Roderick D. Stepp ’59
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Year Awarded: 2007

Wichita Falls, TX

Stepp received a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Texas A&M University in 1959. As a student at Texas A&M, Stepp was the editor of the 1959 Aggieland. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Ross Volunteers and was named Distinguished Student and Distinguished Military Graduate.



Stepp began his career in 1959 with Pan American Petroleum. In 1961, he was called to service with the United States Army, where he served until 1963. In 1963, Stepp purchased interest in a small family-owned metal shop in Fort Worth with six employees. Under his business expertise, M&M Manufacturing Company has grown to become a major manufacturer of construction-related products utilizing leading edge technology to create state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with six manufacturing plants and over 700 employees. Stepp co-funded and introduced a very significant research project to the Energy Systems Laboratory at Texas A&M University and co-funded a marketing project with Mays Business School.



As a former student, Stepp has generously served Texas A&M with his time and talent as member, president and Muster chair of the Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club and vice president of The Association of Former Students. He served as president of the 12th Man Foundation, member and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Texas A&M Foundation, and member of the President’s Board of Visitors. Stepp has been Muster speaker and served on the Vision 2020 Council and One Spirit One Vision Campaign. Born in Wichita Falls, Stepp and his wife, Claudia, reside in Fort Worth and have two children, Randall and Rhonda, and four grandchildren.

Dr. Ray M. Bowen ’58
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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.

John David Crow ’58
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Year Awarded: 2004

Marion, LA

John David Crow '58 received his bachelor’s degree in general business in 1958. A member of the Aggie football team, Crow played on the 1957 Southwest Conference Championship team and was named Scholastic All-American. He was the first Aggie to be awarded the Heisman Memorial Trophy.



Upon graduation, Crow was the number one draft choice of the NFL Chicago Cardinals in 1958. He later played in St. Louis and San Francisco and was a Pro Bowl player in 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1966 before retiring in 1969. Crow went on to coach both collegiate and professional teams before returning to Texas A&M as Associate Athletic Director and later Athletic Director.



In recognition of his athletic career, Crow was honored by the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame. He served Texas A&M as Director Emeritus of Texas A&M Letterman’s Association and was an ardent supporter of Texas A&M athletics. Crow also gave of his time and talents in service of various charitable organizations in his community and across the country.



Born in Marion, Louisiana, Crow and his wife, Carolyn, had three children, Analisa, Jeannie and their late son, John, Jr., as well as seven grandchildren.



John David Crow passed away on June 17, 2015.

"John David Crow is admired widely, not only because of his athletic prowess and fame on the field, but rather because of his actions as a person, always finding the good in people and constantly crediting his alma mater for his success."

  - Eddie J. Davis ’67, President of The Texas A&M Foundation

Jon L. Hagler ’58
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Year Awarded: 1999

La Grange, TX

Hagler received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1958 and earned a master’s of Business Administration from Harvard University in 1963. As a student, he served as a Ross Volunteer and was Corps of Cadets commander his senior year.



Hagler has managed mutual funds for numerous investment firms but mostly recently for Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co., LLC of which he is a Partner. He currently serves on The Association of Former Students Board of Directors.

"Jon 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 of the Texas A&M Foundation

William W. Hanna ’58
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Year Awarded: 2014

Wichita, KS

William W. Hanna '58, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Hanna, a U.S. Army veteran, is former president and chief operating officer of Koch Industries. He is also a former director of Security Benefit Corp. and Bank IV Kansas. He serves on the Texas A&M College of Engineering External Advisory and Development Council and served on the Nucleus Fund Committee for A&M’s Capturing the Spirit campaign. He has been honored as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Dwight Look College of Engineering and has endowed scholarships for engineering students. He is an Endowed Century Club donor to The Association, and his gifts to the 12th Man Foundation and the Texas A&M Foundation have earned him recognition as an Eppright Distinguished Donor and member of the Legacy Society. He is a former director of the Boys & Girls Club of Wichita and former trustee of the Wichita Children’s Home. He led the formation of Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters and led the organization for a decade. He serves as chair emeritus and board member of the Kansas organization and served on the national board for 10 years. In 2013, he received the Charles G. Berwind Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The award honors outstanding volunteer leaders who have devoted substantial time and energy to youth mentoring. He is vice chair of Youth Entrepreneurs, which teaches entrepreneurship to high school sophomores and juniors, serving Kansas and Missouri. Hanna lost Janice, his wife and sweetheart of 51 years, in 2010. He has three sons—John, Paul and Chris—and seven grandchildren and is a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church.

"I have found the Aggie Network to be very supportive for me during my career as I could count on those that I dealt with to practice the important traits of integrity, trust, accepting responsibility and keeping your word."

Bob J. Surovik ’58
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Year Awarded: 2012

Abilene, TX

Bob J. Surovik, Class of 1958, received a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas and continued on to earn a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1961. While a student, he was president of the Student Senate and the Singing Cadets, Sophomore Class Secretary and he was listed among the Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in 1958. He was on the Southwest Conference Sportsmanship Committee, Town Hall Staff, Election Commission, MSC Council, Arts and Science Council, Accounting Society and the Pre-Law Society. He was Adjutant in the Second Battalion, Second Regiment Staff in the Corps of Cadets, and a member of the Student Government Association.



After college, he was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves in Austin, and then a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss. In 1963, he earned an Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service and started practicing law. After working as an accountant for the Texas Department of Agriculture, he was an instructor of business law at the University of Texas at Austin, state representative aide in the Texas House of Representatives before becoming president and shareholder of McMahon, Surovik, Suttle, P.C.



Surovik has served many organizations in Abilene, including the Abilene Industrial Foundation, Abilene Chamber of Commerce, First Financial Bank-Abilene, The Community Foundation of Abilene, the Abilene YMCA, the Volunteer Council at Abilene State School, Hendrick Home for Children, and the Public Responsibility Committee of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and the St. Paul United Methodist Church Foundation, among others.



He is an active supporter of Texas A&M through the A&M Legacy Society, Endowed Century Club at The Association of Former Students, the Former Student Body President Association, the Texas A&M Foundation Planned Giving Council and the Texas Aggie Bar Association. In 1973, he was named Outstanding Young Lawyer by the State Junior Bar of Texas, and he was the Texas Aggie Bar Association’s Aggie Lawyer of the Year in 2011. In addition, he is a past Chairman of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees, past Chair of the Board of Directors at The Association, past area representative (West Texas) for The Association, and past president of the Abilene A&M Club.



Surovik resides in Abilene. Two of his three children graduated from Texas A&M.

"At Texas A&M, I gained discipline, a good work ethic, and the realization that all of us have special gifts and talents to share with others."

Dr. Robert L. Walker ’58
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Year Awarded: 2016

College Station, Texas

DR. ROBERT L. WALKER ’58 received a bachelor’s degree in marketing; as a student, he says, his greatest accomplishment was marrying his sweetheart, JoAnn Nolen, in All Faiths Chapel in 1958. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and valued spending one summer selling Bibles in West Virginia with four other Aggies.

He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for A&M during a career that included 30 years as A&M’s vice president of development as well as leadership at A&M foundations; he has been described as A&M’s “chief friend maker.”

He has been named Spur High School’s Alumnus of the Year and an honorary A&M Singing Cadet, and received Pepperdine University’s Distinguished Christian Service Award.

He has spoken at Aggie Musters for 49 years and was the 1987 speaker at the main campus Muster. He is a member of The Association’s Endowed Century Club. He serves on the Pepperdine University Board of Regents and chaired the board of A&M’s Institute of Nautical Archaeology.

He is on the Community Foundation of Brazos Valley board and has been a board member and officer of the Ed Rachal Foundation and a board member and president for two years of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce.

His family includes his wife, the late JoAnn Nolen Walker, M.A. ’92; children Rebecca Lynn Walker Elkins ’81, Sidney Allen Walker ’82, the late Richard Nolen Walker ’86, William Lawrence Walker ’88 and daughter-in-law Shawna Chrane Walker ’90; and grandchildren Abigail Margaret Sawyer ’12, William Davis Walker ’13, Robert Wesley Walker ’15 and Brazos Walker Elkins ’16.

Donald A. Adam ’57
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Year Awarded: 2012

Bryan, TX

Donald A. Adam, Class of 1957, graduated from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas with a bachelor of business administration degree in insurance. While a student, he was a major in “A” Composite, 4th Battalion, Regimental Staff in the Corps of Cadets, as well as a member of the Business and Marketing Societies.



After graduating, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and discharged as a captain in the U.S. Army in 1961. The same year he returned to Bryan and became president, owner and director of CRA Company in Bryan. In 1969, he founded The Adam Corporation/Group and became Chairman and CEO of Community Cablevision Corporation, also in Bryan. He then formed and became Chairman and CEO of American Cablevision Corporation in 1971, which served 11 states. During the 1970s and 1980s, Adam founded and became active in several different companies. A few of his other endeavors include Adam Development Properties, a company that provides residential and commercial real estate development; Madison Construction, which provides mainly commercial construction services; Courtlandt Farm, one of Adam’s most enjoyable projects, which is a thoroughbred horse breeding and racing operation based in Ocala, Fl.; and a whitetail deer breeding program and hunting lodge in South Texas. In 1988, Adam formed First American Bank, which he owned until 2005 when he sold it to Citigroup, Inc. In addition, he facilitates aircraft charter operations through Adam Aviation Ltd., L.L.P., owns Reliable Reports, an insurance inspection company, and owns and operates Miramont Country Club, a private golf course and country club community he built in Bryan in 2005. In 2006, Adam returned to banking. He formed American Momentum Bank, which is headquartered in Tampa, Fla., and has a branch in College Station. Also in Tampa, he founded the Donald A. Adam Melanoma Research Center at the Moffitt Cancer Center.



Adam is an active contributor to organizations throughout the Bryan-College Station community. He has given time and financial support to Habitat for Humanity of Brazos Valley, American Heart Association of the Brazos Valley, Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, Allen Academy, the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley, Bryan I.S.D. Foundation, March of Dimes of the Brazos Valley, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Health For All Clinic and more.



Adam was a charter member of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, the President’s Council of Advisors and the Chancellor’s 21st Century Council of Advisors. He is a member of The Association of Former Students’ Century Club, the College of Medicine Advisory Council, Texas A&M Vision 2020 Committee, the Texas A&M Foundation and the 12th Man Foundation. He also contributes to the Opera and Performing Arts Society (OPAS) in Bryan, where he served as development chair. Adam is founder and director of The Donald A. Adam Family Foundation, and a member of First United Methodist Church in Bryan.



Adam resides in Bryan with his wife, Donna. Both of his children graduated from Texas A&M.

"Enjoy and participate in every aspect of your college life and seek to identify professor or administrative leaders and study them in-depth and identify those that are truly outstanding in order to mentor yourself. Exercise extraordinary levels of discipline in all facets of your college career as you will be far better to meet the challenges that will lie ahead."

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

L. Lowry Mays ’57
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Year Awarded: 1997

Houston, TX

Mays received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1957 and later a master’s of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. In 1970 he established Mays and Company, an investment banking firm which he continues to serve as president. He has served a President, Chairman, and CEO of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. since 1974 as well as President of San Antonio Broadcasting, Inc. and Prime Time, Inc.



He served a term on the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, was on the Nucleus Fund Committee of Texas A&M’s Capturing the Spirit campaign and the Bush Presidential Library Major Gifts Committee. He also served on A&M’s Visual Arts Development Council, the Dwight Look College of Engineering Council and the Memorial Student Center Council. Texas A&M’s College of Business was named in his honor.

"Lowry is a superb model for future generations of Aggies, and represents the finest example of what Texas A&M has to offer."

  - Dr. Eddie J. Davis '67, President, Texas A&M Foundation