LAUNCH Announces 2022-23 Student Award Recipients

At its annual recognition ceremony May 10, LAUNCH named the recipients of the Class of ’80 E. King Gill Selfless Service Award, the Robert Gates-Muller Family Outstanding Student Award and the Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award. LAUNCH is a collaboration of six teams that work together supporting students, faculty and staff across Texas A&M University.

Class of ’80 E. King Gill Selfless Service Award — John “JD” Carter ‘23
Carter was awarded the Class of ’80 E. King Gill Award for his work with the Texas A&M Howdy Clinic, the Brazos Valley Mobile Food Pantry, the Aggie Men’s Club/St. Thomas Monday Meal Distribution Program and the Essential Aggie Gala, among other community service.

Established in 2019, the Class of ’80 E. King Gill Award recognizes a graduating senior who exemplifies Texas A&M University’s core value of selfless service throughout their undergraduate career. The award is named after E. King Gill, the original 12th Man.

Robert Gates-Muller Family Outstanding Student Award — Matilin Rigsby ‘23
Rigsby led an Innovation[X] research project, completed a Public Policy Internship in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and was appointed Student Regent for The Texas A&M University System in 2021.

Rigsby also worked full-time for Twin City Mission Domestic Violence Services and helped lead Aggie ACHIEVEMates, a group for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Gates-Muller Award, named after former Texas A&M President Robert M. Gates, recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated qualities of leadership, patriotism, courage and service to country, school and nation.

Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award — Case Harris ’23 and Neha Deshmukh ’23
Harris, 2022-23 student body president, was a member of a Freshman Leadership Organization and acted as a peer mentor for freshmen during the fall of 2020. He also advised on Undergraduate Admissions, Fish Camp Alternative Sites and The Path Forward initiative.

Deshmukh, who currently serves as MSC President, holds leadership positions with Aggie Cinema and Stark Northeast Tour. She volunteered with The 12th Can food pantry during the pandemic and has received two Dean’s Excellence Awards for her academic achievements.

Awarded to no more than two Aggies yearly, the Brown-Rudder Award recognizes graduating seniors who exemplify leadership, patriotism, fortitude, courage and humility. These students also demonstrate a willingness to uphold the Texas A&M Core Values embodied by James Earl Rudder, a World War II hero, who served as president of Texas A&M from 1959 to