Before John West ’87 launched his career in management consulting, which eventually took him across the country and even overseas, he found his niche for business as an undergraduate at Texas A&M University. After graduating and landing his first job in Houston, he soon moved from California to Tennessee, then to Georgia, Minnesota and finally, Virginia. Before his final stop in Virginia, however, John managed a team of consultants in India for a few years—making several trips across the globe that left a major impression on him.
John West '87 and his wife, Kari Lervick, created a study abroad scholarship for students participating in Texas A&M's Reciprocal Education Exchange Program. Their gift will support Aggies as they gain a better understanding of the role of global citizenship in the world today.
“My time in India highlighted the importance of global citizenship,” he said. “In today’s world of integrated financial markets, supply chains and economies, we’re all global citizens, and we really need to live accordingly.”
That realization led John and his wife, Kari Lervick, to create an endowed scholarship in 2017 using matching funds to support students participating in Texas A&M’s Reciprocal Education Exchange Program. This program allows Aggies to take classes directly from a foreign partner institution, giving them a truly immersive experience. “We hope students use this scholarship to gain an understanding of cultures different from their own and acquire the skills necessary to accomplish their goals in an increasingly connected world,” Kari said.
After 28 years of traveling, a family trip back to College Station last year reminded John of why he chose to attend Texas A&M. As he took in all the campus changes, he still found the same Aggie Spirit that captivated him so many years ago. “I felt a deep sense of nostalgia and pride while showing Kari and my youngest son around campus,” he said. “My family heard me talk about my memories of Texas A&M for years, but they had never seen the university. We loved every minute of our visit.”