Texas A&M Foundation

Mark your calendars—The Big Event is almost here! 📅 If you haven't heard, The Big Event is more than just a day of service; it's a tradition that connects Aggies and the Bryan-College Station community. Blake Guerra ’25 shares how one conversation reminded him about the beauty of serving others on the big day. Click the link to read his story: https://bit.ly/4hInLHG

From blooming flowers to aspiring scholars, Mary Beth ’79 and Kenneth Cranfill ’79 know the most remarkable journeys often begin with a single seed of opportunity. The Cranfills are using a gift in their will to establish two meaningful endowments, one for the Department of Horticultural Sciences and another for the Aggie ACHIEVE program. Their generosity will help future Aggies blossom for years to come. Learn how they are planting seeds of success for the future of Texas A&M here: https://bit.ly/4kFgT0D

Marching in step, standing out in history. The late Kevin Phillip Roberts ’89 led the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band with precision and confidence as its first Black drum major. A soft-spoken yet courageous leader, he made everyone around him feel welcome. His leadership set the stage for future generations, proving that the Spirit of Aggieland is built on respect, service, and excellence. Read his inspiring story here: https://bit.ly/4brJWAp

The Texas A&M Foundation was honored to host our friends from Blue Bell Creameries for a full day of great conversations and campus connections!👍 From exploring leadership at the Hollingsworth Center to engaging with faculty at Mays Business School - Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University College of Engineering, and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, their visit highlighted our shared commitments to excellence. We appreciate Blue Bell’s continued relationships and the impact they make on our students and programs!

Honoring their son David Gilbert '07, Tom and Laura Gilbert transformed their loss into a legacy by creating one of Texas A&M's most impactful leadership programs. For 20 years, the Gilbert Leadership Conference has shaped Aggie freshmen into servant leaders. The Gilberts remain deeply involved, connecting with students who embody their son's values of character, service and involvement. Learn how one family is guiding the next generation of Aggie leaders here: https://bit.ly/3F9muvP

Sony is paving the way for first-gen Aggies to thrive in the arts. 🎓🎬📸 With a new endowment for Texas A&M’s College of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts, Sony is launching the First-Generation Student Success Fund—creating more opportunities for first-gen students to pursue their passions. This investment reflects Sony’s commitment to fostering the next generation of creative leaders, and we appreciate its partnership in advancing opportunities for Aggie artists.

The bond between Kay and the late Charlie Pence ’51 and Anna Garcia Hiller '10 is a testament to how scholarships do more than open doors—they foster lifelong friendships. Anna’s Aggie journey began when she received a President’s Endowed Scholarship funded by the Pences, sparking a relationship that has endured well beyond College Station. Over the years, she has returned to share her story at the annual Pence Scholarship Dinner, inspiring new generations of Aggies. Last night, Kay Pence surprised Anna by announcing a new President’s Endowed Scholarship that she created and named in her honor. Moments like these remind us that in Aggieland, scholarship gifts create connections that last a lifetime.

Timely tax news: The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) temporarily doubled estate tax exemptions, but is set to expire at the end of 2025. In the case that TCJA provisions do expire, you need to take action. Texas A&M School of Law Executive Professor William Byrnes is here to help with smart strategies that will assist you in proactively planning to protect your future. Get prepared and learn how you can support future Aggies in the process: https://bit.ly/3DmnJXQ

POV: You just stepped into the future of business education. With cutting-edge collaboration spaces, a three-story multimedia wall, and outdoor study areas under the trees, the new Wayne Roberts ’85 Building at Mays Business School is setting a new standard for learning—thanks in part to the support of corporations like ConocoPhillips, Valero and Phillips 66. Explore how their generosity is shaping the next generation of business professionals: https://bit.ly/4hfTr7j

Let's give a big WHOOP to the Dallas A&M Club on its achievement of becoming the first A&M Club to fund scholarships in every college at Texas A&M! As the first-ever off-campus A&M Club, its members' pioneering spirit has made a lasting impact by supporting student scholarships and preserving traditions on campus. The Dallas A&M Club exemplifies how local communities can create extraordinary change. Through their generosity and leadership, they ensure the Spirit of Aggieland continues to shine for generations to come!