Henry B. "Hank" Paup ’70
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Year Awarded: 2023

Fort Worth, TX

Henry B. “Hank” Paup ’70 believes that “a person’s word is their bond, and a handshake is a contract.”

Paup commonly sums up his time in Aggieland with “the three S’s: soldiering, studying and swimming.” He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, serving as first sergeant, the company commander of his outfit and a Ross Volunteer. A varsity swimmer and three-year letterman, he set the Texas A&M record for the mile swim in 1969. He graduated from A&M with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a commission in the U.S. Army, and he would later earn a law degree from SMU and his CPA certification.

Specializing in estate planning and probate, Paup has served the Fort Worth area as a lawyer for 50 years. He founded his own practice, Law Offices of Henry B. Paup, in 1982. Although it was created after his student days, he has been a strong supporter of the Texas A&M School of Law, establishing an endowed dean’s scholarship and law faculty chair.

Paup reinvests in his passions. He and his wife, Anne, have been significant supporters of the Texas A&M swim team, including as the lead donors of the team’s newest indoor facility, Paup Pavilion. They have established seven academic and athletic scholarships at A&M, and are Endowed Century Club members.

In 2019, the couple gave the lead gift on a new sanctuary pipe organ for their church. He has also given of his time, serving as president of the Fort Worth A&M Club, president of the First Methodist Church of Fort Worth Foundation and a member of the 12th Man Foundation board of trustees. In recognition of the Paups’ exceptional giving, they were recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Philanthropists of the Year by the Fort Worth chapter of Fundraising Professionals.

The Paups have two children, Spivey ’01, married to Brooke ’01, and Robbie Jane ’07, and five grandchildren.

“He exemplifies the core values of Texas A&M in how he conducts his business, lives his life and deals with every person.”

  - James A. Creel ’69

R. Sam Torn ’70
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Year Awarded: 2020

Houston, TX

For 36 years, Torn and his wife, Susan ’13, have owned and operated Incomparable Camp Ozark, one of the largest residential summer camps in the nation, where they have impacted over 200,000 children and thousands of staff.

Torn is also developer and owner of Camp OTX, executive director of Camp War Eagle for underserved children, and founder and chairman of Ozone Ministries and Ozark for All camp. He is a member of Texas’ Higher Education Coordinating Board.

As a student, he was head yell leader, in charge of building A&M’s largest Bonfire, and a member of the Corps’ Company F-2, the varsity baseball team and the Student Senate.

Torn is a past chair of the 12th Man Foundation, cochaired the Kyle Field Redevelopment Committee and $485 million campaign and coordinated the redevelopment of Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.

The Torns received the 12th Man Foundation’s E. King Gill Award in 2016. Torn is a member of the Corps Hall of Honor and Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association Hall of Honor. He has been a Class Agent for the Class of ’70, an Association area representative and past president of the Association of Former Yell Leaders.

Torn is an Endowed Century Club member of The Association of Former Students, with 28 years of giving.

His Aggie family includes his late father, Roland S. Torn ’38. The Torns have three children, Scott ’95 (married to Secily ’95), Chris ’97 (married to Ceci ’98) and Angela ’02 (married to Stephan ’02), and 13 grandchildren including two Aggies, Sam ’23 and Caroline ’24.

“To me, Texas A&M means legacy, the necessity of being thankful for the opportunity afforded by the efforts of those who came before and the responsibility to make it an even better opportunity for those who come after.”

  - R. Sam Torn '70

Joseph V. Tortorice, Jr. ’70
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Year Awarded: 2019

Beaumont, TX

Joe Tortorice, Jr. ’70 founded Jason’s Deli in 1976. The Beaumont-based restaurant chain has since expanded to 294 delis in 28 states and was the first national chain restaurant to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate and artificial dyes from its menu. Its Career Path program helps employees learn life skills and pace their own growth.

Tortorice earned a BBA in marketing from Texas A&M in 1970 and an MBA from Lamar University in 1971. As a student at Texas A&M, Tortorice was a Ross Volunteer, member of the RV Firing Squad and on 1st Group staff. He was also a business manager for Town Hall and a member of the American Marketing Society and Alpha Delta Sigma.

As a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.

Tortorice has been honored by Texas A&M as a member of the Corps Hall of Honor and an Outstanding Alumnus of the Mays Business School. He has served A&M on development councils and as a guest lecturer at Mays.

A member of The Association of Former Student’s Century Club with 31 years of giving, Tortorice established a Mays faculty fellowship and Gen. Rudder Corps Scholarships through the Texas A&M Foundation.

Tortorice was part of the Catholic Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was also active with Beaumont’s St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica ACTS ministry, St. Mary’s in College Station and Kolbe ministry to prisons and has been a Bishop’s Faith Appeal director in Beaumont and a member of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors.

"Joe's service and support for Texas A&M has been both personal and philanthropic. When Texas A&M has called, he has answered. He is an extraordinary human being and one of my all-time heroes."

  - Dr. Eddie Joe Davis '67

John D. White ’70
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Year Awarded: 2020

College Station, TX

White is a former Air Force judge advocate with over 40 years’ experience as a fund manager and lawyer. He is a member of the American Bar Foundation and Texas Bar Foundation, a charter member of the Houston Bar Foundation and has been board certified in civil litigation.

As a student, he was a member of the Ross Volunteers Firing Squad, First Wing commander in the Corps of Cadets and a committee chairman for SCONA (Student Conference on National Affairs).

He is a chairman emeritus of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, a trustee of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, a former board member of The Association of Former Students, a former board chairman for the Ed Rachal Foundation, a past director of the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Company (UTIMCO) and a former director of the Greater Houston Partnership, a fellow of the American Leadership Forum and a past chairman of the Texas Young Lawyers Association.

White is a Corps Hall of Honor inductee and a namesake of A&M’s John D. White ’70-Robert L. Walker ’58 Music Activities Center. In 2007, he was named the Texas Aggie Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year.

He is an Endowed Century Club member of The Association, with 31 years of giving; he has supported the 12th Man Foundation and the Bush Foundation, and he and his wife, Daisy, created the Neva and A. E. (Buddy) White ’42 President’s Endowed Scholarship.

His Aggie family includes his late father, A.E. White ’42. He and Daisy have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Bill E. Carter ’69
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Year Awarded: 2000

Decatur, TX

Carter received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1969 and was a distinguished military graduate as well as Student Body President. A Certified Financial Planner, he currently serves as President of Carter Advisory Services and Carter Financial Management.



Carter is a Past President of The Association of Former Students and a Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Texas A&M University Foundation. He has received wide recognition for his personal and professional acumen. "Worth Magazine" has named Carter numerous times as one of the Top 250 Financial Planners and he has also been named “Rising Star” of Texas by Texas Business Magazine.

"Bill is a leading Aggie, an outstanding industry leader, and devoted to this community."

  - Joe B. Mattei ’53, Distinguished Alumni, 2004

Hector Gutierrez, Jr. ’69
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Year Awarded: 2023

El Paso, TX

Gutierrez was very involved in student life at A&M, leading as a member of the Ross Volunteers, president of the University Honor Council and the first Hispanic Corps commander.

Upon graduation, he received a commission into the U.S. Air Force and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in Russian.

Gutierrez spent nearly 20 years of his career at Southwestern Bell Telephone, acting as assistant vice president of government relations before leaving the company in 1993. He soon became a consultant, specializing in public relations, communications and governmental affairs. His past clients include the city of El Paso (where he still lives today), AT&T, the El Paso Water Utility Public Service Board, HILLCO Partners and more corporate entities. He also served as the first senior advisor for legislative affairs to the lieutenant governor of Texas, Rick Perry ’72.

Generous with his time, Gutierrez has made it a point to lead and mentor wherever he can. He has served on the boards of The Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M University Press, the Bush School of Government and Public Service, the Texas A&M Health Science Center and the Corps of Cadets Board of Visitors. He is also the founding chairman of the Texas A&M Hispanic Network, where his passion and vision directly supported A&M’s recent designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, which in turn unlocked new levels of federal funding.

Gutierrez and his wife, Debbie, have one daughter, Camila.

“I know of few people who possess such focused dedication, sincere personal integrity and thoughtful communication style.”

  - Lupe Fraga '57

Dr. Stephen A. Holditch ’69
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Year Awarded: 2014

Bryan, TX

Dr. Stephen A. Holditch '69, received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from A&M, all in petroleum engineering. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, serving as Second Battalion commander and as a Ross Volunteer. Holditch is a former head of the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering and former director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute. He also founded S.A. Holditch and Associates, which had a worldwide reputation for being able to solve the most difficult petroleum engineering problems. Holditch has been honored as a member of the Petroleum Engineering Academy of Distinguished Graduates and as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Dwight Look College of Engineering. He and his wife, Ann, have funded multiple scholarships in petroleum engineering, as well as a Sul Ross Scholarship. They are Endowed Century Club donors to The Association of Former Students, and their many gifts to the 12th Man Foundation and Texas A&M Foundation have earned them recognition as Eppright Distinguished Donors and members of the Legacy Society. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1995 and has been honored with most of the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ top technical honors, including the Legends of Hydraulic Fracturing Award, which he received in 2014. He is former president of the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas; and a board member of the Research Valley Partnership and of the National Petroleum Council. He and Ann have been married 43 years and have two daughters, Katie Rowe ’97 and Abbie Walsh ’01, and five grandchildren.

"You will look back at your years at Texas A&M as one of the best periods in your life. Your classmates will be lifelong friends, so keep in touch with them and the university as your career takes you to various parts of the world. Always remember the Aggie Code of Honor."

Bill Mahomes, Jr. ’69
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Year Awarded: 2022

Dallas, TX

Texas A&M taught Bill Mahomes ’69 that, “I was tougher and more resilient than I knew. That life may or may not have always been fair, but how I respond and feel about it is the real test, not the action itself.”

As the first Black student to complete four years in the Corps of Cadets, Mahomes experienced his share of tests. Growing up in Lindale, Texas, he attended segregated schools before coming to the recently integrated Texas A&M. He was the first in his family to attend college, and at the time, he struggled with a speech impediment. However, Mahomes was determined to uphold A&M’s values, even when others didn’t. He graduated with a finance degree, participating in the Cadet Honor Council among other student organizations. Mahomes went on to earn his Juris Doctor from The University of Texas in 1972, serving as vice president of the Student Bar Association while there.

In his distinguished legal career, Mahomes has spent over 30 years specializing in public finance, real estate and commercial transactions. He is the former managing partner, president and director of Mahomes Bolden PC, and a former partner at Bracewell LLC. He currently serves as the general counsel and executive vice president for Vista Bank. Some of his most notable clients include the city of Dallas, DFW International Airport and the Texas Turnpike Authority.

Mahomes has served on the boards of over 25 different civic and charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army, the Dallas Legal Service Corp., the Bethlehem Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. In 2015, Mahomes was appointed to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, where he continues to serve. He was reappointed and named vice chairman of the board in 2021. Bill and his wife, Pam, have two children.

“Bill is a wonderful example of an Aggie that has spent his life personifying the core values of Texas A&M. Despite all his success and recognition, he remains exceedingly humble.”

  - Bill Carter ’69

Bill Mahomes, Jr. ’69
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Year Awarded: 2022

Dallas, TX

Texas A&M taught Bill Mahomes ’69 that, “I was tougher and more resilient than I knew. That life may or may not have always been fair, but how I respond and feel about it is the real test, not the action itself.”

As the first Black student to complete four years in the Corps of Cadets, Mahomes experienced his share of tests. Growing up in Lindale, Texas, he attended segregated schools before coming to the recently integrated Texas A&M. He was the first in his family to attend college, and at the time, he struggled with a speech impediment. However, Mahomes was determined to uphold A&M’s values, even when others didn’t. He graduated with a finance degree, participating in the Cadet Honor Council among other student organizations. Mahomes went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas in 1972, serving as vice president of the Student Bar Association while there.

In his distinguished legal career, Mahomes has spent over 30 years specializing in public finance, real estate and commercial transactions. He is the former managing partner, president and director of Mahomes Bolden PC, and is currently a partner at Bracewell LLC. He is also the general counsel and executive vice president for Vista Bank. Some of his most notable clients include the city of Dallas, DFW International Airport and the Texas Turnpike Authority.

Mahomes has served on the boards of over 25 different civic and charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army, the Dallas Legal Service Corp., the Bethlehem Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. In 2015, Mahomes was appointed to The Texas A&M System Board of Regents, where he continues to serve. He was reappointed and named vice chairman of the board in 2021. Bill and his wife, Pam, have two children.

“Bill is a wonderful example of an Aggie that has spent his life personifying the core values of Texas A&M. Despite all his success and recognition, he remains exceedingly humble.”

  - Bill Carter ’69

Neal W. Adams ’68
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Year Awarded: 2008

Euless, TX

Adams received his Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Student Senate, served as head yell leader, and was honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate and Distinguished Student. Upon graduation, Adams attended Baylor School of Law, receiving his juris doctorate in 1970.



He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1972. He began his professional career in 1972 as president of Neal W. Adams, P.C. Since 1987, he served as president, principal attorney and co-owner of Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.



In 2001, Governor Rick Perry appointed Adams to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he served six years and, in July 2005, Governor Perry appointed him as vice chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, a position he held through August 2007.



In October 2002 and 2007, Texas Lawyer magazine named Adams as the “Go-To Lawyer” for school law in the state of Texas. Each year beginning in 2003 through 2007, Adams has been honored as one of the Texas Super Lawyers in school and education law by Texas Monthly magazine. He is a past chairman of the State Bar of Texas School Law Section. A Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, Adams was named 1994 'Man of the Year’ by the Northeast Tarrant County Board of Realtors.



Adams is a loyal supporter of Texas A&M. He is a member and chair-elect of the Chancellor’s Century Council, a member of The Association of Former Students’ Leadership Council, the A&M Legacy Society, the Corps Development Council and the Corps of Cadets Association. Adams also serves as a member and past chair of the President’s Board of Visitors for the Corps of Cadets, a member of the 12th Man Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and a member and past president of the Former Yell Leaders Association. He is a regular Muster speaker and a life member of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County A&M Club. In addition, he is a frequent contributor of his time and talents to various civic, church and community organizations.



Adams and his wife, Sonja, have two daughters, Marti Morgan, Class of 1993, and Paige.

"Through a series of actions, I have been particularly impressed with Neal’s ability to work with cadets and other students. It is clear that he identifies and communicates effectively with them and is a remarkable mentor. Students could not have a better role model as they consider their own service to the University and to our society."

  - LTG John A. Van Alstyne '66