PARTNERS IN TRANSFORMING LIVES
FIRST GENERATION: LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY
FIRST GENERATION: LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY
As the state’s first public institution of higher education—and today, by far the largest—Texas A&M has always had the land-grant mission (and now, sea-grant and space-grant mission) of educating a broad cross section of the population.
This means providing a world-class education that prepares graduates for leadership roles from the very start. Former students not only have less college-related debt than their counterparts elsewhere, but they are much more satisfied with the education they received at Texas A&M.
About one quarter of the 10,757 members of the Texas A&M freshman class of 2018-19 are the first in their families to go to college.
These first-generation students come from low-income families or families that do not have a tradition of attending college. Some were encouraged from the start to get a college degree and others were pressured to skip college and enter the workforce.
Nearly all students find it difficult to navigate the challenges of financial aid, academic advising, and career mentoring without help. With no one in their families to turn to, firstgeneration students often don’t know what questions to ask or where to go for answers.
But Mays Business School has changed all that.
Life is full of firsts - first steps, first loves, first jobs. With every “first” comes a change of your future. For first-generation college students, being the first person to attend an institution of higher education redefines not only their future, but their community’s future, too.
You will see many images adorned with our "I Am First" mark throughout this edition of Benefactor. This mark exists to make these first-generation leaders visible and is used to proudly denote first-generation students who – through hard work, perseverance, and grit –defied the odds and paved the way for those behind them to follow suit. This mark is for leaders building a legacy.
Mays leaders understand the value these students bring today and their great promise for Texas and the world tomorrow.
In 2013, lecturer Henry Musoma ’00 and then-student Marlen Cornejo ’15 founded the Regents’ Ambassador Program, the Mays learning community for first-generation students.
Mays leaders help first-generation students, like all Mays students, become transformational leaders equipped for today’s global business context. Mays does this by ensuring a welcoming and inclusive community, by providing academic support and professional development, and by encouraging global learning and awareness.
First-generation students are a high priority for Dean Eli Jones ’82.
After all, Jones knows what it’s like to be a first-generation student at Texas A&M.
“I clearly remember sitting in a calculus class, struggling with understanding what the professor was saying and thinking, ’Now where do I go for help?’” he says.
“It was a wake-up call for me since I had no one in my immediate nor extended family to talk to for help.”
“I am very thankful for fourth- and fifthgeneration Aggie families—and those who have even deeper roots here at Texas A&M. But I also have a heart for first-generation students who don’t have that kind of support.”
Jones then describes what happened just a few weeks ago, at a meeting with his executive team.
Looking around the conference table, all of a sudden, it hit him...
DR. DAVID GRIFFITH
Head of the Department of Marketing | Hallie Vanderhider Chair in Business | Professor of Marketing
DR. JAMES BENJAMIN
Head of the James Benjamin Department of Accounting |
Deloitte Leadership Professorship | Professor of Accounting
DR. DUANE IRELAND
Executive
DR.
JONES ’82
Jones’ eyes light up at the memory.
“We talk about transformational leadership. We talk about being one of the nation’s top business schools and what we can do to climb even higher.”
“Looking around the table at my team, I realized that seven of us are first-generation college graduates ourselves. Talk about transformative!”
James Benjamin (pictured on the cover) says, “I had a good experience during my undergraduate program at the University of Maryland, but I wish that I would have been at a school like Texas A&M. The culture at A&M is unique and helps students develop lifelong skills.”
David Griffith says, “My mom talked a lot about the importance of college and saving for college. She did her best to squirrel away what she could in the hopes of helping pay for college. I started saving from my paper route money when I was nine.”
Duane Ireland says, “During my Ph.D. program, my grandmother asked me if I ever intended to do something other than be a student. First-generation students may feel a bit alone in their family because others have not had a university-level experience.”
DR. ANNIE MCGOWAN
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs | Gina and William H. Flores’76 Endowed Professorship in Business | Professor of Accounting
MR. GREG MARCHI
Assistant
DR. RICH METTERS
Head
Greg Marchi says, “My parents didn’t know about the different colleges and universities, or about the application process or choosing a major. The focus was simply on attending and graduating. If I had known more, my undergraduate decisions would likely have been different.”
Annie McGowan says, “I grew up working in my dad’s store, and I hated it. I felt like I didn’t have a childhood. But I learned how to keep track of inventory and keep a ledger, and by the time I was 12, I went over our financial reports with our CPA every month. That led me to become an accountant and an accounting professor.”
Richard Metters says, “I grew up in a lower-middle-class environment in the Philadelphia area where physicality and macho masculinity ruled. You had to fight to be socially accepted. I didn’t want to fight, so I was the oddball. It took me a year at Stanford before I realized that no one was going to beat me up.”
These stories are powerful reminders of the transformational impact that a college education can have, especially for first-generation students. Texas A&M and Mays hold a heightened focus on first-generation students to enable bright, young people to earn a college education through scholarship funding and student success programs. First-generation college graduation is a Texas A&M tradition worthy to be pursued. ◊
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
At Mays Business School, we are continuously learning and moving forward. We are in the business of transforming lives, and we are always looking for ways to refine our processes for doing so. During this season of market disruption, we are aggressively implementing the strategic plan that we created together a few years ago. We thank those who have helped us get to this point: our generous benefactors. We appreciate your investment in Mays.
This issue of Benefactor magazine focuses on the people who bring fresh approaches and an insatiable thirst for learning: first-generation college students.
Recent first-generation graduate Ricky Dillard, Jr. ’19 has helped shape future generations through
his unique leadership style in the Mays Transformational Leadership Academy (MTLA).
In this issue, we also share stories of Mays Partner of the Year, Reynolds and Reynolds, as well as people who have supported our success. One such person whose legacy continues through his own involvement and that of two sons who attend Mays, one who has committed a planned gift, and one who has given personal investments of time and energy.
Enjoy learning more about our school. And know no matter your distance or time away, you’re always Mays.
Gig ’em!
Eli Jones ’82
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Blake Parrish | CREATIVE MANAGER Brie Pampell | CONTRIBUTING WRITERS, EDITORS, & DESIGNERS Cynthia Billington, Leon Contreras, Duane Ireland, Kiri Isaac, Naomi Johnson, Ann Kellett, Melissa Lund, Dorian Martin, Kelli Reynolds, Camden Wolf | PHOTOGRAPHY Leon Contreras (cover), Butch Ireland, Michael Kellett, Brie Pampell, Corey Dean Stone
01 F IRST GENERATION: LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY
07 TRANSFORMATIONAL PRIORITIES
08 I T’S RICKY DILLARD JR.’S BUSINESS TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
10 SCHOLARSHIPS TRANSFORMING LIVES CRAIG C. BROWN ’75, MARK D. TAYLOR ’83
13 C ATHY HELMBRECHT ’85: MAXIMIZING IMPACT THROUGH CORPORATE MATCHING FUNDS
16 HOU STON COUPLE’S SUPPORT HELPING TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS: CINDY ’92 AND DAMON DIAMANTARAS ’92
18 E NSURING THEIR LEGACY THROUGH PLANNED GIVING: STEPHANIE ’96 AND SCOTT HARRIS ’95
19 PARTNER OF THE YEAR: REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS
24 L EADING BY EXAMPLE: FACULTY & STAFF SUPPORT TABLE
mays.tamu.edu
© Mays Business School 2019
Established in 1968, Mays Business School has been working to advance the world’s prosperity and provide a better future for generations who follow. Because of the support and dedication of Lifetime Partners, those who have cumulatively contributed $250,000 or more by December 31, 2018, Mays Business School’s plans are becoming realities.
The generosity of Lifetime Partners allows Mays to be a vibrant learning organization, create impactful knowledge, and develop transformational leaders.
LIFETIME PARTNERS
$45,000,000 +
Peggy & L. Lowry Mays ’57
$10,000,000+
Artie & Dorothy McFerrin Foundation
$7,000,000+
The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
$5,000,000+
Gina & Anthony Bahr ’91
Kay A. ’02 & Jerry S. Cox ’72
$3,000,000+
EY
Mays Business School - Center for Executive Development
Reliant Energy
$2,000,000+
The H.G. Ash Foundation
The Roy F. & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
ConocoPhillips
ExxonMobil
Charles Koch Foundation
$1,000,000+
Denise & David C. Baggett ’81
Beaumont Foundation of America
Demi N. & John R. III
Carmichael ’73
Lisa ’85 & Peter H. Currie ’85
Gina L. & William H. Flores ’76
Ford Motor Company
KPMG
Paula & Ronald S. Letbetter ’70
Phillips 66
PwC
Ed Rachal Foundation
Kathleen L. & J. Rogers Rainey, Jr. ’44
Helaine & Gerald L. Ray ’54
Robyn L. ’89 & Alan B. Roberts ’78
Patricia & Grant E. Sims ’77
Adam C. Sinn ’00
Texas A&M Research Foundation
Elizabeth H. & James R. Whatley ’47
Barbara & Donald Zale ’55 & M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation
Elizabeth & Graham Weston ’86
$500,000+
AT&T
Bank of America
Sandra L. & Ronnie W. Barclay ’68
Foreman R. Bennett ’27
BP Corporation
J. Campbell Murrell Fund
Chevron
Brandon C. Coleman, Jr. ’78 & Carri B. Coleman ’84
Ashley R. ’88 & David L. Coolidge ’87
Becky ’76 & Monty L. Davis ’77
Deloitte
Cydney Collier Donnell ’81
Mark H. Ely ’83
Harriet D. & Joe B. Foster ’56
G.W. Glezen, Jr. ’56
Halliburton
The Herman F. Heep & Minnie Belle Heep Foundation
Howard W. Horne ’47
JCPenney
Kelly P. ’86 & Robert E. Jordan ’85
Marian J. ’82 & Willie T. Langston II ’81
Trisha & L.C. “Chaz” Neely ’62
Rhonda & Todd A. Overbergen ’88
Wanda & Louis Paletta, II ’78
Randall’s Food Markets
The Summerfield G. Roberts Foundation
Nancy & Mike Shaw ’68
Shell Oil Company
Ruby & Earle A. Shields, Jr. ’41
John H. Speer ’71
Robin ’76 & Robert Starnes ’72
Carol L. & G. David Van Houten, Jr. ’71
Hallie A. Vanderhider
Cynthia J. ’84 & Anthony R. Weber ’84
Earline & A.P. Wiley, Jr. ’46
$250,000+
Aggie Real Estate Network
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Foundation
Jorge A. Bermudez ’73
Blue Bell Creameries
Diana & Todd O. Brock ’85
Pamela M. & Barent W. Cater ’77
Jerry Crider ’65
The Cullen Trust for Higher Education
Kay M. & G. Steven Dawson ’80
Dell
Dillard’s
Duke Energy Foundation
Energy Future Holdings
Janis A. & John T. Eubanks ’62
Gallery Furniture
General Electric Company
Sam K. & Barnett L. Gershen ’69
Tracy & Randy Hale ’85
Patricia & Raymond R. Hannigan ’61
Kathy & Terry E. Hatchett ’68
HEB
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Barbara & Paul W. Kruse ’77
Betty & Paul J. Leming, Jr. ’52
Angie ’84 & William R. Lemmons, Jr. ’83
Sherry & David J. Lesar
Macy’s
Marathon Oil
Maria B. & Michael K. McEvoy ’79
Sandra K. & Bryan N. Mitchell ’70
Donald H. Niederer ’53
Neiman Marcus Group
Newfield Exploration
Rebecca ’74 & William S. Nichols III ’74
Sharee & David R. Norcom ’73
Rhonda & Todd Overbargen ’88
Karen Pape ’80
Florence & M. Bookman Peters ’59
Shannon ’86 & Wayne Roberts ’85
Sewell
Deborah D. Shelton
Syracuse University
Jamey & Richard C. Tanner ’53
Texas Bankers Foundation
Shelley & Joseph V. Tortorice, Jr. ’70
Walmart
Shannon H. ’90 & Chris B. Work ’90
TRANSFORMATIONAL PRIORITIES
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Mays Business School has an ambitious diversity plan designed to enhance accountability, climate, and equity. The charge of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to create and lead the execution of the Mays strategic goal for diversity along the following dimensions:
recruitment, climate and inclusion, retention and education, and community relations. Foundation Excellence Award (FEA) scholarships help recruit and retain outstanding underrepresented
REIMAGINE WEHNER
Mays Business Sch Campus in the Wehner Building, which is more than 20 years old. Mays is at maximum capacity, limiting the ability to innovate and expand programs. An expansion would include new active
learning spaces, innovative academic technology, spaces for distance education, the Mays Transformation Center, and the Mays Innovation Research Center. The Mays Family Foundation donated $15 million to launch the "Reimagine Wehner" process.
DEAN’S EXCELLENCE FUND
Departments and programs need discretionary excellence funds to support student, faculty, and staff development opportunities, along with access to research data. Areas in need of support include the Reynolds and Reynolds Sales Leadership Institute, the Center for International
Business Studies, the Data Analytics Initiative, the Master of Real Estate degree, the Center for Human Resource Management, the Center for Retailing Studies, the Petroleum Ventures Program, and the Commercial Banking Program.
IT’S RICKY DILLARD, JR.’S BUSINESS TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
Written by Camden Wolf ’21
Ricky Dillard, Jr. ’19 graduated from Mays Business School with a degree in management, the first college student in his family. To Dillard, being a first-generation graduate means “hope, a better life, prosperity, new heights, and a new precedent.”
Scholarships that Dillard received played a critical role in his success at Texas A&M. Throughout his college career, Dillard benefitted from a range of awards, including the Regents' Scholarship, Century Scholarship, The “Exciting” Singing Hills Baptist Church Scholarship, and the Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees Scholarship. Every opportunity counted.
As a student, Dillard selflessly gave back to Mays Business School and other first-generation students. He served as the Chief Logistics Officer for the Mays Transformational Leadership Academy, a program serving a diverse set of rising high school seniors. He also volunteered and spoke with several students at his hometown high school, Lancaster High.
Dillard will start working as a Consulting Analyst with Accenture in Dallas in August. He is dedicated to increasing his impact on first-generation college students by giving.
“I will make it my business to fund scholarships for firstgeneration college students,” shares Dillard. ◊
Camden Wolf ’21, is a Junior Business Honors/Finance major from Austin, TX. He is interested in a career in consulting.
Watch a video about Ricky’s First-Generation Journey tx.ag/rickydillard
MCFERRIN CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Mays Business School’s goal is to enhance entrepreneurial student education by providing training, networking, and assistance to enterprising students, faculty, and former students. With the support of the Mays volunteer network, corporate supporters, faculty, and staff, the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship
has been able to provide business start-up acceleration, competitive opportunities, work experiences, and financial support to aspiring entrepreneurs in the Aggie community and across the world. Mays hosted the 2018 SEC Pitch Competition, drawing teams from across the country.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
The Center for International Business Studies (CIBS) is responsible for internationalizing the business programs at Mays Business School. CIBS receives university support for its administrative operations, but relies on private-sector donations and grants for research, outreach, and educational enrichment programs.
BUSINESS HONORS
Business Honors is the flagship undergraduate academic program at Mays Business School. A base endowment and an endowment to provide scholarship support would allow this program to attain even greater stature and success and would help Mays compete with other leading honors programs, both regionally and nationally.
SCHOLARSHIPS
TRANSFORMING LIVES
Over the last 30 years, public college tuition has increased 213%. Despite the fact that many students have the talent to excel in higher education, many do not have the means. Aggies that help Aggies transform lives. Former students, like these below, invest their time, talent, and treasure to impact young Aggies and cultivate the Mays vibrant learning organization.
CRAIG C. BROWN ’75
“[Seeing the growth A&M provides students] makes it easy to want to recruit students to experience this. A&M provides an opportunity to maximize their personal growth. To achieve the most they can in life… It’s a wonderful feeling to see what wonderful things they accomplish. It’s like the gift of the Magi. He is giving, but that isn’t the greatest gift. The greatest gift is what the students do with their lives. No greater reward than to see them become outstanding.”
MARK D. TAYLOR ’83
“Partnership means active participation. It means more than writing the check… As a transformational leader, we have the opportunity to be on the global stage. If we want to support our vision, we have to continue to focus more on students around the world. And how our transformational leaders will lead organizations around the world.”
JAMES
BENJAMIN
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING NAMING
The $10 million goal in commitments was raised in the campaign to name the accounting department after Department Head James Benjamin. The Department of Accounting must have adequate resources to recruit and retain top students and faculty. The accounting programs offered at Mays are nationally recognized for
their excellence. Mays undergraduate and graduate programs both rank in the Top Ten in the nation. Contribute an endowed level gift of $25,000 or more or an online donation of $25 or more at give.am/JamesBenjamin.
ENDOWED LECTURESHIPS, PROFESSORSHIPS, AND CHAIRS
Lectureships are intended to support the work of non-tenure-track faculty who demonstrate extraordinaryachievements in teaching, innovation in teaching effectiveness, curriculum development, and student support. Professorships are important to retain productive associate
and full professors. Chairs help Mays recruit top scholars. Support for these individuals is a positive recruitment and retention strategy. Endowed and named professorships provide additional summer support and research funding to help retain productive faculty members.
EXPANDING RESEARCH SUPPORT
Mays faculty members engage in a wide variety of research and research-related activities (such as mentoring Ph.D. students). Funds are needed to support this work in a variety of ways, such as professional travel and the ability to access data.
As part of Texas A&M University, a Tier One Research University, Mays develops highimpact knowledge to advance the world’s prosperity. Support and designations help recruit top talent in faculty to become members of the Mays family.
To support these Mays Transformational Priorities, contact Brian Bishop at 979-862-3615 or bbishop@txamfoundation.com.
FACULTY CHAIR AND PROFESSORSHIP
APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS
Gifts fund the backbone of the school – the faculty members who teach and conduct high-impact research. The following faculty appointments and reappointments were made effective Fall 2019.
APPOINTMENTS REAPPOINTMENTS
DANIEL COHEN, ACCOUNTING
Arthur Andersen Chair in Accounting
HARI SRIDHAR, MARKETING
Joe B. Foster ’56 Chair in Business Leadership
MIKE WITHERS, MANAGEMENT
Gina and Anthony Bahr ’91 Professorship in Business
DENNIS LASSILA, ACCOUNTING
Deborah D. Shelton Professor in Taxation
CHRIS WOLFE, ACCOUNTING
Deborah D. Shelton Accounting Systems Professor
Endowed chair holders receive one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a faculty member. The highest level of performance and national and international recognition of that performance are inherent guidelines for appointment of a chair holder. Chair holders have an expectation of unquestionable excellence in at least one of the three professional performance dimensions: research, teaching, and/or service. Excellence should be evidenced by several years of outstanding performance based on national and international standards for endowed chair holders.
Endowed professorship holders receive a high honor as well as recognition of consistently outstanding performance and ability. The institutional expectation of a distinguished record of performance in one of the three professional performance dimensions must be met, with research generally taking precedence.
CATHY HELMBRECHT: MAXIMIZING IMPACT
THROUGH CORPORATE MATCHING FUNDS
WHEN CATHY WORKS HELMBRECHT ’85 WAS GROWING UP IN DALLAS, COLLEGE HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE EXPECTED NEXT STEP. HOWEVER, EXPECTATIONS DON’T PAY TUITION.
“We were a family of five with a single mother, so we had to make our own way,” she said. Coming from a family of college graduates, she knew there was no question that she would pursue higher education, it was merely a matter of how.
Her prospects brightened when she was awarded several scholarships to attend Texas A&M.
“I don’t know how I would have gotten through school without that help,” she said.
The multiple scholarship donors’ generosity was the catapult to a history of proven success.
Helmbrecht has spent her thirty-four-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the largest professional services company in the world. She is currently a partner based at the company’s Dallas office.
FINDING HER PATH AND HELPING TODAY’S STUDENTS FIND THEIRS
She discovered her true vocation—accounting—while at Texas A&M.
“I didn’t even know what accounting was,” she said. “I was a computer science major, and my adviser said I needed a minor and suggested accounting, so I took ACCT 229 the first semester of my freshman year. A year and a half later, I realized I enjoyed accounting much more than computer science and made the switch.”
Since graduating in 1985, Helmbrecht has generously given back, returning to campus repeatedly to give presentations and mentor students.
“I want to share my experiences so that students understand what you have to do to be successful,” she said.
To Helmbrecht, that means much more than just talking about the highlights of her distinguished career.
“You’ve got to tell your story—to speak candidly,” she said. “Don’t just share the good parts, but also share the tough parts. Students need to know how you came through them and how they may have changed you.”
THE NEXT STEP: SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING WITH DOUBLE THE IMPACT
And now, Helmbrecht has taken another critical step to help future generations of Mays students.
By setting up scholarships for accounting students, she and her Longhorn husband, Bill, hope not only to help future Aggies earn their degrees, but also to reinforce the Aggie values of selfless service and loyalty so that recipients will continue to help pave the way for future generations.
“One of my scholarships is for students with financial need,” Helmbrecht said. “I was in that boat and know how they feel and want to help ease their burden.”
Helmbrecht doubled her gift through her employer’s matching gift policy.
“PricewaterhouseCoopers wants to make a difference, and they demonstrate this by matching the donations that employees give for scholarships,” she said. “This doubled the amount I gave. This is an amazing benefit that many other companies offer, too.”
While Helmbrecht was the first in her family to attend Texas A&M, several others followed, including her son, Will Helmbrecht ’21, a finance major.
“Since my time there, I have seen the business school come into its own. Much has changed, but the bond these students have with each other, with Mays Business School, and with the university is second to none.” ◊
“ONE OF MY SCHOLARSHIPS IS FOR STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED. I WAS IN THAT BOAT AND KNOW HOW THEY FEEL AND WANT TO HELP EASE THEIR BURDEN."
CATHY
Ways to give give.am/supportmays
WORKS HELMBRECHT ’85
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS | 2018
$1,000,000+
Dorothy F. Jersild McFerrin ’65
$250,000 - $999,999
Jerry Crider ’65
Tracy & Randy Hale ’85
Wanda & Louis Paletta, II ’78
Rhonda K. Reger ’79 & Jeffrey S. Piland
Adam C. Sinn ’00
Elizabeth & Graham Weston ’86
Shannon ’90 & Chris Work ’90
$100,000 - $249,999
Amina & Raja Akram ’95
Stacy ’91 & Daren Austin ’92
Kay A. ’02 & Jerry S. Cox ’72
Becky ’76 & Monty L. Davis ’77
Lynn & Creed L. Ford, III ’75
Edward F. Fugger, Jr. ’90
Evelyn A. ’84 & Stephen P. Harding ’84
Sue Ellen ’81 & Philip T. Miner III ’80
Avery & Martin Walker ’74
Patsy C. & David S. Wesson ’82
$50,000 - $99,999
Jami & David B. Daniel ’89
Fern & Eli Jones, III ’82
Mark Kelly ’79
Cynthia A. ’90 & Christian A. McClain ’90
Rhonda & Jeff Miller ’88
Florence & Bookman Peters ’59
Peggy & Carl Sewell
Jean & Jason L. Signor ’99
Amy ’83 & Jim Stolarski ’83
Jennifer & S. Wil VanLoh Jr.
$25,000 - $49,999
Jeanine ’99 & Conover H. Able III ’98
Holly & Philip A. Choyce ’89
Cydney Collier Donnell ’81
Laura & Kim Eubanks ’79
Karen & Rodney Faldyn ’88
Laura ’85 & David Fulton
Ronda & Geoffrey D. Greenwade ’83
Lesley ’02 & Barry S. Guinn ’00
Kathy C. & Terry E. Hatchett ’68
Cathy ’85 & William Helmbrecht
Sandy & Randy Hill ’83
Wanda & Fred L. Hughes ’49
Marian J. ’82 & Willie T. Langston, II ’81
M. Ann & Charles P. Manning ’82
Pat & COL Gene Marshall ’60
Karen Pape ’80
Debra & Robert Penshorn ’89
Robert Scott ’78
Kristi & Brent D. Smith ’97
Michelle ’88 & Todd Stuedtner ’87
Carrie ’98 & Jack Suh ’97
Lauren ’16 & Alden R. Warr ’16
Allison ’96 & Don Whitaker ’96
Continues on page 17
HOUSTON COUPLE’S SUPPORT HELPING TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS
FIRST-GENERATION AND ENTREPRENEURS
Damon Diamantaras ’92 was born into an entrepreneurial family. However, Damon and his wife, Cindy ’92, give much of the credit for their success to Mays Business School, the college that made them first-generation lifelong learners.
Now the pair are sharing their hard-won insights from growing their business, The Go Solution, with Mays up and coming entrepreneurs. The Houston couple also established the Cindy ’92 and Damon Diamantaras ’92 McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship Endowed Excellence Fund through a gift of $50,000 in 2015. “Entrepreneurship is one of Mays’ Grand Challenges in our strategic plan,” said Dean Eli Jones ’82. “Entrepreneurs have so much potential to enhance economic development, which ultimately will advance the world’s prosperity. Cindy and Damon’s generous support is helping us educate the next generation of entrepreneurs through the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship.”
THE TRANSFORMATIVE AGGIELAND EXPERIENCE
The Diamantarases are grateful for how their time in Aggieland has been a transformational experience. “My experiences at Mays were tremendous, and Texas A&M is where my life changed forever,” said Damon, who serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board. “That’s the best decision I’ve made during my entire life because that’s where the adult version of me was formed. Ever since I made that decision, things have gone well for me.” ◊
“CINDY AND DAMON’S GENEROUS SUPPORT IS HELPING US EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH THE MCFERRIN CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP."
ELI JONES ’82, DEAN, MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS | 2018 (
$10,000 - $24,999
Felicia & Herbert D. Baker ’81
Angela ’89 & David Brown ’89
Jyl G. & Randy Cain ’82
Lisa ’85 & Peter H. Currie ’85
Cynthia R. ’92 & Damon E. Diamantaras ’92
Catherine A. Flax-Kosecki ’85
Carol ’85 & Patrick E. Gaas ’85
Hans T. George ’91
Julia G. & Thomas B. Harris IV ’80
Jo & David A. Hendrick ’85
Carolyn & Gregory M. Hoffman
Ann & Stephen W. Lacey
Shawn Lafferty ’90
Mariah A. Mackay ’13
Matthew A. Malinsky ’93
Laurie & David S. Matthews
Craig R. McMahen ’89
Richard D. Metters
Natashia N. ’00 & Sammy L. Miller Jr. ’00
Stacy Nahas ’92
Debbie & Scott Ozanus ’81
Helen K. & Daniel L. Sparks ’89
Caren ’88 & John Steffes ’87
Pamela Y. Storey
Allan W. ’83 & Cynthia B. Taylor ’84
Laine D. ’81 & Ted C. Totah ’80
Allen & Mary M. Wheat ’78
Sandra & Wesley L. White ’84
The Honorable Martha J. Wong
Ali & Nelson K. Wood ’02
Amber E. ’02 & Preston H. Young ’02
$5,000 - $9,999
Douglas Abbott
Gina & Anthony F. Bahr ’91
Cynthia ’82 & Fred Balda ’82
Christy ’95 & Brian Baumann ’95
Denise ’86 & Andy Beakey III ’84
Kimberly N. & Brian S. Bishop ’91
Vickie ’82 & David Bolen ’81
Kathy & William J. Booth ’80
Maren ’01 & Gary Brauchle ’95
Valerie & James R. Byrd ’57
Presha & Garry Lynn Carr ’97
Theresa & Chris Cooper ’89
Cathy C. & William W. Davis ’75
Sheila & Michael R. Descheneaux ’89
Kevin D. ’91 & Heather L. Faske ’98
Tina & Paul Frost Gardner ’66
Margaret & Mark C. Gibson ’11
Diane ’90 & Michael L. Harding, II ’90
Debra ’86 & John E. Harper ’82
Kenneth & Jannie Prestridge Herchuk ’84
Sandra ’96 & Shad A. Higdon ’95
Carrie B. & Timothy Joseph Hill ’89
Esther K. ’98 & Bernhard Krieg ’98
cont. )
Barbara & Paul W. Kruse ’77
Frances & Charles C. Laningham ’60
Paula & R. Steve Letbetter ’70
Marsha & David K. Lockett ’76
Gina A. ’95 & Carl A. Luna ’91
Emily ’91 & David M. McCutcheon ’92
Taryn N. ’07 & Kyle D. Mitchan ’06
Lawrence Patrick Morris ’88
Merita ’86 & Stephen Parker ’88
Karen ’88 & Clyde Pehl ’85
Kelly Ann & William P. Ramey, III ’95
Shelly & Tyler D. Reeves ’93
Kimberly D. & Wallace P. Reid ’92
Jerrianne Richter
Jean & Foster C. Rinefort, Jr. ’76
Tawnya ’98 & David R. Smart ’98
Jim Stark ’84
Michelle ’88 & Todd Steudtner ’87
Mandy ’99 & Ryan Stewart ’98
Tara & Billy Strain, Jr. ’94
Christine & Mark D. Taylor ’83
Patricia & John C. Vanderhider ’81
William D. Wood ’81
Kathryn ’87 & Darren Woods ’87
*Over 350 individuals donated less than $5,000 each.
ENSURING THEIR LEGACY THROUGH PLANNED GIVING
SCOTT ’95 AND STEPHANIE HARRIS ’96 CRUNCH NUMBERS FOR A LIVING.
As financial planners, they help others plan their best lives, which includes legacy planning. The Harrises go further than just advising others to be mindful with their giving; they give mindfully, too.
“We talk to clients every day about being intentional in their giving,” said Stephanie. “It only makes sense for us to do it ourselves.”
A DIFFERENT TIME, A DIFFERENT CAMPUS
The Harrises both attended Texas A&M. Scott received his degree in Information and Operations Management while his wife, Stephanie, received hers in Applied Mathematics.
They loved their time in Aggieland, but because there was no financial planning degree available, Stephanie attended classes in Houston to get her certification.
Texas A&M and financial planning are both near and dear to the Harrises. One of their biggest hopes is for Aggies to join the financial planning industry and, subsequently, help people to make impactful, planned gifts.
“YOU CAN GET A GOOD EDUCATION IN MANY PLACES, BUT YOU CAN’T FIND THE AGGIE SPIRIT ANYWHERE ELSE."
SCOTT HARRIS ’95
“Stephanie had always been interested in personal finance but was unaware of a financial planning degree option until after graduation because A&M didn’t offer a program at the time,” Scott explained.
PLANNED GIVING IS INTENTIONAL GIVING
Because of the generosity of individuals and corporate donors – using present donations and planned giving (usually, a cash gift to a charity upon the donor’s passing) – taking specialized classes outside of Aggieland is no longer necessary. Mays students have many more opportunities on campus with world-class faculty – including a minor in financial planning.
“We hope that [our planned gift] brings Texas A&M a bit closer to offering a major in financial planning,” Scott said. “After all, you can get a good education in many places, but you can’t find the Aggie Spirit anywhere else.”◊
ENDURING RELATIONSHIP WITH REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS LEADS TO TOP HONOR
Reynolds and Reynolds’ commitment to developing meaningful relationships with Mays Business School students and faculty as well as their significant philanthropic support resulted in their selection as the 2019 Partner of the Year.
The company’s support of Mays programs has grown over the years.
“The investments that Reynolds and Reynolds have made are significant,” said Dean Eli Jones ’82. “But it’s more than the money. We have great relationships with these folks. They’ve been partners for quite a while, and they have hired numerous Aggies.”
The Reynolds and Reynolds relationship with Mays began many years ago through their increasing involvement with students and faculty. Reynolds and Reynolds employees regularly serve as speakers, panelists, and mentors. In addition, company representatives conduct more than 300 individual role plays with Mays students every semester.
Over the past four years, the company established a $2 million
endowment to support the Reynolds and Reynolds Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans and committed $1 million to create the ReyRey Café in the proposed Mays building expansion. More recently, Reynolds and Reynolds dedicated a $4 million endowment for the Reynolds and Reynolds Sales Leadership Institute, an interdisciplinary program that develops Texas A&M students as future sales professionals and advances the sales profession. ◊
GROWING PARTNERSHIP SPARKS CREATION OF THE REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS SALES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The creation of the Reynolds and Reynolds Sales Leadership Institute in Mays Business School at Texas A&M is a testament to the power of the relationship between Sarah Stratta, Recruiting Manager, and Janet Parish, director of the institute. Their professional partnership, which started in 2010, enhanced the working relationship between Reynolds and Reynolds and Mays. The level of collaboration is impressive: increased involvement by the company’s employees in Mays sales programs; deeper conversations between partners about the role that sales will play in students’ lives; and a financial commitment of $4 million. The institute advances the sales profession in three areas: teaching, research, and outreach through executive development.
Mays officials appreciate the partnership’s steady growth. “This institute was forged thanks to the relationship between Sarah Stratta and Janet Parish. It also reflects the increasingly close working relationships between other individuals in Reynolds and Reynolds and Mays Business School over the years,” said Dean Eli Jones ’82. “The company wants to help students understand the importance of sales in their lives. Their commitment to making this happen through contributing their knowledge and expertise as well as the company’s investment is what sets this partnership apart and illustrates why Reynolds and Reynolds was named Mays Business School’s 2019 Partner of the Year.” ◊
" WE BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT HIGHER EDUCATION IS A GREAT MULTIPLIER AND CAN MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES ALIKE. THAT IMPACT WILL EXPAND AS STUDENTS GROW AND MOVE THROUGH COLLEGE AND BEYOND. SO, WE’RE PLEASED TO SEE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TEXAS A&M, AND SPECIFICALLY, MAYS, CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN ACROSS A NUMBER OF AREAS."
ROBERT BURNETT ’87, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS
Left to Right: Ashlyn Tutor and Sarah Stratta of Reynolds and Reynolds and Janet Parish and Andrew Loring of the Reynolds and Reynolds Sales Leadership Institute
Below: Hari Sridhar, Director of Research, Reynolds and Reynolds Sales Leadership Institute
CORPORATE AND FOUNDATIONS | 2018
$5,000,000+
The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
$2,000,000+
The H. G. Ash Foundation
Mays Family Foundation
$250,0 00 - $999,999
The Jerry and Kay Cox Foundation
J. Campbell Murrell Fund
KPMG Foundation
Mike Shaw Management Inc.
Texas Bankers Foundation
$100,00 0 - $249,999
C.C. Creations Inc.
Charles Koch Foundation
EY Foundation
Halliburton Foundation, Incorporated
Phillips 66 Company
Summerfield G. Roberts Foundation
$50,000 - $99,999
Deloitte Foundation
ENGIE Energy Marketing NA, Inc.
ExxonMobil
PepsiCo
RBN Energy
Sewell Automotive
SparrowHawk, LLC
Textron, Incorporated
Cindy & Tony Weber Foundation
YourCause, LLC
$25,000 - $49,999
Asset Risk Management, LLC
AT&T
BDO USA, LLP
BP Corporation North America, Incorporated
William and Catherine
Bryce Memorial Trust
Central Bank
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Cockrell Foundation
ConocoPhillips
Dealer Computer Services, Incorporated
The Guill Family Foundation
H. Fund
H.E.B. Grocery Company
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Alan & Jacqueline Mitchell Foundation
Motiva Enterprises, LLC
Frank J. & Jean Raymond Foundation
Shell Oil Company
Tesoro Companies, Incorporated
Total Gas and Power North America, Inc.
Wells Fargo
$10,0 00 - $24,990
Academy, LTD
Aggie Real Estate Network
Altria Group, Incorporated
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Avison Young (USA) Inc.
Barnes and Noble College Booksellers, LLC
Brierley & Partners, Inc.
Buxton Company
Caldwell Companies
Caliber Holdings Corporation
Camden Property Trust
Castleton Commodities
Trading GP LLC
Mark A. Chapman Foundation
Charles Schwab and Company, Inc.
Cheniere Energy Shared Services, Inc.
Citizens State Bank
Communities Foundation of Texas
Dillard’s
Dollar General Corporation, LLC
EDF Trading North America, LLC
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Francesca’s Services Corporation
Goosehead Insurance
Grant Thornton Foundation
Green Bank
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Higginbotham Community Fund
Hotel Valencia Corporation
Howard Energy Partners, LLC.
Iscential, Inc.
Keyence Corp of America
Koch Supply & Trading, LP
Macy’s / Bloomingdale’s
Mercuria Energy Trading Inc.
Noble Energy, Inc.
Pioneer Natural Resources USA
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors
Stage Stores, Incorporated
Tauber Oil Company
Texas Instruments Foundation
Texas Retailers Education Foundation
Tres Aguilas Management, LLC
USG Energy Gas Producer Holdings, LLC
Walgreens
Zale Delaware, Incorporated
$5,000 - $9,999
Accent Wire-Tie
Amegy Bank of Texas
Apple, Inc.
Axis Group, LLC
BHP Billiton
BKRK Investments, Ltd.
Craig and Galen Brown Foundation, Inc.
Caddis Partners, LLC
CBRE
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
Citizens National Bank
Commerce Bank
Community Bank & Trust
Community National Bank
Covey Investments, LLC
Enbridge Foundaton
Frost National Bank
General Motors LLC
GoDish.com, LLC
Haynes and Boone Foundation
High Tech Flooring and Design
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Kiewit Corporation
Koch Industries, Inc.
Lowery Property Advisors, LLC
Moody National Bank
Nature Nate’s
Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas PC
Popp Hutcheson, PLLC
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Protiviti, Inc.
Q10 Kinghorn, Driver, Hough & Co.
Real Foundations
Root, Inc.
Schneider Electric Buildings
The Signorelli Company
Southwest Airlines Company
TRI-KES
The USAA Foundation, A Charitable Trust
Valero Services, Inc.
Veritex Community Bank
*Nearly 150 corporations donated less than $5,000 each.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE:
FACULTY & STAFF SUPPORT
Brian S. Bishop ’ 91
Paul S. Busch
Richard D. Metters
Kristopher D. Muir
Cydney Collier Donnell ’ 81
Eli Jones, III ’82
Richard H. Lester ’ 03
Ramona L. Paetzold
John R. Robinson
Michael K. Shaub
Mary Lea McAnally
87% FUNDED
ENGAGE WITH MAYS
NEW GIFTS, ENDOWMENTS, COMMITMENTS
Amina & Raja J. Akram ’95
The H.G. Ash Foundation
Stacy & Daren E. Austin ’92
Bret C. Baccus ’89
Kimberly N. & Brian S. Bishop ’91
Vickie ’82 & David J. Bolen ’81
Derrith & Robert D. Bondurant ’80
William and Catherine
Bryce Foundation
Mary Bryant Burch ’80
C. C. Creations
Caldwell Companies
Chevron
Frank Cinatl, III ’56
Jerry Crider ’65
David B. Daniel ’89
Lynn & Creed L. Ford, III ’75
Shane M. Frazier ’98
Edward F. Fugger, Jr. ’90
Mr. Hans T. George ’91
Melinda ’87 & Guy Grace
Lesley ’02 & Barry S. Guinn ’00
Tracy & Randy Hale ’85
Evelyn A. ’84 & Stephen P. Harding ’84
Stephanie ’96 & Scott Harris ’95
William & Catherine W. Helmbrecht ’85
Sandy & Randy Hill ’83
Shea & John A. Huser ’89
Jennifer & Drew Koecher ’88
KPMG Foundation
Sue Ellen ’81 & Philip T. Miner III ’80
Laney ’99 & Roger Montemayor ’99
Wanda & Louis Paletta, II ’78
Florence & M. Bookman
Peters ’59 Family
John W. Phillips ’90
Phillips 66
Rhonda K. Reger ’79 & Jeffrey S. Piland
The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
Shannon ’86 & Wayne Roberts ’85
Summerfield Roberts Foundation
Nancy & Mike Shaw ’68
Jean & Jason L. Signor ’99
Kristi & Brent D. Smith ’97
Caren W. ’88 & John W. Steffes ’87
Debbie ’90 & Robert Blake
Steudtner ’91
Michelle ’88 & Todd Stuedtner ’87
Avery & Martin Walker ’74
Lauren ’16 & Alden R. Warr ’16
Patsy C. & David S. Wesson ’82
Elizabeth & Graham Weston ’86
Ali & Nelson K. Wood ’02
Shannon H. ’90 & Chris B. Work ’90
VALUES BY ENDOWMENT TYPE
ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUES
Mays Business School
4113 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4113
WOMEN’S
LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE CONFERENCE
Laura Arnold | Arnold Ventures
