Get Engaged With Aggieland

Though there are hundreds of ways to support Aggie students, faculty and staff, below are some of the highest-priority initiatives featured in this issue of Spirit. These opportunities span programs, student activities and colleges across campus.

If you are interested in learning more about supporting an initiative, please connect with the listed development officer for further details. You can also contribute online donations of $25 or more to some of these programs by visiting our online giving site—indicated by those programs with associated black buttons.

Aggieland North

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp ’72 announced plans for a new Texas A&M research campus and collaborative innovation hub in downtown Fort Worth. The campus will facilitate relationships between education and industry through public-private partnerships. A new Texas A&M Law & Education Building and a Research & Innovation Building will be at the heart of the campus, with numerous naming opportunities available. 

Contact: Myke Holt, Senior Director of Development, School of Law

Texas A&M Heritage Building Endowment

Barbie and Fed Patterson ’79 established the Texas A&M Heritage Building Endowment to support Texas A&M's campus heritage. Their gift creates a perpetual source of funding for the restoration and preservation of Aggieland's historic buildings. While the Pattersons initiated the endowment, they hope other like-minded individuals who share their passion for upholding Texas A&M's history will contribute gifts to grow the fund.

Contact: Heather Sauber '99, Director of Development, School of Architecture

Ross Volunteer Company

Celebrating 135 years of existence, the Ross Volunteer Company remains one of Texas’ oldest active student organizations. Established in 1887, this selective group of cadets has created and upheld many Aggie traditions, served as Honor Guard to 16 Texas Governors, and acted as the official escort of His Majesty Rex, the King of Carnival, during New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Parade.

Contact: Matt Jennings '95, Senior Director of Development, Corps of Cadets

Texas Aggie Rodeo Team

The Texas Aggie Rodeo Team has been an official member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association for more than 70 years but has been largely unfunded during its time on campus. Dr. Al Wagner ’69 has spent the past 25 years volunteering without pay to coach the team but will soon retire.

Now, former students and friends are rallying to create the Dr. Al Wagner ’69 Texas A&M Rodeo Coach Endowment to honor his commitment to the team and ensure that the coaching position is financed for years to come. Interested donors can create a "5 for 25" pledge—recurring gifts of $5,000 per year for five years—or give to the endowment online.

Contact: Scott Jarvis '00, Director of Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Support Aggie RODEO

Alzheimer's Research

As the leading cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease takes a devastating toll on individuals and families and is the seventh leading cause of U.S. deaths. Texas A&M University researchers from various fields are untangling the complex origins of Alzheimer's in the search for a cure. Contributions in support of this important medical research can help faculty better understand the disease's roots and possible treatments. 

Contact: David Boggan ’79, Senior Director of Development, Texas A&M Health

Dr. Chris Skaggs Livestock Judging Team Endowment

Texas A&M has won 12 National Livestock Judging Championship titles, six since Dr. Chris Skaggs has joined the university. Steven ’85 and Sandra Lastovica ’85 have established the Dr. Chris Skaggs Excellence Endowment in Animal Science to perpetuate Dr. Skaggs’ impact and influence.

Through contributions from other individuals or organizations, the Department of Animal Science hopes to grow the endowment to $500,000 to support scholarships for graduate students pursuing careers in the beef cattle industry and provide financial assistance to undergraduates who are members of the Livestock Judging Team.  

Contact: Jansen Merrill '18, Assistant Director of Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Help support the team

Cambodian Together Farm Project

Dr. Julie Rodgers ’88 ’91 ’96, a design studio professor in the College of Architecture, has guided Aggies to complete two studio projects impacting the people of Cambodia. In 2004, Texas A&M students designed a complex including a landmine museum, dormitories for child survivors of landmines and a small school.

In 2021, Aggies designed a teaching farm that will help Cambodians combat food shortages that devastated the country during the pandemic. Contributions to the fund below, administered by an American nonprofit called the Landmine Relief Fund, will support the teaching farm's efforts to provide agricultural education to rural villages across Cambodia.

Support the TEAChing Farm

Aggie Experience Fund

The Aggie Experience Fund allows more Aggies to experience the “other education” in Aggieland. The fund gives undergraduate and graduate students with financial need the opportunity to participate in recognized campus organizations, committees or programs by covering fee expenses. The grant program began during the spring 2022 semester and allows students to apply to receive $250 or 50% of their program’s cost. You can give more Aggies the joy of participating in campus student life by contributing a gift of $25 or more to the fund below or creating an endowment to benefit the fund long term.

Contact: Reagan Chessher ’96, Senior Director of Development, Division of Student Affairs

 Grow the Aggie Experience fund