Harris J.
Pappas ’66
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Year Awarded: 2001
Dallas, TX
Pappas received bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance in 1967. He is President and Chief Financial Officer of Pappas Restaurants, Inc., a privately held company which operated over 60 restaurants with more than 6,000 employees in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Beaumont, San Antonio, Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver and Chicago. These include Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, C&H Steak Company, Pappas Seafood House, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchens, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappas BBQ and Dot Coffee Shop. He is also Chief Operating Officer of the Luby’s Cafeteria chain.
Pappas serves on the Texas A&M Foundation’s Development Advisory Committee and the Texas A&M College of Education Development Council. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston and on the board of Oceaneering International, a publicly held firm. In 1999, he was named Outstanding Alumnus of Texas A&M’s Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business.
Henry B. "Hank"
Paup ’70
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Year Awarded: 2023
Fort Worth, TX
Henry B. “Hank” Paup ’70 believes that “a person’s word is their bond, and a handshake is a contract.”
Paup commonly sums up his time in Aggieland with “the three S’s: soldiering, studying and swimming.” He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, serving as first sergeant, the company commander of his outfit and a Ross Volunteer. A varsity swimmer and three-year letterman, he set the Texas A&M record for the mile swim in 1969. He graduated from A&M with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a commission in the U.S. Army, and he would later earn a law degree from SMU and his CPA certification.
Specializing in estate planning and probate, Paup has served the Fort Worth area as a lawyer for 50 years. He founded his own practice, Law Offices of Henry B. Paup, in 1982. Although it was created after his student days, he has been a strong supporter of the Texas A&M School of Law, establishing an endowed dean’s scholarship and law faculty chair.
Paup reinvests in his passions. He and his wife, Anne, have been significant supporters of the Texas A&M swim team, including as the lead donors of the team’s newest indoor facility, Paup Pavilion. They have established seven academic and athletic scholarships at A&M, and are Endowed Century Club members.
In 2019, the couple gave the lead gift on a new sanctuary pipe organ for their church. He has also given of his time, serving as president of the Fort Worth A&M Club, president of the First Methodist Church of Fort Worth Foundation and a member of the 12th Man Foundation board of trustees. In recognition of the Paups’ exceptional giving, they were recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Philanthropists of the Year by the Fort Worth chapter of Fundraising Professionals.
The Paups have two children, Spivey ’01, married to Brooke ’01, and Robbie Jane ’07, and five grandchildren.
“He exemplifies the core values of Texas A&M in how he conducts his business, lives his life and deals with every person.”
- James A. Creel ’69
William M.
Peña ’42
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Year Awarded: 2015
Houston, TX
William M. Peña, Class of 1942, received a bachelor of science degree in architecture and a bachelor’s degree in architectural design from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, where he served on Corps staff and as president of the Laredo Club.
As a U.S. Army infantry officer in World War II, Peña fought in battles including Huertgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Colmar and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, French Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre and Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (France’s highest honor). He is one of five Aggies featured in the “Texas Aggies Go To War” exhibit in the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium.
Joining CRS Architects in 1948, Peña lectured worldwide and was part of more than 150 architectural projects in 39 states and nine countries. He is considered the “father of architectural programming” and he is the author of several books including “Problem Seeking: An Architectural Programming Primer” and “Ways of Thinking.” He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and recipient of Houston AIA’s Thomas Jefferson Award.
Peña is a member of The Association of Former Students’ Century Club and a colonel in the Corps of Cadets Association. He endowed a professorship in Texas A&M’s College of Architecture, of which he is an Outstanding Alumnus, and the college named CRS “Firm of the Century” for its influence. He has also served on the Board of Regents for the University System of South Texas.
Among his Aggie family were brothers Gustavo Peña ’38 and Augusto “Augie” Peña ’50.
"In the last 30 years, I have come to know Willie Peña as an eminent architect, author, teacher, scholar, mentor, war hero, and most importantly, as a generous, gentle, kind human being."
- Valerian Miranda '94, Director of the CRS Center
Charles L.
Pence ’51
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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
Hon. James R. "Rick"
Perry ’72
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Year Awarded: 2002
Haskell, TX
Perry received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1972 and served as a Yell Leader while he was a student. His political career includes service in the Texas House of Representatives, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture and Lieutenant Governor. He is the 47th Governor of the State of Texas.
Exemplifying the highest of Aggie traditions, Governor Perry has devoted his life to service to his state and fellow Texans. As the first Aggie Governor, Perry has continued to focus on higher education and cites his education at Texas A&M as a strong example to all young Texans of the value of higher education.
L.F.
Peterson ’36
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Year Awarded: 1976
Temple, TX
Peterson received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1936. He spent more than 35 years as an operator, consultant and engineer in the petroleum industry. He worked up from oil field roustabout to Chief Petroleum Engineer for Stanolind Oil and Gas Company, and was a partner in the firm Keller and Peterson in which he did petroleum consulting throughout the United States and in foreign countries.
Peterson served on The Texas A&M University System Board of Directors, was a founding member of the President’s Endowed Scholars program, and was President of The Association of Former Students.
Albert G. "Bert"
Pfaff, Jr. ’25
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Year Awarded: 2023
Austin, TX
Pfaff graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1925 with a degree in electrical engineering.
According to the 1925 school yearbook, he played football and basketball while a student, making “his debut in athletics … as he dashed madly on the field to save the day for the fighting Signal Corps Battalion football team. Bert has always had the true Aggie Spirit.”
Upon graduation, Pfaff found impressive success in the East Texas oil industry, eventually founding McCord-Lane Co. However, Pfaff is best remembered by Aggies for his support of Texas A&M athletics.
In the midst of the Great Depression, the A&M athletics department was in a troubling amount of debt. They reached out to Pfaff around 1936, and he helped secure a key loan of $25,000 that the department used for scholarships to recruit top players for A&M. Not only that, but during school breaks, Pfaff employed the student-athletes in his oil fields, giving them a chance to support themselves and stay enrolled in college.
Pfaff’s meaningful support paid off. In 1939, those hardworking student-athletes became an undefeated football team, ending their season with a national championship. Their wins brought the program much-needed revenue, allowing it to pay off its debts and support student success.
Pfaff is remembered by family and friends as a generous and humble Aggie who would go above and beyond in support of his beloved alma mater.
He is survived by his granddaughter, Elizabeth Pfaff Heldenfels ’79, and a host of Aggie great-grandchildren.
“Texas A&M is a better place today because of the loyal benevolence of Bert Pfaff.”
- Dr. Tom Lyles '49
James D.
Pitcock, Jr. ’49
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Year Awarded: 2008
Houston, TX
Pitcock graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, American Society of Civil Engineers, Houston Hometown Club and Saddle and Sirloin Club.
Pitcock began his professional career in 1950 as a purchasing agent for Farnsworth & Chambers in Houston. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1952 before returning to Farnsworth & Chambers. By 1955, he was co-founder, partner, president and CEO of Williams Brothers Construction, a company he built from a startup to one of the nation’s largest highway construction firms.
In 1976 Pitcock was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford to the National Transportation Policy Study Commission, and served as national president of Associated General Contractors of America in 1984. In 2002, he was honored for his emergency reconstruction of the collapsed Queen Isabella Causeway in Port Isabel, Texas. Pitcock was inducted into the Texas Good Roads and Transportation Association Hall of Fame in 2004, the Texas Transportation Institute’s Hall of Honor in 2005 and was honored as the ‘Houston Engineer of the Year’ in 2006.
Pitcock has generously volunteered his time and resources to Texas A&M, funding numerous scholarships, fellowships and research projects. He has been honored as a Distinguished Graduate of Texas A&M’s Department of Civil Engineering and as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Dwight Look College of Engineering. Pitcock and his wife, “Puddie,” have two children, Jim and the late Jan.
"Mr. Pitcock has served as a remarkable example of a leader of character throughout his life and his career- as a student, a cadet and a highly successful former student of Texas A&M University."
- LTG John A. Van Alstyne '66
Michael J.
Plank ’83
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Year Awarded: 2023
Houston, TX
Plank knew he wanted to study mechanical engineering, and Texas A&M’s world-class engineering program attracted him to the university. Impressed by several members of the Corps of Cadets at Fish Camp, he knew he had to join and found his place in Squadron 11, where he served on group staff and embraced A&M’s rich traditions.
Plank is chairman and CEO of The Plank Companies Inc. and three operating companies: Rail Logix, National Property Holdings and Speed Shore Corporation, which are respectively engaged in industrial real estate development, rail logistics and construction equipment manufacturing. Ernst & Young recognized his business leadership in 2019 with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Gulf Coast region.
Appointed to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in 2019, Plank serves his alma mater along with 11 system universities and eight state agencies. He has previously served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Governor’s University Research Initiative Board. He was inducted into the Mechanical Engineering Department’s Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 2000 and received the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Alumni Award in 2019.
In addition to donating his time to various charitable organizations, Plank has generously funded a host of initiatives at Texas A&M. He and his wife, Susan, have given major gifts to Aggie Park, the Corps of Cadets Quad renovation and the Zachry Engineering Education Complex. The Planks have also funded multiple scholarships and are members of the Endowed Century Club, the Chancellor’s Century Council and the 12th Man Foundation.
The Planks have two children, Kendall ’18 and Jared.
“A superb regent, a passionate Aggie and outstanding human being, Mike Plank is indeed worthy of this great honor.”
- Michael A. Hernandez III ’83
Lester T.
Potter ’28
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Year Awarded: 1992
Dallas, TX
Lester T. Potter received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1928. After graduation, Potter joined Lone Star Gas Co., advancing to President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. While serving on the board, he developed a management succession procedure emphasizing responsibility, authority and accountability.
Potter has been highly involved in community service. He has served as Director and President of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. He has also participated as a Director of the Dallas Urban League, Goodwill Industries, The Salvation Army, Dallas Alliance for Minority Enterprise, Dallas Community Arts Fund, American Red Cross, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He served on The Association of Former Students Board from 1988-1990 and was President of the Sul Ross Group.
"The Aggie Spirit is unique- one of a kind. Aggie spirit leads and guides us into accomplishment, sustaining us in the effort."