Don H.
Davis, Jr. ’61
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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."
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.
Raymond
Hannigan ’61
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Year Awarded: 2015
Bryan, TX
Ray Hannigan, Class of 1961, received a bachelor’s degree in general business from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, a student manager for the baseball team and four-year letterman, a SCONA member and participant and a Distinguished Student inducted into Phi Kappa Phi.
Hannigan was president and CEO of Kinetic Concepts Inc. from 1994 to 2000, and before that, he was president of the international division of Sterling Drug and president of Beecham SmithKlein Canada. He was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry ’72 to the State Board of Health and served four years. In San Antonio, he has served on the board of directors for Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, Our Lady of the Lake University and Southwest Research Foundation. He is a Meals on Wheels volunteer in Bryan and has served on the leadership council of St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station.
His involvement with Texas A&M’s Mays School of Business has included serving on the advisory council to the Center for International Business Studies, serving as a guest lecturer and receiving the Outstanding Alumnus Award. He established in 1998 the Raymond R. Hannigan, Jr. ’61 Endowed Overseas Study Scholarship Fund. He and wife Patty have established three President’s Endowed Scholarships.
Hannigan has been a host and speaker for Aggie Musters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Caracas, Venezuela. Irish American magazine named him one of the Top 100 Irish Americans in Business in 1999.
His Aggie family includes his late brother Edward Hannigan ’67. He and Patty have three children, including Chris Hannigan ’92 and Rush Hannigan ’09.
"Ray Hannigan's actions have earned him the respect of businessmen, politicians, faculty, religious leaders, and most importantly, fellow Aggies. He exhibits the selfless spirit that makes Aggies one of a thousand points of light."
- Richard Box '61
RADM Robert
Smith ’61
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Year Awarded: 2006
Dallas, TX
Rear Adm. Robert Smith III received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in 1961 and is a graduate of Louisiana State University’s School of Banking of the South in 1977. As a student at Texas A&M, Smith was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Agricultural Economics Club and the Dallas Hometown Club.
Smith was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1962. He is a graduate of the Naval War College and also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, completing a course in national security in 1991. During his 35 years of service, he participated in assignments in the Pacific, Washington, D.C., and the Atlantic, and retired in 1996 as chief of staff to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 1987 Smith was selected a Rear Admiral (lower half) and later earned his second star in 1991. The U.S. Navy recognized his distinguished military career with honors including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Award. Smith began his civilian career with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in 1968. Smith has served as secretary to the bank’s board of directors and to the Federal Reserve System’s Conference of Presidents. In 1975, Smith served as assistant secretary to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Today he is senior vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank, responsible for its Houston’s branch.
Smith is actively involved as a Texas A&M former student as an ardent supporter and past president of The Association of Former Students and the Dallas A&M Club and past chairman of the Texas A&M Foundation. He is a past member of the 12th Man Foundation Board of Directors and Chancellor’s Century Council. He is a member of the Corps of Cadets Development Council, vice chairman of the Presidential Board of Visitors and chairs the President’s Council of Advisors. In 1999 he received the Jimmy Williams Distinguished Service Award from the Dallas A&M Club and the Houston A&M Club named him “Outstanding Houston Aggie of the Year” in 2002. Born in Dallas, Smith and his wife, Mary Sue, reside in Houston and Rockwall, Texas.
"He always does what is right- the hallmark of a good Aggie."
- Joe B. Mattei ’53, Distinguished Alumnus, 2004
General Joe
Ashy ’62
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Year Awarded: 2022
College Station, TX
ccording to General Joe Ashy ’62, the saying, “We are the Aggies, The Aggies are we,” “highlights the imperative that Aggie excellence demands ‘us’ (rather than ‘me’) to selflessly serve for the greater good. Our unity and collective spirit are what make us transcendent and distinctive!”
Ashy is one of only 10 Aggies to rise to the rank of four-star general in the U.S. military. He began his 35-year military career as a fighter pilot in the Air Force after four years of ROTC with the Corps of Cadets. By the end of his service, Ashy was concurrently serving as the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Space Command and Air Force Space Command. Included in his many military decorations are the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the U.S. Defense Distinguished Service Medal with cluster. General Ashy’s command touched the lives of countless U.S. and global coalition partner members.
After retirement from the military, Ashy founded aerospace consulting company Ashy and Associates LLC, where he served as president and CEO. He was appointed to the Independent Strategic Assessment Group, which advises the Air Force in the areas of air, space, cyber, and command and control. Appointed as a senior fellow by the Department of Defense, Ashy mentored up-and-coming U.S. flag officers through the Capstone and Pinnacle programs. During his 18 years of involvement with these programs, Ashy also led U.S. delegations to over 120 countries.
Ashy has been closely involved in Texas A&M’s Sul Ross Group, which includes Aggie former students of 55 or more years from graduation. Ashy served as the group’s president during the 2021-22 term. Ashy has been married to his wife, Sue, for 61 years. They have a daughter, Karen, and a granddaughter, Lt. Col. Kristin Clinger ’09.
Ashy’s Aggie family includes his late father, Joe Ashy ’29, his brother, Dr. Thomas Ashy ’64.
“General Ashy’s reputation for integrity and selfless dedication to supporting America’s warfighters combined to set the highest possible standards for military and industry interactions.”
- Lt. Gen. Bruce "Orville" Wright
Dr. Charles R.
Munnerlyn ’62
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Year Awarded: 2009
San Jose, CA
Munnerlyn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Texas A&M University, and was a member the Corps of Cadets, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Pi Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, the Student Conference on National Affairs, a distinguished physics graduate and a distinguished Air Force ROTC Cadet. He served three years in the United States Air Force before earning a Ph.D. in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 1969.
A founding father of laser vision correction, Munnerlyn designed and built the first excimer laser system for vision correction and founded VISX, Inc. in 1987, the leading manufacturer of laser vision correction systems in the world, which is now a part of Abbott Laboratories.
Munnerlyn is a member of the Texas A&M Academy of Distinguished Graduates for the College of Science, a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and 2007 recipient of the Edwin Land Medal, a distinguished alumnus of the University of Rochester’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the 2008 recipient of the University of Rochester’s Distinguished Scholar Award and the 2001 Stevens Institute of Technology Honor Award, and was named 2001 Engineer of the Year by Design News Magazine.
His support to Texas A&M includes The Association of Former Students’ Century Club, the Texas A&M Foundation’s One Spirit One Vision campaign, and endowments in Physics and Observational Astronomy. Texas A&M’s Charles R. ’62 and Judith G. Munnerlyn Astronomical Laboratory and Space Engineering Building is named in his honor.
A native of Edna, TX, Munnerlyn lives in San Jose, CA with his wife Judy. They have four children; Audrey, Patrick ’93 (spouse, Rhonda Worrall Munnerlyn ’93), John and Stewart; and four grandchildren.
"Not only did I receive an excellent education in the principal areas of physics while at A&M, my experiences in the Corps and in the military science classes gave me training in leadership and management. I also was taught to take responsibility for my actions and to work with others to accomplish a task."
L.C. “Chaz”
Neely, Jr. ’62
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Year Awarded: 2006
San Antonio, TX
L.C. “Chaz” Neely, Jr., Class of 1962, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in marketing from Texas A&M University. During his time at Texas A&M, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the San Antonio Hometown Club.
In 1963, Neely began his career at Sinclair Refining Co. and later moved to the truck leasing division of Hertz Corp. Soon after in 1970, Neely joined Knowlton’s Creamery, spending 13 years honing his marketing and distribution skills and gaining important management experience. It was in 1979 when Neely purchased San Antonio Steel Co., a then small firm who bought large quantities of nail and wire from wholesalers and then resold them to contractor suppliers and lumber yards. From 1981 to 1983, Neely continued to work for Knowlton’s Creamery and run San Antonio Steel. After many ups and downs, San Antonio Steel Co. today has retail sales in excess of $37 million with 35 employees. SASCO was named to Inc. Magazine’s Top 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in 1986, and is frequently recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal Top 50 Private Companies of San Antonio. He was named the Ernst & Young, LLP Entrepreneur of the Year for the Central and South Texas Region in 1997.
Neely has volunteered his time to Texas A&M University as President of the San Antonio A&M Club, a member of the Chancellor’s Century Council, the Mays Business School Development Council, the One Spirit One Vision Campaign committee and the 12th Man Foundation. He served on the boards of directors for The Association of Former Students and the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship. The Mays Business School honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2005 and he is an inaugural member of the “Aggie 100,” recognizing the 100 fastest growing Aggie-led businesses in the world. Born in San Antonio, Neely and his wife, Trisha, have three children: Alison, Class of 1990; Bradford, Class of 1994; and Trey, Class of 1997.
"Mr. Neely’s rise to success was not meteoric. Instead it was slow, steady and done with great perseverance. In a world where instant gratification and creative financing is glorified and, I think Mr. Neely’s story gives a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed- grit, sweat equity and, sometimes… putting yourself on the line. It is a lesson that young, start-up entrepreneurs would benefit from."
- Donna Turtle, Business Journalist
Thomas W.
Powell ’62
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Year Awarded: 2022
Giddings, TX
“‘Honors,’ in my way of thinking, are not what I may have done or accomplished, but what I have received,” said Thomas W. Powell ’62. “When I think about Texas A&M and honors, I think about the honor I received by having the privilege of being a student and a member of the Corps of Cadets.”
In addition to being in the Corps of Cadets, Powell also served as a Ross Volunteer and was a member of MSC SCONA. Although Powell earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics, the majority of his career has been in business administration.
Powell has spent decades leading Powell Industries Inc. He served as president and CEO from 1984 until his retirement, as well as the company’s chairman of the board. When he first joined the company in 1964, it was a five-man family business. Currently, the company employs over 3,000 people and has expanded to international locations. This type of growth is no accident. Powell’s leadership philosophy, built on the values he learned at Texas A&M, has prioritized integrity and elevated his employees every step of the way.
In addition to his corporate success, Powell’s convictions have also led him to generously give back to others. He has established many chairs, fellowships and scholarships for Texas A&M, both at the flagship College Station campus and in Galveston. He spent 10 years on Texas A&M University at Galveston’s board of visitors, and is the namesake of that campus’s Powell Marine Engineering Complex. His philanthropic donations have served A&M’s colleges of Science, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is also passionate about retaining first-generation college students, who he supports with a scholarship through A&M’s Science Leadership Scholars Program.
Powel has two children, Holly '85 and Michael '88; his wife, Kimberly, also has two children, Victoria '13 and Zane.
“He is a fascinating individual with a generous heart and a deep love for this university, and I believe the Distinguished Alumnus Award was made for persons of his caliber.”
- Meigan Aronson
R. H. "Steve"
Stevens, Jr. ’62
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Year Awarded: 2013
Houston, TX
R. H. "Steve" Stevens, Jr., Class of 1962, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University. As a student, Stevens was involved in the Corps of Cadets as executive officer of the Ross Volunteers, a member of the Permanent Firing Squad, Supply Officer and Lieutenant Colonel on Corps Staff and the Cadet Court. He was a member of the Brazoria County Hometown Club, where he served as president his senior year, the Accounting Society, SCONA, the Aggie Sweetheart Selection Committee and the 12th Man Bowl.
After graduation, Stevens served as an officer in the United States Air Force in Reno, Nev., and then in Paris, France, at Dreux-Louvilliers Air Base until 1966, and received an Outstanding Unit Citation. He went on to become a certified public accountant and provided tax services to clients in various industries, including oil and gas, real estate and agriculture, for 40 years. After 33 years with Arthur Andersen, he retired from the firm in 1999 and became managing partner of Stevens & Matthews LLP, another accounting firm. Currently, he serves as both managing partner of Stevens & Matthews LLP, and Chairman of the Board at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he has been an active member for many years. Stevens joined the Show in 1975 and volunteered on numerous committees before being elected to the Show’s Board of Directors in 1987, and then vice president, where he served as officer in charge of 16 committees. He has served on the Show’s Executive Committee since 2005. He joined the American Quarter Horse Association’s Board of Directors in 1987, and later the Association’s Executive Committee in 1999, before becoming president in 2003. In 1986, he served as president of the Texas Quarter Horse Association. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2009.
Stevens has given his time to Texas A&M in many ways. In 1983, he served as president of the 12th Man Foundation, and he was appointed to the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System in 1999, where he served as chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee and special liaison to the Board for Lease of University Lands until 2005. He has been a member of the A&M Legacy Society, the Chancellor’s Advisory Council, the Development Council for the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Mays Business School, Class Agent for the Class of 1962, The Association of Former Students’ Board of Directors, and he currently serves on the 12th Man Foundation’s Champions Council.
Stevens and his wife, Kay, live in Houston. They have two daughters, and a son-in-law who graduated from Texas A&M, and four grandchildren.
Enjoy every minute of your time at Texas A&M. Learn all you can. Experience all you can. But most of all, learn the Aggie way. The Aggie way is filled with integrity.
CPT Robert L.
Acklen, Jr. ’63
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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