Sort by: Class Year Year Awarded Name
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Beeville, TX
Hughes received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas. While a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, vice president of the Geology Club and a member of the Dallas and Palestine hometown clubs.
After college, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and earned a Bronze Star in Korea. He went to work for Union Producing Co. of New Orleans as a geological scout in 1953 and has continued to work in petroleum exploration and production. In 1963, he formed a partnership with his twin brother, Dudley Hughes, Class of 1951, to create Hughes & Hughes Oil and Gas. In 1982, Hughes & Hughes was dissolved and he formed Dan A. Hughes Company and has offices in Beeville, San Antonio and Houston. In 1996, he formed Hughes Petroleum Colombia, with offices in Bogota, Columbia.
Hughes was awarded membership in 1978 in the exclusive All-American Wildcatters Club. He has also been honored with the M.B. “Duke” Rudman Outstanding Wildcatter Award and as Outstanding Citizen of Bee County, Texas.
He has been a member of The Association of Former Students Century Club for 35 years and is also a member of the A&M Legacy Society, the 12th Man Foundation and the Geosciences Development Council. He was awarded the Michael T. Halbouty Geosciences Medal in 1997. He endowed the Dan A. Hughes ’51 Chair in Geosciences as well as the Berg-Hughes Center for Petroleum and Sedimentary Systems. He also funded the restoration of A&M’s Military Walk, a historic path in the heart of campus.
Hughes is also active in service to his community. He donated an oil and gas building at Coastal Bend College and has supported the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club, the Junior Service League, and numerous scholastic athletic programs, among many others.
Hughes has three children and nine grandchildren, four of which attended Texas A&M. He and his wife Brenda reside in Beeville.
“I would recommend that freshman students consider entering the Corp of Cadets. The discipline and leadership that they gain will give them an advantage throughout their lives.”
Year Awarded: 2011
Dallas, TX
Ray graduated from Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and served after graduation as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and later the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He received his M.B.A. in 1959 from The Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in 1959.
He first worked for Sanders & Co. and then was vice president of Zale Corp. before founding his own firm, Gerald L. Ray Investment Advisors, in 1977. The following year he founded Gerald L. Ray and Associates Inc. (later Gerald L. Ray & Associates, Ltd.). Ray remains chairman of that company, which has become one of the Southwest’s most respected investment firms. He is a past chairman of the National Conference for Investment Analysts and a member of the Investment Company Institute and the Association for Investment Management and Research.
Ray has a long history of supporting Texas A&M. He has endowed the Gerald L. Ray ’54 Pillars of Texas A&M, multiple scholarships, a Foundation Excellence Award for minority or economically disadvantaged students, and the Department of Finance Kupfer Distinguished Executive Award. He has been a major contributor to the Aggies on Wall Street Program, which brings A&M’s best and brightest to the center of the financial world and has resulted in scores of Aggies succeeding in Wall Street careers.
In honoring Mr. Ray’s mother and father, he chose to name the Elizabeth and Joseph Ray Auditorium in the May’s Business School in their honor.
He and his wife, Helaine, have two children and five grandchildren.
“The relationships I made at A&M have been important guide posts in my life. Over the years, they have made a significant impact on many of my goals.”
Year Awarded: 2011
College Station, TX
Stark, Class of 1939, graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in history. He later attended the University of Texas Law School but was unable to complete the program because he was drafted into service in World War II. While at A&M, he was associate editor of the student newspaper, club editor of the student yearbook, president of the Glee Club and the Biology Club and secretary for the Little Theatre. He was also a Ross Volunteer and a captain in the Corps of Cadets.
He served as an Army officer in World War II and then worked for Anderson Clayton Corp. before returning to A&M in 1947 as director of the Memorial Student Center. He conceived the mission of the MSC and oversaw construction of the MSC building, which serves as the campus’ “living room” and is dedicated to all Aggies who have died in all wars.
He served as the MSC director until 1980, when he retired and was named director emeritus.
Stark mentored thousands of young Aggies, encouraging both overseas travel and involvement in student organizations. He solicited millions of dollars in gifts and endowments for A&M and the MSC, increased the number of pieces in the University Art Collections and created numerous student organizations, including the Student Conference on National Affairs, the Opera and Performing Arts Society, the Black Awareness Committee and the Committee for the Awareness of Mexican American Culture. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award from The Association of Former Students, and the J. Wayne Stark Galleries were named in his honor.
Stark and his wife, Jean, had two children. He passed away on Jan. 18, 1993.
“It was a very short step from the camaraderie of cadets and soldiers to the importance of helping Aggies, both graduates and students. He realized that by helping students, he would create relationships with people that would later help other students.”
- Sallie McGehee, daughter of J. Wayne Stark, Class of 1939
Year Awarded: 2011
College Station, TX
Dr. West graduated from Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a doctorate in veterinary medicine after graduating as valedictorian of Cotulla High School. While at A&M, he played freshman baseball and was a senior yell leader, vice president of the YMCA cabinet, president of the student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the Aggie Christian Fellowship. West also earned a Master of Science degree in Radiation Biology from the University of Rochester, and a PhD in Comparative Pathology from the University of California at Davis.
He served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service from 1957 to 1979, rising to the rank of colonel and receiving the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, among other honors. After retiring from the service, he became an associate professor of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University before joining the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at Texas A&M. He has published more than 30 scientific articles and, after retiring from TVMDL, worked in emergency preparedness and response with the Texas Engineering Extension Service. He was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.
West was the 2001 campus Muster speaker and he and his family cared for A&M mascot Reveille V after her retirement. He is a past president of the Association of Former Yell Leaders, the National Capital A&M Club and the Brazos County A&M Club. He is a Fish Camp namesake, Class Agent and Representative at Large, and has been a member of the Century Club for 40 years. He is also a member of the Corps of Cadets Association and the Sul Ross Group.
He is a past president of the Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice and was a delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates. He is also a member of the College Station Noon Lions Club, the Men’s Garden Club, American Legion Post 159, and the Brazos Valley Chapters of the U.S. Air Force Association and the Military Officers Association of America
He and his wife, Carolyn K. West, Class of 1988, have four children, two of whom attended Texas A&M, and three grandchildren.
“My life without being a Texas Aggie is unimaginable. During 1950-1956, I developed a deep and abiding love for Texas A&M, the Aggie spirit and the comradeship we enjoy.”
Year Awarded: 2010
Acklen received a Bachelor of Arts in history from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1967. During his time at Texas A&M, he was named a distinguished military student and was a member of the Corps of Cadets, A&M wrestling team, Russian Club, American Engineering History Society and the Dallas Hometown Club.
After graduation in 1967, Acklen joined the Army and served in Vietnam, suffering a broken back in a helicopter accident. Told he would never walk again, Acklen went on to recover and complete a business degree at the University of Texas. He then returned to active duty, earning a Ranger tab and completing paratrooper training before being assigned to a one-year tour in Korea.
In 1978, Acklen was medically retired at the rank of captain, for physical disability resulting from the injuries he received in Vietnam. In 1989 he earned a computer science degree at the University of North Texas and went on to teach computer science at that university and wrote software programs for private companies and service organizations.
Acklen has been honored for his exceptional service and heroic actions with more than 60 military decorations, including a Silver Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross, six Bronze Stars, 40 Air Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, and a Purple Heart. In 2000, he was inducted into Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. He was active in many veterans, historical, church and civic organizations, including the prestigious Society of the Cincinnati.
"The relationships he built at Texas A&M were lifelong friendships. These men encouraged his Aggie Spirit that Bob held dear during the Vietnam War, throughout the years of recuperation with a broken back, during the grueling Ranger School training to become an honor graduate, and finally, holding the Aggie Spirit through the rest of his life, giving of himself to help others."
- Carolyn Acklen Bender, sister of Bob Acklen '63
Year Awarded: 2010
Sedona, AZ
Davis graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and received a Master of Science in business administration from Texas A&M in 1963. During his time at A&M, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the varsity baseball team and the Shreveport Hometown Club.
After graduation, Davis worked as an engineering sales trainee with Allen-Bradley and moved up through the sales and marketing ranks to become president of Allen-Bradley in 1989, four years after its acquisition by Rockwell. Davis was named president of Rockwell International in 1996, CEO in 1997 and chairman in 1998. He retired in 2005 after a distinguished 42-year career with the company.
Davis was honored with the Dwight Look College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award in 1990, and he was elected to the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 1992.
Davis and his wife, Sallie, have supported Texas A&M with endowments, including the Sallie and Don Davis ’61 Professorship in Engineering, two graduate fellowships in mechanical engineering, and a major gift to support the renovation of Olsen baseball field. Davis has served on the College of Engineering external advisory committee and he continues to serve on many boards. He is an Endowed Century Club member of The Association of Former Students and he volunteers and contributes to many educational and cultural organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
"As all Aggies know, Texas A&M is a special place that affects you at a very deep level. The values that are a part of A&M's culture helped me to understand the importance of honesty, integrity, responsibility, discipline and perseverance."
Year Awarded: 2010
Bryan, TX
Flores received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and received a Master of Business Administration from Houston Baptist University in 1985. As a student at Texas A&M, Flores was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Ross Volunteers. He was vice president of the Memorial Student Center and the student body’s vice president of finance.
Flores pursued a career managing the finances of several businesses and was chosen as chief financial officer for a string of successful energy companies, ultimately becoming the CEO and president of Phoenix Exploration Co., from which he recently retired to pursue public service.
Flores was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the Mays Business School in 2003, and he and his wife, Gina, were honored as Fish Camp namesakes in 2008. They are among Texas A&M’s most generous benefactors, having funded many scholarships programs and endowments to the College of Education, the Mays Business School and the Corps of Cadets. Due to Flores’ generous support of the project to enhance the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Center, the Great Hall was renamed Flores Hall in their honor.
Flores served as chair of The Association of Former Students in 2007 and is a member of the 12th Man Foundation Athletic Ambassadors Council, the Mays Business School Development Council, and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Development Council. He is an Endowed Century Club member and an active participant in the Brazos County A&M Club.
"The Aggie Network that I formed at Texas A&M is still the deepest and most important group of relationships that I have outside of the relationships that I have with my wife, Gina, and my family. The members of that core group of friends serve as my advisors, mentors, and accountability partners. Without their friendship and support, I would certainly not be as fulfilled as I am today."
- William H. "Bill" Flores '76, Distinguished Alumnus, 2010
Year Awarded: 2010
Jackson, MS
Hughes graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Geology Club and the Palestine Hometown Club.
Hughes served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant and was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service in Korea. Afterward, he established a highly successful career in exploration geology, operating more than 10 different oil and gas exploration companies during his 40-plus year career. He is currently the president of Hughes Oil Inc. and Hughes South Corp.
Hughes was recognized by Texas A&M with the Geosciences and Earth Resources Distinguished Achievement Award and received the All American Wildcatters’ Rudman Outstanding Wildcatter Award. He also received the American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ Outstanding Explorer Award and was named the 2009 Philanthropist of the Year by the state of Mississippi.
Hughes has been a loyal supporter of the University and the College of Geosciences. In 1998, Hughes and his wife, Robbie, created the Dudley J. Hughes ’51 Chair in Geology and Geophysics, and he contributed to the Robert R. Berg Professorship in Geology and the William R. Bryant Oceanography Chair for Teaching, Research and Mentoring Excellence. He was instrumental in the endowment of the Berg-Hughes Center for Petroleum and Sedimentary Systems. Hughes is a member of The Association of Former Students’ Century Club and remains active as a volunteer and contributor to dozens of charitable organizations.
"My career has been very successful thanks to a great extent to Texas A&M. My training at A&M was superior to that of geologists from other schools, and eventually led my brother and I to start our on oil companies."
Year Awarded: 2010
Godley, TX
Dr. Palmer graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife science. As a student, he was vice president of the Tyler/Smith County Hometown Club.
Palmer began his career as a wildlife biologist and assistant project leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. After serving on active duty with the U.S. Army, he returned to Texas A&M, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary science in 1968 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1969. After practicing veterinary medicine for more than 25 years, Palmer sold his small-animal clinic in Bedford, Texas, in 1994.
Palmer has expressed his generosity to Texas A&M by endowing several scholarships, including the Dr. Fred A. ’59 and Vola N. Palmer Endowed Scholarship in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, and by establishing the Dr. Fred A. and Vola N. Palmer Chair in Comparative Oncology at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Palmer was named an Outstanding Alumnus by the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and has been actively involved with Texas A&M. He is a past chair of The Association of Former Students and is an Endowed Century Club member. He has also served as president of the Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club and is currently a member of the 12th Man Foundation Athletic Ambassadors Council.
"It seems that our time at A&M taught us a lot about devotion, dedication, loyalty, and respect for other Aggies, our family, God, and our country. I think that Aggies are great patriots because of that devotion. The qualities that we learned at A&M are invaluable, not only for our careers, but for life in general."
- Dr. Fred A. Palmer '59, Distinguished Alumnus, 2010
Year Awarded: 2010
Houston, TX
Soltis received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University and went on to attend the Engineering Training School in Syracuse, N.Y. During his time at Texas A&M, he was in the Corps of Cadets, the Houston Club, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Pi Tau Sigma.
Following his military service, Soltis began a successful career in commercial heating and air conditioning with the Carrier Co., and then in air-filtration technologies and cleanroom design and construction for industrial and medical fields. Today he is the president and managing partner of Soltis Enterprises in Houston.
Soltis’ passion for the preservation of the Costa Rica rain forest spurred his late wife, Wanda, and him to donate a research and education center in San Juan de San Isidro de Peñas Blancas, Costa Rica, to Texas A&M University to provide students with international experiences and to study topics related to sustainability in the tropics and community development. In addition to this state-of-the-art center, Soltis has given Texas A&M the long-term right to access and study a 250-acre rain forest adjacent to the Center.
Soltis was inducted into Texas A&M’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 1994 and he received the Cleanroom Hall of Fame Award in 1991.
Soltis is a member of the Houston A&M Club and The Association of Former Students Century Club.
"A&M taught me to conduct myself with integrity in business and in life. The leadership skills that I learned in the Corps of Cadets gave me the confidence and ability to open and run my own business. The Aggie Spirit taught me the importance of loyalty and fair play."