Joe
Utay ’08
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Year Awarded: 2010
Utay, Class of 1908, received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University and went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1912. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Ross Volunteers, the “T” Association, the Athletic Council and the Dallas Club and was captain of the varsity football team.
Utay returned to Texas A&M in 1912 and served as a freshman football coach and was director of athletics. He is recognized as a pioneer of football in the Southwest. He was the president of the Texas Officials Association from 1912 until 1936 and was instrumental in establishing the Southwest Officials Association, which helped organize the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, starting the tradition of the Southwest Conference appearing in the Cotton Bowl. He was also a practicing attorney in Dallas for more than 55 years.
Utay was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. He was a founding member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association and a charter member of the National Football Hall of Fame.
Utay served on the Texas A&M Board of Directors (now the Board of Regents) from 1935 to 1941. He was a contributor to The Association of Former Students’ Century Club. Dormitory 12 (Utay Hall) is named in his honor.
"I believe my uncle would try to instill the following advice to today's student body: Avail yourself of all opportunities. Choose your endeavors carefully, with passion, and do them well. Promote and be loyal to your school and live with Aggie values all of your life."
- Gary Utay '60, nephew of of Joe Utay, Class of 1908
Dr. Durward B.
Varner ’40
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Year Awarded: 1972
Cottonwood, TX
Varner received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1940 and honorary doctorate degrees from Oakland University, Utah State University, and the University of Nebraska. After a more than 30-year career in educational administration, he retired as President and Chancellor of the University of Nebraska System.
His professional career as an educator began in 1946 as assistant dean of students at Texas A&M. He joined the faculty of Michigan State University in 1949. In 1952, he came director if the Cooperative Extension Service at Michigan State, and in 1955 was named vice president of that University. From 1955-71, Varner served as chancellor of Oakland University in Michigan.
"Wherever we go or whatever we may be doing, this A&M college will be with us -a part of us- in our minds and in our hearts, and will serve as a guide in our lives."
Dr. Robert V.
Walker ’45
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Year Awarded: 2012
Dr. Robert V. Walker, Class of 1945, studied pre-dentistry at the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas before he was drafted into the army. While at A&M, he was named “Best Drilled Man” of H Battery Field Artillery during his sophomore year, 1st Sergeant in his junior year, earned a walk-on position on the freshman baseball team in 1942, and played the full 1943 season of baseball on the A&M varsity team, earning his “T” medal. He earned a doctor of dental surgery degree from Baylor University College of Dentistry in 1947, studied at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine for a year in 1953, and won Honorary Fellowships from both the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland in 1973 and England in 1984.
He was called back into the army in 1951, where he advanced from 1st lieutenant to captain at the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio in 1953. During his tenure there he joined the BAMC Comets baseball team and played at the national championship level in 1951-52. It was here that he was introduced to oral surgery and was encouraged to continue his education, and he became a certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in 1958. Walker was an assistant professor, and then professor as well as Chairman of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and ended his time there as Professor Emeritus.
Walker held leadership roles and remained active in many societies and associations around Texas, such as the American Trauma Society, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dallas County Dental Society and the Southwest Society of Oral Surgeons, just to name a few. He won numerous honors and achievement awards, like the Texas Dental Association Gold Medal for Distinguished Service in 2003, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dallas County Dental Society in 2002, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Baylor College of Dentistry (now Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry) in 1999. He was a founding member, board member and past president of the Texas A&M Medical-Dentistry Society, past chair and vice-chair of the College of Science External Advisory and Development Council, member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association, The Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M Foundation and the 12th Man Foundation. In 1994, he established the Emily and Robert Walker Endowed Scholarship in Science at Texas A&M, followed in 1995 by the Emily and Robert Walker ’45 Endowed Lectureship in Biology. In 2004 he was honored with induction into the Texas A&M College of Science Academy of Distinguished Former Students.
Walker and his wife, Emily, had one daughter and two sons. He passed away on April 28, 2011.
"Dad really enjoyed the Corps and playing baseball. He was a walk-on player for the baseball team, and beat out a recruited player with a scholarship for shortstop. He was very happy to win the Best Drilled Man award for his unit, over students who had come from large city high schools with ROTC programs. It was a big disappointment when he was drafted at the end of his junior year, and he didn't get to wear his boots or take a position of leadership in the Corps as a senior."
- -Trey Walker, Robert Walker's son
Dr. Robert L.
Walker ’58
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Year Awarded: 2016
College Station, Texas
DR. ROBERT L. WALKER ’58 received a bachelor’s degree in marketing; as a student, he says, his greatest accomplishment was marrying his sweetheart, JoAnn Nolen, in All Faiths Chapel in 1958. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and valued spending one summer selling Bibles in West Virginia with four other Aggies.
He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for A&M during a career that included 30 years as A&M’s vice president of development as well as leadership at A&M foundations; he has been described as A&M’s “chief friend maker.”
He has been named Spur High School’s Alumnus of the Year and an honorary A&M Singing Cadet, and received Pepperdine University’s Distinguished Christian Service Award.
He has spoken at Aggie Musters for 49 years and was the 1987 speaker at the main campus Muster. He is a member of The Association’s Endowed Century Club. He serves on the Pepperdine University Board of Regents and chaired the board of A&M’s Institute of Nautical Archaeology.
He is on the Community Foundation of Brazos Valley board and has been a board member and officer of the Ed Rachal Foundation and a board member and president for two years of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce.
His family includes his wife, the late JoAnn Nolen Walker, M.A. ’92; children Rebecca Lynn Walker Elkins ’81, Sidney Allen Walker ’82, the late Richard Nolen Walker ’86, William Lawrence Walker ’88 and daughter-in-law Shawna Chrane Walker ’90; and grandchildren Abigail Margaret Sawyer ’12, William Davis Walker ’13, Robert Wesley Walker ’15 and Brazos Walker Elkins ’16.
Ernest L.
Wehner ’41
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Year Awarded: 1976
Del Rio, TX
Wehner received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1941. After serving in WWII, he joined the international public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen and Co., advancing to Managing Partner in 1968. Wehner served on the firm’s Board of Directors and was noted for his expertise in oil and gas taxation.
He also served as an advisor to Executive Development Program and the President’s Forum of Texas A&M University College of Business Administration and the Texas A&M University Development Office. Wehner is the co-founder of the Thomas W. Leland Accounting Professorship at Texas A&M.
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
Richard “Buck”
Weirus ’42
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Year Awarded: 1993
Weirus received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering in 1942. In 1961, he was named Executive Director of The Association of Former Students. During his tenure, membership grew to nearly 100,000, the Century Club was instituted, and he assisted in fundraising for the Kyle Field expansion in 1968.
Because of his unique leadership, vision, and support of student involvement, the Buck Weirus Spirit Award was established by The Association to recognize students' contributions to student life.
COL Henry C.
Wendler ’34
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Year Awarded: 1996
Boerne, TX
Wendler received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1934. After a 39-year career with International Business Machines, he retired as Director of Personnel and Customer Relations in 1971. Throughout his tenure, he hired and trained many who achieved uncommon success in computer system marketing and other executive positions, including Ross Perot.
He was an active member in the Dallas and Houston Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce.
"Some of my fondest memories are of my business experiences at IBM with you. Much of my success is directly related to having an opportunity to work for you."
- In a letter to Wendler from Ross Perot
Dr. Joe E.
West ’54
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Year Awarded: 2011
College Station, TX
Dr. West graduated from Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a doctorate in veterinary medicine after graduating as valedictorian of Cotulla High School. While at A&M, he played freshman baseball and was a senior yell leader, vice president of the YMCA cabinet, president of the student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the Aggie Christian Fellowship. West also earned a Master of Science degree in Radiation Biology from the University of Rochester, and a PhD in Comparative Pathology from the University of California at Davis.
He served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service from 1957 to 1979, rising to the rank of colonel and receiving the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, among other honors. After retiring from the service, he became an associate professor of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University before joining the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at Texas A&M. He has published more than 30 scientific articles and, after retiring from TVMDL, worked in emergency preparedness and response with the Texas Engineering Extension Service. He was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.
West was the 2001 campus Muster speaker and he and his family cared for A&M mascot Reveille V after her retirement. He is a past president of the Association of Former Yell Leaders, the National Capital A&M Club and the Brazos County A&M Club. He is a Fish Camp namesake, Class Agent and Representative at Large, and has been a member of the Century Club for 40 years. He is also a member of the Corps of Cadets Association and the Sul Ross Group.
He is a past president of the Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice and was a delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates. He is also a member of the College Station Noon Lions Club, the Men’s Garden Club, American Legion Post 159, and the Brazos Valley Chapters of the U.S. Air Force Association and the Military Officers Association of America
He and his wife, Carolyn K. West, Class of 1988, have four children, two of whom attended Texas A&M, and three grandchildren.
“My life without being a Texas Aggie is unimaginable. During 1950-1956, I developed a deep and abiding love for Texas A&M, the Aggie spirit and the comradeship we enjoy.”
Graham
Weston ’86
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Year Awarded: 2018
San Antonio, TX
A business entrepreneur since he was a seventh-grader, Weston today creates ventures that help San Antonio entrepreneurs and is helping to reshape part of the historic core of the city into a tech district. His Weston Urban development firm is partnering with the city to revitalize the west downtown area.
As a student at A&M, he was involved with Town Hall, the Entrepreneur Club, Photography Committee and Bonfire.
In 1998, he helped cofound cloud computing firm Rackspace Hosting, and has served as its CEO and chairman of its board. His past real estate development has included San Antonio’s Weston Centre. He co-founded Geekdom, a collaborative coworking space for San Antonio startups, and his 80/20 Foundation invests in nonprofits that improve San Antonio’s tech entrepreneur ecosystem.
He was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., in 2014. In 2005, he was honored by the City of San Antonio for converting one of his vacant properties into a temporary shelter for more than 2,500 victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At Texas A&M, he supports agricultural economics and entrepreneurship programs, making many personal visits to classes; he has also invested in increasing cloud computing education in San Antonio.
Weston has been a 10-year member of The Association’s Century Club and has supported the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship and contributed to teaching excellence and education.
His family includes wife Elizabeth and three sons, Glenn, Grant '21 and Gage.
“Dr. Litzenberg’s sales course taught me more than selling products. It taught me how to sell myself, which is a critical skill. It truly changed my life.”
- Graham Weston '86