James R. "Jim"
Thompson ’68
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Year Awarded: 2013
Kaufman, TX
James R. “Jim” Thompson, Class of 1968, graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural construction. During his tenure at Texas A&M, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Ross Volunteers and was named a distinguished Military Graduate.
Following graduation, Thompson joined the United States Air Force and served as an instructor pilot until 1973. After gaining 10 years of construction experience, Thompson founded James R. Thompson, Inc., a commercial general contracting firm. The company, which now is headquartered in Dallas, has received dozens of awards for construction excellence. Thompson is a member of Texas A&M’s Construction Industry Advisory Council, the College of Architecture Advisory Council, the Chancellor’s Century Council, the Presidential Board of Visitors, the A&M Legacy Society, the Corps of Cadets Association; the 12th Man Foundation’s Advisory Board and served on the Board of The Association of Former Students from 2006 to 2010. As a multi-term Chair of the Building Enhancement Committee, Thompson played an integral role in the 2008 enhancement of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. Thompson helped lead the effort to fund and construct the Freedom from Terror memorial on the Texas A&M campus—a gift from the Classes of 1968 and 2003—that honors the many Aggies who have given their lives for their country. In 2000, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Architecture and he was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor in 2011. Thompson has also funded a President’s Endowed Scholarship, a Corps 21 Endowed Scholarship, two Sul Ross Endowed Scholarships, and a Construction Science Endowed Scholarship.
In addition to serving Texas A&M, Thompson is involved in his community. He served 15 years on the Kaufman ISD School Board and helped found the Kaufman ISD Scholarship Foundation. He is a former trustee of the Texas Association of School Boards as well as the Kaufman County Appraisal District. Thompson is a member of the Kaufman County A&M Club and serves as a Class Agent for the Class of ’68. He currently serves as chairman of the Citizens Facility Advisory Council.
He and his wife, Donna Beth, live in Kaufman and have three sons, two of whom graduated from Texas A&M.
Texas A&M provided a strong foundation for me to continue to mature, develop, and prepare myself for the challenges of the Air Force and eventually my career in the construction industry.
Dr. William C.
Tinus ’28
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Year Awarded: 1970
Chicago, IL
Tinus received a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1928 and an honorary Doctorate of Engineering in 1954. In 1938, he began a 40-year career with Bell Telephone Laboratories. He conducted Bell Labs’ first work on “radio object location” which became the basis for the U.S. Navy’s first shipboard fire control radar equipment.
He is also responsible during World War II for development of many radar systems for aircraft, naval vessels, submarines, and ground forces. Tinus received the Naval Ordinance Development Award.
James D. "Jimmy"
Tittle ’49
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Year Awarded: 2023
Abilene, TX
Tittle has been called “Abilene’s architect” for his numerous designs throughout his hometown. His illustrious architecture career began at Texas A&M, which he originally chose to attend because of the financial benefits and free uniforms offered through the Corps of Cadets. Tittle served two years in the U.S. Army before returning to Abilene.
In 1957, he cofounded The Tittle Luther Partnership with Jack Luther ’49. They designed iconic residential and commercial builds that are still standing in Abilene today, including the Taylor County Courthouse, expansions to the Hendrick Medical Center, a terminal at Abilene Regional Airport and various buildings at both Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University.
As Tittle’s designs rose in prominence, he actively sought opportunities to give back. He was a member of Abilene’s Chamber of Commerce, Business Council and Cultural Affairs Council. In 1988, he was named Abilene’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He supported Aggies by establishing three scholarships with the now School of Architecture. Serving the state of Texas, Tittle was appointed to the Texas Commission on the Arts and was a founding member of the Texas Cultural Trust. In 1998, Tittle was named chancellor of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Most recently, in 2022, the Abilene Zoo dedicated Tittle Lake in his honor.
Tittle leaves, in addition to numerous physical landmarks, a legacy of integrity, leadership and service to his beloved city and state.
“Through his infectious personality, talent, education, generosity, loyalty and high moral and ethical standards, Tittle stands tall.”
- Fred Lee Hughes '49
P. William "Bill"
Toler ’76
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Year Awarded: 2023
Bryan, TX
A member of the Corps of Cadets and ROTC, Toler studied accounting at A&M before commissioning as a U.S. Army field artillery officer with airborne and ranger qualifications. He served in Germany for four years on active duty. Returning to the U.S., he joined Procter & Gamble, where he would remain for nearly 30 years.
Toler began at P&G in sales and marketing roles. He rose in customer business development and was named a vice president in 1994. His next roles took him across the globe, first to Europe and then to Asia, Australia and Latin America. In 2007, he was promoted to global vice president for professional oral care. In each of his roles, he increased market share and held fast to vision and values above all. His leadership style emphasizes developing those he manages and keeping the promises he makes.
In 2009, Toler was made CEO of Swift Communications, a privately held publisher of over 30 newspapers. While he didn’t have experience with journalism, his past roles had equipped him with skills in strategic growth. Within a year, he stabilized revenues and increased profits by 70%. He finally retired from industry in 2018.
Although Toler lived far from Texas for many years, he has stayed closely involved with Texas A&M. Toler held leadership positions in both the Vision 2020 and Lead By Example campaigns. He served on the boards of The Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Foundation, including one year as chair of the Foundation’s board. He currently serves on the Mays Business School Dean’s Advisory Board and co-chairs the Division of Student Affairs Development Council with his wife, Melanie ’76.
The Tolers have two children, Courtney ’17 and Mark ’19.
“People have always been able to sense Bill’s respect for other people and his utmost integrity.”
- John E. Pepper
R. Sam
Torn ’70
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Year Awarded: 2020
Houston, TX
For 36 years, Torn and his wife, Susan ’13, have owned and operated Incomparable Camp Ozark, one of the largest residential summer camps in the nation, where they have impacted over 200,000 children and thousands of staff.
Torn is also developer and owner of Camp OTX, executive director of Camp War Eagle for underserved children, and founder and chairman of Ozone Ministries and Ozark for All camp. He is a member of Texas’ Higher Education Coordinating Board.
As a student, he was head yell leader, in charge of building A&M’s largest Bonfire, and a member of the Corps’ Company F-2, the varsity baseball team and the Student Senate.
Torn is a past chair of the 12th Man Foundation, cochaired the Kyle Field Redevelopment Committee and $485 million campaign and coordinated the redevelopment of Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
The Torns received the 12th Man Foundation’s E. King Gill Award in 2016. Torn is a member of the Corps Hall of Honor and Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association Hall of Honor. He has been a Class Agent for the Class of ’70, an Association area representative and past president of the Association of Former Yell Leaders.
Torn is an Endowed Century Club member of The Association of Former Students, with 28 years of giving.
His Aggie family includes his late father, Roland S. Torn ’38. The Torns have three children, Scott ’95 (married to Secily ’95), Chris ’97 (married to Ceci ’98) and Angela ’02 (married to Stephan ’02), and 13 grandchildren including two Aggies, Sam ’23 and Caroline ’24.
“To me, Texas A&M means legacy, the necessity of being thankful for the opportunity afforded by the efforts of those who came before and the responsibility to make it an even better opportunity for those who come after.”
- R. Sam Torn '70
Martín E.
Torrijos ’87
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Year Awarded: 2017
Panama City, Panama
MARTÍN TORRIJOS ’87 received bachelor’s degrees in political science and in economics. He worked in the U.S. for four years before returning to Panama.
His political career began in 1990, when he was elected to lead the Revolutionary Democratic Party’s youth organization. He was Panama’s undersecretary of government and justice 1994-98, responsible for national security, civil aerial navigation, public transportation and telecommunications. He was elected to lead his party in 1999, serving as general secretary for three terms.
In 2004, he was elected as the 42nd president of the Constitutional Republic of Panama, serving from Sept. 1, 2004, to June 30, 2009. His administration achieved economic growth of 8.5 percent, reduced the unemployment rate, and created a range of social programs from education to health, including fiscal and social security reforms. Also during his presidency, Panama approved and began the Panama Canal expansion, a $6.3 billion project.
In May 2006, he participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for collaborative research between Texas A&M University-Galveston and the International Maritime University of Panama. In 2007, Texas A&M and The Association recognized him with the Outstanding International Alumnus Award.
For more than two decades, Torrijos has been an economic advisor to international companies and governments. More recently, he has earned recognition as a moderator in regional conflicts. After Haiti’s earthquake in 2010, he became actively involved in the reconstruction effort and served as a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Board.
He is vice president of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America, a director of the Inter- American Dialogue policy analysis center and board president for the Omar Torrijos Foundation.
Joseph V.
Tortorice, Jr. ’70
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Year Awarded: 2019
Beaumont, TX
Joe Tortorice, Jr. ’70 founded Jason’s Deli in 1976. The Beaumont-based restaurant chain has since expanded to 294 delis in 28 states and was the first national chain restaurant to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate and artificial dyes from its menu. Its Career Path program helps employees learn life skills and pace their own growth.
Tortorice earned a BBA in marketing from Texas A&M in 1970 and an MBA from Lamar University in 1971. As a student at Texas A&M, Tortorice was a Ross Volunteer, member of the RV Firing Squad and on 1st Group staff. He was also a business manager for Town Hall and a member of the American Marketing Society and Alpha Delta Sigma.
As a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Tortorice has been honored by Texas A&M as a member of the Corps Hall of Honor and an Outstanding Alumnus of the Mays Business School. He has served A&M on development councils and as a guest lecturer at Mays.
A member of The Association of Former Student’s Century Club with 31 years of giving, Tortorice established a Mays faculty fellowship and Gen. Rudder Corps Scholarships through the Texas A&M Foundation.
Tortorice was part of the Catholic Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was also active with Beaumont’s St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica ACTS ministry, St. Mary’s in College Station and Kolbe ministry to prisons and has been a Bishop’s Faith Appeal director in Beaumont and a member of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors.
"Joe's service and support for Texas A&M has been both personal and philanthropic. When Texas A&M has called, he has answered. He is an extraordinary human being and one of my all-time heroes."
- Dr. Eddie Joe Davis '67
Francis C.
Turner ’29
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Year Awarded: 1969
Dallas, TX
Turner received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1929. He joined the Bureau of Public Roads in 1929 as a Junior Highway Engineer, rising to Federal Highway Administrator with responsibility for all highway activities in the U.S. Department of Transportation.
He has served throughout the United States, in Canada, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories in connection with the construction of the Alaska Highway, and in the Philippines. Turner is known in the United States and abroad for his many contributions to the advancement of highway and traffic engineering and has participated in a number of international conferences devoted to these pursuits. He has received many notable rewards for his accomplishments, including the Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award in 1962 and the George S. Bartlett Award in 1965.
Gilbert M.
Turner ’45
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Year Awarded: 1984
Travis Peak, TX
Turner received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1947. His company, Boring & Tunneling Company of America (BorTunCo.), specializes in boring and tunneling under roadways, railways and waterways. He also heads several other companies operating worldwide, including American Steel Building Co., KenMor Electric Company, and Bluebonnet Express of Houston.
Turner has long been affiliated with A&M Athletics and its programs. He served on the Target 2000 Project Committee and has helped sponsor Aggie basketball broadcasts and the football coach’s television show. Turner has also funded a 12th Man Scholarship and a President’s Endowed Scholarship.
"He is a credit to the principles, ideas and aggressive drive characteristic of alumni of Texas A&M."
- John F. Baugh, Founder of Sysco Corporation
James H.
Uptmore ’53
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Year Awarded: 1986
Tours, TX
Uptmore received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education in 1953. After serving as President of H.B. Zachry Properties, Inc., he became President of Uptmore and Associates, Inc. in 1974.
Uptmore served as President of the San Antonio A&M Club and Class Agent for the Class of 1953. He was awarded the Aggie Parents of the Year Award in 1984 and the C.C. Polly Krueger Award from the San Antonio A&M Club.
"Jim Uptmore has given his time and resources to Texas A&M University, but more important than those visible actions are his feelings of loyalty and dedication for our university and for his fellow Aggies."
- Raul B. Fernandez ’59, Distinguished Alumnus, 2007