Spirit Archives

Spirit® is published three times per year by the Texas A&M Foundation, which manages major gifts and endowments for the benefit of academic programs, scholarships and student activities at Texas A&M University.

View the full magazine archive

Giving News

Mission Accomplished

Texas A&M University surpasses its historic $4 billion Lead by Example campaign goal.

An Aggie Abroad

Dr. Samuel R. Gammon III ’44, a World War II veteran and retired Foreign Service Officer, reflects on his lifetime of experiences and his decision to give a bequest to the Department of History.

A Sterling Recipient

Allan Marburger ’60, a big-time Aggie benefactor, receives the 2020 Sterling C. Evans Medal.

Planned gift will support African wildlife study abroad; Women’s Resource Center gets a boost; Lawrences back Formula SAE Team; new scholarship for aggieTEACH program.

Construction Boom

A look at Texas A&M buildings, facilities and monuments constructed or renovated during the Lead by Example campaign.

Couples establish gifts for the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship, the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and the College of Architecture; Chilifest gives endowed scholarship.

Howdy, Grace Long '21

Grace Long ’21, a nuclear engineering Brown Scholar from Virginia, shares her story of success at Texas A&M University.

Estate Planning 101

Estate plans explained, plus 10 reasons you may need to update yours.

A Real Good Ag

Remembering Aggieland icon Judson Loupot ’32, aka “Ol’ Army Lou.”

All Roads Lead to Home

Inspired by a life of travel, Kari Lervick and John West ’87 support study abroad programs by creating a bequest to supplement their current scholarship.

Couples create memorial scholarships and a professor of practice in engineering; former student gives first endowed gift for the School of Innovation.

Taking a Stand

Preaching that prevention is the key to long-term health, Texas A&M ergonomist Dr. Mark Benden ’90 ’92 ’06 creates workspaces and school desks that keep us on our feet.

Sterling Stewards

The Texas A&M Foundation honors three couples with the 2019 Sterling C. Evans Medal award.

Bigger in Texas

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo provides thousands of students across the state with financial aid, creating an extensive, undeniable impact at Texas A&M University.

A Buoy for Galveston’s Sea Aggies

Jere and Jack H. Smith ’64 create a testamentary unitrust to benefit oceangoing students.

We Asked Donors: Why Do You Give?

Our donors' reasons for giving are as unique as they are.

Donors share why they’ve given to Texas A&M during the Lead by Example campaign.

Home on the Range

A gift of Hill Country property from Kay and Charles “Charlie” Pence ’51 will support Texas A&M University programs close to their hearts.

A planned gift establishes three Corps scholarships; couple surprises great-niece with a scholarship; gifts for the Texas A&M Coaching Academy and the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

Movers, Shakers and Dream Makers

Stories of faculty who’ve given back during the Lead by Example campaign.

Best of the Best

One man’s spirit inspires a prestigious award for members of the Corps of Cadets.

The Magic of Horses

Texas A&M's equine therapy program is changing the lives of veterans and people with disabilities.

Couple supports new dentistry facility; gifts fund Mays Innovation Research Center; Aggie Parents of the Year establish construction science scholarship.

The Power of Maroon and White

A&M Club scholarships support the next generation of Aggies.

Legacies of Service

The Texas A&M Foundation announces its 2018 Sterling C. Evans Medal honorees.

Faces of Philanthropy

Seven donors who have supported areas of their choosing during the Lead by Example campaign.

Secrets of the Universe

Private philanthropy gives Texas A&M’s astronomy program the freedom to explore the depths of the cosmos.

Great Minds

A $20 million gift from Jon Hagler ’58 names the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study and fuels Texas A&M’s best and brightest thinkers.

Brownsville Benefactor

Kelly and Mike Hernandez III ’83 invest in the lives of Brownsville students through a multidimensional scholarship program.

Reta Haynes establishes dean’s chair; Rochelles fund veterinary equipment; gift boosts Commercial Banking Program; Clay Bright ’78 creates scholarships for middle-income students.

Healing for Her

In the face of loss, a nursing scholarship honors the life of a special individual.

Constructing Opportunities

Construction science professor Ben Bigelow '05 uses fellowship funding to support student endeavors.

A Life’s Work

Alice and Erle Nye ’59 spread their infectious love for Texas A&M to future generations.

Many Ways to Serve

From funding initiatives in Mays Business School to serving Breakaway Ministries, Kay ’02 and Jerry Cox ’72 dedicate time and resources to Texas A&M.

The Big Picture

Gifts from Susanne and Melbern Glasscock ’59 promote the humanities at Texas A&M.

Visualization students develop educational video games in an immersive lab experience.

Carrying the Torch

Amy ’84 and Tim Leach ’82 aspire to make Texas A&M the obvious choice for future generations.

If There's a Will, There's a Way

Zou and Boyd Cherry ’67 establish gifts in their wills to impact Texas A&M for years to come.

Scholarship memorializes education student; friends honor former science dean; fellowship supports mechanical engineering professor.

Spreading Seeds

Aaron DePaolo ’18 is the first recipient of a President’s Endowed Scholarship funded by one Aggie’s idea to nurture and sell Century Tree seedlings.

A New Energy Alliance

Two Aggie engineers finance an unprecedented collaboration between the colleges of business and engineering to ensure that Texas A&M graduates remain leaders in the energy sector.

Spirit in the Sky

Trent Latshaw ’75 experiences the world from the rare vantage point of a P-51 Mustang.

An Instrumental Relationship

A $10 million naming gift for the new Music Activities Center brings construction of the facility one step closer to breaking ground.

The Twofold Benefits of Trusts

For Stephanie Sneed Langenstein ’89, a unique planned gift option presents the opportunity to support her passions during her lifetime.

Powells establish gift for geosciences field camp; Couple and son fund fellowship for Texas Panhandle business students; siblings endow scholarship to honor parents.

Living History

He’ll always remember Texas A&M the way it was “back when,” but Earle Shields Jr. ’41 also supports the university’s future through gifts for faculty and students.

All for Education

The Rachal Foundation and Tom and Joan Read are honored as recipients of the 2016 Sterling C. Evans Medal, the highest award bestowed by the Texas A&M Foundation.