Alfred I. Davies ’34
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Year Awarded: 1982

Fort Worth, TX

Davies received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1935 and later a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. His tenure on The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents encompassed the establishment of the Private Enterprise Research Center, opening of the West Campus complex, and the completion of Olsen Field.



Davies was also the Director and Executive of the Sears, Roebuck and Company in Dallas. He has served on the governing boards of the Republic National Bank in Dallas, the Republic of Texas Corporation, Enserch Corporation, Zale Corporation, Frozen Food Express; and Metropolitan Savings and Loan Foundation.

"By all standards, Al Davies’ business career, his family life and his distinguished civic service has reflected honor and glory to Texas A&M University."

  - James W. Aston ’33, Distinguished Alumnus, 1967

Dr. Frank J. Malina ’34
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Year Awarded: 1972

Brenham, TX

Dr. Frank Malina has literally reached the stars both as a scientist-administrator and as an artist. Malina’s pioneering work in the field of rocketry is part of the basis of rockets now going to other planets. His advancement in the field of kinetic art has won him fame in recent years.



Malina is a trustee in the International Academy of Astronautics; founder-editor of Leonardo, International Journal of the Contemporary Artist; and founder of Electre Lumidyne International Corporation.



Malina received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1934, a master’s degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1936, and a Doctorate of Aeronautics from Cal Tech in 1940.



He is credited with forcing the start of rocket science and technology in the 1930’s with his thesis on the theory and practice of rocketry. Malina was instrumental in establishing NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 1954, he brought a new vision to art when he introduced electric light and movement into painting. Malina’s mobile electro-paintings have been exhibited in Paris, Lyon, Rennes, France; Milan; Rome; Prague; Amsterdam; Washington, D.C.; New York; San Francisco; and the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus.

"Malina has played a leading role in the development of space technology and would worthy of recognition for that accomplishment alone. But in addition, he has been a leader in the development of the International Space Academy, which has effectively promoted the interchange of scientific information about the exploration of space."

  - Daniel J. Boorstin, Director, Smithsonian Institution

COL Henry C. Wendler ’34
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Year Awarded: 1996

Boerne, TX

Wendler received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1934. After a 39-year career with International Business Machines, he retired as Director of Personnel and Customer Relations in 1971. Throughout his tenure, he hired and trained many who achieved uncommon success in computer system marketing and other executive positions, including Ross Perot.



He was an active member in the Dallas and Houston Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce.

"Some of my fondest memories are of my business experiences at IBM with you. Much of my success is directly related to having an opportunity to work for you."

  - In a letter to Wendler from Ross Perot

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.

Hugo C. Heldenfels ’35
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Year Awarded: 1979

Beeville, TX

Heldenfels received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration. He later formed Heldenfels Properties, Inc and served as President.



During his tenure on the Board of Directors of The Texas A&M University System, the name of the College changed to Texas A&M University, women enrolled for the first time, and membership in the Corps of Cadets was made optional. A new classroom and laboratory building was named in his honor on Texas A&M’s campus in 1977.

"There is no adequate way to thank Tony Heldenfels for all he has done and does and will do; but I am certain I speak for everyone affiliated in any way with Texas A&M when I say to Tony that we are proud of him and grateful to him—that we cherish deeply his unwavering faith in our efforts."

  - Dr. Jack K. Williams, Former President of Texas A&M

Maj. Gen. Raymond L. Murray ’35
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Year Awarded: 2017

Carlsbad, CA

¬¬¬MAJ. GEN. RAYMOND L. MURRAY ’35 received a bachelor’s degree in English. As a student, he lettered in football in ’31, ’32 and ’33, was named to the 1933 All- Southwest Conference football team, and was A&M's most valuable player in 1934. He was also an infantry regiment colonel.

He was selected as one of three Aggies to receive a direct commission in the U.S. Marine Corps, entering as a second lieutenant. In 33 years of service, he became one of the most highly decorated Aggies in history, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, two Navy Crosses, four Silver Stars and the Legion of Merit. In 1945, he was part of the honor guard at President Franklin Roosevelt’s funeral.

He served first in Shanghai during the Sino-Japanese War in 1937. During World War II, he led Marines at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan. In the Korean War, he led the 5th Marines in the landings at Pusan and Inchon and in the Chosin Reservoir campaign. He served as deputy commander for all Marine forces in Vietnam.

He was A&M’s campus Muster speaker in 1967. In 1999, he was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. In 2003, the city of Oceanside, Calif., named a bridge in his honor. He passed away the next year. In 2007, a high school named in his honor was dedicated in Vista, Calif., where scholarships are given in his name. In the Leon Uris novel and film Battle Cry, he was the model for the character of Lt. Col. “High Pockets” Huxley.

He was a Bronze level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 26 years of giving.

His surviving family includes wife Zona; a daughter and two sons; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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.

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.

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.

Richard N. Conolly, Sr. ’37
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Year Awarded: 1985

Athens, GA

Conolly received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Administration in 1937. He was Vice President of Stewart and Stevenson Services, Inc., a company which distributed engines and transmissions. He was an instrumental part of the establishment of the Texas A&M Research Extension Center at Corpus Christi.



Conolly served as the 1958 President of The Association of Former Students as well as the President of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. Conally was also named Texas Motor Transportation Man of the Year for 1971 and also named Who’s Who in the Southwest.

"There is a saying from Holy Scripture that ‘many are called, but few are chosen,’ and by his character, accomplishments, and his feeling for Texas A&M University, Richard Noble Conolly, Sr., is one of the ‘few’."

  - H.C. Heldenfels ’35, Distinguished Alumnus, 1979