The Texas A&M University College of Science is making final preparations this week to resume one of its most time-honored spring traditions put on hold since 2019 by the COVID-19 pandemic: the college’s annual Spring Recognition and Awards Dinner, set for Friday (Apr. 1), at Pebble Creek Country Club in celebration of the three most recent classes of inductees into its Academy of Distinguished Former Students and more than 200 current scholarship winners.
In addition to the best and brightest among its former and current students, the college will pay tribute to the donors whose generous support made each scholarship and endowed gift possible — specifically those created within the college’s five departments during the past three years.
“We look forward to acknowledging the hard work, commitment and accomplishments of our present students and faculty,” said Dr. Valen E. Johnson, dean of the College of Science. “We also will honor those who continue to pave the way for their success — our former students, our donors and other friends of our college. Their generous gifts provide funding for our college and departments to enhance our programs and do things that otherwise would not be possible.”
The complete list of gifts established since the college’s most recent awards event held on March 21, 2019, and their purposes is as follows:
Awards
— The Ersen Arseven ’74 Annual Staff Award in the Department of Statistics was established in December 2020 by Dr. Ersen Arseven ’74 to provide annual awards to top performing staff members in the Department of Statistics.
— The Ersen Arseven ’74 Dean’s Office Annual Staff Award in the College of Science was established in December 2020 by Dr. Ersen Arseven ’74 to provide annual awards to top performing staff members in the College of Science.
— The Judith L. Edmiston Mentoring Awards Endowment was established in October 2020 by Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 to provide two annual awards for staff/faculty or undergraduate/graduate students (any combination) to be recognized for their work in student mentoring in the College of Science.
— The Dr. Phyllis Toback Mechanics Scholar Award was established in July 2019 by Dr. David Toback and Mrs. Katherine Toback ’88 to provide three awards in both the fall and spring semesters for a total of six awards annually to students who achieve the three highest scores each semester on the PHYS 206 Mechanics Challenge Exam.
Chairs
— The H.O. Hartley Chair in Statistics was established in July 2019 by Dr. Ersen Arseven ’74 and Dr. William B. Smith ’60 in honor of Dr. Hartley with matching funds from the Thomas W. Powell ’62 Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund to support the teaching, research, service, and professional development activities of an esteemed faculty member in the Department of Statistics.
— The Dr. Carl D. McAfee ’90 Endowed Chair in Analytical Chemistry was established in November 2021 by Debbie and Dr. Carl D. McAfee ’90 to support the teaching, research, service, and professional development activities of the holder in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Science.
— The Marsha L. ’69 and Ralph F. Schilling ’68 Chair for Physics Outreach was established in November 2021 by Marsha L. ’69 and Ralph F. Schilling ’68 to support the teaching, research, service, and professional development activities of the holder and outreach efforts in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Science.
— The Dr. Wesley Jay Thompson Chair in Neurobiology Fund was established in March 2020 through a planned gift by Dr. Wesley Jay Thompson to establish a chair in neurobiology in the Department of Biology.
Fellowships
— The Professor Manuel P. Soriaga Graduate Fellowship was established in December 2019 by Dr. Elizabeth Soriaga in memory of her late husband to support full-time students pursuing graduate degrees in chemistry from the College of Science.
— The Joel Zinn Endowed Memorial Graduate Fellowship in Mathematics was established in July 2019 by Michele Zinn ’87 in memory of her late husband to support full-time students pursuing a Ph.D. in the Department of Mathematics in the College of Science.
Lectureships
— The Abraham Clearfield Endowed Lecture Series in Inorganic Chemistry was established in May 2019 by Dr. Abraham Clearfield, Norman Clearfield, and Dr. Howard M. Clearfield to provide sufficient income to sponsor a one-week visit to Texas A&M each year by a preeminent researcher in inorganic chemistry.
— The Nancy and Robert L. Dunham ’63 Endowed James G. Potter Physics Festival Endowment was established in August 2020 by Nancy and Robert L. Dunham ’63 to support the Physics Festival in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Science.
— The Gopalakrishnan Endowed Lecture in Organic Chemistry was established in February 2021 by Dr. Geetha Gopalakrishnan ’94, Dr. Paari Gopalakrishnan ’95, and Dr. Isai G. Bowline ’00 to provide support to Academic Professional Track (APT) faculty teaching in the Organic Chemistry Program.
— The Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt Endowed Lecture Series for Freshman Chemistry was established in March 2021 by Dr. Wendy L. Keeney-Kennicutt to provide support for the First Year Chemistry Program in the College of Science.
Miscellaneous
— The David E. Bergbreiter Undergraduate CHEM 491 Travel Endowment was established in October 2021 by Dr. David E. Bergbreiter to provide funds to support travel for current undergraduates to present their CHEM 491 research at national or international meetings.
Planned Gifts
— The Maudene and Gilbert V. Chambers ’50 Chemistry Scholarship was established in February 2020 through a planned gift by Maudene and Gilbert V. Chambers ’50 to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Science.
— The Lynn ’77 and Donald Hagan ’76 Planned Gift was established in October 2020 by Lynn ’77 and Donald Hagan ’76 as a planned gift in the Department of Physics and Astronomy to add to any established and future endowments.
— The Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 Planned Gifts were established in October 2020 by Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 as the following planned gifts: Dr. Timothy P. Scott ’89 Science Leadership Scholars Endowment, Randy Lunsford ’89 Science Leadership Scholars Endowment, and Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 Science Leadership Scholars Endowment to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing undergraduate degrees and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program in the College of Science; Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 Science Leadership Scholars Endowed Scholarship Matching Fund to secure new donor gifts to help establish new Science Leadership Scholars endowments; Dr. C.O. Patterson Young Investigators Endowment to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students in the College of Science; Dr. C.O. Patterson Young Investigators Endowed Matching Fund to secure new donor gifts to help establish endowments supporting research opportunities for undergraduate students in the College of Science; and Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 President’s Endowed Scholarship and David L. and Doris Carroll Moore President’s Endowed Scholarship to support students in STEM majors from Freestone County, Texas.
— The Dr. John M. Quarles Planned Gifts were established in January 2021 by Dr. John M. Quarles as the following planned gifts: Dr. John M. Quarles Science Leadership Scholars Endowed Scholarship to provide scholarships to full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program in the College of Science and the Dr. John M. Quarles Undergraduate Research Initiative Endowment to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students in the College of Science.
— The Margaret Sanders Chemistry Scholar Fund was established in January 2021 by Margaret Sanders to benefit chemistry students in good standing in the Department of Chemistry.
— The Dr. Jan M. Troup ’74 Planned Gifts were established in July 2021 by Dr. Jan M. Troup ’74 as the following planned gifts: Dr. Jan M. Troup ’74 Chair in Analytical/Physical Chemistry to support the teaching, research, service, and professional development activities of the holder in the College of Science; Dr. Jan M. Troup ’74 Technology Commercialization Endowed Fund to support graduate students in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Science; and Dr. Jan M. Troup ’74 Chair in Inorganic Chemistry to support the teaching, research, service, and professional development activities of the holder in the College of Science.
Program Support
— The Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 College of Science Mentoring Program Excellence Endowment was established in October 2020 by Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 to provide support for the College of Science Mentoring Program.
— The Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 Science Leadership Scholars Excellence Endowment was established in October 2020 by Dr. Mark D. Moore ’84 to support students pursuing undergraduate degrees and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program in the College of Science.
— The Harold “Hal” Schade ’67 Physics Festival Endowment was established in March 2020 by Col. Harold “Hal” Schade ’67 to support the Physics Festival program expenses to include speaker travel expenses, supplies for demonstrations, food for volunteers, and other program expenses.
Research Endowments
— The Nancy and Robert L. Dunham ’63 Undergraduate Research Initiative Endowment was established in February 2021 by Nancy and Robert L. Dunham ’63 to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in College of Science.
— The Oscar “Rex” Whiteside ’56 Math Endowment for Undergraduate Research Initiative was established in July 2021 by Jo Ann and Dr. Charles Whiteside ’53 to provide students with paid student research opportunities to work on mathematics research projects with faculty members in the Department of Mathematics in the College of Science.
— The Dr. Karen Wooley Research Fund was established in June 2021 by Elizabeth ’79 and Larry Ezell ’78 to provide financial support for research expenses.
— The L.R. “Pete” Wright ’54 Undergraduate Research Initiative Endowment in Astronomy was established in January 2021 by Col. Harold “Hal” C. Schade ’67 to support the needs of the College of Science Undergraduate Research Initiative in Astronomy.
Scholarships
— The John and Fides Agnolet Endowed Scholarship was established in December 2020 by Dr. Glenn Agnolet and Debra Agnolet to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing undergraduate degrees in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Science.
— The Clearfield Family Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars in Chemistry was established in May 2019 by Dr. Abraham Clearfield, Norman Clearfield, and Dr. Howard Clearfield to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in chemistry and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program.
— The Debra L. ’79 and Michael D. Dishberger ’79 Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars was established in November 2019 by Mr. Michael Dishberger ’79 and Mrs. Debra Dishberger ’79 to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program.
— The Al Gallatin ’61/Albert Kale Gallatin ’15 Endowed Memorial Scholarship was established in May 2020 by Thomas Coy Gallatin, Albert Kale Gallatin, and Freda S. Gallatin to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science.
— The Dr. Carlos ’79 and Eileen Garza Endowed Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars was established in May 2021 by Dr. Carlos ’79 and Eileen Garza to provide scholarships to full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program in the College of Science.
— The Alejandro and Nicole Gonzalez – Raymond Martin Gutierrez and Melba P. Gutierrez Charitable Trust Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars was established in July 2019 by Dr. Dagoberto Gonzalez, Jr. ’92 and Mrs. Patricia Gonzalez ’92 to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program.
— The Dr. Matthew A. ’82 and Patricia J. Harthcock Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars was established in February 2020 by Dr. Matthew Harthcock ’82 and Mrs. Patricia Harthcock to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in chemistry and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program.
— The Hebel Family Biology Endowed Scholarship was established in December 2021 by Henry Hebel ’93 to provide a full-ride scholarship to a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate degree in the Department of Biology in the College of Science.
— The Richard and Agnes Hrncir aggieTEACH Scholarship was established in August 2019 by Agnes Hrncir to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science and enrolled in the aggieTEACH program.
— The Killough Family Chemistry Scholarship was established in January 2020 by Dr. James “Mike” Killough ’75 and Mrs. Gabrielle “Gigi” Killough ’78 to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in chemistry.
— The Ahmed M. Mahmoud ’87 Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars was established in September 2019 by Ahmed Mahmoud ’87 to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program.
— The Charlotte and John McMath ’66 Scholarship was established in August 2019 by Dr. John McMath ’66 and Mrs. Charlotte McMath to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in mathematics from the College of Science, with preference for members of the Corps of Cadets.
— The Cherilyn K. Mitchell ’74 Memorial Scholarship was established in December 2020 by Randy Mitchell to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science.
— The Patrick D. Moller ’80 Endowed Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2019 by Suzanne Moller ’80 in memory of her late husband to support full-time students pursuing bachelor’s of science degrees in chemistry from the College of Science.
— The Dina and Dr. Tyler Pendergrass ’94 Scholarship for Science Leadership Scholars was established in July 2019 by Dr. Tyler Pendergrass ’94 and Mrs. Dina Pendergrass to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Science and participating in the Science Leadership Scholars Program.
— The Marci O. and Dr. Joel Richter ’71 Scholarship in the Howard L. Gravett Scholars Program was established in March 2020 by Marci O. and Dr. Joel Richter ’71 to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing undergraduate degrees in biology who are pre-med in the College of Science.
— The Sandi Smith Undergraduate Scholarship in Physics and Astronomy was established in February 2020 by the Department of Physics and Astronomy in memory of Sandi Smith to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
— The Jo Ann and Dr. Charles H. Whiteside ’53 Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry was established in July 2019 by Dr. Charles Whiteside ’53 and Mrs. Jo Ann Whiteside to support full-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees in chemistry.
For additional information on scholarships in the College of Science, visit https://science.tamu.edu/admissions/scholarships-financial-aid/.
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Contact: Shana K. Hutchins, (979) 862-1237 or [email protected]
