Mary Ann and Ray '48
Holbrook
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Santa Fe, TX
Ray Holbrook ’48 marched in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, was in the Corps of Cadets, studied engineering, ran on the cross country team and was the third leg in the 1948 mile relay team that won the national championship.
How did he accomplish so much? “We didn’t have to worry about girls back then,” he laughed. “That saved a lot of time.”
Following in uncle’s footsteps—E.G. Eagleston, Class of 1913—Holbrook came to Texas A&M in 1944. His freshman year, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He was gone 15 months. When he returned, he again picked up his trombone and track shoes.
“You learn discipline when you go to school at Texas A&M,” he said. Being an Aggie “has meant everything to my career,” he said. “Being an Aggie and having an A&M degree helped me get a job and then get elected to the State Board of Education and County Judge of Galveston County.”
His experiences at Texas A&M helped him step out of Aggieland with confidence, but also keep Texas A&M fondly in his memories. He remembers riding his bicycle across campus to get to class and getting up early for 6 a.m. band practice on the field behind the band hall. He remembers one road trip to Baton Rouge for a football game. The opposing team would wet down the football field to give them another home field advantage. After slipping and sliding across the field himself with the band, “I couldn’t get my boots off,” he said. “I had to sleep in them.”
Holbrook can still repeat the campusology he had to learn as a freshman cadet in 1944—“Lawrence Sullivan Ross, 1838-1898, Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman…” he quoted from the Sully statue.
One of his favorite memories is from Silver Taps, when nothing but moonlight illuminates what he believes is Texas A&M’s most solemn tradition. “Just hearing those trumpets—it gives me goose bumps,” he said.
Another tradition in which he believes strongly is that Aggies help Aggies. “I had the GI Bill to finance my education, but most students have little family resources and need scholarships and loans to attend A&M,” he said. He joined the Endowed Century Club to encourage the Aggie Spirit and help students.
“The lessons I learned at Texas A&M have stuck with me all my life,” he said. “I want to help others experience what I did.”
Kristi M. and Erik L.
Hoover '88
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Cedar Park, TX
First-generation Aggie Erik Hoover ’88 came to Texas A&M University with a blank slate as to what the university would be like or how much he would grow in the four years that he called Aggieland home. But after a college career full of engineering classes, leadership positions and organizational involvement, he knew he had made the right decision.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, Erik gained experience and knowledge at various engineering firms around the state, including Brigham Exploration and Statoil USA. He is now CEO of ATX Energy Partners in Austin and credits part of his booming career to his time at A&M. “The pride, the network and opportunities that have been generated have opened more doors than anyone can imagine,” he said. “No doubt that a huge part of my successful career began on the day I stepped on campus in 1984.”
Through their Endowed Century Club gift, Erik and his wife, Kristi, are proud to play a part in securing the future of Texas A&M — and the fact that they now have two Aggie children, Rylie ’19 and Payton ’22, makes the connection that much more special. “It’s a blessing to be able to give back to the university that not only changed my life, but is also changing and molding the lives of my children,” Erik said. “Most people will never truly know the Spirit of Aggieland. I am fortunate to have experienced it as a student and a parent of two children.”
Kathleen A. and James T. '68
Hopper
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Dallas, TX
James earned his bachelor's in Industrial Technology. James then begin his successful career as the Logic Design Engineer with Collins Radio Company. He then served from 1970 to 1972 as Lieutenant of the Army Corp of Engineers in Taegu Korea and Fort Hood, Texas. After his time spent as the Systems Engineer with Rockwell International
Teri B. '89 and Robert D. '89
Horswell
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Cypress, TX
Teri B. '89 and Robert D. '89 Horswell Endowed Century Club Fund
Houston A&M Club
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Houston A&M Club was chartered in 1923 and serves more than 30,000 Houston area Aggies. The Club has established two 12th Man Endowed Scholarships, a Texas A&M President’s Endowed Scholarship, two Endowed Opportunity Award Scholarships, and awards Opportunity Award Scholarships to Houston area students.
Kristi Sherrill '86 and Ron
Hoyl
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Dallas, TX
Kristi Sherrill Hoyl graduated from Texas A&M in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in political science before completing her master’s in public administration in 1988.
During her time at A&M, Hoyl was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and was involved in several Student Government Association committees, including The Big Event and Parents Weekend. The experiences she gained through these organizations are some of Hoyl’s most fond memories as a student.
Also integral to Hoyl’s time at A&M was the support system that she was able to create and weave around her. Describing Texas A&M as a “special place that draws special people,” Hoyl thrived from the influence and support of others. It was through this support system and the education she received at Texas A&M that Hoyl was armed with the tools she would need to succeed in the next chapter of her life.
With such a large impact left on her life from her time as a student at Texas A&M, it became incredibly important to Hoyl to “help others achieve their dreams.” She feels as though, “TAMU gives young people the tools to change the world, or their community, or their neighborhood,” and made the decision with her husband, Ron, to become Endowed Century Club members. Citing humble beginnings and the intangible teachings learned at the university, Hoyl “came from a small Texas town and left TAMU ready to conquer the big world.”
Jennifer B. Hillman ’04 and David L. Beal, Jr. 2007
in memory of David L. Beal 1981
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Woodway, TX
Amy S. and Scott W.
Jeffrey '87 in Honor and Memory of Amber N. Jeffrey
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Fulshear, TX
Johnita D. '83 and Bill B. '81
Jones
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Austin, TX
Johnita D. '83 and Bill B. '81 Jones Endowed Century Club Fund
Jessie W. and Leland T.
Jordan
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Leland Jordan managed Gulf Oil operations in Venezuela and headed the Kuwait Oil Company, Ltd. from its creation in 1948 until his retirement in 1962. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for service to British interests in Kuwait.
Jessie Jordan was active in state and national patriotic organizations. She endowed the Jordan Institute for International Awareness at A&M after her husband’s death in 1976.
Elizabeth K. and William F.
Kalinec, Jr. '65
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Montgomery, TX
Elizabeth K. and William F. Kalinec, Jr. '65 Endowed Century Club Fund
Laura H. and William R.
Kelsey '92
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Houston, TX
Given in honor and memory of Dr. Mavis P. Kelsey '32 and Mr. Burl B. Hulsey, Jr. '39
Jennifer M. '98 and Ryan B. '97
Lamothe
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Richmond, TX
Jennifer and Ryan Lamothe were inspired to give back to Texas A&M by their involvement as students. Jennifer was a T-Camp counselor and in the Management Society. Ryan volunteered at Bonfire and was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. They both played intramural sports, enjoyed Aggie baseball and football, and participated in traditions like Midnight Yell Practice and Silver Taps. “All these traditions created treasured memories of our time at Texas A&M. We are eager to see them continue and thrive for future generations,” Jennifer said. The couple appreciates all opportunities to return to Aggieland. “We treasure each opportunity to come back to Texas A&M and watch a sporting event, enjoy the Bush library, eat at some of our favorite restaurants or just walk across campus.” They also understand the power of the Aggie Network. “Whether at work or out and about, whether living in Texas or living overseas, on vacation in the US or anywhere in the world, seeing another Aggie Ring is an instant connection and cause for conversation. You immediately know you have had similar experiences and share common values.” Further they explained, “The Aggie experience is one that will shape the rest of your life, from friendships to business relationships, it will define who you are and how you go through life.”
Mellisa M. '78 and Jim C. '76
Ledlow
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Houston, TX
Mellisa M. '78 and Jim C. '76 Ledlow Endowed Century Club Fund