to 2008. In 2009, Al-Falih stepped into his current role as president and CEO for Saudi Aramco — the world’s largest petroleum company — where he also sits on the Board of Directors.
Al-Falih has remained committed to quality education and professional development. In 2009, he led Saudi Aramco’s successful effort to establish the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology — North of Jiddah, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Coast. Al-Falih is currently leading efforts to create the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture — in Dhahran, near Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Gulf Coast.
Al-Falih is an advocate of creating a diverse economy fed by new businesses and the stimulation of job creation in the Kingdom. Under his leadership, Saudi Aramco has embarked on several mega projects including the development of Sadara Chemical Company, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical. Upon completion, Sadara will represent the largest petrochemical facility ever built in a single phase.
Al-Falih is the first Distinguished Alumnus to have graduated from Texas A&M in the 1980s, and he is the third former student to earn both the distinction of Distinguished Alumnus and also Outstanding International Alumnus, a title he received in 2010.
Al-Falih lives in Saudi Arabia with his wife and five children.
"The worldwide network of Texas A&M is a fellowship distinguished not just by the quality of its education, but by a lasting sense of identity and purpose."
Year Awarded: 2013
Houston, TX
Dr. Ray M. Bowen, Class of 1958, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M. After receiving a master’s degree in the same field from California Institute of Technology in 1959, he returned to Texas A&M to earn a doctoral degree in 1961, also in mechanical engineering. As a student at A&M, he was active in the Student Senate, Tau Beta Pi and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. As a member of the Corps of Cadets, Bowen was Deputy Corps Commander and Platoon Leader of the Ross Volunteers. He was also listed among the Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities list in 1958.
After leaving A&M, Bowen served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1964. His assignment was to teach graduate courses in mechanical and aerospace engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. In 1964, he studied a year at Johns Hopkins University as a post-doctoral fellow in mechanics. In 1965, he taught engineering mechanics at Louisiana State University, before joining the faculty of Rice University in 1967, where he taught in the mechanical engineering and mathematical science department until 1983. During that time Bowen served as director of the Division of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the National Science Foundation from 1982 to 1983. His academic career then lead him to the University of Kentucky, where he became dean of the College of Engineering, director of the Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems, and director of the Center for Applied Energy Research until 1989. From 1990 to 1991, Bowen returned to the National Science Foundation and served as deputy assistant director and acting assistant director for engineering. He then went on to Oklahoma State University to be provost and vice president for Academic Affairs until 1993. He served as interim president of OSU from 1993 to 1994.
It was in 1994 that Bowen returned to Aggieland to become president of Texas A&M—the fourth Aggie to hold the position. He served as President until 2002. During his time as president, Texas A&M initiated the Vision 2020 project and A&M was made a member of the Association of American Universities. He also initiated the process that led to the creation of a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter at A&M. After serving eight years as president, he was appointed president emeritus and joined the faculty of Texas A&M’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 2002, he was appointed for a six-year term to the National Science Board by President George W. Bush. He was reappointed to a second six-year term in 2008. He served as chairman of the National Science Board from 2010 to 2012. After teaching in mechanical engineering and in mathematics from 2002 until 2010, Bowen retired from Texas A&M and was named professor emeritus of mechanical engineering. He is currently a Visiting Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University.
Bowen has remained active at Texas A&M and he and his wife, Sally, have supported it in many ways through endowments of a Presidential Endowed Scholarship, scholarships for the Corps of Cadets and a scholarship for the Bush School of Government and Public Service. In addition, they have supported the Evans Library, MSC OPAS, The Association of Former Students and the 12th Man Foundation. He and Sally are especially proud of the scholarships and facilities that have been funded in their names by friends of the University.
Bowen and his wife, Sally, live in Houston. They are the proud parents and grandparents of a son, Ray, a daughter, Beth, and six grandchildren.
Take advantage of everything the modern A&M has to offer. Pursue a demanding academic program so that you will be prepared for a successful future career. Participate in the “other education” that is so strong at A&M. The leadership opportunities provided by the many student organizations will serve you well throughout your lives. Make friends. The people you meet while a student will become an important part of your lives. Our modern world is a global social and economic environment. Use your time at A&M to prepare yourselves to be competitive in that complex, diverse, world. A&M provides the opportunity to meet people from around the world, and it provides the opportunity to study abroad. Not all universities have this kind of opportunity. Finally, accept the generational obligation mentioned above and devote a portion of your future making A&M and even better place than it is today.
Year Awarded: 2013
Mount Vernon, TX
E. Ridley Briggs, Class of 1954, earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas while serving as Guidon Bearer, then First Lieutenant of Squadron 12 in the Corps of Cadets. He was involved in Aggie Christian Fellowship, the Physical Education Club and intramurals. After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force Flight School and served as a fighter pilot on active duty until 1957, and as a reservist until 1962. In 1958, he returned to A&M to earn a master’s degree in education while on fellowship as a physical education instructor.
Upon completing his master’s degree, Briggs accepted a teaching and coaching job with the Sherman Independent School District, where he taught math and coached football and basketball. He then left coaching and went back into flying as a company pilot for Sherman Steel and Wire Corporation, and later became the physical director of the Abilene YMCA. In 1961, he moved to Bryan to become associated with the Recording & Statistical Corporation and, in 1963, he transitioned to Bryan’s First Bank & Trust as vice president, in charge of marketing and business development. He then became a senior vice president and commercial lending officer and remained in that position until 1972, when he became president of the Elgin National Bank. In 1973, he moved to Paris, Texas, to serve as president and member of the ownership of Paris Bank of Texas, where he remained until 1985. During that time, he served on the Legislative Committee of the Texas Bankers Association, chaired its 5th District in 1976, and was named Lamar County’s Boss of the Year in 1978. From Paris, Briggs moved to McKinney in 1985 to become president and chief operating officer of Texas American Bank and, in 1990, he returned to Paris as president of Bank of America until he retired in 1996. Over a 10-year period, he taught in the Southwest Graduate Schools of Banking at Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech University.
Briggs remained an active member of society, no matter where he lived. In 1964, he was president of the Bryan-College Station Jaycees, named Brazos County’s Outstanding Young Man in 1965, and president of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce in 1969. In 1971, he was instrumental in the effort to build Bryan’s first Industrial Park and he served on the Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission. Volunteering has been a way of life for Briggs, He taught at Central Baptist Church in Bryan, First Baptist Churches in Paris, McKinney, and Mt. Vernon, and served as president of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce and the Lamar County United Way. He chaired the First Baptist Church of Paris campaign in 1980 to build a Family Life Center and he served on the Boards of the Paris Boys Club and Paris Education Foundation. After moving to McKinney in 1985, Briggs chaired the McKinney United Way and served on the Boards of the McKinney Boys Club, the North Texas Medical Center, the McKinney Airport, the Collin County Community College, and the original Board of Stonebridge Country Club. In 1990, he returned to Paris to lead a successful campaign to build a $1 million home for the Salvation Army and he later chaired that organization, and is now a Life Member of the Board. From 1990 to 2009, Briggs served on the Board of the St. Joseph Community Foundation, six of those years as Chairman, served as president of the Paris Rotary Club in 1998, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. Since 1997, Briggs has served on the Board of Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards program for Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma, three of those years as chairman. In 2001, Briggs was named as one of 50 citizens to have the most impact on Paris and Lamar County in the past century.
Texas A&M continues to be near the center of Briggs’ activities. As a charter member of the Century Club of The Association of Former Students, he has continued that relationship since 1966, the year he was President of the Bryan-College Station Aggie Quarterback Club. He served on the School of Veterinary Medicine Development Council from 1969 to 1973, and was Class Agent from 1970 to 1975. In 1976, he was elected president of the Lamar County A&M Club and named to the Texas A&M Target 2000 Committee in 1981. He has made 31 Muster speeches and has chaired the Lamar County A&M Scholarship Foundation. In 1998, he was named to The Association of Former Students’ Board of Directors and served through 2001. Briggs gave the memorial address at the Lamar County Bonfire Memorial in 1999. In 2001, he served on the Corps Development Council and, in 2002, was given the honor of namesake for Fish Camp, a freshman’s first tradition at Texas A&M. One of the first to purchase a gravesite in the Aggie Field of Honor, he is a member of the Corps of Cadets Association and the Sul Ross Group, of which he now serves as president.
Briggs and his wife, Shirley, live near Mount Vernon, Texas. They have four children, three of whom graduated from Texas A&M, and the fourth, a Baylor graduate, is active in the Longview A&M Mom’s Club. Out of their thirteen grandchildren, two have graduated from A&M and three others are soon-to-be graduates. His youngest son, Danny Briggs ’83, was inducted in the Texas A&M Letterman's Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
Make A&M’s core values your personal core values. You will never go wrong affirming excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect, and selfless service as a way of life.
Year Awarded: 2013
Houston, TX
Robert A. Epstein, Class of 1944, left the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas in 1942 to serve in the United States Army, and then returned to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business. As a student in the Corps of Cadets, Epstein was First Sergeant and Battery Commander of G Battery Coast Artillery and a Ross Volunteer. In the Army, Epstein attained the rank of Captain in the Corps of Engineers in the U. S. Army in World War II and Korea, earning six Battle Stars and the Bronze Star Medal as a Combat Engineer Unit Commander and S-1. While serving in the Philippines in 1946, Epstein attended the 1946 Muster on Corregidor. He is pictured in the now famous portrait taken in the mouth of Malinta Tunnel.
After graduation in 1948, he began a career in insurance and attended both Basic Life Insurance School and Advanced Life Insurance School at the Aetna Life Insurance Company. His career in the insurance industry was interrupted when he was recalled to serve in Korea in 1950, but he returned to civilian life in 1952 to work as a self-employed life insurance and casualty insurance agent until 1981. He spent the final 15 years as partner and Chairman of the Board for The GEM Agencies, Inc., and Chairman of the Board for Insurance Agencies of the Southwest, Inc. During this time he held memberships and leadership roles in several professional organizations, such as The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, for which he served as a member of the Board of Governors and a member of the National Faculty; the Certified Professional Insurance Advisors Society; The Insurance Fire Mark Society, for which he served as National President; the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, for which he served as State of Texas President, Texas National Director from 1978 to 1987 and National Vice President; the National Executive Committee from 1980 to 1982; the National Association of Insurance Management Consultants; the Kemper Agents Advisory Council; the Aetna Life and Casualty Million Dollar Group Club; and the Aetna Life and Casualty Group Leaders Club. From 1973 to 1979, Epstein served on the National Board of Governors for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and also served as a member of the National Faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and the National Faculty of the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.
Epstein holds three professional designations—Associate in Risk Management, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Professional Insurance Advisor. He was named Insurance Counselor of the Year by the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas in 1976, and received a Distinguished Service Award in 1988 from both the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas and the Certified Professional Insurance Agents Society. He was regularly recruited as a speaker and educator for insurance certification seminars, and was instrumental in establishing the risk manager license for the Texas Board of Insurance. A retired insurance agent and risk manager, Epstein is in constant demand as a trial consultant and expert witness in the field of risk management. He developed seminars for training of candidates for the designation of Associate in Risk Management and pioneered the application of risk management practices into the agency production field. In 1981, Epstein left the GEM Agencies to found Risktech, Inc., an independent risk management consulting firm for which he served as CEO and operated until his retirement in 1991.
Epstein has been an active member of society, both in Houston and Galveston. He has served as president of both the Terramar Beach Property Owners Association in Galveston and the Raintree Property Owners Association in Houston. He is past president of Westwood Country Club, Houston Lighthouse for the Blind, and was a founding member of the Houston City Club. A member of The Houston Society, Epstein is a former regional Board member of the Anti-Defamation League, and a 50-year Master Mason, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. He is a past president of the Brotherhood of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, where he also served as a vice president and a member of the Board and Executive Committee. He has been active in La Confrérie des la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs—at the local, regional, national and international levels—and has served in many positions, including Grand Senechal d’ America. He was awarded the coveted Conseil d’ Honneur – Paris, Conseil d’ Honneur – Amerique, and he was a founding member of l’ Académie de Gastronomie Brillat-Savarin. Other wine society memberships include Les Amis d’Escoffier and Amici della Vite.
Epstein has remained active at Texas A&M over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for The Association of Former Students, as Class Agent and Class Agent Emeritus for the Class of 1944, president of the Sul Ross Group in 2003, on the Corps of Cadets Development Council, Texas A&M Hillel, the Houston A&M Club and the Ross Volunteer Association. He has supported a Class pillar within the Memorial Student Center, 12 scholarships from the Class of 1944, the Texas A&M Foundation, the 12th Man Foundation and the Corps of Cadets.
Epstein resides in Houston. He and his late wife, Carolyn, who passed away in September 2011, had three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Epstein, his son, Ross ’70, and grandson, Evan ’03, are all Ross Volunteers.
I gained confidence while at Texas A&M. If I could make it through four years at Texas A&M in the 40's and survive, there is nothing that life could hand me that I could not handle. Of course, a degree from a highly acclaimed world class university certainly did not hurt. To present myself to the world as an Aggie opened all of the doors I wanted to open.