James R. "Randy" Matson ’67
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Year Awarded: 2001

Waco, TX

Randy Matson achieved worldwide renown as an athlete and gained nationwide respect while directing Texas A&M’s amazingly successful alumni organization. After Matson received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1968 and working in investments and athletic fundraising, he joined The Association of Former Students in 1972 as the Director of the Annual Fund under the leadership of Richard “Buck” Weirus. Among Weirus’ retirement, Matson was promoted to Executive Director. During Matson’s 20 year tenure, the Annual Fund grew from $1.75 million to $5.5 million and the organizations budget more than tripled. He supervised the construction of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center and directed the establishment of the Bonfire Relief Fund.



Matson won Olympic gold and silver medals in the shot put in 1968 and 1964 and was the first person in the world to throw the shot more than 70 feet.

"I never went anywhere in the country or world that there wasn’t an Aggie there to support me… That makes Aggies unique."

Harris J. Pappas ’66
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Year Awarded: 2001

Dallas, TX

Pappas received bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance in 1967. He is President and Chief Financial Officer of Pappas Restaurants, Inc., a privately held company which operated over 60 restaurants with more than 6,000 employees in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Beaumont, San Antonio, Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver and Chicago. These include Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, C&H Steak Company, Pappas Seafood House, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchens, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappas BBQ and Dot Coffee Shop. He is also Chief Operating Officer of the Luby’s Cafeteria chain.



Pappas serves on the Texas A&M Foundation’s Development Advisory Committee and the Texas A&M College of Education Development Council. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston and on the board of Oceaneering International, a publicly held firm. In 1999, he was named Outstanding Alumnus of Texas A&M’s Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business.

Dr. Josie R. Williams ’71
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Year Awarded: 2001

Paris, TX

Dr. Josie Williams serves as Medical Director of the Texas Health Quality Alliance and specializes in gastroenterology and internal medicine. Williams received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1971 from Texas A&M and a Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio. She has served in leadership positions within U.S. Air Force medical centers and currently is Medical Director of the Texas Health Quality Alliance. Williams also served as the Chief of Staff at McCuistion Regional Medical Center in Paris and headed medical management for an urban health system in Fort Worth.



She has served on the Lamar County Texas A&M Scholarship Foundation Board, Paris Education Foundation Board of Directors, and the Texas Board of Higher Education Task Force. Williams was named Winn Dixie’s Citizen of the Year in 1994 and Lamar County’s YMCA Professional Woman of the Year in 1988. She is the first woman to be awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Marvin J. Girouard ’61
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Year Awarded: 2002

Port Arthur, TX

Girouard received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1961. Upon graduation, he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, served in the Vietnam War, and retired as a Commander after 20 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pier 1 Imports in 1999.

Howard W. Kruse ’52
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Year Awarded: 2002

Brenham, TX

Kruse received a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Manufacturing in 1952. In 1954, he joined Blue Bell Creameries as Assistant General Manager and later served as President until his retirement in 2004. He is the creator of the most noted flavor, Homemade Vanilla.

Hon. James R. "Rick" Perry ’72
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Year Awarded: 2002

Haskell, TX

Perry received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1972 and served as a Yell Leader while he was a student. His political career includes service in the Texas House of Representatives, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture and Lieutenant Governor. He is the 47th Governor of the State of Texas.



Exemplifying the highest of Aggie traditions, Governor Perry has devoted his life to service to his state and fellow Texans. As the first Aggie Governor, Perry has continued to focus on higher education and cites his education at Texas A&M as a strong example to all young Texans of the value of higher education.

Carlos H. Cantu ’55
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Year Awarded: 2003

Brownsville, TX

Carlos Cantu graduate from Texas A&M in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. He is retired president, chief executive officer, director of the board, and executive committee member of the ServiceMaster Company. Cantu represents the Exelon Corporation of Chicago as a corporate board member and chairman of the audit committee. In addition, he holds positions on the University of Texas- Brownsville Development Board, Texas A&M Vision 2020 Advisory Council, and Dixon Gallery & Gardens Museum Board of Trustees.

"He certainly was a great business leader and an even better person. He handled success and adversity with dignity, humility, and courage."

  - Longtime colleague Ernie Mrozek, ServiceMaster President and CEO

M.L. “Red” Cashion ’53
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Year Awarded: 2003

College Station, TX

Cashion received a bachelor’s degree in Personnel Administration in 1953. He officiated for junior high, high school, and college football for 20 years and went on to become one of the great NFL referees of all time. Between 1972 and 1997, he became one of the most colorful referees in NFL history for his trademark “FIRST DOWNNNN!” call. In 1999, Cashion was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.



He is Chairman Emeritus of ANCO Insurance Managers and is a trainer for National Football League referees. He serves as Chair of the Student Loan Fund Trustees for The Association of Former Students.

A.W. “Head” Davis, Jr. ’45
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Year Awarded: 2003

Wichita Falls, TX

Davis received a bachelor’s degree in General Business in 1948 and later received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University. He was a Cottle County attorney and 50th judicial district attorney before founding Bryan’s Davis & Davis Attorneys at Law, where he is Managing Partner. Davis served as President of The Association of Former Students, and participated in the planning funding and construction of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center and the creation of the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center on the Texas A&M campus.

"He is a fine example of that generation of Aggies who have a unique perspective of how Texas A&M changed their lives, and has acted on that insight with generous support back to Texas A&M."

  - Randy Matson ’67, Past Executive Director of The Association of Former Students

J. Howard Shelton ’41
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Year Awarded: 2003

Osceola, TX

Shelton received a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1941. As a student, he was a member of the 1939 National Championship Aggie football team. Shelton held numerous positions at banks across Texas and is currently a Senior Associate at Kasper and Associates.



He is a Director Emeritus of the Lettermen’s Association and inductee of the Texas A&M Hall of Honor and the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame.

"Over the years I have learned that Howard is a man that you can count on for forthright, sage advice. I am so fortunate to have known him."

  - James B. Peterson ’72