Ten Former Students Named 2019 Distinguished Alumni Of Texas A&M
Ten Aggies have been selected as the 2019 recipients of the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University, the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students are proud to welcome as Distinguished Alumni:
- Dr. Richard A. Box ’61 of Austin, TX
- Henry G. Cisneros ’68 of San Antonio, TX
- Phil Adams ’70 of Bryan, TX
- Joseph V. Tortorice, Jr. ’70 of Beaumont, TX
- Anthony J. “Tony” Best ’72 of College Station, TX
- Samuel “Ray” Huffines ’74 of Plano, TX
- David A. Heath ’76 of Bryan, TX
- Shelley Potter ’78 of Dallas, TX
- Dan Allen Hughes, Jr. ’80 of Alamo Heights, TX
- T. Randall Cain ’82 of San Antonio, TX
Biographical information for each recipient is available on The Association of Former Students website.
Since the inception of the award in 1962, only 291 of Texas A&M’s more than 506,000 former students have been recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Awarded jointly by the university and The Association, this honor recognizes those Aggies who have achieved excellence in their chosen professions and made meaningful contributions to Texas A&M University and their local communities.
“Our 2019 Distinguished Alumni illustrate the vast influence Texas A&M graduates have on our world.” said Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young.
“Their contributions to their industries, communities, our nation and world demonstrate the value of a Texas A&M education and the difference that our core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service can make on our society.”
The recipients learned of their honor when surprised in their places of business and other locations by university and Association representatives, including Young, The Association of Former Students’ 2019 Chair of the Board of Directors Mark Fischer ’72, Association President and CEO Porter S. Garner III ’79, Texas A&M Foundation President Tyson Voelkel ’96, 12th Man Foundation President Travis Dabney ’96, and a Ross Volunteer, along with university mascot Reveille IX and her handler.
“Our core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service are evident in the achievements and service of our 2019 Distinguished Alumni,” Fischer said. “They well represent our worldwide Aggie Network and bring honor and distinction to Texas A&M.”
Garner echoed the sentiments of Young and Fischer and offered his congratulations on behalf of The Association of Former Students.
“The highest award bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M annually recognizes the very best of our Aggie Network,” Garner said. “With fewer than one-tenth of one percent of our 500,000 former students recognized as Distinguished Alumni, the 10 we honor in 2019 are in elite company.”
The Association of Former Students will further honor all recipients of this award during its annual Distinguished Alumni Gala on Oct. 25. In addition, the 2019 recipients will be recognized during the Oct. 26 Texas A&M football game against Mississippi State.
Nominations for the 2020 Distinguished Alumnus Award will be accepted through Oct. 7.
Media contact: Kathryn Greenwade at KGreenwade88@aggienetwork.com.
