James B.
Hervey ’42
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Year Awarded: 1988
Greenville, TX
Hervey received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1942. In 1947, he became the third Executive Secretary of The Association of Former Students, a position he held until 1964. Under his leadership, he implemented a computerized database, and established the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Texas A&M Archives.
"I’ve had a great love for the university that gave me the education I got. And for this reason, I hope that my civic service in this community has in some way made our community a better place to live."
LTG Ormond R.
Simpson ’36
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Year Awarded: 1988
Corpus Christi, TX
Simpson received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1936 and was commissioned in the U.S. Marines. He served for 37 years, serving in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, while working his way up to the rank of Lieutenant General before retiring from active duty in 1973. In 1974, he became the Assistant Vice President for Student Services at Texas A&M University.
"The man is humble, trustworthy, honorable. He’s extremely interested in his community and his school. He’s a leader."
- Travis Bryan, Jr.
Harwood K.
Smith ’35
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Year Awarded: 1988
Chicago, IL
Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design in 1935. Starting with a one-man office in 1939, he has built Harwood K. Smith and Partners, Inc. into a firm that has placed his mark on skylines across the country. He has designed more than 60% of the Dallas buildings over 15 stories tall between 1973 and 1988.
Smith has received award recognition for his designs of Reunion Arena, One Main Place, Taylor Publishing Company, Texas Instruments office and manufacturing plant, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School in Dallas. He also holds numerous art awards from the Southwestern Watercolor Society.
Dr. Ogbourne D.
Butler, Jr. ’39
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Year Awarded: 1989
Orange, TX
Butler received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animal Husbandry. After serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, he gained stature as a specialist in meat research. In 1986, he retired as Texas A&M Associate Deputy Chancellor for Agriculture after 50 years of service to Texas A&M University.
"Dr. Butler’s long record of service and support of Texas A&M is well known and presents a rather unique picture of a man who not only succeeded in his chosen profession in a grand way but who has promoted and served Texas A&M virtually all of his adult life."
- Dr. Perry L. Adkisson, Chancellor Emeritus, Texas A&M University System
Aaron
Cohen ’52
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Year Awarded: 1989
Corsicana, TX
Cohen received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952 and later a master’s degree in Mathematical Physics from Stevens Institute of Technology.
He joined NASA in 1962 and managed development and guidance programs for Apollo Moon Landings and Skylab. Cohen was also the Director of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Project and in 1983 he served as Director of Research and Engineering where he was responsible for all engineering as well as space and life science research and development in support of major manned spaceflight programs. Named Director of the Johnson Space Center in 1986, Cohen oversaw medical, life science and physical science activites as well as astronaut training and flight operations.
"His leadership and engineering genius have been evident throughout…"
- Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Joe C.
Richardson, Jr. ’49
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Year Awarded: 1989
Amarillo, TX
Richardson received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum/Mechanical Engineering in 1950. His career placed him in charge of oil and gas operations throughout North and South America. In 1968, he organized Petro-Dynamics, Inc., a public over the counter energy company with operations in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Canada, and Venezuela.
After merging the company into worldwide Energy Corporation in 1974, he became an independent oil and gas producer with operations in Texas, Montana, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Mississippi. He also, became a real estate investor in Texas, Oklahoma and California and has operated farming interests in Texas.
He served on the Texas A&M University Board of Regents from 1981-1987 and was President of the Amarillo A&M Club.
"Joe truly represents the ‘Spirit of Aggieland’ and has brought much credit to our outstanding university."
- William R. Black ’43
John F.
Younger ’37
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Year Awarded: 1989
McKinney, TX
Younger received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1937. After being in executive positions in the oil and gas industry, he founded Airport 20 Corp., an oil and real estate firm for which he served as President.
During Younger’s presidency of The Association of Former Students, the Century Club was established and the Texas Aggie changed from a newspaper to a magazine format. He was a member of the Texas A&M Target 2000 Project Committee and A&M College of Liberal Arts Development Council. Younger was instrumental in bring the Institute of Nautical Archeology to Texas A&M University.
"Texas A&M can be proud to have an alumni who has given of himself to others and to his community which is reflected in the many outstanding accomplishments that he has made to enrich his community."
- William G. Saxton '90
Dr. Davis L.
Ford ’59
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Year Awarded: 1990
Lubbock, TX
Ford received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Texas. In 1985, he established Davis L. Ford and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in environmental engineering. Prior to founding Davis L. Ford & Associates, Dr. Ford was affiliated with several other engineering companies, including Hasie and Green & Associates and engineering Science Inc., for which he served as a consultant to more than 150 industries and agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a registered professional engineer and has written more than 150 articles and 5 books in the environmental field in which he is a recognized expert.
He served as President of both the Capital City A&M Club and The Association of Former Students.
"During the time I have known him, his dedication to Texas A&M University has been unbelievably strong. However, not only his loyalty to Texas A&M has been exceptional, in my opinion his dedicated leadership has helped Texas A&M move toward academic greatness."
- Earnest F. Gloyna, P.E., Dean, College of Engineering, Retired, University of Texas
Henry J.
Gruy ’37
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Year Awarded: 1990
Victoria, TX
Gruy received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1937. In 1950, he founded H.J. Gruy and Associates, an independent petroleum and natural gas consulting firm, which evolved into Gruy Engineering Corp. He is noted for his grasp of international politics and economic problems within the industry. Mr. Gruy has been widely honored for his contributions to the oil and gas industry. He was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering.
His alma mater has long benefited from his expertise through his service on advisory groups in the College of Engineering and College of Geosciences. He served on the Texas A&M Engineering Advisory and Development Council and the College of Engineering’s Doctor of Engineering Advisory Committee.
"My admiration for his judgment, acuity, and sense of humor, not to speak of his many accomplishments in the petroleum industry, continues to rise faster than the value of the Japanese Yen."
- Gerard Waller
Dr. Sam A.
Nixon ’47
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Year Awarded: 1990
Galveston, TX
Nixon received a bachelor’s degree in Science in 1946 and later a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He began his medical career in the military, later opened practices in two small Texas towns and has been associated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in a variety of key positions.
He served in faculty and administration positions with the University of Texas System and was named to the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences by President Reagan. Dr. Nixon also shared his medical education expertise with his alma mater through service on the College of Medicine Advisory Council.