Dr. William M.
Barnes ’64
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Year Awarded: 2016
San Antonio, TX
DR. WILLIAM M. BARNES ’64 received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering and a doctorate in operations research. As a student, Mike served as president of Alpha Pi Mu (and has been a member of Tau Beta Pi since 1964); he represented A&M in summer 1968 as an expert consultant to the Assistant Postmaster General, and was an instructor of Army engineers for A&M in maintainability engineering at Red River Army Depot.
In 33 years with Rockwell International, he became senior vice president and chief financial officer. He is an Outstanding Alumnus of both A&M’s Dwight Look College of Engineering and Department of Industrial Engineering. He was the inaugural recipient in 2009 of the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Texas Council of Industrial Engineering Department Heads. In 2001, he received the Leonardo da Vinci Annual Award as one of Rockwell’s Outstanding Engineers. Since his 2001 retirement from Rockwell, he has served on boards for three New York Stock Exchange-listed companies.
He and his wife have endowed a department head chair and a professorship in industrial engineering and hosted football and A&M fundraising events at homes in Southern California and Texas. He has funded A&M professorships and labs through the Rockwell Foundation, served as a charter member of the Chancellor’s Century Council and has been a member of the Engineering Advisory Board. He has given to The Association’s Century Club for 24 years.
In California, he served on the Orange County Business Council and with the governorship of Town Hall of Los Angeles. In San Antonio, he has been a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society supporting the United Way of San Antonio and has supported the Witte Museum.
His family includes wife Sugar, son Brad Barnes ’90 and two grandchildren.
Charles H.
Gregory ’64
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Year Awarded: 2017
Houston, TX
CHARLES H. GREGORY ’64 received a bachelor’s degree in economics. As a student, he was commander of the Ross Volunteers, active in Student Conference on National Affairs, and first sergeant and commander of F-2 in the Corps of Cadets.
He served in the U.S. Army 1967-69 to the rank of captain, primarily in intelligence in Vietnam. He then worked for a regional securities firm and became its vice president of venture capital operations. For 30 years, he served as CEO of Rupley Holdings, purchasing its predecessor out of bankruptcy and building it into four separate businesses.
He served for seven years on the board of trustees of the Texas A&M Foundation and was chairman. He has also served on the President’s Board of Visitors and for more than 20 years on the Liberal Arts Development Council, and has been a Double Diamond member of The Association’s Century Club, with 33 years of giving. He has created an endowed chair in liberal arts and a graduate student fellowship and has supported The Gardens at Texas A&M project, the MSC renovation and the Texas A&M Foundation building fund, among other gifts.
In 2016, he was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. He is a class co-representative for the Ross Volunteers Association and a class representative for Company F-2. He served on A&M’s Vision 2020 planning group and the committee for A&M’s early-2000s capital campaign. He also supports and serves Houston charities.
His family includes wife Mary, a son and a daughter, as well as his late father, R.P. Gregory ’32, and uncles A.J. Gray ’45 and Delbert W. Gray ’49.
Arno W.
Krebs ’64
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Year Awarded: 2017
Bryan, TX
ARNO W. KREBS, JR. ’64 received a bachelor’s degree in education. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, vice president and president of the Student Education Association and a member of the Pre-Law Society.
He joined the Houston law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski after law school graduation in 1967 and was a partner in the litigation section 1975-2007. He was head of the litigation department in the firm’s Dallas office 1997-2002.
He has served as president and an executive committee member for the 12th Man Foundation and on the board of The Association of Former Students, and is in the Lettermen’s Association Hall of Honor and Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor.
A past president of the Texas Aggie Bar Association, he was named Aggie Lawyer of the Year in 2006.
An Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Education and Human Development, he created an endowed scholarship in the college and has served on development councils for the college and the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
He is a Silver level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 54 years of giving; he and his wife helped fund the Memories exhibit in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. He has also supported the Sterling C. Evans Library.
He serves on the operating committee of the Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education and the board of Industry Bancshares community bank holding company. Through his pro bono activities, he helped establish hometown organizations including the Shelby Area Historical Society.
His family includes wife Barbara, daughter Kirsten Krebs Calder ’89, stepson Bret L. Dark ’89 and four grandchildren. His father was Arno W. Krebs, Sr. ’37.
Arthur R.
McFerrin, Jr. ’65
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Year Awarded: 2008
Beaumont, TX
McFerrin received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M and went on to earn a master’s degree in the same field in 1969. As student, he was a member of Company E-1 in the Corps of Cadets, the Student Conference on National Affairs, the Society of Military Engineers, as well as the Great Issues Committee.
McFerrin began his career in 1967 with Shell Chemical, before becoming an independent plant manager in 1972. In 1975 he founded KMCO, a chemical processing and manufacturing company, and in 1990 established KMTEX, a high-volume distillation company. He purchased South Coast Terminals in 1995 and is a partner in several other chemical processing plants.
McFerrin has served Texas A&M as chairman of the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board and has served on the President’s Corps of Cadets Board of Visitors, the 12th Man Foundation Board of Trustees, Texas A&M Research Foundation, and the Chancellor’s Century Council.
In 2005, McFerrin established an endowment to support Texas A&M’s department of chemical engineering, which now bears his name. His many contributions to Texas A&M are visible throughout the campus and include the McFerrin Indoor Athletic Center and the Cox-McFerrin Basketball Center. McFerrin endowed the Becky Gates Children’s Center, the Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center in the College of Education and Human Development, as well as the Byrne Chair currently held by Dr. Jim Kracht.
He has been part of the Distinguished Visiting Executive Series at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service and in 1998 was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
McFerrin and his wife, Dorothy, have two children, Jeffrey, Class of 1992, and Jennifer.
"He is a man of exceptional talent, notable accomplishments, unlimited compassion, and unquestionable integrity. In fact, he embodies all of the personal attributes that Aggies value. Artie exemplifies the concept of a servant leader, always willing to step forward when needed, and more than willing to deflect credit to others. I have never seen anyone so caring, considerate, and generous, and at the same time, so gracious, modest, and unassuming. He is truly a rare and unique individual."
- Erle Nye '59, Distinguished Alumnus, 2006, and Chairman Emeritus, TXU
Frank M.
Muller, Jr. ’65
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Year Awarded: 1992
St. Louis, MO
Muller received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and English in 1965 and later a master’s degree in Business Administration. While a student, he was elected Student Body President.
He distinguished himself as executive assistant to the president of Pepsico, Inc, executive vice-president of the National Trailer Convoy, executive assistant to the chairman and president of Agrico Chemical Company, president of Devco Overseas Company, and general manager of The Kingston Company, Ltd. After a long career in executive positions, he became Senior Vice President of The Coastal Corp., where he managed multimillion dollar acquisitions and joint ventures.
"A&M, as you well know, is not a school- it’s a religion. For some of us, it was able to give us a level of nurturing at a time that was critical in our lives. As such, it’s a pleasure to give back."
Dr. Sallie V.
Sheppard ’65
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Year Awarded: 2014
Austin, TX
Dr. Sallie V. Sheppard '65 was one of the first women to graduate from Texas A&M, receiving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the university. She earned her doctorate in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh. Sheppard worked at NASA on simulations of the onboard Apollo computer for the lunar landing expeditions. After receiving her doctorate in computer science, she returned to A&M and rose through the ranks to professor of computer science and associate provost. She received two Distinguished Achievement Awards from The Association of Former Students, one in 1985 for teaching and one in 1998 for administration. She was the founding director of the computer science department’s first laboratory, the Laboratory for Software Research. In 1995 she was appointed interim executive vice president and provost, making her the first female top-ranking administrator at Texas A&M, a milestone she would also achieve at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Sheppard is a charter and organizing member of the Women Former Students’ Network, a constituent network of The Association. She is also a charter member of the Brazos County Advisory Committee for Blinn College, past branch president of the American Association of University Women, and a member and deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin. She and her husband, Leland Blank, have funded a President’s Endowed Scholarship at Texas A&M. She is the recipient of an IEEE Third Millennium Award for Outstanding Achievements and Contributions. Sheppard and her husband have two daughters, Christina Blank and Allison McKay ’95, and three grandchildren.
"Being at Texas A&M in the early 1960s was very exciting – so much was happening as the institution was transforming from a college into a university. But the most exciting and enjoyable part of being an Aggie was the people that I met – faculty dedicated to helping students succeed and students intent on making the most of the experience. It was very special to be a part of it."
Ronald L.
Skaggs ’65
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Year Awarded: 1998
Dallas, TX
Skaggs received a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design in 1966 and later earned a master’s degree. He serves as Chairman and CEO of HKS Architects where he has assisted in creating buildings and sports venues in the Dallas area The Ballpark in Arlington and Dallas’ Reunion Area.
His firm designed Texas A&M’s Architecture Building, Richardson Petroleum Engineering Building, Large Animal Hospital and Research Facility, and the Texas A&M Foundation Building. He serves on The Association of Former Students Board of Directors. Skaggs and his wife have established the Skaggs Professorship in Health Facilities Design and have endowed five scholarships at Texas A&M.
"Ron Skaggs is a humble man, fun and non-pretentious, a nice fellow; as we would hope all of our former students would be. He represents the very best of us, in a league of his own, an example and an inspiration."
- John Only Greer ’55
Pablo D.
Marvin ’66
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Year Awarded: 2009
College Station, TX
Marvin earned a Bachelor of Science in business management while working part-time and later full-time to support his young family.
Upon graduation, he returned to his native Mexico and built a long and prosperous career in business. Marvin worked for Aceros Nacioneles, S.A. and Deutz, CV.de C.B in Mexico City. He later founded Plasticos Precisos, S.A., a plastics extrusions company; the Los Tocayos chain of restaurants in Denver, Co; and Compania de Inversionistas de Mexico, S.A. de C.V, a real estate company where he currently serves as CEO.
A loyal supporter of Texas A&M, especially to initiatives focusing on international programs, Marvin was named an Outstanding International Alumnus in 2006. He is a member of the Texas A&M International Board, the Texas A&M Mexico Center Advisory Board, the Bush School Development Council and is a founding member of Texas A&M’s International Programs Office. In 1993, Marvin and his wife, Barbara, provided 5,000 square feet of office space rent-free to Texas A&M University, allowing for the creation of the Texas A&M University Center in Mexico. He is a mentor to Texas A&M’s Academy for International Leaders Program, an external advisor to the Mexican Student Association and was actively involved in the planning of the Central American Aggie Summit in 2006 and in the 2007 Middle East Aggie Summit.
A native of Mexico City, Marvin and his wife Barbara now reside in College Station with their daughter, Sophia. Marvin is also father to Paul ’86 (spouse, Pamela Galbreath Marvin ’87), Taylor, and Rosalind.
"Texas A&M has given extra meaning to my life. The values that A&M teaches are of worldwide importance and if even a little bit of A&M could rub off on the rest of the world, the world would be a better place."
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.
James M.
Singleton IV ’66
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Year Awarded: 2018
College Station, TX
Practicing architecture for over 40 years, Singleton has specialized in educational facilities for more than 100 districts in Texas with over 300 K-12 projects; his work also includes medical buildings, banks, office buildings, athletic centers and pro bono work such as the Brazos Valley African American Museum, Bryan’s Queen Theatre and the Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley.
Attending A&M on a football scholarship, he earned dual degrees: a bachelor of arts degree in architecture and a bachelor of science degree in architectural construction. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Corps of Cadets and president of the Lettermen’s “T” Association. During his military service in Vietnam, he was an Army helicopter scout pilot, “Gambler 00.”
A founding member of the Lettermen’s Association and member of its board of directors, he was inducted in 2002 into its Hall of Honor for his leadership in completing the original A&M Sports Museum. He is an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s College of Architecture. In 2015, he was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. He currently sits on the advisory council of A&M's College of Architecture.
He has mentored dozens of aspiring Aggie architects; in 2016, he endowed the James M. Singleton IV ’66 FAIA Educational Architecture Professorship.
Singleton is a Silver Century Club member of The Association with 31 years of giving and a member of the A&M Legacy Society; he has also created endowments for MSC OPAS and is a member of the 12th Man Foundation and Corps of Cadets Association.
He has served on boards for the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley and Brazos Valley Symphony Society.
His family includes wife Stephanie Sale; four children, including Tanner Singleton ’06; grandchildren; siblings W. Jeff Singleton ’66, Jill Singleton ’76 and Hollee Singleton ’78; his late father, James M. Singleton III ’42, and late grandfather D.E. Singleton, Class of 1918.