Distinguished Achievement Award Winners

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Anthony "Shady" Groves '68

Anthony "Shady" Groves '68
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Year Awarded: 2011

Colonel Anthony "Shady" Groves has been employed with Texas A&M for twelve years serving first as a Cadet Training Officer then as the Assistant Commandant for Operations and Training and currently as the Assistant Commandant for Academics and Discipline for the Corps of Cadets. Prior to his employment with Texas A&M, he served thirty years in the Air Force with his final assignment as the colonel in charge of Air Force ROTC. Shady had a very distinguished career as an Air Force fighter pilot. In addition to his BS in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M, he holds a MS in Operation Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Col Grove's dedication to the operations and welfare of the cadets in the Corps is an integral part of the organization's survival. A very important part of Col Grove's job is in counseling and mentoring cadets in the corps. Col Groves has created a culture of respect, care and trust amongst the cadets and staff and is held in great admiration by all. It has been written that the intensity of vision, coupled with commitment is magnetic. Col Groves exemplifies this concept through his interaction with all the Office of the Commandant Staff and Corps of Cadets.



The Vice President of Student Affairs wrote, “He is affectionately known as ‘Shady’ Groves across our campus, although most do not know that it is because he once wore dark sunglasses to a mission briefing while serving in Vietnam. Instead it now symbolizes to many of our students that if you need a staff member with whom to find some shade to seek guidance from, or to talk to about how to live up to high expectations, that ‘Shady’ Groves is your best bet. The expectations that he sets are indeed high and he has never compromised on our institutional core values or principles. He is equally firm in ensuring that students face their responsibilities and understand and accept consequences. This is an important and often overlooked part of student development.”

College: Vice President of Student Affairs

Award Level: Individual Student Relationships

Melissa Grunlan

Melissa Grunlan
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Year Awarded: 2016

Melissa Grunlan, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering with a joint appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Southern California. After completing postdoctoral work in Texas A&M’s Department of Chemistry, she joined the faculty of the College of Engineering in 2005. She has been the director of undergraduate programs in biomedical engineering since October 2013. Her research is focused on developing polymer materials to improve the performance of medical devices. Her colleagues credit her outstanding contributions in teaching to the strength of her research program. Dr. Grunlan started the biomaterials focus area within the department and teaches core undergraduate courses. Her goal is the development of a comprehensive and cohesive biomaterials curriculum. Her teaching philosophy is to equip students with a strong understanding of fundamental principles that enable them to succeed in their future careers and become life-long learners. A current student, who is a 2015 Goldwater Scholar, credits Dr. Grunlan with her success and wrote, “Dr. Grunlan takes an unparalleled interest in the success and development of her students.” Another student wrote, “Research in Professor Grunlan’s laboratory transformed my educational experience and prepared me to pursue a Ph.D. after completing my undergraduate studies.” She added that “Dr. Grunlan fosters a fun and productive research environment where students are treated exceptionally well and can contribute meaningfully on a project while developing critical experimental and technical communication skills.” She concluded, “Prof. Grunlan is exceptionally talented at what she does. Clearly she has made substantial contributions toward the academic success of students and Texas A&M through her research, mentorship, and teaching.

College: College of Engineering

Award Level: Teaching

J. Martyn Gunn

J. Martyn Gunn
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Year Awarded: 2003

College: Agriculture and Life Sciences

Award Level: Teaching

Lawrence Guseman, Jr. ’60

Lawrence Guseman, Jr. ’60
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Year Awarded: 1984

College: Science

Award Level: Teaching

Kevin Gustavus '08

Kevin Gustavus '08
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Year Awarded: 2017

Kevin Gustavus is responsible for the day-to-day supervision, training and performance of the seven-member team of the College of Architecture’s business office, as well as implementing the College budget, and managing contracts and grants, the College’s revenue, payroll, continuing education, and project accounts. Prior to attending Texas A&M University he served six years as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army. Upon completion of his service, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Texas A&M University and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston?Victoria. Mr. Gustavus joined the staff of the College of Architecture in 2006, after serving in the Division of Finance and Administration. While at Texas A&M, Mr. Gustavus has twice been the recipient of the College of Architecture Star Performer Award, as well as a recipient of the President’s Meritorious Service Award, the Committee of Senior Business Administrators (CSBA) “Best in Business” Team Award, and the Linda J. Todd Outstanding Support Staff Award. He is a member of the College of Architecture’s Staff Council, serves as the College’s representative on the CSBA, and was elected to the University Staff Council, serving in fall 2009 and spring 2010. His nominators credit him with a number of significant contributions to the College of Architecture and to the university, including the facilitating the creation of and establishing funding for the Staff Scholarship Program, establishing the College’s Safety Team, and creating a Conversation Partners Program for International Students, Faculty and Staff within the College. A supporter commented, “I honestly can’t say enough about how impressed I am with Kevin and how he operates. His contributions to the College of Architecture are significant and his personal commitment to excellence is unmatched.”

College: College of Architecture Business Office

Award Level: Staff

Jerry G. Guynes ’80

Jerry G. Guynes ’80
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Year Awarded: 2002

College: Science

Award Level: Staff

Basil Hackney ’51

Basil Hackney ’51
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Year Awarded: 1967

College: Engineering

Award Level: Extension/ Continuing Education

Angela Hairrell '91

Angela Hairrell '91
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Year Awarded: 2018

Angela Hairrell earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate from Texas A&M University. She joined the College of Medicine in 2011. In addition to serving as director of the Office of Academic Support Services, she is an assistant professor of humanities. Academic Support Services offers a variety of programs and services aimed at enhancing student learning. Dr. Hairrell has played a vital role in building this department and developing programs that include one-to-one student appointments aimed at addressing any learning, supplemental instruction, and guidance for board exam preparation and small- or large-group seminars designed to provide an overview of proven strategies to prepare students for class, board exams, and certifying exams. She develops many close relationships with the students as she helps them develop the skills to transition from beginning medical student to practicing physician. Dr. Hairrell has become a leader in the field of medical student success as evidenced by more than 20 invited presentations in the last 5 years. She currently serves as the co-principal investigator for the Aggie Doctor Initiative funded by Minority Health Research and Education Grant Program sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and she serves as MedCamp Director for this program.

College: Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College of Medicine

Award Level: Individual Student Relations

Walter Ervin Haisler ’67

Walter Ervin Haisler ’67
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Year Awarded: 1972

College: Engineering

Award Level: Teaching

Donna J. Hajash

Donna J. Hajash
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Year Awarded: 2015

Donna Hajash, instructional associate professor in the Department of Visualization in the College of Architecture, earned her master’s from Siena Heights University. She has been employed by Texas A&M University since fall 1983, when she was hired as a graphic designer in a publication design office on campus. In fall 1984, she was hired as a lecturer in the Department of Journalism to teach the only course in graphic design. This was a lecture/lab course in which 60 students were enrolled each semester. When the Department of Journalism was eliminated, she was hired by the architecture department to teach graphic design. Later she moved to the visualization department as part of the ARTS program. She now teaches Graphic Design 1, 2, and 3 as well as a Senior Graphic Design Studio. She is the advisor to the student group of AIGA, the Professional Association for Design, which she formed at Texas A&M in 2007. She is also the Visualization Department’s Study Abroad coordinator for the Santa Chiara, Italy, program, advising students and preparing them for their semester abroad. Endorsements from her former students demonstrate Ms. Hajash’s impact on students. “I cannot say enough good things about Professor Hajash. As a professor, she is one of the most amazing I have ever had. There is not a day that goes by where I am not reminded of what I learned from her.” “Donna is more than simply a professor—she is a mentor, friend and inspiration to many of her students. She has a true passion for what she does and commits time and energy above and beyond what is expected of her.” “Had it not been for those formative design courses taught by Donna at A&M, I would never have fallen in love with design and been willing to pursue my current career path.”

College: College of Architecture

Award Level: Individual Student Relationships

Andrew Hajash, Jr. ’75

Andrew Hajash, Jr. ’75
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Year Awarded: 2002

College: Geosciences

Award Level: Teaching

Daniel S. Hale

Daniel S. Hale
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Year Awarded: 2014

Daniel S. Hale received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He joined Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in 1985. Dr. Hale delivers and interprets information on diet and health, food safety, livestock growth, animal welfare, livestock management, and meat science. His educational programs and resources, including hands-on seminars and online videos, engage consumers, youth and 4-H members, health professionals, retailers, food service managers, packers, processors, and livestock producers across the nation. Recommended practices adopted by his learners have produced documented economic impacts totaling many millions of dollars. Dr. Hale also performs applied meat-science research and, with others, conducted nationally recognized studies, such as the National Beef Quality Audit, National Consumer Retail Beef Study, National Market Basket Survey, and National Beef Tenderness Survey. These led to major changes in the way cattle are raised, the way meat is processed, and the manner in which meat is offered to consumers through retail and food services. Most notable among Dr. Hale’s honors are Progressive Farmer Magazine’s Man of the Year Award, the American Meat Science Association Distinguished Service in Extension/Industry Award, the Texas A&M System’s Vice Chancellor’s Award for Extension Specialist, the Texas Pork Producers Distinguished Service Award.



A colleague says that “Without question, Dr. Hale is the top meat science extension specialist in the U.S. He has demonstrated his unique ability to plan and conduct numerous workshops, seminars, and other programs with a high level of commitment and professionalism.” All of the letters supporting Dr. Hale praise his character and demeanor as much as his expertise as a scientist and a teacher. To this point, a supporter from the meat industry credits him with teaching her “to be a better manager, teacher, mentor, association officer, and parent.” To which she added, “I know I am but one of many who feel this way.”

College: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

Award Level: Extension, Outreach, Continuing Ed, & Prof Dev

Kenneth Hall

Kenneth Hall
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Year Awarded: 1996

College: Engineering

Award Level: Research

Michael B. Hall

Michael B. Hall
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Year Awarded: 2005

College: Science

Award Level: Research

Claude Hall

Claude Hall
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Year Awarded: 1958

College: Liberal Arts

Award Level: Teaching

Wayne Hall

Wayne Hall
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Year Awarded: 1955

College: Agriculture and Life Sciences

Award Level: Research

Charles Hall ’54

Charles Hall ’54
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Year Awarded: 1976

College: Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science

Award Level: Teaching

Charles Hall ’54

Charles Hall ’54
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Year Awarded: 1967

College: Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science

Award Level: Teaching

Gary Halter

Gary Halter
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Year Awarded: 1974

College: Liberal Arts

Award Level: Student Relations

Philip Hamman ’53

Philip Hamman ’53
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Year Awarded: 1987

College: Agriculture and Life Sciences

Award Level: Extension/ Continuing Education

Janet Hammer

Janet Hammer
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Year Awarded: 2013

Janet Hammer began teaching in the College of Education and Human Development during fall 2004 after earning her Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Austin. During her nine years at Texas A&M, she has been instrumental in creating a best-practice middle school teacher preparation program while mentoring her students and the adjunct professors who teach in the program.



Dr. Hammer teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses, including social studies methods and English as a second language methodology. She is also the coordinator of the department’s online M.Ed. program. In addition to teaching four courses each semester, she also observes 30 to 40 students, teaching in local schools. She gives them feedback about their lessons and work in the public school as part of her ongoing philosophy of developing master teachers. Her students have often commented that she has prepared them to be confident teachers who possess not only knowledge but a passion for their profession.



In addition to her work on campus, her international work has certainly made an incredible impact on many students. Dr. Hammer has co-led nine study abroad programs while at Texas A&M. She is noted for her ongoing program in Italy that includes an intensive two-month field experience in which pre-service teachers teach English to Italian middle school students. She also was invited to teach in the English Summer Camp at Tshinghua University in Beijing.



And that’s not all. One of her colleagues describes her as a dedicated and dynamic educator who has compiled a distinguished record of scholarship and service. He goes on to say that Dr. Hammer’s pioneering work will have benefits for many years to come as her students share what they learned with generations of Texas students.

College: Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture

Award Level: Teaching

Je-Chin Han

Je-Chin Han
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Year Awarded: 1995

College: Engineering

Award Level: Research

Bluefford Hancock ’50

Bluefford Hancock ’50
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Year Awarded: 1970

College: Agriculture and Life Sciences

Award Level: Extension/ Continuing Education

Charles Hancock ’55

Charles Hancock ’55
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Year Awarded: 1958

College: Science

Award Level: Research

John Walter Handin

John Walter Handin
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Year Awarded: 1972

College: Geosciences

Award Level: Research

Joe Haney ’48

Joe Haney ’48
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Year Awarded: 1982

College: Aggie Band

Award Level: Staff

Daniel Hanson

Daniel Hanson
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Year Awarded: 1987

College: Engineering

Award Level: Student Relations

Daniel Hanson

Daniel Hanson
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Year Awarded: 1996

College: Engineering

Award Level: Teaching

Ruth Hanson

Ruth Hanson
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Year Awarded: 1997

College: Science

Award Level: Staff

W.D. Hardesty ’44

W.D. Hardesty ’44
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Year Awarded: 1955

College: Staff

Award Level: Student Relations

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