Joe Hiram Moore ’38
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Year Awarded: 1978

Alvin, TX

Moore received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1939 and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1940. Starting as a roughneck in the oil fields, he became a noted petroleum engineer, independent producer and operator.



Moore contributed financially, intellectually, and with his time in support of higher education at Texas A&M. He established an endowment for scholarships and actively served as friends and advisors to many A&M support groups, including the Texas A&M University Press, the Texas A&M Foundation, and served as The Association of Former Students President in 1974.

James L. Sewell ’27
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Year Awarded: 1978

Coleman, TX

Sewell received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1927. After a more than 30-year career in the oil and gas industry, Sewell served as President of Delhi-Taylor Oil Corp. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Delhi International Oil Corporation, Aztec Oil and Gas Company, and Citizens National Bank of Dallas.



Sewell was president of Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. He also served as President of The Association of Former Students in 1970 and as a Trustee of the Texas A&M Development 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."

Leslie L. Appelt ’41
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Year Awarded: 1977

Hallettsville, TX

Appelt received a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 1941. He was a Major in the 371st Army Engineers Construction Battalion during World War II. He served as General Partner, with full asset management responsibility, in five real estate investment development properties and was the Consultant to Jancintoport Corporation and served as Director and Vice President of Service Tool & Supply Company.



He was President of The Association of Former Students in 1971 and Chairman of the Texas A&M Development Foundation Board of Trustees. His ideas and initial funding resulted in creation of the Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center and the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M.

George P. Mitchell ’40
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Year Awarded: 1977

Galveston, TX

George P. Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1940. Nationally prominent in land development and oil and gas exploration, he is one of his alma mater’s foremost benefactors. In 1968, he donated 100 acres of land on Pelican Island in Galveston for creation of a new campus for marine related programs. The Mitchell Campus, named in honor of his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mitchell, now serves as headquarters for the University’s fast-growing Moody College of Marine College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Resources. He subsequently has given the University additional Galveston property, including a facility on Eckert’s bayou which will be used as a marine research station.



He is board chairman and president of Mitchell Energy & Development Corporation based in Houston. His firm developed The Woodlands, an internationally acclaimed project which, in essence, involved construction of a completely new and well-designed town north of Houston. His firm also ranks among the nation’s largest independent oil and gas producers and is credited with the discovery of nearly 100 oil fields and 125 gas fields. He has served as chairman of the 4000 member Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.

J. Roy Quinby ’24
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Year Awarded: 1977

Corsicana, TX

Quinby, a renowned plant geneticist and breeder, received a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy in 1924 and later a master’s degree in Genetics. He devoted the major portion of his career to highly productive service to his alma mater and its Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. He was instrumental in the development of hybrid grain sorghum as a significant agricultural crop in the production of feed for cattle, swine and poultry.



This evolution of a new order of plants of economic value has enhanced agricultural operations in other parts of the nation and numerous foreign countries, in addition to having a major impact in Texas. His accomplishments in sorghum breeding resulted in up to three-fold increases in crop yields and led to massive cattle feedlot operations on Texas’ Great Plains. This work was accomplished while he served as superintendent and research leader at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station’s sub-station in Chillicothe, a position he held from 1925 until his retirement in 1961. During this period, his influence on students and research assistants was immense and contributed immeasurably to numerous fruitful careers.



Since his formal retirement, he has contributed to serve his alma mater as a visiting professor and has been consultant to Pioneer Hi-Bred Company in Plainview, Texas, for which he helped train workers in Nigeria, the Philippines, India, and Afghanistan in seed production techniques.

"The efforts of Mr. Quinby will live far beyond his professional lifetime through his influence upon the agriculture of Texas. Mr. Quinby has been truly outstanding as a creative scientist, a stimulating leader, a citizen and a former student."

  - H. O. Kunkel, Former Dean of Agriculture, Texas A&M

George D. Comnas ’35
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Year Awarded: 1976

Vancouver, Canada

Comnas received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1935. He built an international reputation for organizing global shipping and marketing operations for petroleum products and other commodities. His experience in the oil and shipping industries made him one of the most knowledgeable consultants in the world.

Fred Hale ’22
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Year Awarded: 1976

Kaufman, TX

Hale received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry in 1922 and later earned a master’s degree in Animal Nutrition. Hale’s research regarding nutrition and the effects of Vitamin A deficiency pioneered an entire field in both animal and human medicine. He initiated the establishment of the first biochemical laboratory for Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.



Hale is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific publications and co-author of three books. In 1947 he joined the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M.

William T. Moore ’40
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Year Awarded: 1976

Edge, TX

Moore received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1940 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas Law School in 1949. During his service in the Texas Senate, Moore was instrumental in the passage of many bills that affected the growth and progress of Texas A&M University.

"I am a free soul. Life would be hell if you had to worry about every decision you make and who you might offend. I call things like I see them and never take them home with me."

L.F. Peterson ’36
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Year Awarded: 1976

Temple, TX

Peterson received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1936. He spent more than 35 years as an operator, consultant and engineer in the petroleum industry. He worked up from oil field roustabout to Chief Petroleum Engineer for Stanolind Oil and Gas Company, and was a partner in the firm Keller and Peterson in which he did petroleum consulting throughout the United States and in foreign countries.



Peterson served on The Texas A&M University System Board of Directors, was a founding member of the President’s Endowed Scholars program, and was President of The Association of Former Students.