Texas A&M Foundation Welcomes Eighth Maroon Coats Class

The Texas A&M Foundation selected 20 new members for the eighth class of its student ambassadors organization, the Maroon Coats. New members will receive a signature maroon blazer during a ceremony to be held on campus in the Foundation’s headquarters, the Jon L. Hagler Center.

Maroon Coats enhance the impact of the Foundation through stewardship and service. Their duties include interacting with donors at special events, providing a student perspective during fundraising meetings, writing thank you notes to donors and hosting donors or friends of the Foundation on campus visits. The group comprises Texas A&M University student leaders involved in a range of activities—from student body presidents to Big Event directors—and who are pursuing various educational disciplines. Each member volunteers a minimum of 20 hours each semester.

“After eight years of working with the students in this incredible group, my awe for these young people has only grown stronger,” said Foundation President Ed Davis. “The Maroon Coats bring a great deal of enthusiasm and authenticity to the Aggie spirit that resonates with our donors and energizes our organization.”

Candidates underwent a three-part selection process that began in January. Before advancing 115 students, current Maroon Coats first reviewed 240 applications, which surpasses the previous year by nearly 50. The second phase of the process gave contenders a chance to socialize with current Maroon Coats and Foundation employees. During the third phase, standing members interviewed the final 44 applicants.

Current Maroon Coats made the final selection by secret ballot. They sought to select student leaders who are well-intentioned, passionate and who represent a diverse range of backgrounds.

“We look for students with zeal, great Aggie stories and a passion for serving Texas A&M,” said Deanna Bosse, president of the Maroon Coats. “I am extremely honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead such an impressive group of Aggie leaders. Being tasked with growing our organization and ensuring it prospers has been challenging, but I am confident we have selected the best of the best to carry on the Maroon Coats tradition.”

Bosse, a graduate student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, has bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness and agricultural economics from Texas A&M.

The newest members of the Texas A&M Foundation Maroon Coats are:

Jeff Algra ’15, an industrial distribution major from Cypress, Texas.
Blake Barnes ’16, a finance major from Dallas, Texas.
Joseph Benigno ’16, a finance major from Austin, Texas.
Scott Bradshaw ’16, an agricultural leadership studies major from Houston, Texas.
Thomas Burrets ’15, an industrial distribution major from Beaumont, Texas.
Cameron Cardwell ’16, a business administration major from Liberty Hill, Texas.
Jacob Cook ’15, a civil engineering major from Fort Worth, Texas.
Kyle Cook ’16, a management information systems major from Round Rock, Texas.
Arianne Couch ’17, a business honors major from Bedford, Texas.
Linda D’Arezzo ’16, a marketing major from Brentwood, Tennessee.
Vielka Fajardo ’17, a finance major from McKinney, Texas.
Lauren Friend ’16, an agricultural economics major from Tulare, California.
Amy Gray ’16, a human resource development major from Wichita Falls, Texas.
Marisa Howat ’16, an allied health major from Houston, Texas.
Bethany Joseph ’16, a management major from Springdale, Arkansas.
Connor Lively-Adams ’16, an international studies major from Granbury, Texas.
Nakul Moolji ’16, a political science major from Houston, Texas.
William Ryan ’16, a finance major from Fort Worth, Texas.
Brian Skulski ’16, a finance major from Houston, Texas.
Joshua Sutton ’17, a food science and technology major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.