Dr. Sam A.
Nixon ’47
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Year Awarded: 1990
Galveston, TX
Nixon received a bachelor’s degree in Science in 1946 and later a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He began his medical career in the military, later opened practices in two small Texas towns and has been associated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in a variety of key positions.
He served in faculty and administration positions with the University of Texas System and was named to the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences by President Reagan. Dr. Nixon also shared his medical education expertise with his alma mater through service on the College of Medicine Advisory Council.
Thomas A.
O’Dwyer ’47
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Year Awarded: 1984
Texarkana, AR
O’Dwyer received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering in 1949. After rising to President of Ling Electric, Inc., he and two partners bought the company, renaming it Ling-Oliver-O’Dwyer Electric, Inc which was one of the top ten electrical contracting firms in volume in the South and Southwest and among the top fifty nationwide.
O’Dwyer served on The Association of Former Students Board of Directors for two years and is a former president of The Aggie Club. He was a charter contributor to the 12th Man Scholarship Program, a founding member of Texas A&M’s Opera and Performing Arts Society and served on the Target 2000 Project Committee.
Dr. Chester J.
Reed ’47
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Year Awarded: 1984
Brown County, TX
Reed received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1947. He was a successful investor who developed real estate in the Houston area. Reed’s generosity to Texas A&M supported the Corps of Cadets and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Gift’s from Dr. and Mrs. Reed to Texas A&M University include contribution of land worth more than $600,000 to create the Reed Corps Scholarship Program for the Corps of Cadets. They established two President’s Endowed Scholarships and created the Reed Chair in Veterinary Medicine.
He is active in business and community affairs; Reed served as a director of Kincaid School, a prestigious private institution in Houston, and served as a member of the Houston Board of Health.
"I feel that those Aggies who go through the Corps of Cadets gain a unique experience and some what of being an Aggie is all about. I want as many young Aggies as possible to know that feeling."
Charles H.
Weinbaum, Jr. ’47
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Year Awarded: 2008
Beaumont, TX
Weinbaum received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M. During his time as a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Beaumont Hometown Club and the Hillel Club, and he lettered in basketball. He went on to attend the Graduate School of Business at New York University before beginning his career with Beaumont’s Weinbaum Insurance Agency, of which he remains a partner. Weinbaum began developing commercial real estate in 1953 and, since 1975, has been president of two oil and gas firms, Cherokee Royalty and Marion Cass. In addition, he has been general partner of Weinbaum Family Investments since 1980. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and has served as a volunteer and contributor to dozens of educational and nonprofit organizations.
Weinbaum has been actively involved with Texas A&M, having served as president of the Beaumont A&M Club and on the Board of Directors of The Association of Former Students. He is a co-founder of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association as well as a member of the 12th Man Foundation Champions Council. Weinbaum funded a President’s Endowed Scholarship in 1990 and has contributed to many other A&M organizations and activities. He serves a councilman emeritus for The Association of Former Students and was recognized by the Beaumont A&M Club for 50 years of dedicated service. In 1982 he and his late wife, Gloria, were recognized by Texas A&M University as its Parents of the Year.
Weinbaum has five children, Charles, Class of 1977; Daniel, Class of 1981; Jonathan, Class of 1982; Bernard; and Rebecca; seven grandchildren, including Elana Weinbaum, Class of 2007; and a great-grandchild.
"Charlie Weinbaum- no matter who you speak to- is highly respected for his honesty, love for his family and community, optimism, ethical business practices, and his passion for Texas A&M University."
- W. Edward Collins, M.D. ’77
Joe Carter
Denman, Jr. ’46
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Year Awarded: 1981
Lufkin, TX
Denman received a bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1950. He was an Aviator in the U.S. Naval Corps during WWII.
Denman received a bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1950. He was an Aviator in the U.S. Naval Corps during WWII.
Denman is an Officer, Director, or Trustee for more than 25 financial, investment, industrial, governmental, and professional firms or organizations. He was very successful in the lumber industry as he served on the governing boards of the Lumberman’s Investment Corporation, National Forests Products Association, and was the Past President of the Southern Forest Products Association and the Texas Forest Products Manufacturers Association. Currently, Denman holds patent on an apparatus to efficiently measure lumber volume. He also served as President and CEO of Temple-Eastex Inc., Diboll.
"I doubt anyone could better exemplify the Spirit of Aggieland in his everyday associations than Joe Denman."
- C.M. Harbordt ’70
Harold J.
Haynes ’46
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Year Awarded: 1972
Fort Worth, TX
Haynes received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1947. In 1969, he was elected President of Standard Oil Co., which later became Chevron Corp. He assumed the role of Board Chairman in 1974, a position he held until his retirement in 1981.
His other activities have included directorship of the Bay Area Council and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Haynes was presented the John Rogers Award at the 11th Annual Institute on Exploration and Economics of the Petroleum Industry in 1971.
"To revitalize the tremendous productive potential of this great nation, America will need the spirit symbolized by the tradition of the 12th Man—the willingness to participate if called upon."
Bill W.
Klotz ’46
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Year Awarded: 1999
Goose Creek, TX
Klotz received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1948. In 1983, he was named Director of Public Works for the City of Houston and later founded Klotz Associates, Inc., for which he served as President and Chairman of the Board. He was involved in projects to expand football stadiums at Texas A&M, the University of Texas, and the University of Oklahoma.
"Love for Texas A&M has been a prime trait of Mr. Klotz. He has been a tireless ambassador for Texas A&M University."
- David W. Klotz ’74, son of Bill W. Klotz '46
Dr. John M. "Jack"
Knox ’46
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Year Awarded: 1971
Dallas, TX
Headed by John Knox since 1963, the Department of Dermatology at Baylor University College of Medicine is recognized throughout the world. It is the recipient of important research grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Surgeon General of the Army, the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, the Veterans Administration, as well as from private foundations and industry. Baylor’s Department f Dermatology also is the leading academic center in research of venereal diseases.
Author of Technical papers published in scientific journals, Know was named chairman of the Council of the National Program of Dermatology. He also serves as chairman of the Southern Medical Association Section on Dermatology. He is president of the Houston Dermatological Society and the American Venereal Disease Association and is on the board of directors for the Society for Investigative Dermatology, American Social Health Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology.
Chief of Dermatology, Ben Taub General Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Knox is senior attending physician at Methodist Hospital. He is on the consultant staff to Texas Research Institute for Mental Science, Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, and Veterans Administration Hospital. He is also a consultant to the U.S. Public Health Service; the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia; and Brooke General Hospital in San Antonio.
Knox was a cadet lieutenant colonel and Head Yell Leader before entering the Navy V-12 program at Texas Christian University. He received his bachelor’s degree in science from A&M in the summer of 1947 and his MD from Baylor University College of Medicine in 1949.
"Be sure to call upon me at any time for any cause that would be of benefit to Texas A&M. The school has been unbelievably good to me and there is no way I can repay it for all that is has contributed to my life."
A. P.
Wiley, Jr. ’46
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Year Awarded: 1994
Dallas, TX
Wiley received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1949. A recognized authority on construction feasibility and sire selection, A.P. Wiley does consulting work with insurance companies. In 1949, he joined his father in A.P. Wiley and Son Contractors. In 1960, he and his brother established Wiley Brothers General Contractors, In., which he served as Chairman of the Board. Wiley has served as president of the 30th Infantry Division Association and actively supports the Dallas Theatre Center and the Dallas Symphony Super Pops.
He was presented the Dallas A&M Club’s Jimmy Williams Award for service to his community and to Texas A&M. He and his brother endowed Texas A&M’s internationally-renowned annual MSC Wiley Lecture Series and assist the program with their advice and resources. He and James F. Wiley ’46 are the only brothers ever selected for the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus Award. He has also endowed a chair in A&M’s College of Business and Veterinary Medicine. He is on the A&M President’s Council and the College of Business Development Council.
"I first met A.P. and Earline Wiley as a veterinary student 3 years ago, and have remained close friends with them ever since. I have yet to meet a truer Aggie."
- Dr. Cindi Lee Welch '90, Chief of Staff, I-20 Animal Med Center
James E.
Wiley, Sr. ’46
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Year Awarded: 1990
Dallas, TX
Wiley received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1948. As a student he lettered in track and football and played in the 1944 Orange Bowl. He and his brother founded Wiley Brothers General Contractors which designs, leases and manages commercial and industrial buildings. During his career, he supervised construction of many Dallas landmarks.
In addition to his professional and community service, Mr. Wiley served on key advisory groups on campus and has been a major supporter of programs in a variety of areas. In 1983, when he and his brother were on campus to endow the A.P. and Florence Wiley Chair in Civil Engineering in honor of their parents, they attended a Memorial Student Center lecture series featuring two former U.S. Secretaries of State and were so impressed with the student run program that they provided $500,000 endowment for what is now know as the Wiley lecture Series.
"James Wiley is a man who has done more than dream about how to expand the educational horizon for students and Texas A&M. He has made his vision of Texas A&M a reality. His integrity and family values are without peer. He is a role model for Aggies young and old."
- Dr. Irene B. Hoadley, Former Director, Sterling C. Evans Library