Amy P. ’83 and Larry R.
Bloomquist ’79
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Austin, TX
Amy and Larry Bloomquist can sum up their feelings toward Texas A&M in one word: gratitude. Since leaving Aggieland, the two have continued to support Texas A&M in various leadership positions: Larry as former president of Capital City A&M Club, member of The Association of Former Students’ Board of Directors, past chair the 12th Man Foundation’s board of trustees, and currently a member of the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Council; Amy as member of the Texas A&M Planned Giving Council and member and sponsor of the Austin A&M Mothers’ Club. “The Association supports so many A&M programs and clubs throughout the country that strengthen the Aggie Network,” Larry said. “We felt becoming endowed members was important since the Aggie Network has been so instrumental in the success of our careers and lives.” Amy is a board-certified estate planning attorney and Larry recently sold his HVAC manufacturer’s rep firm, but stays active in the company. They are proud parents of two Aggie children, Randall ’15 and Rachel ’20.
Dennis A.
Blagrave ’70
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Iola, TX
This gift was given in honor of his parents, R.A. and Beth Blagrave.
R.A. (Ashley) and Beth Blagrave grew up in Madison County, Texas, where they met as teenagers. Shortly after they married and moved to Houston, Beth worked in a furniture store while Ashley, who had since joined the Navy, was away at the war. In 1945, when he returned, Ashley went to work for Ms. Baird’s for eleven years and then went to work for Able Supply and Huber Construction for 29 years. Ashley retired as Executive Vice President from Able and was a consultant for General Refractories for four years. Their numerous children and grandchildren have been blessed by the education, fellowship and traditions of Texas A&M University.
We hope that the lives of other aspiring students will be enhanced as have the lives of our descendants who attended and/or graduated from TAMU.
Faye and John M.
Blackshear ’81
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Seabrook, TX
Murray Blackshear ’81 is President of the Texas HMO, known as Texas HealthSpring in Seabrook, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Management and in 2000 was part of a new start up healthcare company that currently owns and manages HMO’s in Nashville, Tennessee, Birmingham, Alabama and Houston, Texas.
Texas A&M has always been a part of my life. Growing up with a dad that went to Texas A&M meant many trips to Aggieland to see football games, bonfire, midnight yell practice or any other excuse he could come up with for us to pile into the car and head to College Station. I could not have imagined going to any other school.
Shirley and Donald F.
Birkelbach ’70
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College Station, TX
Don received both his bachelors and masters degrees in chemistry from Texas A&M University in 1970 and 1971 respectively. After serving three years as an officer in the US Navy, Don joined The Dow Chemical Company in 1974. Don and Shirley both attended the University of Houston-Clear Lake and Shirley graduated with a bachelors degree in marketing and Don received his masters of business administration in personnel management both in 1979. During a successful career with Dow that spanned 27 years, Don held several positions in plastics research and development, manufacturing and human resources. Don was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Former Students for the College of Science in 2000.
In 2001, after retiring from Dow, Don joined the Texas A&M Foundation. He served as the Senior Director of Development for the College of Science until 2010 and as the Assistant Vice President for Development leading the development efforts for the Look College of Engineering until 2012. He currently serves as the Senior Regional Director of Major Gifts for the Gulf Coast area. Don and Shirley reside in College Station and have 2 daughters and two son-in laws, all Aggies. Sandra ‘ 04 and Justin ’05 Bruce reside in Angleton and Candace ’07 and Christopher Suchma ’03 reside in Austin. They have one grandson Zachariah Bruce ’35 (hopefully).
Suzanne and Randall P.
Birdwell ’78
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The Woodlands, TX
Randall P. Birdwell ’78 began his housing career with a national builder in 1978. Emerald Builders, under his leadership as president and chief executive officer, went on to become one of the top 60 builders in the nation receiving numerous state and national awards. In July 2001, Randy sold Emerald to D. R. Horton – America’s Builder the nation’s largest homebuilder. He currently serves as the central region president and is on the company’s operating committee. Randy graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.
Texas A&M provided me the opportunity to succeed as a leader in the corps and a civil engineering student. Texas A&M provided part of the foundation for success in business.
Joyce and John R.
Birdwell ’53
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College Station, TX
J.R. “Dick” Birdwell is a retired Consulting Engineer for the states of Michigan, Louisiana and Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. Dick is a co-class agent for the class of 1953 and serves on the Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee and the College of Engineering Doctor of Engineering Program Committee. The Birdwells have funded a Presidential Endowed Scholarship, several Sul Ross Scholarships, and a Rudder Scholarship and have endowed the Joyce and Dick Birdwell Civil Engineering Teaching Award.
Denise and Jorge A.
Bermudez ’73
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College Station, TX
Jorge is a Past Board Chair of The Association of Former Students. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and went on to receive a master’s degree in the same field. He is President and CEO of the Byebrook Group, a small firm dedicated to research and advisory work in the financial services industry. Jorge is the former Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup. Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Commercial Business Group in North America, as well as Citibank Texas. During his 30-year career with Citibank/Citigroup, he held the following positions: Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup Latin America; Executive Vice President and Head of Global Cash Management and Trade; President of Citibank Argentina and Head of the South America Division; Head of Credit Policy and Risk for International Banking; Head of Risk for the Corporate Banking Division in North America. Jorge currently serves as director on the following boards: The Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; The Council of the Americas, New York; The Americas Society, New York; and The Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley. A selfless leader to Texas A&M University, Jorge serves on the International Board, the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Development Council, the Mays Business School Development Council. A recipient of the Tyrus R.Timm Honor Registry Award, he was recently recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Jorge and his wife Denise have four children, Jorge II, Andres, Elena and Antonio.
Blake R.
Berend ’03
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Houston, TX
Blake earned his Bachelor's in Business Administration in Information & Operations Management from Mays Business School in 2003. Upon graduating he then worked for Dell, Inc. from 2003 to 2009. He went back to school to earn his Masters of Business Administration from Texas A&M in 2010. Following the completion of his Master's degree he began working for ExxonMobil and is currently an Advisor for XTO Energy Incorporated.
May L.
Benke ’32
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May Benke was a self employed Geophysicist since 1970. He earned World War II medals as an officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Benke worked for The Texas Company (Texaco), Sinclair Oil & Gas Corporation, and several other firms from 1932-1970.
Anthony "Tony" R.
Benedetto ’68
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The Woodlands, TX
Tony Benedetto obtained his B.S. (1968), M.Eng. (1970), and Ph.D (1984) degrees in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M; an M.B.A. from Sul Ross State University (1976); and a J.D. from South Texas College of Law (2005). He served nine years on active duty with the U.S. Army, then continued in the reserves, retiring in the rank of Colonel. Tony worked his way through jobs as a power reactor health physicist, a medical center health physicist, a medical physicist, a nuclear medicine equipment design engineer, a radiology administrator, a Six Sigma reengineering leader, and, now, as an attorney (retired). At the present time, he is the principal of the Christian Dispute Resolution Ministry of The Woodlands and works with pastors to create church infrastructures that helps church members resolve conflict scripturally. Tony is grateful for the financial wisdom of his parents, which made it possible for him to endow his named scholarship.
Mary Lou and David
Behne ’52
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College Station, TX
David Behne ’52 graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering. From 1953 – 1955 Behne served in the United States Army as 1st Lieutenant. After serving in the military, he received his master’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M in 1959. In 1991, David retired from Electronic Data Systems as Vice President.
My wife and I appreciate the quality and values of today’s students. We enjoy living in College Station, interacting with the students and supporting their various activities. We would like to do what we can to help maintain the standards that make Aggies special.
Elizabeth and William J.
Beck ’42
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Colorado Springs, CO
William J. “Bill” Beck graduated with a Bachelor of Science Business degree from Texas A&M in 1942. He decided to expand his education and got his Masters of Science at George Washington University in International Affairs. Bill has now since retired with his wife Betty from a successful career, and has realized that giving back to Texas A&M was the thing to do in order to express the gratitude he has for the school that has made him the person he is today.
Donna and Charles E.
Beard, Jr. ’86
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Oakton, VA
Charles earned his degree in Political Science in 1986 from Texas A&M University. Upon graduating Charles joined the United States Air Force as a Space and Missile Operations Officer. He then attended the University of Montana and earned his Masters in Business Administration. Charles has had a very successful career while employed with companies like KPMG, BearingPoint, Oliver Wymans, the Science Applications International, and is currently the Principal for Forensic Services of PWC, LLP. Donna and Charles have two children Caroline '15 and Charles III.
Colleen C. and Pat C.
Beaird ’83
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Dallas, Texas
Pat Beaird graduated from Texas A&M University in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. In May of 1987, Pat co-founded Beaird Harris & Co., P.C., a CPA firm in Dallas, Texas. In May of 1996, he co-founded Beaird Harris Wealth Management, Inc., an investment advisory firm also in Dallas. The combined businesses currently employs 32 people in the Dallas area. Beaird Harris was recognized in Accounting Today’s list of “Best Accounting Firms to Work For in 2011,” ranking 24th in the United States. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, Beaird Harris was also recognized as one of “America’s Top CPA Firms” by CPA Wealth Provider Magazine. Pat's favorite tradition at Texas A&M is the 12th man, which he thinks symbolizes all that it means to be an Aggie! Everything about the 12th man points to loyalty and selfless service, two of the core values of our great University. It also symbolizes teamwork, a core value for success in today’s business world. Pat says it is as the saying goes - often imitated, never duplicated! Pat and his wife, Colleen, have three daughters, Morgan '11, Brooke and Rachel.
Texas A&M isn’t just a University, it’s like a worldwide family. The values I learned at Texas A&M are the same core values that form the heart and pulse of my business and my personal life, so the impact is huge.
Norma and Ervin A.
Baumann ’53
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Midland, TX
Upon graduation from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agriculture, Mr. Baumann served as a U.S. Air Force First Lieutenant at Lackland Air Force Base until 1959. He began a Farming and Ranching Operation that he runs with his son, Jon. The Midland Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Young Farmer in 1964.
Jordan R.
Baucum ’06
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San Ramon, CA
In 2006, Jordan Baucum graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing. Upon graduation Baucum went to work for Chevron Corporation in Latin America. Outside of work, Baucum serves as co-founder and board member of Building a Future, a non-profit organization whose mission is to transform communities by promoting the educational and social development of underprivileged children in Honduras. Today, the center opens its doors to approximately 120 students per day providing educational reinforcement to the community of Unidad y Fuerza.
Nan and Judge Ogden L.
Bass, Jr. '56
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Freeport, TX
Ogden Bass entered TAMC by receiving an athletic scholarship to play football for Coach Ray George in 1952. In 1954, Bass married his high school sweetheart, Nan Gayle Chambers. While at the college, Nan Gayle worked in the browsing library at the MSC. They lived on the second floor of a dairy barn owned by Professor A.L. Darnell. In 1956, Bass graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army, served in the armored cavalry, and attained the rank of Captain in the 1st Division, "Big Red One". Afterward, he attended The University of Texas School of Law earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Upon graduation from law school, his career path included many years of public service. He was an assistant Attorney General of the State of Texas and a briefing clerk for the Court of Criminal Appeals. Bass returned to Brazoria County as an Assistant District Attorney, and then was elected to four terms as the District Attorney of Brazoria County. After a brief stint in private practice, Bass was elected as the judge of the 300th Judicial District Court of Brazoria County where he served for three terms. After retiring from the bench, Bass continued serving Brazoria County as a Senior District Judge (retired), filling in as needed in support of the judiciary. He now is Of Counsel to Bass & Tigner, P.C. with his son, Brooks (class of '90). Bass has been a member of the Century Club for forty-five years. He has served on many charitable boards in the community and in his church. In 2013, Bass was elected to the Brazosport Independent School District Wall of Fame. He was recognized by the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas Legislature (H.R. 636) for "his impressive record of service and outstanding accomplishments" to the citizens of Brazoria County. Bass and his beloved wife, Nan Gayle, have five children, four of whom attended Texas A&M University. His children, along with their extended family, purchased an Endowed Scholarship to honor their father and mother for their teaching of the time-honored traditions of their "hallowed school along the Brazos". The Fighting Texas Aggie Spirit runs strong through this family which represents four generations: '23, '27, '50, '56, '79, '82, ‘86, '88, '90, 91, '10, & '16. The Aggie tradition is a big part of their family's lives- in the past, present and the future. GIG 'EM!
Patricia and Ray R.
Barrett Jr. ’55
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Midkiff, TX
Upon graduation from Texas A&M in 1955, Mr. Barrett fulfilled his military obligation at Ft. Sill, OK, then moved to Midkiff, Texas to ranch and farm. He oversees the family operations in Upton, Midland, Dawson, Lynn and Gaines Counties. While at Texas A&M, Barrett was a 3-year letterman and a “survivor” of Coach Bear Bryant’s Junction training camp. He is a 12th Man Foundation donor and on the Board of Directors of the Letterman’s Association. Mr. Barrett and his wife, Patricia, enjoy traveling with The Association of Former Students’ Traveling Aggies.
LaGrace and Don
Barkman ’57
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Longview, TX
Don earned a Bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in Petroleum Engineering in 1957. While attending Texas A&M, Don was an active member of the Corps of Cadets, which provided some of his greatest memories, and life long friendships. Don worked for Texas Railroad Commission, Mobil Oil Corporation, Mobley Company, Inc, and Mobley Oilfield Services, LP. Don and his wife LaGrace give to a number of organizations and are active members within the Longview community.