Jerry S.
Cox ’72
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Year Awarded: 2005
Baytown, TX
Jerry S. Cox received a bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Finance from Texas A&M University in 1972, a Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Pepperdine University in 2000, and a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Houston Baptist University in 2002. During his time as a student at Texas A&M, Cox was a member of the Corps of Cadets and received the Outstanding Cadet Award.
In 1977, he founded Cox & Perkins Exploration, Inc., a fully-integrated independent oil and gas exploration and production company, where he serves as President and Chairman. His peers in the oil and gas industry praise Cox as an adroit investor and businessman who operates with high integrity and honesty. Cox is a member of Hydril Co. Board of Directors and the Pepperdine University Board of Regents.
Cox has given his time to Texas A&M serving as President of the 12th Man Foundation, member of the Mays Business School Development Council, Director of the Private Enterprise Research Center, and was recently selected Chairman Elect of the Texas A&M Foundation. As Presiding Chair of the One Spirit One Vision Campaign, Cox directed the historic multi-year campaign surpassing the $1 billion goal. Perhaps the greatest testimony to Cox’s service to the university in his assistance with searches for key leadership positions at Texas A&M. In 1998, Cox’s professional achievements were recognized with the Mays Business School Outstanding Alumni Award.
Born in Baytown, Texas, Cox and his wife, Kay ’02, have two children, Courtney and Paul.
"To me, being an Aggie simply means family and community. It is a sense of belonging and loyalty to anyone and everyone who shares that label. A&M was immensely valuable to me in teaching me discipline, respect, and focus. These principles demonstrated to me that a steadfast work ethic focused on a worthy cause will, over time, produce good results. Over the years since A&M, I have been blessed to see these core beliefs prove beneficial and reliable in many different areas of my life."
Mark
Fischer ’72
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Year Awarded: 2022
Oklahoma City, OK
If Mark Fischer ’72 were to share some advice, he would say, “Make a difference, and be a master of your own destiny. Always remember, in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity, so embrace complexity to arrive at the best outcome.”
Originally, Fischer wanted to become an astronaut. In 1968, when he was a freshman at Texas A&M, the United States was engaged in the space race, and Fischer thought that acquiring an aerospace engineering degree was the best way to join this exciting new field. He did graduate in aerospace engineering; but by 1972, he had decided to turn his attention to the energy sector instead.
Fischer started his career with Exxon, and in 1988, he founded his own oil and gas company, Chaparral Energy. The company operated in 13 states under Fischer’s leadership. It was recognized by the Aggie 100 four times, the Oklahoma City Metro 50 award eight times, and was recognized as one of the best places to work in Oklahoma City. Ernst and Young named Fischer an Entrepreneur of the Year national finalist in 2012. Fischer served as Chaparral’s CEO and chairman of the board until his retirement in 2017. Additionally, Fischer owns and chairs the boards of six other companies: Dippin’ Dots, Pointe Vista Development, SuMark Pharmacies, Doc Popcorn, Resource Oil and Gas and Skybridge Development.
Recently, Fischer and his wife, SuSu, co-chaired A&M’s Lead by Example campaign, which raised over $4.25 billion in support of Texas Aggies. Fischer has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Boy Scouts of America, and he chaired the board of The Association of Former Students in 2019. The Fischers have sponsored Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as the Zachry Engineering Complex’s Fischer Engineering Design Center.
The Fischers have two children, Scott and Christy ’04, and three grandchildren. Two of Mark’s brothers are Aggies as well.
“While his business successes are impressive and noteworthy, his greatest attribute is his engaging spirit for life and his desire to help others.”
- Lias J. "Jeff" Steen '80
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.
John S.
Sharp ’72
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Year Awarded: 2018
College Station, TX
Prior to being appointed chancellor, Sharp served Texas for more than three decades in public offices.
As a student at A&M, Sharp was student body president, on Corps staff, served as Class president and played rugby. He was a member of Squadron 6 and after graduation served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1976, he earned a master’s degree in public administration from Southwest Texas State University while working at the state Legislative Budget Board, then opened a one-man real estate firm in Victoria.
He represented Victoria in the state House of Representatives 1979-83 and was a state senator 1983-87. Serving next in statewide offices, he was Texas’ railroad commissioner 1987-91, then state comptroller 1991-99. After working as a principal at tax-consulting firm Ryan LLC, he was appointed head of the state Tax Reform Commission in 2005.
As System chancellor, he leads one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, with a budget of $4.7 billion.
Speaking in 2016, he said, “There is no place, and there is no university, where love and respect for each other and loyalty and commitment to each other is stronger than Texas A&M University.”
In 2017, the State of Texas tapped him to lead the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas post-Hurricane Harvey.
Sharp is a Diamond Century Club member of The Association with 12 years of giving and has supported A&M’s Student Government Association Endowment Fund.
His family includes wife Charlotte; two children; and one grandchild.
“Everything I ever will be is because of Texas A&M University"
- John S. Sharp '72
Clifton L.
Thomas, Jr. ’72
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Year Awarded: 2022
Victoria, TX
“I always want to be that business person who is successful, but does it the right way,” said Clifton L. Thomas, Jr. ’72 — and the core values at Texas A&M have helped him to do just that. “The core values are more than words — it’s the way you live your life.”
Thomas came to Texas A&M as a football recruit under coach Gene Stallings ’57. Football taught Thomas how to treat people right, manage adversity and work extremely hard, as well as how to build a team and be accountable to those teammates. He graduated with a degree in physical education, having married his high school sweetheart, Cathy, along the way. After a few years coaching high school football, he decided to change fields, and he took a job as manager of a small Exxon distributorship in Hope, Arkansas.
In 1981, Thomas purchased his own Exxon distributorship in Victoria, Texas, creating Thomas Petroleum and C.L. Thomas Inc. Thomas and his team had great success, becoming one of Exxon’s and Chevron’s top distributors. Thomas Petroleum grew to 36 wholesale terminals in 23 states, 230 dealer accounts and 165 Speedy Stop Stores with about 3,100 employees. In 2012, Thomas sold 143 Speedy Stop Stores to 7-11. Thomas currently owns and operates 23 Speedy Stop Stores and co-owns Pilot Thomas Logistics.
Thomas has contributed to A&M’s strategic development through The Texas A&M System Board of Regents. During his 11-year tenure, both as a committee member and as chairman of the board, the A&M System saw a number of new buildings and renovations across campuses, from RELLIS to Kyle Field, as well as a move to the SEC. Thomas has served his broader community through positions on the boards of Guadalupe- Blanco River Authority, DeTar Hospital System, Wells Fargo bank, and The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company.
Cliff and Cathy have three daughters, Ashlie ’17, Whitney and Beth, and three granddaughters, Preslie ’25, Ashbie and Sophia.
“No other person I know represents what is possible with a degree from Texas A&M better than Cliff Thomas.”
- John Sharp '72
Jorge A.
Bermudez ’73
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Year Awarded: 2017
College Station, TX
JORGE A. BERMÚDEZ ’73 received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics. As a student, he was a member of the student chapter of the Sports Car Club of America and took part in activities within the Department of Agricultural Economics.
He was chief risk officer for Citigroup/Citibank 2007-08, CEO and president of Citibank Commercial Banking Group 2006-07 and Senior Advisor International and CEO of Citigroup Latin America 2002-06, in a 33-year career with Citibank and Citigroup. He is currently president and CEO of the Byebrook Group.
Since 2015, he has served on the board of trustees of the Texas A&M Foundation. He served on the board of The Association of Former Students 2006-12, including serving as chair in 2011, and supported the enhancement of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. He serves on the College of Agriculture Development Council, the Dean’s Advisory Board for Mays Business School and A&M’s International Advisory Board, and created scholarships for dependents of veterans and business honors scholarships, among gifts that also include support for the Financial Planning Program and the Wiley Lecture Series.
He was named an Outstanding International Alumnus of A&M in 2016, received the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2009; and was added to the Department of Agricultural Economics’ Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry in 2006.
He serves on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Moody’s Corp. and the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, which he chaired in 2013. He chaired the steering committee of the New York Clearing House trade group.
His family includes wife Andrea Moo-Young Bermúdez, five children and three grandchildren.
“Integrity has no price, only value that accrues throughout your life.”
- Jorge A. Bermudez '73
Hon.Willie E. B.
Blackmon ’73
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Year Awarded: 2005
Houston, TX
The Honorable Willie E.B. Blackmon received a bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Texas A&M University in 1973 and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University in 1982. During his time at Texas A&M, he was an All-Southwest Conference and All-American athlete and member of the world record holding indoor mile relay team who won the U.S. Track and Field Federation National Championship. Blackmon was recognized for his athletic achievements with his induction into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 1984, Blackmon entered the U.S. Air Force as a military attorney where he served for the next 20 years. In 2004, he was honorably discharged from the Texas Air National Guard at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Blackmon’s outstanding career contributions were recognized when he was selected to serve as an International Election Supervisor in Bosnia in 1997. Upon completion of active duty, he served as Assistant District Attorney in Lubbock and Houston and established a successful career as a private attorney prior to becoming a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston.
As a former student, Blackmon has served Texas A&M as a co-founding member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association, a member of the College of Education and Human Development Advisory Council and the Corps of Cadets Development Council, and a Representative at Large for The Association of Former Students.
"Being an Aggie means that I am part of a network of individuals that are as special collectively as they are individually. Our traditions and Aggie culture set us apart from all other universities in the nation. And let it be understood, our greatest asset is the Aggie Network, and its silver lining is the diversity of our student body, which is well on its way to living the “Dream” of a great Aggie, State Senator Mathew Gaines. Senator Gaines, an African American Senator of the Reconstruction era in Texas history, dreamed of an integrated land grant college where all Texans would have an equal opportunity to succeed. And those opportunities manifest themselves today, when we travel at home or abroad, while wearing the Aggie ring. This symbol of the Aggie Spirit becomes a worldwide passport to hospitality and camaraderie. I say this out of my experiences as a world traveler, meeting Aggies who recognize me not by face, but by the ring on my finger. This tells them that we share not only a heritage that has molded who and what we are, but also a common bond, which in a strange environment, beckons one to a harbor light of friendship."
Clarence E.
Sasser ’73
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Year Awarded: 2014
Rosharon, TX
Clarence E. Sasser ’73, who served as an Army medic in Vietnam, was the eighth Aggie to be awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1968, while helping evacuate wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire, he carried one to cover and returned to help carry others to safety, despite sustaining wounds in both his legs. Sasser’s Medal of Honor citation reads, in part, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. ... Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser ... proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were evacuated. ... Sasser’s extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.” Gen. Earl Rudder ’32, then university president, offered Sasser a scholarship to Texas A&M, where he studied chemistry. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he worked briefly in an oil refinery, then established a lengthy career in service to veterans with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A scholarship at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center has been established in his honor. At Texas A&M’s commencement in May 2014, Sasser was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Letters. He joins Texas A&M’s Medal of Honor recipients from World War II who were named Distinguished Alumni in 2012.
"I often see people proclaim their patriotism on their sleeve. I believe it thrives best when nurtured in their hearts and minds."
John E.
Bethancourt ’74
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Year Awarded: 2011
Bryan, Texas
Bethancourt graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and later received his executive M.B.A. from Duke University. While at A&M, he was a student senator, vice president of the Student Engineering Council, and president of the Hughes Hall Student Council.
He went to work after graduation for Getty Oil Co., rising to area manager in the company’s Bryan office by 1982. He then spent more than 15 years with Texaco, beginning as area manager in the Victoria, Texas, office and culminating as Texaco Corporation vice president and president of worldwide productions operations. He joined Chevron Corp. in 2001 as vice president of human resources. Since 2003, he has been an executive vice president at Chevron. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and a former member of its Board of Directors.
Bethancourt is a member of The Association of Former Students Endowed Century Club and is the chairman-elect of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Debbie, Class of 1976, have endowed several scholarships and a professorship. John has been a consistent supporter of the university’s Department of Petroleum Engineering. He also supports the football and baseball programs and has been a major force behind planned renovations to Olsen Field. In 2007, he was named an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s Dwight Look College of Engineering.
He has been a volunteer Little League coach in Victoria, Wharton and Midland, is a former director of Midland Junior Achievement, and is a member of the Board of Governors of Miramont Country Club in Bryan.
Bethancourt and his wife have four children, all of whom graduated from Texas A&M, and ten grandchildren. All four children have spouses who also graduated from Texas A&M.
“I gained a strong sense of the A&M values, which have stuck with me. I learned leadership skills that have served me well over the last 37 years.”
William M. "Will"
Fraser III ’74
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Year Awarded: 2017
Garden Ridge, TX
GENERAL (RET.) WILLIAM M. FRASER III ’74 received a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology. As a student, he was first sergeant and commander of Squadron 10 in the Corps of Cadets and was on the 1971 national champion Fish Drill Team, then served as an FDT instructor 1971-73.
He served as the commander of U.S. Transportation Command, the single manager responsible for global air, land, and maritime transport for the Department of Defense, from October 2011 to May 2014; commander of Air Combat Command from September 2009 to September 2011; vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force from October 2008 to September 2009; and assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from May 2006 to October 2008.
His experience in wartime, contingency and humanitarian relief operations includes Operation Southern and Northern Watch, Operation Desert Thunder, Operation Allied Force, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
He serves on the Corps of Cadets Board of Visitors and the Texas A&M-Galveston Board of Visitors, as well as the board of directors of the Corps of Cadets Association. He is an at-large representative on the Leadership Council of The Association of Former Students and is a Diamond level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 35 years of giving.
He was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor in 2013.
He chairs the board of the Military Child Education Coalition, serving all military-connected children, and is a member of Mission Readiness - Council for a Strong America, also serving U.S. youth.
His family includes wife Beverly; two children, including daughter Ashlee Fraser Cain ’01; and seven grandchildren.