We want to help young men and women experience the life-changing education of Texas A&M.

Unsure of what to expect from Texas A&M upon accepting its offer to play baseball, Jackie Binks ’74 never dreamed of how the university would impact him. “I fell in love with Texas A&M,” Binks said. “My blood turned from red to maroon, and my experience at the university had a profound effect on the rest of my life.”

In addition to opening personal and professional doors for him, Texas A&M has provided a place for Binks and his family to flourish. His wife Susan ’74 and the couple’s two daughters are also Aggie graduates. “I firmly believe the opportunity Texas A&M extended to me opened the door for my entire family to become Aggies and enjoy the university’s unique spirit,” he said.

Noting the significant role Texas A&M played in their lives, the couple established a $100,000 President’s Endowed Scholarship to afford students in the College of Education and Human Development the same opportunity to experience Texas A&M. Because their daughter, Dr. Emily Cantrell ’02, serves as a faculty leader for freshmen in the college’s Lohman Learning Community, the Binks host events for these students in their home.

“We have witnessed firsthand their passion for teaching,” Binks said. “The future of our country depends upon good educators, and we want to provide the tools for them to be successful.

I wanted to make a difference and give my beloved border collie’s life a purpose. Texas A&M was the best place for me to achieve that goal.

T. J., a border collie with a family tree full of Great Britain sheep herding champions, was the smartest dog Patricia Gilmore-Hunter had ever known. For 13 years, T. J. was loved and cared for by Gilmore-Hunter before passing away unexpectedly.

“T. J. suddenly developed enlarged lymph nodes and stopped eating,” she said. Veterinarians conducted a needle biopsy that came back inconclusive and before T.J. could receive an open biopsy, she passed away from cancer. “All of this happened within one week,” added Gilmore-Hunter.

Devastated by her sudden loss, she established the T. J. Hunter Oncology Endowment at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences to promote canine cancer research. She chose Texas A&M as the recipient of her donation based not on her dedication to the university—in fact she never attended Texas A&M—but because of its exceptional veterinary school.

“Texas A&M’s excellent education and research programs allowed for the greatest impact of my philanthropic dollars,” she said. Gilmore-Hunter hopes that her donation may help keep other pet owners and pets alike from suffering through a circumstance like T. J.’s.

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.”

I feel Texas A&M is true to its core values.

On a night he would never forget, Dr. Andrew Reichert ’90 walked into Texas A&M’s band hall and saw 12 silver bugles resting on a table. He was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, and the new silver bugle rank members were being announced.

“One by one, each new drum major picked up a bugle and started talking about its new owner without actually naming the person,” Reichert said. “As it became more evident that one of the drum majors was talking about me, heads and smiles began to turn my way. And then he called my name: ‘Andy Reichert, come on down and get your bugle.’”

Reichert, now a practicing psychologist in Port Aransas, Texas, embraces the influential role Texas A&M has played in his life. He’s given two Sul Ross Corps Scholarships for Aggie Band members and supported Texas A&M’s GLBT Resource Center.

“One of my Sul Ross scholars told me that my scholarship was the only financial aid any university offered him and was the deciding reason he chose Texas A&M and the Aggie Band,” Reichert said. Interestingly, that student recipient followed in Reichert’s footsteps: He was also elected to the band's bugle rank.

I can help make graduate education more affordable for students with severe physical disabilities.

Dr. Deshae E. Lott ’94 ’99 remembers first visiting Texas A&M University while considering graduate school programs and immediately feeling at home. She credits the accessible campus, talented student body and inviting English department leadership as the main draws to Aggieland. “I wanted to be an Aggie immediately after my in-person introduction to Texas A&M,” Lott said, “and I have been unwaveringly glad to be part of the Aggie family ever since.”

Lott earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M and pursued an academic life. Having lived with a form of muscular dystrophy from a young age, Lott works to better the lives of other people with disabilities. Between her teaching, writing and research endeavors, she raises funds to give quality-of-life grants and scholarships to persons with disabilities. In 2017, Lott established the Lott-Sadow-Cleveland Scholarship with her husband to support students registered with disability services pursuing a graduate or professional degree at Texas A&M.

“Graduate students with severe physical disabilities have few merit scholarship options,” she said. “A scholarship for such students can help make graduate education more affordable and their quality of life more comfortable.”

Texas A&M embodies the honor and sacrifices that our veterans make.

Jon-Marc “Jon” Baird ’86 grew up in a military family. His dad, Gary Baird Sr., served in the United States Navy for 21 years before achieving the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. “My dad has an intense devotion to the U.S. Navy and to Texas A&M University,” said Jon. “While I was a student, my dad developed a strong admiration for Texas A&M’s rich military tradition and a deep connection with the Aggie family.”

It was this devotion that inspired Jon and his wife Elizabeth to establish an Aggie Veteran Scholarship in honor of his father. “We felt it was important that his legacy as a devoted Navy man and a member of the Aggie faithful live on in this scholarship,” Jon said.

Even with the assistance of the GI Bill and Hazelwood benefits, many veteran students struggle financially with basic living expenses. An Aggie Veteran Scholarship allows the Bairds to support veteran students while honoring Gary’s service to his country. “We hope that this scholarship eases some of the financial burden for veterans pursing their education at Texas A&M,” said Jon.