John M.
Yantis ’53
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2017
San Antonio, TX
JOHN M. YANTIS ’53 received a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology. As a student, he was a freshman class officer and “A” quartermaster in the Corps of Cadets.
After serving in the military, he worked for H.B. Zachry Co. and later as an equipment salesperson. In 1965, he founded what is today the $70-million-per-year construction firm Yantis Co., of which he served as chairman. He was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1988, and the company is a multiple-year honoree of the Aggie 100 list of fastest-growing businesses.
He is deeply involved in philanthropy and service both in San Antonio, where he was on the board of directors for Boysville (1980-84), and at Texas A&M. In 2008, he created the Patsy and John Yantis ’53 Regents Scholars Student Assistance Endowment Fund through The Association. He has served on the 12th Man Foundation board and on the 12th Man Foundation’s Champions Council and the Chancellor’s Century Council, has endowed 12th Man and Association scholarships, is a member of the A&M Legacy Society and has been a Gold level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 36 years of giving. In 1999, he was inducted into the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Hall of Honor.
He was chairman of the 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl and has served on the board of Associated General Contractors and as president of Oak Hills Country Club, former home of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament, in 1990 and 1999.
His family includes his late wife, Patsy; children J. Mike Yantis ’76, Thomas G. Yantis ’78, Nancy Yantis Austin ’82 and Susan L. Yantis ’84; son-in-law Henry Eitt Austin ’80; grandchildren Mike Yantis, Jr. ’02, Taylor Eitt Austin ’12, and Hailey Lynne Austin ’15; and granddaughters-in-law Jennifer Nicole Yantis ’06 and Laura Oatman Austin ’13.
Daniel D.
Clinton, Jr. ’52
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 1995
Marlin, TX
Clinton received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1952 and a master’s degree from Stanford University. His 39-year career began at the Houston firm of Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., with much of his work done in the Houston area. He was president of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, which named him Engineer of the Year in 1993, and was president of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Clinton served on The Association of Former Students Board of Directors and was a Class of 1952 Class Agent.
Aaron
Cohen ’52
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 1989
Corsicana, TX
Cohen received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952 and later a master’s degree in Mathematical Physics from Stevens Institute of Technology.
He joined NASA in 1962 and managed development and guidance programs for Apollo Moon Landings and Skylab. Cohen was also the Director of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Project and in 1983 he served as Director of Research and Engineering where he was responsible for all engineering as well as space and life science research and development in support of major manned spaceflight programs. Named Director of the Johnson Space Center in 1986, Cohen oversaw medical, life science and physical science activites as well as astronaut training and flight operations.
"His leadership and engineering genius have been evident throughout…"
- Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Howard W.
Kruse ’52
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2002
Brenham, TX
Kruse received a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Manufacturing in 1952. In 1954, he joined Blue Bell Creameries as Assistant General Manager and later served as President until his retirement in 2004. He is the creator of the most noted flavor, Homemade Vanilla.
James S.
Moore ’52
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 1997
Omaha, NE
Moore received a bachelor’s degree in Business in 1952. In 1954 he became the youngest State Representative ever to serve in the Texas Legislature. He was President of The Association of Former Students in 1981 and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Texas A&M Foundation.
"Jim is a wonderful person who has always contributed to his community and alma mater. I believe that one quality that sets Jim apart is his nurturing influence on young people. He has mentored many of them through the years, myself included."
- Dr. H. Andrew Hansen II '71, Cardiovascular Surgeon
Dudley J.
Hughes ’51
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2010
Jackson, MS
Hughes graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Geology Club and the Palestine Hometown Club.
Hughes served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant and was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service in Korea. Afterward, he established a highly successful career in exploration geology, operating more than 10 different oil and gas exploration companies during his 40-plus year career. He is currently the president of Hughes Oil Inc. and Hughes South Corp.
Hughes was recognized by Texas A&M with the Geosciences and Earth Resources Distinguished Achievement Award and received the All American Wildcatters’ Rudman Outstanding Wildcatter Award. He also received the American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ Outstanding Explorer Award and was named the 2009 Philanthropist of the Year by the state of Mississippi.
Hughes has been a loyal supporter of the University and the College of Geosciences. In 1998, Hughes and his wife, Robbie, created the Dudley J. Hughes ’51 Chair in Geology and Geophysics, and he contributed to the Robert R. Berg Professorship in Geology and the William R. Bryant Oceanography Chair for Teaching, Research and Mentoring Excellence. He was instrumental in the endowment of the Berg-Hughes Center for Petroleum and Sedimentary Systems. Hughes is a member of The Association of Former Students’ Century Club and remains active as a volunteer and contributor to dozens of charitable organizations.
"My career has been very successful thanks to a great extent to Texas A&M. My training at A&M was superior to that of geologists from other schools, and eventually led my brother and I to start our on oil companies."
Dan A.
Hughes ’51
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2011
Beeville, TX
Hughes received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas. While a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, vice president of the Geology Club and a member of the Dallas and Palestine hometown clubs.
After college, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and earned a Bronze Star in Korea. He went to work for Union Producing Co. of New Orleans as a geological scout in 1953 and has continued to work in petroleum exploration and production. In 1963, he formed a partnership with his twin brother, Dudley Hughes, Class of 1951, to create Hughes & Hughes Oil and Gas. In 1982, Hughes & Hughes was dissolved and he formed Dan A. Hughes Company and has offices in Beeville, San Antonio and Houston. In 1996, he formed Hughes Petroleum Colombia, with offices in Bogota, Columbia.
Hughes was awarded membership in 1978 in the exclusive All-American Wildcatters Club. He has also been honored with the M.B. “Duke” Rudman Outstanding Wildcatter Award and as Outstanding Citizen of Bee County, Texas.
He has been a member of The Association of Former Students Century Club for 35 years and is also a member of the A&M Legacy Society, the 12th Man Foundation and the Geosciences Development Council. He was awarded the Michael T. Halbouty Geosciences Medal in 1997. He endowed the Dan A. Hughes ’51 Chair in Geosciences as well as the Berg-Hughes Center for Petroleum and Sedimentary Systems. He also funded the restoration of A&M’s Military Walk, a historic path in the heart of campus.
Hughes is also active in service to his community. He donated an oil and gas building at Coastal Bend College and has supported the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club, the Junior Service League, and numerous scholastic athletic programs, among many others.
Hughes has three children and nine grandchildren, four of which attended Texas A&M. He and his wife Brenda reside in Beeville.
“I would recommend that freshman students consider entering the Corp of Cadets. The discipline and leadership that they gain will give them an advantage throughout their lives.”
Charles L.
Pence ’51
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2018
Fredericksburg, TX
As a student, he was a cadet in the Corps’ A Infantry. After Army service in Korea and Japan, he began a 27-year career at ExxonMobil, becoming senior vice president of Exxon’s Friendswood Development Co. and developing Houston area’s first master-planned community, Clear Lake City. As president of Battlement Mesa Inc., he managed the construction of a new town, Battlement Mesa, near Grand Junction, Colo., to house employees of Exxon’s mining operation. Upon retiring from Exxon in 1982, he co-founded Jefferson Development Co., serving as CEO for 12 years; was co-founder and chairman of Entouch Systems for five years; chairman of SiEnergy LLC for 10 years; and is co-founder and chairman of Si Environmental LLC. He has long supported Corps of Cadets scholarships; he is an Endowed Century Club member of The Association with 35 years of giving and an A&M Legacy Society member who has supported the building of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center and the Corps quad renovation.
His service to his communities includes chairing the transportation committee of the Houston Chamber of Commerce; serving as co-founder and president of the state’s nonprofit Grand Parkway Association developing an outer loop around Houston; and helping start University Baptist Church in Clear Lake City and Grace Fellowship Church in Lampasas.
His family includes wife Kay; four children with his late wife Patsy, including D. Britt Pence ’83; and 10 grandchildren, including Katherine Pence ’07, Kyle Pence ’18 and Connor Pence ’20.
“A&M means hope for our future,” Pence said. “Each time I come to the campus and see these young students, I am filled with a sense of optimism for the future of our country.”
- Charles L. Pence '51
Robert H.
Allen ’50
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 1979
Houston, TX
Allen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1951 and did postgraduate studies at the University of Houston and studied law at the South Texas School of Law. As a student, he was a member of the 1950 Southwest Conference championship basketball team. Allen was named President of Gulf Resources and Chemical Corp. in 1960.
After his position as Senior Accountant at J.L. Block & Company in Houston, he joined Gulf Sulfur Corporation and served as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer before being elected President in 1959. He served on governing boards of the American Mining Congress, First City National Bank of Houston, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, Colorado Outward Bound School, and SMC Industries, Inc. of Dallas.
"As a young man, I was impressed with the unanimity of spirit which was the hallmark of A&M. Having long since joined the ranks of the alumni, I am pleased that this spirit still prevails."
Willy F.
Bohlmann, Jr. ’50
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 1995
Schulenburg, TX
Willy F. Bohlmann, Jr. ’50 graduated from Texas A&M University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering. While at A&M, he was President of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was a Ross Volunteer. After a successful career with the U.S. Army Reserve, Willy retired as a colonel in 1980. He is now retired as President of Esso China, Ltd. after serving 41 years with Exxon affiliate companies. He has been awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Department of Civil Engineering’s Distinguished Graduate Award, and was recognized in the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor.
“From the time I set foot on campus in May 1945, it was the strong esprit de corps that made an impact. This spirit gave me a feeling of camaraderie among class members and fellow students. Being an Aggie opened doors to other Aggies in a worldwide network. It is a good feeling to be a part of the world’s largest fraternity.”
Willie Bohlmann '50
"Willy Bohlman is tangible evidence of how A&M made the person and how the person made A&M! His record of outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions to society have brought great credit to our nation, the citizens of Texas, and Texas A&M."
- Eivind H. Johansen ’50, Lt. General, U.S. Army (Retired)