Distinguished Alumni

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221-230 of 331
Dr. Davis L. Ford ’59

Dr. Davis L. Ford ’59
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Year Awarded: 1990

Lubbock, TX

Ford received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Texas. In 1985, he established Davis L. Ford and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in environmental engineering. Prior to founding Davis L. Ford & Associates, Dr. Ford was affiliated with several other engineering companies, including Hasie and Green & Associates and engineering Science Inc., for which he served as a consultant to more than 150 industries and agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a registered professional engineer and has written more than 150 articles and 5 books in the environmental field in which he is a recognized expert.



He served as President of both the Capital City A&M Club and The Association of Former Students.

"During the time I have known him, his dedication to Texas A&M University has been unbelievably strong. However, not only his loyalty to Texas A&M has been exceptional, in my opinion his dedicated leadership has helped Texas A&M move toward academic greatness."

  - Earnest F. Gloyna, P.E., Dean, College of Engineering, Retired, University of Texas

Henry J. Gruy ’37

Henry J. Gruy ’37
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Year Awarded: 1990

Victoria, TX

Gruy received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1937. In 1950, he founded H.J. Gruy and Associates, an independent petroleum and natural gas consulting firm, which evolved into Gruy Engineering Corp. He is noted for his grasp of international politics and economic problems within the industry. Mr. Gruy has been widely honored for his contributions to the oil and gas industry. He was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering.



His alma mater has long benefited from his expertise through his service on advisory groups in the College of Engineering and College of Geosciences. He served on the Texas A&M Engineering Advisory and Development Council and the College of Engineering’s Doctor of Engineering Advisory Committee.

"My admiration for his judgment, acuity, and sense of humor, not to speak of his many accomplishments in the petroleum industry, continues to rise faster than the value of the Japanese Yen."

  - Gerard Waller

Dr. Sam A. Nixon ’47

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.

James E. Wiley, Sr. ’46

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

Dr. Ogbourne D. Butler, Jr. ’39

Dr. Ogbourne D. Butler, Jr. ’39
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Year Awarded: 1989

Orange, TX

Butler received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animal Husbandry. After serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, he gained stature as a specialist in meat research. In 1986, he retired as Texas A&M Associate Deputy Chancellor for Agriculture after 50 years of service to Texas A&M University.

"Dr. Butler’s long record of service and support of Texas A&M is well known and presents a rather unique picture of a man who not only succeeded in his chosen profession in a grand way but who has promoted and served Texas A&M virtually all of his adult life."

  - Dr. Perry L. Adkisson, Chancellor Emeritus, Texas A&M University System

Aaron Cohen ’52

Aaron Cohen ’52
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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

Joe C. Richardson, Jr. ’49

Joe C. Richardson, Jr. ’49
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Year Awarded: 1989

Amarillo, TX

Richardson received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum/Mechanical Engineering in 1950. His career placed him in charge of oil and gas operations throughout North and South America. In 1968, he organized Petro-Dynamics, Inc., a public over the counter energy company with operations in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Canada, and Venezuela.



After merging the company into worldwide Energy Corporation in 1974, he became an independent oil and gas producer with operations in Texas, Montana, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Mississippi. He also, became a real estate investor in Texas, Oklahoma and California and has operated farming interests in Texas.



He served on the Texas A&M University Board of Regents from 1981-1987 and was President of the Amarillo A&M Club.

"Joe truly represents the ‘Spirit of Aggieland’ and has brought much credit to our outstanding university."

  - William R. Black ’43

John F. Younger ’37

John F. Younger ’37
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Year Awarded: 1989

McKinney, TX

Younger received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1937. After being in executive positions in the oil and gas industry, he founded Airport 20 Corp., an oil and real estate firm for which he served as President.



During Younger’s presidency of The Association of Former Students, the Century Club was established and the Texas Aggie changed from a newspaper to a magazine format. He was a member of the Texas A&M Target 2000 Project Committee and A&M College of Liberal Arts Development Council. Younger was instrumental in bring the Institute of Nautical Archeology to Texas A&M University.

"Texas A&M can be proud to have an alumni who has given of himself to others and to his community which is reflected in the many outstanding accomplishments that he has made to enrich his community."

  - William G. Saxton '90

Dr. James H. “Red” Duke, Jr. ’50

Dr. James H. “Red” Duke, Jr. ’50
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Year Awarded: 1988

Ennis, TX

Duke received a bachelor’s degree in Economics at Texas A&M University in 1950, a Bachelor in Divinity from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Houston where he later was a Professor of Surgery and a Special Assistant to the President.



Duke served in many professorial positions throughout his medical career. He was Founder and Medical Director of Life Flight Operations and Medical Director or Affiliated Hospital Systems and Hermann Hospital in Houston where he developed the Intensive Care Unit into the largest blunt trauma center in the world. He has been featured on several national news reports, health specials and a television series, one of his most noteworthy being the nationally syndicated “Health Reports” where he was a Television Medical Reporter and Host of the “BodyWatch” TV series.

"When asked how an Aggie ended up working for UT in Houston, Duke doesn’t skip a beat: ‘I’m a missionary.’"

  - Excerpt from article in the Houston Post

James B. Hervey ’42

James B. Hervey ’42
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Year Awarded: 1988

Greenville, TX

Hervey received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1942. In 1947, he became the third Executive Secretary of The Association of Former Students, a position he held until 1964. Under his leadership, he implemented a computerized database, and established the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Texas A&M Archives.

"I’ve had a great love for the university that gave me the education I got. And for this reason, I hope that my civic service in this community has in some way made our community a better place to live."

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