Elaine
Mendoza ’87
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Year Awarded: 2022
San Antonio, TX
“Throughout different aspects of life, the perseverance cultivated during my time at Texas A&M has strengthened my determination to meet challenges head on and not be deterred in resolving complex issues,” said Elaine Mendoza ’87.
Mendoza earned her degree in aerospace engineering, one of a small group of women in the program at that time. As a student, she worked at the NASA Ames Research Center and participated in activities such as intramural sports. Not long after her graduation from A&M, Mendoza founded Conceptual MindWorks Inc., where she remains CEO today. Her company has led in biotechnology and medical informatics for 32 years, researching chem-bio defense, population health and developing and deploying cloud-based electronic health records.
Concurrent with her leadership in industry, Mendoza has committed much of her time to public service, primarily in the spheres of education and health care. In San Antonio, she has served on multiple education-focused boards. One, where she serves as chairman, established a city-wide pre-K education program. She has served on many state-level commissions and boards, including the Code Red Task Force, which delved into Texans’ health care access. She led the COVID-19 Frontline Child Care Task Force, which connected essential workers to child care. Mendoza has been recognized for her contributions with numerous awards and honors.
Mendoza has served on The Texas A&M System Board of Regents since 2011. As chair of the Committee of Academic and Student Affairs, she worked to establish a robust set of metrics for measuring student outcomes and focused on educator preparation. In 2019, she was voted by the regents to be chairman of the board, becoming the first Hispanic chair.
Mendoza met her husband, Larry Gay ’85, while they were students at A&M. They have two daughters and sons-in-law: Contessa Gay ’16 and Cameron Novikoff ’15, and Francesca Blissett ’19 and Jordan Blissett ’18.
“At every step, Elaine has demonstrated her determination in the pursuit of excellence, her capacity to build significant institutions and her willingness to serve the public interest.”
- Henry Cisneros '68
E. E. "Mr. Mac"
McQuillen ’20
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Year Awarded: 2021
College Station, TX
As a student, McQuillen was a lieutenant colonel in the Corps, lettered in track and basketball, was captain of the 1920 Southwest Conference champion basketball team and associate editor of the yearbook, a Ross Volunteer, senior class president and valedictorian. His college career was interrupted by service in World War I as a U.S. Army second lieutenant.
He led The Association of Former Students as executive secretary from 1926 to 1947. He reorganized and encouraged A&M Clubs throughout Texas and beyond; created an Opportunity Award Scholarship Program that helped thousands attend A&M; and introduced annual giving in 1942. In 1943, McQuillen created the first Muster packets sent worldwide, formalizing Aggies’ practice of gathering on April
21 under the name of “Muster.” He initiated the Gold Star Fund for children of former students killed in combat and led fundraising for A&M’s Memorial Student Center.
From 1947 to 1963, he was director of the Texas A&M Development Office; he led the Texas A&M Development Foundation (today’s Texas A&M Foundation) 1953-63. He served the American Alumni Council as director (1947-
48) and president (1955-56) and was a co-recipient of its Grand Award for Alumni Giving in 1959. He was elected to the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975. In 2020, The Association created the E.E. McQuillen
Society of volunteer fundraisers in his honor.
“The institutionalization of the organized, worldwide Aggie Muster was probably his proudest accomplishment.”
- Granddaughter, Julie Hayes
Walter C.
McGee, Jr. ’31
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Year Awarded: 1969
Dodd City, TX
McGee studied Civil Engineering while attending A&M College of Texas and later attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard. He served as Chairman of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the longest and one of the nation’s largest natural gas transmission systems.
He joined the Tennessee Gas Transmission Co. advancing to President in the mid-1950’s. His professional memberships include the Southern Gas Association, the American Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institution, the Independent Natural Gas Association of America, and the Petroleum Club. McGee served The Association of Former Students as Class Agent, and President from 1960-1961.
Arthur R.
McFerrin, Jr. ’65
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Year Awarded: 2008
Beaumont, TX
McFerrin received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M and went on to earn a master’s degree in the same field in 1969. As student, he was a member of Company E-1 in the Corps of Cadets, the Student Conference on National Affairs, the Society of Military Engineers, as well as the Great Issues Committee.
McFerrin began his career in 1967 with Shell Chemical, before becoming an independent plant manager in 1972. In 1975 he founded KMCO, a chemical processing and manufacturing company, and in 1990 established KMTEX, a high-volume distillation company. He purchased South Coast Terminals in 1995 and is a partner in several other chemical processing plants.
McFerrin has served Texas A&M as chairman of the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board and has served on the President’s Corps of Cadets Board of Visitors, the 12th Man Foundation Board of Trustees, Texas A&M Research Foundation, and the Chancellor’s Century Council.
In 2005, McFerrin established an endowment to support Texas A&M’s department of chemical engineering, which now bears his name. His many contributions to Texas A&M are visible throughout the campus and include the McFerrin Indoor Athletic Center and the Cox-McFerrin Basketball Center. McFerrin endowed the Becky Gates Children’s Center, the Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center in the College of Education and Human Development, as well as the Byrne Chair currently held by Dr. Jim Kracht.
He has been part of the Distinguished Visiting Executive Series at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service and in 1998 was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
McFerrin and his wife, Dorothy, have two children, Jeffrey, Class of 1992, and Jennifer.
"He is a man of exceptional talent, notable accomplishments, unlimited compassion, and unquestionable integrity. In fact, he embodies all of the personal attributes that Aggies value. Artie exemplifies the concept of a servant leader, always willing to step forward when needed, and more than willing to deflect credit to others. I have never seen anyone so caring, considerate, and generous, and at the same time, so gracious, modest, and unassuming. He is truly a rare and unique individual."
- Erle Nye '59, Distinguished Alumnus, 2006, and Chairman Emeritus, TXU
William C.
McCord ’49
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Year Awarded: 1993
San Antonio, TX
McCord received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. Shortly after graduation, he began working for ENSERCH Corp. (formerly Lone Star Gas Co.) and served as President, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer. He served on the Board of Directors of Employers Casualty, ENSERCH Exploration, Inc., Pool Energy Services Co., and Lone Star Technologies, Inc as well as the Dallas Citizen’s Council, State Fair of Texas, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and Presbyterian Hospital.
In 1992, he received the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Star of Texas award and served as Chairman of the Texas A&M Board of Trustees and Texas A&M University Development Foundation.
Frederick D.
McClure ’76
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Year Awarded: 1991
San Augustine, TX
McClure received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1976 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree from Baylor University School of Law. McClure’s career led him to serve as Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs under President George H. Bush.
McClure worked in the Office of Senator John G. Tower for two years. After earning his law degree, he served as a trial attorney in Houston, and then returned to Senator Tower’s office as Legislative Director and Legal Counsel. He served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General in the U.S. Department of justice for a year before joining the staff of President Ronald Reagan as Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs and later became Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs.
He graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M and received the Brown Foundation J. Earl Rudder Outstanding Student Award. He was Speaker of the Student Senate, a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, and Student Body President. McClure is the youngest former student to be named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M.
"Part of our American birthright is to change things. You have been given an edge here at Texas A&M. People will expect more of you, and rightly so."
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
James A.
Mayo, Jr. ’70
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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."
A. Dwain
Mayfield ’59
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Year Awarded: 2018
Dublin, TX
Mayfield was a lead design engineer of the F-16 fighter jet at General Dynamics Corp., now Lockheed Martin; became Lockheed’s vice president of program development for F-16 worldwide marketing and, after 44 years in aerospace, retired as vice president of marketing initiatives.
As a student, he was active in dorm council and the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, worked in the civil engineering surveying lab and was active in intramural sports. As he pursued his A&M master’s degree in civil engineering, he worked for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute as a graduate assistant, learning by gaining experience in both management and transportation research.
Throughout his career, he remained active with Texas A&M, serving on many boards and advisory councils. Mayfield has been Chair of the Board for The Association of Former Students and is a friend and supporter of the students in its Aggie Network Student Ambassadors group. He has served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council, College of Engineering Advisory Council and Chancellor’s Century Council. He, wife Lynda and their son have been longtime ranchers in Dublin. They also support Tarleton State University, where Mayfield was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2017; he is an adviser to the aeronautical team, serves on the Tarleton Foundation’s board of directors and was presented with an honorary doctorate in 2017 for his support and his work with students.
Mayfield is an Endowed Century Club member of The Association with 41 years of giving; he is a member of the A&M Legacy Society, has supported The Association of Former Students CEO Excellence Fund and Chancellor’s Century Council, and with Lynda has created several scholarships and sponsors many Century Club memberships for current students.
His family includes wife Lynda; a son; one grandchild; and brothers Durwood Mayfield and Gilbert Mayfield ’65.
Charles A.
Mattei, Jr. ’49
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Year Awarded: 2014
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