LTG Ormond R.
Simpson ’36
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Year Awarded: 1988
Corpus Christi, TX
Simpson received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1936 and was commissioned in the U.S. Marines. He served for 37 years, serving in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, while working his way up to the rank of Lieutenant General before retiring from active duty in 1973. In 1974, he became the Assistant Vice President for Student Services at Texas A&M University.
"The man is humble, trustworthy, honorable. He’s extremely interested in his community and his school. He’s a leader."
- Travis Bryan, Jr.
Harwood K.
Smith ’35
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Year Awarded: 1988
Chicago, IL
Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design in 1935. Starting with a one-man office in 1939, he has built Harwood K. Smith and Partners, Inc. into a firm that has placed his mark on skylines across the country. He has designed more than 60% of the Dallas buildings over 15 stories tall between 1973 and 1988.
Smith has received award recognition for his designs of Reunion Arena, One Main Place, Taylor Publishing Company, Texas Instruments office and manufacturing plant, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School in Dallas. He also holds numerous art awards from the Southwestern Watercolor Society.
Jack G.
Fritts ’53
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Year Awarded: 1987
Austin, TX
Fritts received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry in 1953. His 25+ year career included executive positions in insurance and real estate development. He served as Owner and President of Casita Investment Corporation.
Fritts served as the 1982 President of The Association of Former Students and created the Texas Aggie Credit Union in which earnings from benefited Texas A&M through the Association of Former Students and the Development Foundation. Mr. Fritts also has been instrumental in originating many programs to benefit Aggies past and present, including the candlelit service that has become a featured part of Muster ceremonies, and the Weirus Spirit Awards that recognize students for their dedication to student life programs.
"Jack has shown evidence of this strong character in everything he has done all his life—a dedicated family man, devout Christian, active in civic affairs, a successful businessman, and a true Aggie. He has always had high moral values, and has passed these on to his children and to other young people. Jack’s feelings for his Alma Mater run deep. While some Aggies may have given more of their worldly goods, no one has given more of his or her time and efforts to support Texas A&M University."
- Rowland W. Persons ’40
Herschel G.
Maltz ’50
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Year Awarded: 1987
Houston, TX
Maltz received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1950. In 1968, he was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Century Papers, a firm which distributes paper products. Widely recognized as a leader in his field, Mr. Maltz is a past president of the Southwest Paper Merchants Association and a director of the National Paper Trade Association.
A member of various civic and charitable organizations, he received the 1978 Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Philanthropic Service from the National Jewish Hospital, for which he also served as a trustee. Maltz served as a Class Agent for the Class of 1950 and was President of the Houston A&M Club.
Hon. Jack M.
Rains ’60
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Year Awarded: 1987
Waco, TX
Rains received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1960 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston College of Law. He was President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for 3D International and served as Secretary of State under Governor Bill Clements.
Recognized statewide for his devotion to Texas A&M , Mr. Rains has served his alma mater as a Chairman of the Task Force on Academic Institutions of the Target 2000 Project and a s a director and Vice President of The Association of Former Students. Rains was a member of The Association of Former Students Board of Directors for three years. He also helped establish the College of Architecture and Environmental Design Development Council, the Council on the Visual Arts, and the Memorial Student Center Enrichment Fund.
"With regard to Texas A&M I don’t think I can state Jack’s love for this university. He, like many of us, has been bitten by whatever attaches us to the University and he is always willing to give his time and money to assist the University and those students who attend A&M."
- Arno W. Krebs, Jr. '64
E. M. “Manny”
Rosenthal ’42
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Year Awarded: 1987
Fort Worth, TX
Rosenthal received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1942. While a student he was editor of the Battalion, the university newspaper, and the Battalion Magazine. Rosenthal was President of Standard Meat Co. who later merged with the Sara Lee Corp., making it the largest meat purveyor in the world. He also worked to make changes in the USDA grading standards and lessen the federal regulatory control over the industry. Rosenthal served as Chairman of the Board of Standard Meat Company.
He has continued his service to his alma mater by being instrumental in establishing two endowed chairs in the College of Agriculture, providing funds to support meats and judging teams and other student programs, and making state-of-the-art processing plants accessible to Aggies studying agriculture and veterinary medicine.
"He is a kind, generous man; really the cream of our community. I wish there were more people like him."
- Ron Stocker, District VP of B’nai B’rith
Thomas R.
Frymire ’45
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Year Awarded: 1986
Abilene, TX
Frymire received a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1947. He began his career as a Sales Engineer and 29 years later was Chairman of the Board of Frymire Engineering Co., Inc., the largest mechanical and electrical service company in the south.
He was the President of the Aggie Club, a charter member of the 12th Man Club, and a sponsor three President’s Endowed Scholarships. Mr. Frymire also donated the “Kyle Field” sign located on the west side of the stadium.
"He is always hailed as the epitome of A&M spirit when his name is mentioned."
- Thomas A. O’ Dwyer '47, Distinguished Alumnus, 1984
Dr. Richard H.
Harrison III ’47
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Year Awarded: 1986
Dallas, TX
Harrison received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1948 and a Doctorate of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine. He entered private practice in Bryan in 1956 and fulfilled visiting professorships at the medical schools of the University of Cairo and the University of Kentucky and has authored 95 publications and papers.
He was a Clinical Professor of Surgery for Texas A&M’s College of Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His strong support of Texas A&M includes a President’s Endowed Scholarship. And endowed Mark Francis Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, and endowed 12th Man Athletic Scholarship, and endowed Medical College Scholarship, an endowed Sul Ross Scholarship for A&M’s Corp of Cadets and an Endowed Century Club membership. Dr. Harrison served as 1958 President of the Brazos County A&M Club.
Thomas A.
Murrah ’38
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Year Awarded: 1986
Plano, TX
Murrah received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1938. For 40+ years, he served as a Director and Executive of banks across the state of Texas. Murrah was President of The Association of Former Students, a Class Agent for the Class of 1938, and the first President of the Texas Aggie Band Association.
Murrah was a member of the Century Council Executive Committee, Target 2000 Project Executive Committee, and a sponsor of a President’s Endowed Scholarship. He is also is responsible for establishing the YMCA branch in Northwest San Antonio and served as President of the San Antonio Sports Association in 1969.
James H.
Uptmore ’53
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Year Awarded: 1986
Tours, TX
Uptmore received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education in 1953. After serving as President of H.B. Zachry Properties, Inc., he became President of Uptmore and Associates, Inc. in 1974.
Uptmore served as President of the San Antonio A&M Club and Class Agent for the Class of 1953. He was awarded the Aggie Parents of the Year Award in 1984 and the C.C. Polly Krueger Award from the San Antonio A&M Club.
"Jim Uptmore has given his time and resources to Texas A&M University, but more important than those visible actions are his feelings of loyalty and dedication for our university and for his fellow Aggies."
- Raul B. Fernandez ’59, Distinguished Alumnus, 2007