President’s Message to the Federation of Texas A&M University’s Mothers’ Clubs

Howdy!

It is with an immensely grateful heart that I stand before you today to give back a little to Texas A&M University who gave so much to me. I come from a small town where time moves slowly and dreaming is a way of life. Growing up space exploration was fascinating to me and still is to be honest. What if I get a degree in Aerospace Engineering? That sounded like the right fit and I heard that Texas A&M had such a program so I applied. Lo’ and behold, I was accepted which was good because I didn’t apply anywhere else. I still had a problem to solve – I had no money. My parents could certainly not afford to send me to college, but they never discouraged me. After graduating Roma High School, the summer of 1985, I received a life- changing letter from Texas A&M awarding me the President’s Achievement Award Scholarship. I can thank the Board of Regents for that who in 1984 approved an outreach program to help under-represented communities. I like to think that I am an example of what “Investing in Aggies” may look like.

When I got here, I was in complete awe with Aggieland. From “Howdy to Here,” so rich in tradition, so friendly, with a deep love for our country, outstanding academics and research,