Jesse L. Easterwood ’09
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Year Awarded: 2009

Wills Point, TX

Easterwood, Class of 1909, studied agriculture at Texas A&M, leaving in 1909 to pursue business opportunities in Mexia, where he would become one of the town’s leading citizens. As a student, he was a member of B Company Infantry and played second base on the baseball team.



Upon the United States’ declaration of war on Germany in 1917, Easterwood sold his business and volunteered for duty as an aviator. He would become one of the first Americans qualified to fly as a naval aviator and sailed to Europe with the first group of American pilots to serve overseas in World War I. He completed 16 missions deep behind German lines and later saw service with the air forces of France and Italy. By the end of the War, Easterwood was one of only three survivors from the original group of 68 American pilots.



After the war, Easterwood remained in the Navy, flying the dangerous early airmail experiments. As a naval lieutenant he took it upon himself to fly all aircraft with mechanical problems and perished while attempting an emergency landing in a seaplane with a notoriously bad engine.



Easterwood was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic deeds during World War I. In 1940, Texas A&M paid tribute to his service by naming its new flying field - now known as Easterwood Airport - in his memory.

"Lt. Easterwood exemplified the values on which this institution was founded - duty, honor and service. His life illustrated the leadership abilities TAMU instills and values in other great Aggies such as Earl Rudder ’32, including leading from the front, inspiring by example and never asking others to do what he was not willing to do himself."

  - Stephen H. Lucy ’82

David G. Eller ’59
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Year Awarded: 2016

Houston, TX

DAVID G. ELLER ’59 received bachelor’s degrees in business administration and geological engineering; as a student, he was a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band commanding officer, Limestone County A&M Club president and on the Fish Football Team.

He is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Celltex Therapeutics Corp.; previous positions include president of DuPont Pharmaceuticals-Europe; CEO and president of Virbac Corp.; and founder, chairman and CEO of Granada BioSciences.

The youngest chair ever selected to lead The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, he was a member of the board 1983-89, served as chairman 1985-89, and for a time was simultaneously System chancellor. He was the first in A&M’s history to be awarded the title of chairman emeritus. During his time as chair, the Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences & Technology in Houston and the Texas Institute of Oceanography in Galveston were created and A&M’s Research Park were established, and the university launched its first capital campaign.

For many accomplishments such as these, the David G. Eller Oceanography & Meteorology Building on A&M’s campus was named in his honor.

He is a member of The Association’s Endowed Century Club and has established several A&M scholarships.

Eller has served on boards including the Texas Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership, Baylor College of Medicine, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Allied Bancshares, First Interstate Bank, the Houston Ballet and the Rice University Energy and Environmental Systems Institute. He is a lifetime director of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and has supported 4-H programs in several counties.

He served eight years as an officer on active duty and reserves in the U.S. Army.

His family includes wife Candy and sons David Erik Eller ’93 and Dirk Gustaf Eller ’94, as well as brother James M. Eller ’53.

Charles A. "Chuck" Ellison ’76
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Year Awarded: 2014

College Station, TX

Charles A. "Chuck" Ellison '76, a veteran of the U.S. Army’s JAG Corps, is the founding shareholder of The Ellison Firm in Brazos County. He was named the 2013 Texas Aggie Bar Association Aggie Lawyer of the Year, is Past Chair of The Association of Former Students Board of Directors and a founding trustee of the Texas A&M University System Political Action Committee. A company commander and Ross Volunteer, he received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas A&M, graduating cum laude. He earned his law degree from Texas Tech in 1979. He and his wife, Tedi ’90, are Endowed Century Club donors to The Association of Former Students and, together with Barbara and Arno ’64 Krebs, made possible the Memories exhibit on the Neely Mezzanine. Ellison served on the Vision 2020 Mid-Term Review Committee and has been an active volunteer in the Bryan-College Station community, including serving as a board member of St. Joseph Health System, chair of the Hospice Brazos Valley Ethics Committee, Campaign Chair of United Way, Chair of the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley and a member of the Charter Review Committee for the City of College Station. He is a founding member of the Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education and a member of A&M United Methodist Church. He has served on the board of directors of several area businesses, including The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station. Ellison has two daughters, Kim Russell ’02 and Courtney Harvell ’05, and two granddaughters. He and Tedi live in College Station.

"It is a true blessing in any life to have lifelong friends who are present with you in the good time and the tough times. That is what my Aggie buddies have been and still are to me."

Robert A. Epstein ’44
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Year Awarded: 2013

Houston, TX

Robert A. Epstein, Class of 1944, left the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas in 1942 to serve in the United States Army, and then returned to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business. As a student in the Corps of Cadets, Epstein was First Sergeant and Battery Commander of G Battery Coast Artillery and a Ross Volunteer. In the Army, Epstein attained the rank of Captain in the Corps of Engineers in the U. S. Army in World War II and Korea, earning six Battle Stars and the Bronze Star Medal as a Combat Engineer Unit Commander and S-1. While serving in the Philippines in 1946, Epstein attended the 1946 Muster on Corregidor. He is pictured in the now famous portrait taken in the mouth of Malinta Tunnel.



After graduation in 1948, he began a career in insurance and attended both Basic Life Insurance School and Advanced Life Insurance School at the Aetna Life Insurance Company. His career in the insurance industry was interrupted when he was recalled to serve in Korea in 1950, but he returned to civilian life in 1952 to work as a self-employed life insurance and casualty insurance agent until 1981. He spent the final 15 years as partner and Chairman of the Board for The GEM Agencies, Inc., and Chairman of the Board for Insurance Agencies of the Southwest, Inc. During this time he held memberships and leadership roles in several professional organizations, such as The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, for which he served as a member of the Board of Governors and a member of the National Faculty; the Certified Professional Insurance Advisors Society; The Insurance Fire Mark Society, for which he served as National President; the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, for which he served as State of Texas President, Texas National Director from 1978 to 1987 and National Vice President; the National Executive Committee from 1980 to 1982; the National Association of Insurance Management Consultants; the Kemper Agents Advisory Council; the Aetna Life and Casualty Million Dollar Group Club; and the Aetna Life and Casualty Group Leaders Club. From 1973 to 1979, Epstein served on the National Board of Governors for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and also served as a member of the National Faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and the National Faculty of the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.



Epstein holds three professional designations—Associate in Risk Management, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Professional Insurance Advisor. He was named Insurance Counselor of the Year by the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas in 1976, and received a Distinguished Service Award in 1988 from both the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas and the Certified Professional Insurance Agents Society. He was regularly recruited as a speaker and educator for insurance certification seminars, and was instrumental in establishing the risk manager license for the Texas Board of Insurance. A retired insurance agent and risk manager, Epstein is in constant demand as a trial consultant and expert witness in the field of risk management. He developed seminars for training of candidates for the designation of Associate in Risk Management and pioneered the application of risk management practices into the agency production field. In 1981, Epstein left the GEM Agencies to found Risktech, Inc., an independent risk management consulting firm for which he served as CEO and operated until his retirement in 1991.



Epstein has been an active member of society, both in Houston and Galveston. He has served as president of both the Terramar Beach Property Owners Association in Galveston and the Raintree Property Owners Association in Houston. He is past president of Westwood Country Club, Houston Lighthouse for the Blind, and was a founding member of the Houston City Club. A member of The Houston Society, Epstein is a former regional Board member of the Anti-Defamation League, and a 50-year Master Mason, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. He is a past president of the Brotherhood of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, where he also served as a vice president and a member of the Board and Executive Committee. He has been active in La Confrérie des la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs—at the local, regional, national and international levels—and has served in many positions, including Grand Senechal d’ America. He was awarded the coveted Conseil d’ Honneur – Paris, Conseil d’ Honneur – Amerique, and he was a founding member of l’ Académie de Gastronomie Brillat-Savarin. Other wine society memberships include Les Amis d’Escoffier and Amici della Vite.



Epstein has remained active at Texas A&M over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for The Association of Former Students, as Class Agent and Class Agent Emeritus for the Class of 1944, president of the Sul Ross Group in 2003, on the Corps of Cadets Development Council, Texas A&M Hillel, the Houston A&M Club and the Ross Volunteer Association. He has supported a Class pillar within the Memorial Student Center, 12 scholarships from the Class of 1944, the Texas A&M Foundation, the 12th Man Foundation and the Corps of Cadets.



Epstein resides in Houston. He and his late wife, Carolyn, who passed away in September 2011, had three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Epstein, his son, Ross ’70, and grandson, Evan ’03, are all Ross Volunteers.

I gained confidence while at Texas A&M. If I could make it through four years at Texas A&M in the 40's and survive, there is nothing that life could hand me that I could not handle. Of course, a degree from a highly acclaimed world class university certainly did not hurt. To present myself to the world as an Aggie opened all of the doors I wanted to open.

Sterling C. Evans ’21
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Year Awarded: 1973

Medina County, TX

Sterling Evans’ life has been one of unselfish dedication to improving conditions for farmers and ranchers across Texas and the Southwest. Throughout his lifetime career in agriculture, Evans has contributed his time, talents, and resources in support of youth programs in agriculture and research to develop better agricultural methods.



Evans was born in Medina County, Texas, in 1899. He attended grade school at Melon in Frio County and graduated from Uvalde High School in 1917. He then enrolled at Texas A&M and graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. While a student at A&M, he was a member of the YMCA Cabinet, the Ross Volunteers, and The Battalion staff.



Upon graduation, he spent seven years as State 4-H Club leader for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service before being named Direct Extension Agent in the Lubbock Area, a post he held in 1933. The next year, Evans was selected to become the first president of the Houston Bank of Cooperatives. In December 1940, he was elected president of the Federal Bank in Houston. During the 18 years Evans headed the land bank, he initiated programs to rehabilitate the National Farm Loan Associations across Texas and to consolidate the associations for more efficient service to the farmers of the state. In 1950, Evans took on the added duty of General Agent for the Farm Credit Banks of Houston and nine years later resigned to devote full time to his farm and ranch interests in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico.



In 1971, he concluded the second of two six-year terms on the Texas A&M University System Board of Directors. He was president of the board from 1963 to 1965. He also served as trustee of the Texas A&M Development Foundation, the Texas A&M Research Foundation, and The Association of Former Students Loan Fund. He was the first chairman of the “Friends of the Texas A&M University Library”, a group formed in 1971. Under his leadership, the Friends raised $120,000 in 1972.

"Mr. Evans was the best of the best—the epitome of what all Aggies wish they could be. He served generously and always unselfishly."

  - Dr. Haskell Monroe, Jr., Dean of Faculties Emeritus

R. A. "Murray" Fasken ’38
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Year Awarded: 1981

Toronto, Canada

Fasken received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1938. He served in the United States Army from 1941-1946. Fasken began his career at Midland National Bank in 1950 as a teller and was named president of the bank in 1958, serving in that position until 1964, at which time he was named chairman of the board.



Fasken was a long time civic leader in Midland, Texas serving as president of the Midland Chamber of Commerce and the Midland College Board.



Fasken supported Texas A&M by contributing funds to the Center for Education and Research, the 12th Man Foundation and establishing several President Endowed Scholarships. He also gave his time and talent by serving on the Texas A&M University Development Foundation and assisted in efforts to recruit students and athletes to attend Texas A&M.

"Murray Fasken has quietly done everything possible for Texas A&M. He does it so quietly that most of us don’t even know to say thank you."

  - Joe Hiram Moore '38, classmate

Raul B. Fernandez ’59
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Year Awarded: 2007

Laredo, TX

Raul B. Fernandez, class of 1959, received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. During his time as a student, Fernandez was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and was President of the Laredo A&M Hometown Club.



Fernandez began his career in 1960 with H. B. Zachry Co. in San Antonio. In 1961 he reported for a two year tour of duty in Germany, U. S. Army Artillery, where he attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant.



Upon his return to San Antonio in 1963, he was associated with H. B. Zachry Properties and J. H. Uptmore & Associates, where he was promoted to senior vice president in 1985. In 1990, Fernandez started his own building, development, and real estate investment company.



Throughout his career, Fernandez has been committed to public and higher education in the state of Texas, having served eighteen years as a public school district trustee and on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In 1990, he was honored with the naming of the Raul B. Fernandez Elementary School in San Antonio’s Northside Independent School District.



Fernandez has been actively involved with Texas A&M, having served as president of the Association of Former Students and the San Antonio A&M Club. He also served as Chairman of the Corps of Cadets Development Council and as Vice Chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.



Fernandez has been sought after as an Aggie Muster speaker and has made over twenty Muster presentations in Texas, the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and in 2005 he spoke at Muster in San Salvador, El Salvador.



Born in Laredo, Raul and his wife Sylvia, class of 1988, have three children, William, Monica, class of 1984, and Michael, class of 1988, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

"You could not find a more outstanding graduate to serve as a role model of what an old Ag can mean to this university, but he has the vision to inspire and promote others to follow in his footsteps and become more than they know they can be, future leaders in their communities, university and state. As well as honor him, we would do well to clone him!"

  - Tommie Lohman ’59, Distinguished Alumnus, 2012

Jack Finney ’38
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Year Awarded: 1992

Commerce, TX

Finney received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1938. His endeavors include a wholesale bakery, investment management, commercial/residential development and construction, and managing quarter horses. He was named Director Emeritus of the Texas A&M System Board of Directors and was instrumental in hiring football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

"My father Jack Finney, truly represents the greatest qualities that make the word ‘Aggie’ so special that only another Aggie would understand. I don’t remember when I first understood all the facets and dimensions such a word would encompass, but I do know it was a part of my life as I observed from my father in action. His love for A&M has been apparent to all who know him."

  - Jean Finney Townsend, daughter

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

William H. "Bill" Flores ’76
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Year Awarded: 2010

Bryan, TX

Flores received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and received a Master of Business Administration from Houston Baptist University in 1985. As a student at Texas A&M, Flores was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Ross Volunteers. He was vice president of the Memorial Student Center and the student body’s vice president of finance.



Flores pursued a career managing the finances of several businesses and was chosen as chief financial officer for a string of successful energy companies, ultimately becoming the CEO and president of Phoenix Exploration Co., from which he recently retired to pursue public service.



Flores was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the Mays Business School in 2003, and he and his wife, Gina, were honored as Fish Camp namesakes in 2008. They are among Texas A&M’s most generous benefactors, having funded many scholarships programs and endowments to the College of Education, the Mays Business School and the Corps of Cadets. Due to Flores’ generous support of the project to enhance the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Center, the Great Hall was renamed Flores Hall in their honor.



Flores served as chair of The Association of Former Students in 2007 and is a member of the 12th Man Foundation Athletic Ambassadors Council, the Mays Business School Development Council, and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Development Council. He is an Endowed Century Club member and an active participant in the Brazos County A&M Club.

"The Aggie Network that I formed at Texas A&M is still the deepest and most important group of relationships that I have outside of the relationships that I have with my wife, Gina, and my family. The members of that core group of friends serve as my advisors, mentors, and accountability partners. Without their friendship and support, I would certainly not be as fulfilled as I am today."

  - William H. "Bill" Flores '76, Distinguished Alumnus, 2010