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Eternal Impact

For nearly 90 years, the James C. Nagle Endowed Fellowship in Civil Engineering has encouraged countless civil engineers to pursue higher education.

By Hilary Nguyen ’26

Photos provided by Cushing Memorial Library and Archives

In 1937, Emily St. Pierre Nagle created the first endowed fellowship in the College of Engineering to honor her husband, James Nagle, and his passion for graduate education. James arrived at Texas A&M University in 1889 as an associate professor of civil engineering and physics and later became the first dean of engineering. Emily’s original $5,000 gift has been invested through the decades to increase its value and provide annual distributions to students, creating an impressive legacy of perpetual support for Aggie engineers like these.
 

James Nagle served as the first dean of the engineering school and was passionate about graduate education. In 1929, Nagle Hall was named in his honor to commemorate his campus service.

Dr. Celso Ferreira ’12

Fellowship holder, 2010-12
Associate Professor at George Mason University


Growing up near Brazil’s coast, Dr. Celso Ferreira ’12 learned early that while water can bring joy into lives, it can destroy it just as easily. “The same places I surfed had coastal storms that would vanish entire villages into the ocean,” he said.

These storms acted as a catalyst for Ferreira to study civil engineering and blend his interests in water and engineering. While completing his master’s in Spain, he met Dr. Francisco Olivera, an academic advisor whose passion for developing the next generation of water resources engineering leaders made Ferreira consider following him back to Texas A&M to receive his Ph.D.

However, as a new dad to twins, Ferreira was on the fence about uprooting his entire family and moving to a new country. The Nagle fellowship was the final push he needed. “It was fundamental to the trajectory of my life and career,” he said. With its financial assistance, Ferreira supported his family through his Ph.D. while also dedicating time to his research on how coastal ecosystems can mitigate storm surge and wave energy.

After finishing his Ph.D., Ferreira joined George Mason University, where he is now an associate professor. In addition to researching the effects of rising sea levels on coastal communities in Maryland, he is training the next generation of coastal engineers to think with nature instead of against it. “My experience at Texas A&M was transformative, and I have the Nagle fellowship to thank for the opportunity,” he said.

Becase of the endowment created by Emily St. Pierre Nagle in honor of her husband, hundreds of students have been able to pursue civil engineering graduate studies with the support of financial assistance.


Dr. Iman Shafii ’18

Fellowship holder, 2015-16
Geotechnical subject matter expert at Cheniere Energy


Dr. Iman Shafii ’18 has been intrigued by buildings from a young age. “Whether visiting a friend’s apartment or traveling, I always noticed buildings and structures,” he said.
 

As a graduate student, I appreciated the opportunity to interact with individuals I looked up to and learn more about the field I’m so passionate about.
- Dr. Iman Shafii ’18

After attending school for civil engineering, he realized he was most interested in buildings’ foundations. Raised in Iran, he immigrated to the U.S. to complete his master’s at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he stumbled upon the work of Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud, a Texas A&M professor in civil and environmental engineering who encouraged him to apply to the department’s Ph.D. program.

“With the most prestigious professor in soil erosion and an excellent engineering program, I knew I wanted to go to Texas A&M,” Shafii said.

In addition to working inBriaud's lab, Shafii participated in a project that surveyed soil erosion in Texas post-Hurricane Harvey to develop protective measures for infrastructure in future floods. The Nagle fellowship complemented this research opportunity by affording him the chance to attend a conference relevant to his studies. “As a graduate student, I appreciated the opportunity to interact with individuals I looked up to and learn more about the field I’m so passionate about,” he said.

Today, Shafii is a geotechnical subject matter expert at Cheniere, a liquefied natural gas company headquartered in Houston. Despite earning his Ph.D. over five years ago, he still reflects on the fellowship fondly. “It serves as a reminder that it’s always good to challenge yourself and place yourself in a new arena,” he said.
 

Fund a Graduate Fellowship

The state of Texas contributes limited amounts to Texas A&M’s graduate programs, so private support is essential. Whether they leave with master’s or doctoral degrees, Aggie graduate students take their values with them to their workplaces and their new communities. Those who become professors share their Aggie work ethic and leadership skills with thousands more.

Download our complimentary Giving Guide to learn more about customizing an endowed fellowship to support graduate students with yearly stipends, or contact Steve Blomstedt ’83 at the bottom of this page to start a conversation today.

Fernando Mendoza Lopez ’24

Fellowship holder, 2023-24
Current civil engineering master’s student

A native of Villahermosa, Mexico, Fernando Mendoza Lopez ’24 grew up noticing many issues related to buildings and bridges in his hometown. “Infrastructure plays an essential part in a strong economy, and I wanted to combat my country’s gap in it,” he said.

After graduating with a bachelor’s in civil engineering, Lopez worked as a structural engineer for a power plant developer to help improve his country’s energy sector. Five years later, he wanted to refine his skillset to make a bigger impact in Mexico but knew he’d need to go abroad to receive the best post-graduate education. “The Nagle fellowship, combined with my scholarship package, made it possible for me to attend Texas A&M and make my aspirations reality,” he said.

In Lopez’s first year at Texas A&M, he has been deeply impacted by the opportunities the fellowship has afforded him, including time to prioritize his studies. “Without it, I would have to work part time to cover my expenses, in addition to managing the master’s demanding curriculum,” he said. “I am incredibly humbled by the foresight that created this gift, and I want to continue the cycle by helping other students in the future.”

After graduation, Lopez hopes to stay in the country to gain additional work experience. Eventually, he intends on returning to Villahermosa to implement the infrastructure improvements he set out to learn about in America years ago.

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  • Steve Blomstedt '83

  • Assistant Vice President for Discovery Programs
  • Discovery
  • Call: 979.599.9623

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