Lynette and David Keith
Barker ’81
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Houston, TX
Dave Barker earned a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering. During his 20 years with Marathon Oil Company, he has held numerous Engineering and Supervisory positions in Casper & Cody, Wyoming, and Midland, Texas. Lynette Barker is also a Marathon Oil employee.
Marty and Curt
Ball ’46
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Baytown, TX
Henry Curt Ball graduated high school at the age of 16; he originally wanted to volunteer for military service but could not do so without parental consent. His parents agreed that if he attended college for one year, he could volunteer for service if he still wanted to. Ball chose to go to A&M because he knew that “patriotism and good traditions were valued on campus and actually practiced by many.” After his first year at A&M, Ball was able to voluntarily enlist in the U.S. Army. He was wounded and received an honorable discharge in 1946. Ball chose A&M a second time and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. While at A&M, Ball was inducted into the Scholastic Honor Society and the Academic Honor Society and just after graduation began his 36-year career at Humble Oil, which became Exxon Mobil.
Ball’s recognitions and awards include the Outstanding Engineer Award in 1974 from the Baytown Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Certificate in Recognition from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for his service as Chairman of American National Standards Institute, and three Exxon Technical Achievement Awards.
Ball says he agrees with the goals of the Endowed Century Club and that it is important to help The Association reach these goals and produce American citizens who have the desire to use the skills they acquired at A&M to make the world a better place.
“I gradually became aware of the sacrifices of those who founded, nourished, and fought to preserve the greatest nation the world has ever known. Collectively they demonstrated that honor, duty, loyalty, patriotism, perseverance, honesty, sacrifice, and faith in God are not just words but are essential to our self-fulfillment and our collective survival as a nation. Of course my understanding was incomplete but it was adequate to cause me to conclude that we all owe a debt that can only be paid by emulating the founders of our country.”
Phillip D.
Bairrington ’78
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Bartlesville, OK
P.D. (David) Bairrington is Sr. Vice President of Branded Marketing for Phillips 66 Company, a division of Phillips Petroleum Company. He joined the company in 1978 as a reservoir engineer and rose to the rank of president of Drilling Specialties Company, a subsidiary of Phillips, and served as the company’s planning and development manager before being named to his current position. He graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1978.
Paige P. ’98 and R. Brant
Baird ’98
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Sugar Land, TX
Paige ’98 and Brant ’98 Baird’s desire to give back to Texas A&M was driven by their desire to maintain A&M’s core mission. The Bairds want to help maintain the ideals that make Texas A&M unique from other universities.
They remember going on many trips where they were noticed for their Aggie Rings and they appreciate the sense of belonging that comes with that recognition: “No matter where you go, you always feel like you belong,” Brant said.
Kelly ’86 and Don
Baird
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Friendswood, TX
Kelly (Latham) Baird received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in business analysis from Texas A&M University in 1986. In June of 1986, Kelly began her career with a major oil company in Houston. She has held various positions, including systems analyst and project manager, and since 1992 has been in several supervisory and managerial roles. She has remained in the Houston area throughout her career but has had the opportunity to travel to many countries with her work, such as Singapore, Hungary, Brazil, Belgium, France, England, and Thailand. Today, Kelly is the manufacturing and operations IT manager, managing systems used by the company’s production units, refineries and chemical plants.Don Baird graduated from Indiana University in 1985 with a computer science degree and later met Kelly at work. In 1989, the couple married. Don and Kelly worked at the same company for 20 years before Don became an IT consultant. Don volunteers in the community by coaching a local special needs soccer team. Kelly and Don enjoy spending time with their (almost grown) children and family, exercising, and getting away to their beach house for some good trout fi shing whenever time permits. Since graduating, Kelly still meets up with college roommates once per year to attend an Aggie football game. She also attends other games with her family.Kelly and Don have two sons, Ross ’14 and Jacob (college decision pending, but Kelly says “he’d better pick A&M!”). Kelly and Don live in Friendswood, Texas, and are members of the Friendswood Community Church.
I have always tried to live a life of high integrity and A&M fostered that behavior. Being around good people makes you a better person.
Linda and George E.
Bahlmann ’57
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Lytle, TX
George Balhmann was a member of the Fightin Texas Aggie Band and the Town Hall staff during his undergraduate years at Texas A&M. He was employed by several major chemical companies, including Union Carbide Corporation, Shell Oil and Amoco Chemicals Corporation over his 38-year career. Mr. & Mrs. Bahlmann honor his brother and his daughter with this endowment.
W. Mike
Baggett ’68
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Dallas, TX
Baggett received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1968 from Texas A&M. After service in the U.S. Army, he earned a degree at Baylor University School of Law and was a briefing attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Price Daniel, Sr. In 1974, he joined Winstead, Sechrest & Minick where he serves as Chairman and CEO. His contributions to Texas A&M include service as a Texas A&M yell leader, class agent, President of both the Dallas A&M Club and The Association of Former Students, Chairman of the Texas A&M Foundation, and President of the Texas Aggie Bar Association.
Joshua E.
Baer '04
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Fort Worth, TX
Joshua E. Baer '04 Endowed Century Club Fund
Frances and W. H.
Badgett ’29
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The late Howard Badgett retired as Texas A&M Assistant Director of Facilities Planning and Construction in 1972 after 38 years of service. He was the top authority on university physical plant management and served as Director of Physical Plant and Manager of the TAMU System Physical Plants. This endowment was established by his wife in his memory.
Janet and Robert D.
Avery ’68
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Temple, TX
Robert Avery retired in 1992 after being a partner in the Baugh and Avery Construction Company for 21 years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1976, and he is a life member of the National Guard Association of Texas. He is presently involved with building projects in the Chihuahua, Mexico area, including churches, medical/dental clinics, and an orphanage dormitory.
Angela and Richard W.
Austin, Jr. ’86
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Chappell Hill, TX
Richard W. Austin, Jr. ’86 is President of Craig Sheffield & Austin, Inc. in Houston, Texas and has been with the company since he graduated. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction from Texas A&M University. He and his wife, Angela, currently reside in Chappell Hill, Texas.
I believe it is important to always remember where you have been, how you arrived at where you are in life, who helped you along the way and to provide the same opportunities for others that follow. Angela and I have been very blessed in our lives and Texas A&M has been a major part of our blessings and we are glad to be able to help provide others with similar opportunities.
Josephine and John H.
Atterbury, Jr. ’45
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College Station, TX
John Atterbury retired as a technical advisor in 1986 after a 39-year career with the Production Department of Humble/Exxon. He served as President of the Southwest Texas Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Bronze Star while serving with the U.S. Army during World War II. He is Class Agent for the Class of ’45, a director of the 12th Man Foundation and served on the board of the Brazos County A&M Club.
The
Association of Former Students, Staff Gift
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As part of the One Spirit One Vision – A Texas A&M University Campaign, the staff members of The Association gathered together to fund an Endowed Diamond Century Club gift. For many staff members, this was a chance to perpetually impact our organization. “I think it gives the staff a sense of pride to know that they too can be a part of a large gift and a legacy to our organization,” says Gwen Lucas ’91. This gift will ensure that support for the Aggie Network will live on in perpetuity. “As Aggies we have a tradition of giving back,” says Kathryn Greenwade ’88. “Perhaps it’s because we all feel that Texas A&M gave us a great deal, and we want to make sure future generations benefit as we did.”
Supporting Texas A&M effects people in very different ways. For our staff members, this was no different. “Many of our staff, including myself, are not at the stage in life to individually make an Endowed Diamond Century Club gift,” says Cecilee Herd ’95. “However, by coming together and combining our money, we are able to help ensure a bright future for Texas A&M.”
H. Grady
Ash, Jr. ’58
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Tulsa, OK
It’s my bottom-line policy,” said Grady Ash’58. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That’s what Ash said he was thinking when he made the decision to join the Endowed Century Club. “Besides, I like A&M,” he said. “I like Aggies.” There’s something special about Aggies, he said. It’s in the way they shake your hand—“Aggies shake hard,” he said. They say what they mean and mean what they say, and they have a solid military past, present and future. “Here’s the main thing,” he said. “Everyone has a hero. For me, my heroes have always been of the military type.” Because of A&M’s strong patriotic and military tradition, “I’ve always seen A&M as something special.”
So when high school graduation came, and college was the next step, “I wanted to be an Aggie in Aggieland,” he said. So, that’s what he did, and—in the process of earning degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration—picked up a series of skill sets that would help him successfully grow his own company. He is the owner of AG Equipment Co. However, before starting that endeavor, Ash served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954. “Got to respond to the flag,” he said. “I was born a Texas Aggie and derive a lot of satisfaction on helping others,” he said, especially when he can help students “go for the gusto,” and join the Aggie family. He has an arsenal of memories from his time at A&M, but his favorite is when his hard work paid off and he graduated. He was the first from his family to attend and graduate from Texas A&M, and he’s dedicated to making sure others who have a love for his school, get the chance to experience it.
Angela M.
Arterberry-Chapman ’93
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Frisco, TX
After visiting the university as the president of her high school Science Club, Angela Arterberry-Chapman became interested in the possibilities of becoming a TAMU student and this visit sparked her desire to become a part of the Aggie family. She saw this dream come to fruition when she graduated from A&M in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in health. Now her daughter, Lauren ’22, will be continuing the tradition as a second generation Aggie staring in the fall. Chapman treasured the time she was able to spend as a student on campus. She met Aggies who turned into lifelong friends and made memories that have stayed with her over time. She most fondly recounts meeting visitors through the Aggie Hostess program, walking through campus to attend class for the first time, and getting her Aggie Ring. Even as a student, Chapman knew that she wanted someday to find a way to give back to the university in a profound way. Through her participation in the Dallas A&M Club, Chapman has seen the impact of her club’s programs over the years, as well as providing a scholarship to a very deserving student. After seeing the joy and appreciation from the student she supported, Chapman wanted to make a larger impact by establishing an Endowed Century Club fund. She sees this gift as a commitment to the betterment of the university and as a way to express her love for Texas A&M. “I want to help others who yearn to go but may need added funds to make their dream possible,” she said.
"Still - I Rise"
- Maya Angelou
Clara and Rod
Armstrong
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Bryan, TX
Clara and Rod Armstrong Endowed Century Club Fu
Kamal
Ariss ’83
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Houston, TX
Kamal graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology and went on to earn a master’s degree in Land Development in 1987. He is a founding father of the first chapter of Texas A&M’s Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Kamal is Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for JE Dunn South Central with offices located in Houston, Dallas, Austin and Oklahoma City. JE Dunn Construction, a national third generation family-owned company and leader in the construction industry, was founded in 1924 and is the 21st highest ranking firm in the nation with a volume of $2.5 billion in 2008. Kamal has managed the planning and construction of many large national projects in his 25 years of practice. Actively involved in his community, he serves on the boards of directors for the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance, The Oaks at Briargrove and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council. Kamal is a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Construction Owners Association of America, and CoreNet Global. A generous supporter of The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M University, he is a member of the Houston A&M Club, Chancellor’s Century Council and the A&M PAC. Kamal served The Association of Former Students as a Representative at Large prior to his appointment on the Board. Kamal has two children, Conner and Maya.
The impact that Texas A&M has had on my life is enormous. The education I received and the friendships I developed are priceless. Over the past 20 years, I have encountered "Aggies" all over the world and have always experienced a strong bond and a level of instant camaraderie that is an envy to all non-Aggies. This, coupled with the long-lasting friendships that I developed at Texas A&M, has had a positive impact in my life socially and professionally. I hope this gift will enable others to have the same opportunities I had.