College of Education &Human Development

Living and Giving is published annually for the benefi t of friends and donors of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University by the development and communications offi ces in the college. To request additional copies of this publication, please e-mail Diane Oswald at doswald@tamu.edu.

WE TRANSFORM LIVES 1

INVESTING IN FACULTY 3

CHANGE AGENT 5

DR. AND MRS. LAY’S OPUS 7

LEGACY OF LEARNING 9

PAY IT FORWARD 11

A HELPING HAND 13

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH STEVE 14

THANKS FOR GIVING 16

Dr. Douglas J. Palmer, DeanSteve Blomstedt, Director of DevelopmentDiane L. Oswald, Promotion and Development CoordinatorJenna Kujawski, Communications ManagerWriter: Diane L. OswaldContributing Editors: Jenna Kujawski and Kara Sutton-Jones Designer: Esther EwertPhoto Credits: Esther Ewert: cover, pages 2, 6, 17Jenna Kujawski: page 14Emily Oswald: page 8Kara Sutton-Jones: pages 10, 12Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation: page 15

LIVING AND GIVING

Please contact Steve Blomstedt, director of development for the College of Education and Human Development, to discuss how you can help transform lives through education.

Steve BlomstedtDirector of DevelopmentCollege of Education and Human Development802 Harrington Tower4222 TAMUCollege Station, Texas 77843-4222Tel. 979-847-8655 Fax 979-845-6129s-blomstedt@tamu.edugiving.tamu.edu

or many, 2009 will be remembered as one of the most diffi cult fi scal years in

recent memory. With a blanket of uncertainty covering nearly every sector of the global market, apprehension has permeated the news and slowed economic recovery. However, even when faced with uncommon challenges, friends of the College of Education and Human Development continue to invest in students, faculty and programs.

Over the past year, new scholarships, faculty fellowships and program funding have been established to support the teaching, research and service missions of the college.

Private gifts fuel progress in supporting fi rst-generation students, attracting and retaining exceptional faculty, and developing and delivering life-changing programs in communities throughout the state and nation.

Looking forward, our college’s most pressing needs continue to be student scholarships, resources to recruit and retain highly productive faculty, and availability of quality research facilities.

Students within the College of Education and Human Development carry a heavy student debt when compared to their earning potential. A debt of $18,000 can be paid off more quickly by graduates entering fi elds with higher salaries than those in education. With your continued support, we hope to minimize student debt through scholarships as an incentive to attract students into high-need teaching and administrative fi elds.

Despite the general economic downturn, our faculty are being highly recruited. The recognition and support of faculty fellowships is a proven strategy for the development and retention of outstanding faculty. We received our fi rst endowed faculty fellowship this year and hope to expand this initiative.

The need for improved, expanded offi ce and laboratory space for faculty and graduate students has been accelerated by an increase in research activities and the aging of existing facilities. To meet these needs on a short-term basis, faculty, staff and students are currently housed in no fewer than seven buildings across campus. In the interest of improved communications and collaboration, we hope to fi nd individuals with the resources and desire to help fund the construction of a new college building in the near future.

As the year-long celebration of the college’s 40th Anniversary winds down, I want to thank you again for your encouragement and support. Together, we are transforming lives through education.

Best Wishes,

Douglas J. PalmerProfessor and Dean

WE TRANSFORM LIVES

F

giving.tamu.edu • one

two • Living & Giving

hen Dee and Tom Yates fi rst met, they had a fi eld day – literally. She was an

elementary teacher in Laredo, and both were working at the school’s annual fi eld day. In between water balloon launches and relay races, it was this mutual interest in children and education that led to their fi rst meeting and, more recently, to the couple establishing the Dr. Deanna and Thomas Yates Faculty Fellowship in Educational Psychology.

“I have been an educator since I was 22,” Dee says. “I know fi rsthand the impact a motivated and dedicated teacher can have on students.” Dee and Tom benefi ted from having dedicated, accomplished faculty as their mentors at Texas A&M University, and their gift is one way they could give back.

“Faculty work very hard in teaching, research and service activities. Often, they don’t receive much public acknowledgement for their efforts,” Dee says. “We hope that this fellowship will support the work of dedicated faculty members and serve as a well-deserved pat on the back.”

Tom graduated from Texas A&M in 1956 with bachelor’s degrees in petroleum engineering and geological engineering. He credits his undergraduate experience and the faculty at Texas A&M for much of the success he has enjoyed in the oil business. Inspired by Tom’s stories of his college days, Dee returned to school to work on her doctorate in educational psychology and graduated from her husband’s alma mater in 1991.

“I earned my Ph.D. in counseling psychology and fell in love with Texas A&M,” Dee says. “The admissions process for our program was really excellent, with informal networking sessions at professor’s and student’s homes followed by formal interviews on campus. Not only was I privileged to be one of the 10 graduate students accepted, but I was also fortunate to receive a Regents Fellowship.”

Involved faculty members like Mike Ash made a tremendous impact on Dee’s graduate experience. “While I was at Texas A&M, I worked part time in the Counseling and Assessment Clinic in the department. During my last semester, Dr. Ash gave me the opportunity to be the interim director of the clinic,” she says. Not only did I work with patients, but I was able to gain valuable experience in insurance billing and community contracts. It was by far one of my best professional experiences as a graduate student because it prepared me to run my own private practice.”

The inaugural Dr. Deanna and Thomas Yates Faculty Fellowship recipient is Oi-Man Kwok, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology.

Dee and Tom Yates established the Dr. Deanna and Thomas Yates Faculty Fellowship in Educational Psychology to recognize and support outstanding early- to mid-career faculty members in the Department of Educational Psychology.

INVESTING IN FACULTY

W

giving.tamu.edu • three

four • Living & Giving

member of her doctoral committee dubbed her an “expert in change.”

Perhaps it was because he knew that Gogi Dickson, a 10th-generation Texan and military wife, had moved her family 30 times in 30 years. Or, maybe it was because he saw the difference that Gogi made in the lives of others. Through the newly established Dr. Gogi Dickson ’90 Scholarship, Gogi is leveraging her experience to impact the lives of future Aggie educators.

Gogi was destined to be a Texas Aggie. In 1963, when Texas A&M University President James Earl Rudder announced that women who were wives of students could be admitted, Gogi quickly enrolled. “I was one of the fi rst 27 women admitted to Texas A&M,” Gogi says.

As the wife of an army offi cer, Gogi and her family have lived in Texas, New York, Georgia, Kansas, Virginia, England, Germany and Korea. Despite the frequent moves, Gogi managed to complete her undergraduate degree in education and art history from Ladycliff College in New York and her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California.

When she could not move with her husband John ’64 to an isolated command in Turkey, Gogi entered the educational leadership doctoral program at Texas A&M. “At the time, two of our children were here, so while John was in Turkey, I moved to College Station,” Gogi says.

“During that year, I was able to immerse myself in academics and focus on my Ph.D. program. It was a time of great professional growth for me.”

For over 30 years, Gogi served as a reading teacher, campus principal, assistant superintendent and university professor. She is currently president of Dickson Consulting Group, LLC, and dedicates a large portion of her time to community service at the state and city levels.

Gogi and John were high school sweethearts and will celebrate 46 years of marriage this year. Their three children – John, Rusty and Amy – are all Aggies!

The importance of education and a love for Texas A&M inspired John and Gogi to establish the Dr. Gogi Dickson ’90 Scholarship for those who seek certifi cation in teaching math, science or reading, and have a parent in the military.

“Moving around so much made it very diffi cult for our children to compete for scholarships,” Gogi says. “I hope that this scholarship can help other military families meet the challenges of change that comes with a military family’s way of life.”

Gogi Dickson is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Council members serve as ambassadors and advocates for the college, and they work to secure resources to further the college’s mission.

CHANGE AGENT

A

giving.tamu.edu • fi ve

six • Living & Giving

ichard Dreyfuss gave a stirring performance as Glenn Holland, a music

teacher yearning to write one signifi cant piece of music for which he would be remembered. In the 1995 movie Mr. Holland’s Opus, it was the students who showed the struggling composer that the symphony he was writing in their hearts and minds would be his greatest accomplishment. For Mary Jo and Dr. Billy Lay, the movie illustrates the fact that teachers can make a profound impact on the lives of students. Inspired by this belief, Mary Jo and Billyestablished two endowed scholarships and gave the lead gift to establish the college’s Study Abroad Assistance Fund for students preparing to become classroom teachers.

The couple, married for 53 years, dedicated their careers to education. Billy and Mary Jo were both classroom teachers before accepting positions at Texas A&M University. Billy was the director of admissions for Texas A&M for 22 years, and Mary Jo was a lecturer in the Department of Educational Curriculum and Instruction for 17 years.

“We both believe it is important to recruit and educate the best teachers possible,” Mary Jo says.

“Teaching is a career that more than doubles the investment. When we support the education of teachers, they go into the classroom and help students throughout their careers.”

Educating future teachers to respond to the needs of an increasingly diverse student population requires preparing them to teach students from different backgrounds and cultures. “It is important for aspiring teachers to travel to other countries to broaden their perspectives and help them learn how to teach through language or cultural differences,” Mary Jo says.

“We are happy to help the college provide more international opportunities for education students,” Billy adds.

The duo is very optimistic about the future impact of graduates from the College of Education and Human Development. “We have the brightest and best students preparing to become teachers,” Mary Jo says. “They are going to return to their communities and make a big difference. There is no question.”

Like the music teacher in Mr. Holland’s Opus, Mary Jo and Billy have spent a lifetime writing a symphony of success in the lives of students through their careers as educators and the scholarships they have established.

Mary Jo and Billy Lay established two endowed scholarships in their names to support undergraduate students preparing to become teachers and helped establish the Study Abroad Assistance Fund. To contribute to the Study Abroad Assistance Fund, contact Steve Blomstedt at 979-847-8655.

DR. AND MRS. LAY’S OPUS

R

giving.tamu.edu • seven

eight • Living & Giving

oan and Allen Landry ’50 met on a blind date going to a movie in Orange, Texas,

in 1947. He was an undergraduate Corps of Cadets student at Texas A&M University working on a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. At the time, they didn’t realize they were building friendships on campus that would last a lifetime.

Allen’s experiences and the relationships he forged at Texas A&M inspired him to establish scholarships for students in the Corps of Cadets. Through a recent real estate gift, Joan and Allen have strengthened their ties to the university while also remembering some very special women in Joan’s life.

“Allen and I gave this gift to the university to help establish scholarships in both the Corps of Cadets and the College of Education and Human Development,” Joan says. “We named the later scholarship in recognition of three women who were among my earliest teachers.”

The Nola Camp Reese, Odessa Ratcliff Canter and LaVada Reese Canter College of Education and Human Development Teacher Preparation Scholarship will honor Joan’s grandmothers, Nola Camp Reese and Odessa Ratcliff Canter, and her mother, LaVada Reese Canter.

Joan’s maternal grandmother Nola was a school teacher early in life. She had her grandchildren bring their classroom books to her farm to help

teach the farmhands how to read. She owned the complete works of Shakespeare and the Bible, and would often quote from both.

The scholarship is also named for Joan’s fraternal grandmother Odessa. She was proud of any child who graduated, and she never missed a high school graduation, even after her own children completed their education.

Joan’s mother LaVada was the fi rst working woman in their family. She began working as a census taker, and became a self-taught businesswoman.

The real estate gift that Joan and Allen gave to Texas A&M includes a historical home that was accurately restored and a parcel of land owned by Grandmother Reese. Joan thinks it would have pleased her grandmother to know that her land will benefi t education students in the future.

“This scholarship is a way to acknowledge the impact that each of them had on our lives,” Allen says. “We hope that students receiving this scholarship will one day help someone further their education!”

The Nola Camp Reese, Odessa Ratcliff Canter and LaVada Reese Canter College of Education and Human Development Teacher Preparation Scholarship will support students studying to become teachers.

LEGACY OF LEARNING

J

giving.tamu.edu • nine

ten • Living & Giving

n the movie Pay it Forward, an 11-year-old boy fi nds a simple way to change the

world. His notion of doing an unsolicited favor for three individuals and asking them to do the same for three others sets a revolution of kindness in motion. Jim Kracht, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Education and Human Development, is often the catalyst for changing the academic world around him.

“Recently, we had a student who was at a fi nancial crossroads,” Jim says. “The student was a veteran, was supporting a child alone and became ill after working too many hours.”

While living from paycheck to paycheck, the student’s health deteriorated further and resulted in the loss of a part-time job. The situation would have caused the student to quit school and return to work full time to pay rent, utilities and food if it weren’t for Jim and his acts of kindness a few years prior.

“Before either of our student assistance funds had been established, three education students found themselves in similar situations. Faculty and staff pooled resources to help these individuals, and they were able to complete their education and are now teaching in Texas schools,” Jim says.

Although all three students offered to pay the money back after graduation, they were told that some time in the future, they may be called upon to help a student facing similar economic challenges.

“I called these three former students and explained the situation. I told them that I had $400, and we needed each of them to contribute $150 to meet the need,” he adds. Within a couple of hours, Jim had the $850 he needed to support the student through the end of the semester.

“This student will graduate soon and will become an excellent teacher,” Jim says. “I can only imagine how much more diffi cult it would be for our students if it were not for the generosity of former students and friends who give back to Texas A&M.”

Two student assistance funds have been established to help students who experience short-term fi nancial diffi culties so they may continue their studies. The Janice Thomas Student Assistance Fund is an endowed fund established by Janice and John Thomas. The Dean’s Student Assistance Fund is supported through individual gifts. To learn more about the Dean’s Student Assistance Fund and how you can help education students, see the article on page 13.

PAY IT FORWARD

I

giving.tamu.edu • eleven

twelve • Living & Giving

Steve BlomstedtDirector of DevelopmentCollege of Education and Human Development802 Harrington Tower4222 TAMUCollege Station, Texas 77843-4222Tel. 979.847.8655 Fax 979.845.6129s-blomstedt@tamu.eduwww.giving.tamu.edu

or a student with a bare-bones budget, unanticipated costs or emergencies that

drive up monthly expenses can derail a college education.

Those at greatest risk include fi rst-generation students and those whose parents and friends have contributed all of the fi nancial support they can toward their student’s education.

Often, a few hundred dollars is all that is needed to help a student get through a tough semester. A little extra money to pay for textbooks, supplement rent or buy food can make all the difference in the world.

The Dean’s Student Assistance Fund was established in the College of Education and Human Development to bridge the temporary gap between needs and resources for students requiring a little extra support.

“We often hear of students who have barely enough money for basic necessities, and they run out of money a few weeks before the end of the semester for reasons beyond their control,” Dean Doug Palmer says. “This fund will make it easier for students to remain focused and successful when the unexpected occurs.”

Students may apply for grants in amounts ranging from $150 to $650 that can be used to pay for food, rent, medical expenses, textbooks or other reasonable necessities.

The Dean’s Student Assistance Fund is supported through the generosity of friends, faculty, staff and former students who understand the impact of meeting needs at a personal level. Contributions of any amount can be added to the fund to help Aggie education students when they need it most. For information on how you can contribute, contact:

A HELPING HAND

F

giving.tamu.edu • thirteen

How has the state of the economy impacted overall contributions for the college? We have been very fortunate. Friends and donors have continued to invest in students, faculty and programs within the college despite the economic downturn. In their view, the return on investment in our students, educational research and service continues to be outstanding.

With perhaps limited resources, what areas can donors make the biggest impact with their gift dollars?Student scholarships and faculty fellowships offer tremendous opportunities to impact students and families. Often, scholarships and graduate fellowships make the difference in whetherstudents are able to attend college or affordgraduate school. Faculty fellowships enable the college to attract and retain

exceptional faculty, which impacts student learning and service and research programs.

What are the college’s greatest need areas and why?In addition to student scholarships and faculty fellowships, there is a critical need for a new building for the Department of Health and Kinesiology to accommodate the expanding needs of offi ce, laboratory and classroom space. Departmental faculty have been successful at securing external grant funding for their research, but with this success comes expanded facility needs. We are looking for donors

who have the resources and vision to help make this new building a reality.

What are a few of your hopes for the coming year?We would like to add 10 new endowed scholarships and faculty fellowships in the college in order to attract and retain high-quality students and faculty. And of course, we are hoping for a winning football season!

Speaking of sports, what is your favorite season?Any winning season for the Aggies!

There are many different ways to support the College of Education and Human Development. To consider what way might be best for you, call Steve at 979-847-8655 or send him an e-mail at s-blomstedt@tamu.edu.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH STEVE

fourteen • Living & Giving

Texas A&M Foundation Office of Gift Planning.Renewing Spirit. Serving Minds.

“PLANNED GIFTS

HELP YOU

LEAVE YOUR MARK

ON TEXAS A&M

WHILE SHAPING

YOUR FUTURE.”

Planned giving through the Texas A&M Foundation benefits the university and the donor. Steve Blomstedt, director of development for the College of Education and Human Development, along with your advisors, can help put innovative gift planning to work for you. Your goals will determine the strategy for using tools, such as wills, trusts, gift annuities, IRAs or even life insurance. Along with certain tax benefits, the future gift plan you build may offer you lifetime payments or enable you to retain control of your assets.

Best of all, you have the satisfaction of directing a larger future gift for academics than you ever thought possible, helping to attract top-caliber talent to Texas A&M and provide world-class opportunities for Aggie scholars.

Direct a brilliant future for our university and yourself with the power of intelligent planned giving. Become part of the spirit and mind of Texas A&M. Call Steve to begin exploring your options.

Contact Steve Blomstedt, director of development at979-847-8655 or s-blomstedt@tamu.edu

Jess C. “Rick” Rickman ’70established a planned gift

benefitting the College of Education and Human Development.

★

★

giving.tamu.edu

$100,000 - $999,999Sadie and William P. StrombergºDee and Tom Yates

$50,000 - $99,999Joan and Allen Landryº

$25,000 - $49,999Gogi and John DicksonºLt. Col. Louis DraperºTom Haggai and Associates FoundationJoan C. Read

$1,000 - $24,999Lynda BrownJanet O. Cass

Kay and Jerry CoxMichele and Tom DavisKathy DentonDepartment of Health and KinesiologyDepartment of Teaching, Learning and CultureJames M. DrewGina and William H. FloresHastings Entertainment, Inc.Anne and Mark HolubecHouston A&M ClubJean and Skip JohnsonPatsy and Warren KirkseySharon and Cecil KirkseyBarbara and Arno KrebsMary Jo and Billy Lay

Carolyn and Tommie LohmanSue and Patrick MahoneyLynn and Gary MartinDorothy and Artie McFerrinJohn MilkovichBrock A. NelsonDarlene and Doug PalmerJoyce and Randle PetersonSue and Rick Rickman IIIAnna and Patrick SquireJanice and John ThomasCheryl and John TrottVerizon FoundationSherri and Ben WelchBob Winter

The College of Education and Human Development would like to thank the many donors recognized in these pages. Through your generous support, the college is able to help meet the needs of our students, faculty and programs. Your gifts enable the college to continue our tradition of excellence in education through teaching, research and service.

The individuals, corporations and foundations listed below contributed or pledged at least $1,000 to the college through the Texas A&M Foundation during their fi scal year, which is July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. A º denotes an endowed gift. All gifts to the college are greatly appreciated.

THANKS FOR GIVING

sixteen • Living & Giving

President’s Endowed ScholarshipsMora Waddell Boone and James L. Boone Sr. ’21Polly Wiseman Franklin ’86 Memorial Grace A. and Carol W. Phillips ’54

Foundation Excellence AwardsGeorge W. Brackenridge FoundationJoyce Ann and Col. Thomas M. Jackson

Sue and Patrick Mahoney Karen and Steven MorrisSusan and Bill OurenSue and Rick Rickman III Ellen and Rod ThorntonGary W. “Buddy” Williams Diane and Bob Winter

Endowed Opportunity AwardsLuann and Richard Dolan

Mary Evelyn Dunn Hayes Endowed Scholarship in EducationMildred F. and Carl Henninger ’49 Endowed Opportunity Award Scholarship

Sul Ross ScholarshipsJames L. BooneMora Waddell Boone

The individuals, corporations and foundations listed below have established one or more scholarships benefi tting students within the college through the Texas A&M Foundation. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of these friends of the college.

≥ $1,000,000Houston Endowment, Inc.Sydney and J.L. Huffi nesDorothy and Artie McFerrinEd Rachal FoundationJoan and Thomas Read

$500,000 - $999,999Claude H. Everett Jr. Estate*Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation Sue and Patrick Mahoney*Gary J. Martin*

$100,000 - $499,999John W. Anderson FoundationRobert G. Cherry Estate* Kay and Jerry Cox Gina and William H. FloresW.L. Gerner Estate*Susan Gulig*Mary Evelyn Dunn Hayes Estate*Herman F. Heep and Minnie Belle Heep FoundationCarolyn and Tommie LohmanEddie and Joe MatteiBrock A. Nelson*Sue and Rick Rickman III*

Betty and David Smith/Wilda Smith Scott TrustKaren and Terry O. Smith*Omar Smith Estate/Omar Smith Enterprises, Inc.*Claudia and Rod Stepp*Bob Winter

≤ $99,999Barbara J. and Walter E. Anderson Mary Barnhill EstateJames L. BooneMora Waddell BooneGeraldine Longbotham BowersJanie and Ralph Bowler*George W. Brackenridge FoundationBeth and Sherman BradleyLynda BrownMichelle Thornberry BunchCapital City A&M Club Todd Christopher Class of ’66Michele and Tom Davis*Dow Aggies Sally and Ralph C. DuchinSylvia and Raul Fernandez*Janie H. and Gordon R. FlackDonna and Donald Foster*

Mary Ann and Gordon F. GibsonDon HintonThomas HoganAlma Dell and Robert M. JohnsonKyle KepplePatsy and Warren KirkseyErin and Jim Kracht*Mary Jo and Billy LayHarry LucasAndrea “Sissy” and John R. McKennaSusan and William OurenCarol and M. Michael ParkGrace and Carroll PhillipsMarlene and Robert Powell *William B. Roman Jr.Suzy and Arnold RombergLangston TerryJanice and John ThomasNancy and Fred ThornberryMolly Thornberry WhisenantPatricia and Charles WisemanJaneen Holland Wood*Zachry Construction/The Zachry FoundationMichael Zerbel

Endowed and Planned GiftsThe individuals, corporations and foundations listed below have established planned gifts and/or endowments befi tting the college through the Texas A&M Foundation. An asterisk denotes a planned gift as a portion of the total amount. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of these friends of the college.

giving.tamu.edu • seventeen

Forrest Ridge Elementary School teacher Ruth Littlefi eld was honored by Ben and Sherri Welch for her contribution to education at the 2009 Dean’s Roundtable. Pictured with student Graham Welch, John Trott (left), chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council, and Dean Doug Palmer, Ruth was one of 17 Texas educators recognized. For information on how to honor a Texas educator at the 2010 Dean’s Roundtable, please visit our Web site at http://www.cehd.tamu.edu/articles/deans_roundtable.

Co

lleg

e o

f E

du

cati

on

&

Hu

man

Dev

elo

pm

ent

4222

TA

MU

Co

lleg

e S

tati

on

, TX

7784

3-42

22