Doris and Joseph P.
Watson Jr. ’42
direct link to this listing
J.P. Watson served as CEO and Owner of HGI Corporation and held various Engineering and Management positions with Cities Service Oil Company, Columbia Fuel Corporation and Southeastern Public Service Company. He has served Texas A&M students by endowing a President’s Endowed Scholarship.
Peggy and Wellington G.
Watson ’44
direct link to this listing
Kingwood, TX
After a 37 year career, W.G. Watson retired from Exxon USA as a Division Scout. He served as Vice President of the International Oil Scouts Association, a Boy Scout Master and is on the board of the Kingwood Area Emergency Medical Association. Peggy Watson earned degrees from Texas Woman’s University.
Diane and A. Greg
Walla ’79
direct link to this listing
Houston, TX
The ties that bind Greg Walla ’79 to Texas A&M go to his core. Born to two University of Texas graduates, he doesn’t know what gave him that last motivational push to attend Texas A&M, “but I’m sure glad I did,” he said. “This great university provided a solid foundation for me.”
At Texas A&M, it’s character that’s celebrated most enthusiastically, he said, not status. An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal. “And it’s true,” he said. It’s no coincidence that excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service characterize a graduate of Texas A&M. “That’s what is expected from an Aggie,” he said. “Even today, when I walk around campus, Aggies look different and act differently from other students,” he said. That makes Walla proud, because if there’s one thing for which he’s known, it’s his commitment to living out the core values. Walla runs his business, Comanche Contractors in Houston, in the same manner. He’s twice been honored with recognition by Aggie 100, a list of the fastest growing Aggie-owned businesses, and he was included in the Houston Fast 100 awards. He attributes his success in part to the education he received in Aggieland. That’s why he joined the Endowed Century Club, he said, “to help others receive the education I did.” Ever since he watched neighboring homes be built as a child, Walla knew that he wanted to be in construction and build something great. Through Texas A&M, he received the training for the tangible buildings. Through being an Aggie, he’s building the intangible through his support of Texas A&M. Texas A&M made a difference in his life, and he’s dedicated to making a difference because of it.“Wherever I go in the world, if I see an Aggie Ring, I know I have found a friend and an ally,” he said.
Sara and E. L.
Walker, Jr. ’53
direct link to this listing
Houston, TX
E. L. “Spur” Walker, Jr. ’53 graduated from Texas A&M College with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He attended Yale University and received a certificate from the Yale Bureau of Highway Traffic in 1958. In 1995, he retired after 30 years as senior vice president and member of the board of directors of the international consulting engineering firm of Wilbur Smith Associates. Since retirement, he and Sara have been on numerous trips with the Traveling Aggies.
The education received in civil engineering and leadership training in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M College has lasted a lifetime along with the friendship of my classmates in the Class of ’53 that are highly valued. Therefore, it was important for Sara and me to share some of our financial success with Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students! We have also endowed 12th Man Foundation scholarships.
JoAnn ’92 and Robert L. "Bob"
Walker ’58
direct link to this listing
College Station, TX
Robert Walker ’58 graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he then went on to get his master’s degree in education at Pepperdine University. He returned to Texas A&M to receive his doctorate in education administration. He has worked at Texas A&M for over 47 years, currently serving as the senior executive for development.
One of his fondest memories during his time at Texas A&M was when he met his wife-to-be, JoAnn Nolen, on the steps of Sbisa Dining Hall. They were later married in 1958, in the All Faiths Chapel on campus. They have four children, all of which graduated from Texas A&M.
Nell and Alfred H.
Walker ’36
direct link to this listing
After serving 35 years with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Fred Walker became a rancher in 1972 at Walker Ranch in Comstock, Texas. He was first lieutenant and captain in the U.S. Cavalry and Air Force, and a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Troy P.
Wakefield ’38
direct link to this listing
Troy Wakefield had a successful career in Oil & Gas Production and Investments. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Wakefield Corporation and Dreamers Oil, Inc. and Vice President of the Southern Mid-Continent Petroleum Corporation. Wakefield served his alma mater by serving as a Trustee on the Texas A&M Research Foundation and was on the planning committee for the Memorial Student Center and Rudder Tower.
Mary E. and Harry C.
Voss ’42
direct link to this listing
Gatesville, TX
Harry C. Voss ’42 graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air Force from 1941 – 1946. In 1950, he went to work for Union Oil Company of California, in Houston, Texas. From 1962 – 1966, Harry was a registered petroleum engineer consultant.
My loyalty to Texas A&M and the lasting effect A&M has had on my life is why I wanted to give back.
Martha and Phil
Vogel ’79
direct link to this listing
Houston, TX
Phil graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Distribution in 1979. After graduating Phil began working at Baker Hughes and rose to the rank of president, production quest. He has over 25 years of increasingly senior experience with Baker Hughes in domestic and international operating roles. He then served as president for Tervita Corporation. He currently serves as CEO for Top-Co Holding Inc. Phil and his wife, Martha, have one child, Carl '15.
While the University has grown and changed through the years, the Core Values and our Traditions continue to be the foundation. This is something that needs to be preserved for future generations and passed on with each new class of Aggies. It's important to give back to the institution that gave us so much.
Kathleen and William F.
Urban ’66
direct link to this listing
Kingston, WA
William F. Urban Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural construction in 1968. After graduation he went to work for General Construction. Since 1984, Urban has worked in management until his retirement as President and CEO in 2003. He helped grow General in to the premier heavy marine construction company on the west coast. Urban served as the 2002 – 2003 President of The Beavers Inc., a social and honorary organization for companies and individuals in the heavy engineering construction industry. Bill and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Kingston, WA and have three adult sons, Jonathan ’96, William and David.
Charles F.
Underriner Jr. ’50
direct link to this listing
After completing his military service, Charles received his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering in 1950. He worked for Magnolia Petroleum/Mobil Oil Company for 34 years and served on the Board of The Association of Former Students as International Vice President. This gift is in memory of Mr. Albert R. McNeil ’30 and Underriner’s sister, Mrs. A.R. McNeil.
Mary and William W.
Tyler ’81
direct link to this listing
Wichita, KS
Texas A&M’s spirit and traditions were what drew William Walter Tyler to Texas A&M in 1977. His favorite of all the traditions is the Aggie Ring because it embodies what A&M is all about. Tyler graduated in 1981 with a degree in safety engineering and is Senior Vice President of Safety and Health at Georgia-Pacific Corp. Tyler and his wife say that A&M has been a major part of the blessings in their lives. They hope their gift will provide others with opportunities similar to what they have been blessed with.
Cynthia L. ’87 and Tommy "Chip" L.
Twomey II ’87
direct link to this listing
San Antonio, Texas
Chip graduated from Texas A&M with a BS degree in Agricultural Economics and a Masters degree in Land Economics and Real Estate. Chip is currently the Director of Property Taxes for Tesoro Companies, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. He started his career as a commercial real estate appraiser in Houston. A move to Alaska in the mid 90's exposed him to the ad valorem tax valuation field. Upon moving back to Texas, he spent 10 years with Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers in their state and local tax groups. Chip is a CMI, a designation from the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT). He has been an instructor at IPT's Personal Property Tax School for 10 years. Chip was a charter member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity at Texas A&M.
Cindy graduated from Texas A&M summa cum laude with a BBA degree in Accounting. She started her career with KPMG and earned her CPA. She worked 9 years with Pool Oil Field Services in various positions as Manager of audit, Controller (Alaska Operations), and Assistant Treasurer. Her most rewarding time has been since she left the workforce doing volunteer work while raising Jared and Jacob, classes of '17 and '18.
James E.
Turner ’83
direct link to this listing
Sugar Land, TX
James Turner is a 1983 graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. In 2011 he was inducted into the Texas A&M Chemical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
He is an Executive Process Director in Fluor's Sugar Land Office. He currently manages the Houston Process Technology and Engineering group, which has over 250 Process Engineers working on projects for Fluor Clients. Prior to working for Fluor, he worked for Teledyne Analytical Instruments from 1984-1988.
He has more than 25 years of experience in process design for a wide range of projects in the refining and gas processing industry, in domestic and international locations.
He has published and presented many technical articles about process design and project execution, and holds patents for a combined hydrotreater process design. He has served as a panelist on the NPRA Q&A Panel.
Active in several professional organizations, he is currently the Past Chair of the South Texas Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). He is also a Trustee on AIChE Foundation Board, and has held several positions with AIChE, including member of the Executive Board Programming Committee, and several positions with the Fuels and Petrochemicals Division, including Chair of the Division. In 2012 he received the Fuels and Petrochemicals Service Award for distinguished service to the division and industry.
Clarine and Huel C.
Tucker ’53
direct link to this listing
Longview, TX
Huel Tucker, an electronic engineer, was a research and engineering specialist with Monsanto Company for 30 years at Texas City; St. Louis; Dayton, Ohio; and Pensacola, Florida. He holds several patents and has produced publications on electronic control and analytical instruments design. Clarine Tucker is a teacher, and author and a Certified Tree Farmer.