Happy holidays! As we gather with friends and loved ones during the holiday season, it is appropriate to give thanks and recognize how blessed we are to live in a country that values freedom, and to be part of an extended Aggie family that makes its positive mark on the world in myriad ways every day.

As you turn the pages of this issue of Spirit, I hope you get a glimpse into the great efforts taking place on our campus each day and a sense that much of this would not be possible without the energy and effort exerted by your contributions of time and resources.

Within these pages, you will learn how former students and friends are supporting students close to my heart: veterans. You’ll see Aggies who attended life-changing trips through the Division of Student Affairs. You’ll meet talented visualization majors who are transforming learning by developing educational video games. And you’ll read about Ahmed Mahmoud ’87 ’90, a talented Aggie who brings innovation to his job every day at General Motors. As you read, remember that each of these people and programs were touched by the support of your investment.

Thanks to your continued role, we will have a hand in even more Texas A&M research, programs and initiatives at the conclusion of our comprehensive Lead by Example campaign, which I am proud to report is more than halfway met. Together we have raised $2.3 billion toward the $4 billion goal set for 2020. And despite market volatility and a difficult year for oil and gas sectors, the Texas A&M Foundation provided a record $103.9 million to the university in fiscal year 2016.

It is easy to be optimistic about our future after this year, which happens to be Texas A&M’s 140^th anniversary. It is remarkable to think about the first Aggies who walked the grounds of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1876, and to compare the state of the university then with now. I am confident they would be proud, as am I, at how we have evolved.

Looking forward to 2017, we will continue to work tirelessly with our Texas A&M administrators, faculty, staff and students to connect donors to ideas and ideas to donors. It is through these connections that change happens, and it is through change that we progress.

From all of us at the Foundation to all of you, thanks for all you do! We are proud to serve you.