12 honored as Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University, has been awarded since 1962 to only 330 of Texas A&M’s more than 574,000 former students.

Presented jointly by the university and The Association of Former Students, this award recognizes Aggies who have achieved excellence in their chosen professions and made meaningful contributions to Texas A&M University and their local communities. 

The 2023 Distinguished Alumni are:

• Michael J. "Mike" Plank '83 – Houston, Texas
• Anthony J. Wood '90 – Los Altos, California
• Kathryn J. Greenwade '88* – College Station, Texas
• James D. "Jimmy" Tittle '49 – Abilene, Texas
• Joseph R. Straus, Jr. '50 – San Antonio, Texas
• Hector Gutierrez, Jr. '69 – El Paso, Texas
• Henry B. "Hank" Paup '70 – Fort Worth, Texas
• Michael J. Havel ’76 – Dallas, Texas
• P. William “Bill” Toler ’76 – Bryan, Texas
• T. Michael O’Connor ’77 – Victoria, Texas
• Albert "Bert" Pfaff, Class of 1925* – Tyler, Texas
• Jeffery T. Potter '78 – Dallas, Texas

Read more at tx.ag/DA2023.

*This Aggie was honored posthumously.

Online nominations for Distinguished Alumnus awards are currently open at tx.ag/DAnominations. Nominations will remain under consideration for a maximum of five years. The nomination deadline for awards that will be given in 2024 or later is Aug. 31 at 5 p.m.

To see and read about all past honorees, please visit our Tribute Wall.

The Association of Former Students is the oldest organization serving Texas A&M University in support of the ever-growing Aggie Network. We are HERE for Aggies during their days as students and former students, THERE for Aggies as they make their way around the world and EVERYWHERE the Aggie Network needs us to be. To help us help more Aggies, visit tx.ag/Give.