Sort by: Class Year Year Awarded Name
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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."
Year Awarded: 2010
Utay, Class of 1908, received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University and went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1912. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Ross Volunteers, the “T” Association, the Athletic Council and the Dallas Club and was captain of the varsity football team.
Utay returned to Texas A&M in 1912 and served as a freshman football coach and was director of athletics. He is recognized as a pioneer of football in the Southwest. He was the president of the Texas Officials Association from 1912 until 1936 and was instrumental in establishing the Southwest Officials Association, which helped organize the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, starting the tradition of the Southwest Conference appearing in the Cotton Bowl. He was also a practicing attorney in Dallas for more than 55 years.
Utay was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. He was a founding member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association and a charter member of the National Football Hall of Fame.
Utay served on the Texas A&M Board of Directors (now the Board of Regents) from 1935 to 1941. He was a contributor to The Association of Former Students’ Century Club. Dormitory 12 (Utay Hall) is named in his honor.
"I believe my uncle would try to instill the following advice to today's student body: Avail yourself of all opportunities. Choose your endeavors carefully, with passion, and do them well. Promote and be loyal to your school and live with Aggie values all of your life."
- Gary Utay '60, nephew of of Joe Utay, Class of 1908
Year Awarded: 2011
Baltimore, MD
Adams earned his bachelor’s degree in architectural design from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. As a student, he received the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for Outstanding Service to the School of Architecture and was active with the Student Conference on National Affairs.
After graduation from A&M, he worked for several architectural firms before joining RTKL Associates in Baltimore in 1967. He became president in 1968, CEO in 1971, and chairman of the board in 1987. He was one of the first Americans to hold a “first class Kenchikushi” (architecture) license, awarded by Japan’s Ministry of Construction, and he is a licensed architect in the United Kingdom. He served as chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows from 1997 to 1998, and founded and chaired for 17 years the AIA’s Large Firm Round Table. He worked with President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy on the design of Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House, helped select the site for Kennedy’s presidential library and was project director for the Kennedy gravesite memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and received its Kemper Medal in 1997.
He is a member of The Association of Former Students Century Club and on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the College of Architecture. He has endowed three professorships and a scholarship at A&M and was the College of Architecture’s chairman for the One Spirit One Vision capital campaign. He also lectures at A&M each year. He was selected as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Architecture in 1998.
Mr. Adams is active in business, arts, education and civic organizations as chairman of the Board of Regents of the American Architectural Foundation, chairman and trustee of the National Building Museum and chairman of the Governor’s International Advisory Council. He has served as chairman of the board of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, chairman of the Design-Build Institute of America, and commissioner of the Maryland Economic Development Commission. He founded and has served for 20 years as chairman of the board of the World Trade Center Institute.
Adams and his wife, Janice, have four children, two of whom attended A&M, and 11 grandchildren.
“What I gained from Texas A&M that has been beneficial to me in my career and life is the positive thinking and the ‘we can conquer anything attitude.”
Year Awarded: 2011
Bryan, Texas
Bethancourt graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and later received his executive M.B.A. from Duke University. While at A&M, he was a student senator, vice president of the Student Engineering Council, and president of the Hughes Hall Student Council.
He went to work after graduation for Getty Oil Co., rising to area manager in the company’s Bryan office by 1982. He then spent more than 15 years with Texaco, beginning as area manager in the Victoria, Texas, office and culminating as Texaco Corporation vice president and president of worldwide productions operations. He joined Chevron Corp. in 2001 as vice president of human resources. Since 2003, he has been an executive vice president at Chevron. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and a former member of its Board of Directors.
Bethancourt is a member of The Association of Former Students Endowed Century Club and is the chairman-elect of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Debbie, Class of 1976, have endowed several scholarships and a professorship. John has been a consistent supporter of the university’s Department of Petroleum Engineering. He also supports the football and baseball programs and has been a major force behind planned renovations to Olsen Field. In 2007, he was named an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s Dwight Look College of Engineering.
He has been a volunteer Little League coach in Victoria, Wharton and Midland, is a former director of Midland Junior Achievement, and is a member of the Board of Governors of Miramont Country Club in Bryan.
Bethancourt and his wife have four children, all of whom graduated from Texas A&M, and ten grandchildren. All four children have spouses who also graduated from Texas A&M.
“I gained a strong sense of the A&M values, which have stuck with me. I learned leadership skills that have served me well over the last 37 years.”
Year Awarded: 2011
San Antonio, TX
Bolner graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in business. He was a distinguished student for four years, a member of the Corps of Cadets, executive officer of the Texas Aggie Band and a distinguished military graduate.
After graduation, Bolner was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. After six years as a partner in the family grocery store, he founded and became president and CEO of Bolner’s Fiesta Products, Inc., a San Antonio company manufacturing and distributing food seasoning products worldwide. In 1979, he was named U.S. Grocery Supplier of the Year.
Bolner was awarded the Archbishop Francis J. Furey Outstanding Award Medal in 1969, and in 1979, was the first recipient of the Central Catholic High School Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1982, he was the recipient of the National Conference of Christians and Jews Award. In 2004, he was named an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s Mays Business School. He has endowed four scholarships at A&M and is a life member of Sterling Evans Library and a charter member of Texas A&M’s Chancellor’s Circle and of The Association of Former Students Century Club. He is also a member of the 12th Man Foundation, the Texas A&M Foundation Legacy Society, the San Antonio A&M Club and has served as class agent for the Class of 1949 for several years.
Bolner has served many charitable organizations in the San Antonio area. He served as president of the Witte Museum Board, the San Antonio Museum Association and the San Antonio Symphony Society, and served on the boards of the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Cancer Therapy Research Center, the San Antonio Fiesta Commission and many others. He is active in his church, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, and is a past president of the Parish Council. The 2011 Humanitarian Award given by Catholic Charities was awarded to Mr. Bolner this year.
Four of his seven children and three grandchildren have graduated from Texas A&M and another granddaughter is a current student.
"Texas A&M has a great networking system. When you see another Aggie ring, you know you have another friend you are just waiting to meet."