Because Aggies help Aggies.
As a first-generation Aggie, Vance Fairchild ’89 knew next to nothing about Texas A&M University before attending Fish Camp in 1985. He’d only heard what his math teacher told him: that Texas A&M had a good engineering school and he should apply. “After attending Fish Camp, I was hooked,” he said.
In 1989, Vance graduated with honors from the College of Engineering. After solidifying his education with experience in an established energy operating company, he went on to build and then later sell three separate professional engineering and risk management startup companies. He attributes much of his success to the Aggie Network. “I can’t even tell you how many Aggies helped me along the way,” he said. In recognition, he and Elise hope to show their gratitude and offer various support to other Aggies.
Since 2015, the couple has contributed three gifts to the Texas A&M Foundation in support of Texas A&M. In addition to current endowed scholarships for Aggie engineers, they also designated that a significant portion of their estate be used to fund additional scholarships to further expand the Fairchild Scholars Program and support the 12th Man Foundation. The Fairchild Scholars Program scholarships will be awarded to engineering students who graduated from Brazoria, Fort Bend or Matagorda counties. Their third and most recent donation was a gift toward the new Zachry Engineering Education Complex. “We’re trying to leave the world, including Texas A&M, a better place than we found it,” said Elise.
“Education is an eternal gift,” Vance added. “Many students in our community seek better lives and desire employment opportunities that can break the poverty cycle. These capable youngsters just need a helping hand. A Texas A&M education opens up doors and the phenomenal Aggie Network keeps them open full swing.”