Robert A.
Epstein ’44
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Year Awarded: 2013
Houston, TX
Robert A. Epstein, Class of 1944, left the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas in 1942 to serve in the United States Army, and then returned to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business. As a student in the Corps of Cadets, Epstein was First Sergeant and Battery Commander of G Battery Coast Artillery and a Ross Volunteer. In the Army, Epstein attained the rank of Captain in the Corps of Engineers in the U. S. Army in World War II and Korea, earning six Battle Stars and the Bronze Star Medal as a Combat Engineer Unit Commander and S-1. While serving in the Philippines in 1946, Epstein attended the 1946 Muster on Corregidor. He is pictured in the now famous portrait taken in the mouth of Malinta Tunnel.
After graduation in 1948, he began a career in insurance and attended both Basic Life Insurance School and Advanced Life Insurance School at the Aetna Life Insurance Company. His career in the insurance industry was interrupted when he was recalled to serve in Korea in 1950, but he returned to civilian life in 1952 to work as a self-employed life insurance and casualty insurance agent until 1981. He spent the final 15 years as partner and Chairman of the Board for The GEM Agencies, Inc., and Chairman of the Board for Insurance Agencies of the Southwest, Inc. During this time he held memberships and leadership roles in several professional organizations, such as The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, for which he served as a member of the Board of Governors and a member of the National Faculty; the Certified Professional Insurance Advisors Society; The Insurance Fire Mark Society, for which he served as National President; the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, for which he served as State of Texas President, Texas National Director from 1978 to 1987 and National Vice President; the National Executive Committee from 1980 to 1982; the National Association of Insurance Management Consultants; the Kemper Agents Advisory Council; the Aetna Life and Casualty Million Dollar Group Club; and the Aetna Life and Casualty Group Leaders Club. From 1973 to 1979, Epstein served on the National Board of Governors for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and also served as a member of the National Faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and the National Faculty of the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.
Epstein holds three professional designations—Associate in Risk Management, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Professional Insurance Advisor. He was named Insurance Counselor of the Year by the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas in 1976, and received a Distinguished Service Award in 1988 from both the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas and the Certified Professional Insurance Agents Society. He was regularly recruited as a speaker and educator for insurance certification seminars, and was instrumental in establishing the risk manager license for the Texas Board of Insurance. A retired insurance agent and risk manager, Epstein is in constant demand as a trial consultant and expert witness in the field of risk management. He developed seminars for training of candidates for the designation of Associate in Risk Management and pioneered the application of risk management practices into the agency production field. In 1981, Epstein left the GEM Agencies to found Risktech, Inc., an independent risk management consulting firm for which he served as CEO and operated until his retirement in 1991.
Epstein has been an active member of society, both in Houston and Galveston. He has served as president of both the Terramar Beach Property Owners Association in Galveston and the Raintree Property Owners Association in Houston. He is past president of Westwood Country Club, Houston Lighthouse for the Blind, and was a founding member of the Houston City Club. A member of The Houston Society, Epstein is a former regional Board member of the Anti-Defamation League, and a 50-year Master Mason, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. He is a past president of the Brotherhood of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, where he also served as a vice president and a member of the Board and Executive Committee. He has been active in La Confrérie des la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs—at the local, regional, national and international levels—and has served in many positions, including Grand Senechal d’ America. He was awarded the coveted Conseil d’ Honneur – Paris, Conseil d’ Honneur – Amerique, and he was a founding member of l’ Académie de Gastronomie Brillat-Savarin. Other wine society memberships include Les Amis d’Escoffier and Amici della Vite.
Epstein has remained active at Texas A&M over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for The Association of Former Students, as Class Agent and Class Agent Emeritus for the Class of 1944, president of the Sul Ross Group in 2003, on the Corps of Cadets Development Council, Texas A&M Hillel, the Houston A&M Club and the Ross Volunteer Association. He has supported a Class pillar within the Memorial Student Center, 12 scholarships from the Class of 1944, the Texas A&M Foundation, the 12th Man Foundation and the Corps of Cadets.
Epstein resides in Houston. He and his late wife, Carolyn, who passed away in September 2011, had three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Epstein, his son, Ross ’70, and grandson, Evan ’03, are all Ross Volunteers.
I gained confidence while at Texas A&M. If I could make it through four years at Texas A&M in the 40's and survive, there is nothing that life could hand me that I could not handle. Of course, a degree from a highly acclaimed world class university certainly did not hurt. To present myself to the world as an Aggie opened all of the doors I wanted to open.
Dr. Lawrence E.
Fouraker ’44
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Year Awarded: 1975
Bryan, TX
Fouraker received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics in 1947 and 1948. He served as Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Business from 1970-1980. He has been a member of the Harvard business faculty since 1961 and held the prestigious Edsel Bryant Ford Professorship of Business Administration from 1968 until his appointment as dean.
His teaching, research and consulting activities have been focused primarily on questions of business strategy, organization and the role of the private corporation in the development process. He is widely regarded for his theories in international business and his pioneer work in the development of experimental economics. His published articles and book s include Bargaining and Group Decision Making, a study performed with Sidney Siegal, which earned the 1959 monograph prize in the social science of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
John R.
Hill, Jr. ’44
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Year Awarded: 1994
Dallas, TX
Hill received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1947. After serving in WWII, he joined Gifford-Hill and Co., rising to President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. He is acknowledged as an innovative leader in the development and marketing of construction materials and fellow professionals cite him for unique advancements in construction materials and methods, laud his managerial skills and praise his leadership in the civil engineering profession.
Hill served on the Board of The Association of Former Students and a Trustee of the Texas A&M Development Foundation. He also was a charter donor of a 12th Man Athletic Scholarship and received the Dallas A&M Club’s Jimmy Williams Award for service to the community and the club.
"John is truly a quality individual who cares about Aggies and cares about Texas A&M University. He is a friend to many, many Aggies and Texans."
- Dr. William H. Mobley, Texas A&M University System Chancellor Emeritus
James L.
Huffines, Jr. ’44
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Year Awarded: 2001
Dallas, TX
J. L. Huffines has launched six auto dealerships in the Dallas area and founded two banks and a life insurance company over his career. Huffines received a bachelor’s degree from A&M in Economics in 1947.
Huffines was a charter member and President of the Aggie Club (now the 12th Man Foundation) and has endowed seven 12th Man Scholarships, and established a President’s Endowed Scholarship. He is a member of the Lettermen’s Association Hall of Honor and has served on the Chancellor’s 21st Century Council of Advisors. He was president of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and served on the board of the State Fair of Texas.
"This man truly carries the A&M ‘Banner’ with him in every corner of commerce, industry and academia."
- Thomas A. O’ Dwyer '47, Distinguished Alumnus, 1984
John H.
Lindsey ’44
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Year Awarded: 1978
Waxahachie, TX
Lindsey received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1947. After graduation, he formed Lindsey Insurance Agency with his father and is a founding director and member of the Executive Committee of Southern National Bank. He also served as the President of the Executive Committee of the Alley Theater of the Board of Directors and the Vice President of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.
Lindsey was a General Advisor of the Student Conference on National Affairs (SCONA) and hosted annual Houston trips for Texas A&M University’s Student Leadership Conferences. He served as President of The Association of Former Students in 1964 and was a Counselor and Trustee to the Texas A&M Research Foundation.
Ford D.
Albritton, Jr. ’43
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Year Awarded: 1977
Houston, TX
Albritton received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1943. Albritton is the only person in history to have been President of The Association of Former Students and then President of the Texas A&M Research Foundation while serving a term on The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. He was a 1st Lieutenant and Artillery Pilot in the U.S. Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart.
Albritton founded Albritton Engineering Corporation (ALENCO), an aluminum products manufacturing firm, in Houston in 1948 then moved to Bryan, Texas where he was the Chairman of the Board of First Bank & Trust of Bryan, and member of the Board of Directors of the General Telephone Company of the Southwest. He served as president of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, and twice president of the Greater Bryan United Fund. He and his wife, Martha, have four children, Ford, III ’69, Robert ’71, Sally, and John.
"Texas A&M University has made unparalleled progress in establishing itself as a center of academic excellence. To recognize this preeminent accomplishment, and to satisfy what has been a dream of mine for many years, I wish to contribute to the present and the future growth of Texas A&M University by constructing a tower housing a carillon of the highest order. This carillon will add an important dimension of dignity and integrity to Texas A&M University while serving as a constant reminder that the university is continuing to strive for an ever-increasing degree of academic excellence."
Harvey R. “Bum”
Bright ’43
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Year Awarded: 1991
Muskogee, OK
Bright received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1943. His career spanned the oil, trucking and finance industries. After serving in World War II in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he joined Sun Oil Company as a field engineer. He and his roommate, Herbert Schiff ’43 began trading oil leases and in 1949 the two men sold half of their lease holdings and established their own exploration and production company.
Bright also built a nationwide trucking empire with East Texas Motor Freight as the cornerstone, was a principal stockholder in RepublicBank Corporation, and created BrightBanc. From 1984 through 1989 he was owner of the Dallas Cowboys football team. Bright served as Chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents from 1981-1985.
"He was a close friend and businessman that I respected and admired tremendously. With Bum, his word meant everything. He was one of the most honorable men that I have ever had the privilege of knowing and working with."
- Jerry Jones, Owner of Dallas Cowboys football team
Hal N.
Carr ’43
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Year Awarded: 1972
Kansas City, KS
At the age of 33, Hal Carr became the nation's youngest president of a scheduled airline when he was named President of North Central Airlines in 1954. He was elected chairman of the board of directors in 1965, is a member of the executive committee of the Company’s board, and as been a director since 1952.
Carr’s expert management and leadership over the past 18 years have been responsible for developing a small local airline in poor financial conditions into a major scheduled air carrier serving 90 cities in 13 states and two Canadian provinces and showing one of the most outstanding profit records in the industry.
A 1943 graduate of Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, Hal Carr continued graduate studies in industrial management and finance at American University, Washington, D.C. He is a councilor and former trustee of the Texas A&M Research Foundation and is a member of the Air Transport Panel Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Institute of the Texas A&M University System. He has assisted graduate students from Texas A&M and other universities through a program of summer employment at North Central.
In his business career, Carr has been an officer and director of over 20 corporations and has a record of 27 years of top-level management experience in the industry. He entered the airline business following service in World War II as assistant director of Route Development for Trans World Airlines, Inc. He also served as a consultant to the Secretary of the Navy, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of the Air Force; chairman of the board and president of the United Capital Investors Corporation; professional lecturer of management engineering in the graduate school of Business Administration, American University, Washington, D.C.; organizational and management consultant on foreign airline operations to the Agency for International Development; and as president of T.L. & C. Company – to name but a few of his varied positions.
Hal Carr has received many awards for his contributions to the development of commercial aviation. In 1955, he was nominated by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce as a candidate for Ten Outstanding Young Men in America. Numerous magazine articles and several books have featured his outstanding business record and his career accomplishments. His biographical listing appears in “Who’s Who in America”, “World’s Who’s Who in Finance and Industry”, “Who’s Who in the Southwest”, “Who’s Who in the Midwest”, “Who’s Who in World Aviation”, and “Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives.”
BG Mike P.
Cokinos ’43
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Year Awarded: 1996
Beaumont, TX
Cokinos received a bachelor’s degree in Science in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General in 1980. In 1951 he established the Cokinos Insurance Agency in Beaumont and served as an insurance consultant. He was President of the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association, was a Vice President of The Association of Former Students, and is the 2004 Sul Ross Group President.
"As a former student, I believe that General Cokinos exemplifies the traits and characteristics that have made Texas A&M University the respected institution that it is today. His integrity and stature in the community is a benchmark for any American. His loyalty to Texas A&M is demonstrated by his uninterrupted active involvement with the school since he entered in 1939. As his son, I can personally attest to the same characteristics inasmuch as he has tirelessly made attempts to instill them in all his children."
- Gregory Cokinos ’79
Thomas W.
Fowler ’43
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Year Awarded: 2012
Thomas W. Fowler, Class of 1943, graduated from the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. While at A&M, he participated in the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Block and Bridle Club, and Wichita Falls Club. He served as a corporal his sophomore year, a sergeant his junior year, and a cadet captain and executive officer of the cavalry squadron during his senior year.
After college, he completed military training at the Armor Officers Candidate School in Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, armor. In 1944, Fowler received orders to Italy as a replacement officer and was assigned to the 191st Tank Battalion on the beaches of Anzio. During the attack on Carano, he came upon two disorganized infantry platoons that were held up by an enemy minefield, so he took command and organized the units. He made a personal reconnaissance through the minefield, lifting antipersonnel mines out of the ground with his hands. Once the infantry deployed, he made a second reconnaissance into enemy territory in search of a route to continue the attack. One of the American Sherman tanks was set on fire by German fire, and under intense fire, Fowler ran to the burning vehicle in attempts to save the lives of the wounded tank crew. Only when the enemy tanks had almost reached his position did he withdraw and personally render first aid to the nine wounded infantrymen. Fowler was the second Texas Aggie awarded the Medal of Honor.
Fowler and his wife, Ann, had one son. He passed away on June 3, 1944.
"Thomas was a soldier and a gentleman and he seemed to know better than most of us what we are fighting for. He died that you people back home would never see or feel the suffering that we have seen."
- -Lt. Ralph W. Carr, Jr., an officer serving in Company B, 191st Tank Battalion