A fallen warrior. A dedicated professor. A global adventurer. Some people leave an unforgettable mark, whether on society as a whole, a field of study, a community or a family. As a result, those who are influenced often want to honor their impact.
Like these donors chose to do, one way to pay tribute is through making a scholarship gift in the individual’s honor or memory—and by supporting a Texas A&M University student in this way, you can rest assured that your gift will further the namesake’s legacy while having a far-reaching educational impact.
A Hero’s Commitment
Antonio Rey “ROD” Rodriguez
Determined to serve his country, Antonio Rey “ROD” Rodriguez convinced his mom, Guadalupe Rodriguez-Jaramillo, to help him enlist at 17. She did—and continually showed her support by sending care packages that ROD, a U.S. Army Ranger, shared with his team.
Sadly, the decorated soldier was killed in action on Feb. 8, 2020, during his 10th tour of duty. To comfort his grieving mother, his 75th Ranger Regiment comrades recounted glowing stories highlighting ROD’s character and bravery.
ROD Rodriguez is honored in Aggieland through a scholarship that supports a cadet in the Rudder’s Rangers special unit.
Touched, Rodriguez-Jaramillo and her husband, Javier Jaramillo, established the SFC Antonio Rey “ROD” Rodriguez Foundation in late 2020. A few years later, their desire to support what ROD loved led them to Rudder’s Rangers, a Corps of Cadets special unit that prepares ROTC cadets for careers as combat arms officers. Serendipitously, Michael Meegan, a former Ranger who serves as the unit’s advisor, knew ROD from his time in the Army.
Now, the foundation created in memory of a fallen hero has endowed a scholarship to support the nation’s future warriors. “I owe a beautiful debt to this country because I’m afforded all these freedoms,” Rodriguez-Jaramillo said. “I don’t take my freedom lightly because I know from my son’s service what it costs to have that freedom.”
An Aggie Love Affair
Linda and Dr. Mike Shaub
In 2005, Dr. Mike Shaub gave a presentation at Mays Business School as a visiting professor from St. Mary’s University. After the lecture, he was surprised to find his mailbox overflowing with Aggie thank-you notes. “My wife, Linda, and I were introduced to the Aggie culture of honor and respect from the outside,” said the retired Mays accounting professor. “That is what grabbed our hearts.”
Mike and Linda later began a long love affair with Aggies when he joined the Texas A&M accounting faculty in 2006 and began connecting with students over regular dinners, in times of need and after graduation. As a result, his pupils learned more than audit procedures and accounting ethics; the Shaubs invited them to consider what it means to have a meaningful life.
Hundreds of Mays students have been treated to Linda’s homemade dinners, coffee courtesy of Dr. Shaub, and a wealth of wisdom from his teachings.
The Aggies responded, including standing patiently in line to sign get-well cards when Linda—whom Mike introduces to classes as “the world’s most beautiful woman”—experienced health issues. “I have been loved by students here,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve had the impact on them that they’ve had on me.”
A group of 100 Mays current and former students, faculty and staff disagree, having united to establish the Dr. Michael and Linda Shaub Accounting Scholarship. “It’s a testament to how many people they’ve impacted and inspired,” said Michael Kurt ’09. “Dr. Shaub is the best example of who I try to be as a man, husband, father, leader and humble servant to others. He truly epitomizes the ethics that he teaches.”
Building Global Awareness
Chris Sanders ’93 ’97
The late Chris Sanders ’93 ’97 credited Texas A&M with sparking his foundational knowledge of architecture, love of travel and ability to two-step.
The combination of the first two—along with his deep commitment to sustainability, site-based design and collaboration—helped Sanders achieve significant professional success. The founder of the award-winning, Austin-based firm Sanders Architecture especially credited his Aggie study abroad experiences in Greece, Turkey, India, the Philippines and Vietnam with broadening and deepening his architectural knowledge.
And the third takeaway from Texas A&M came in handy while courting Hannah Temple, an avid dancer. The couple, both of whom hailed from East Texas, eventually married and started a family.
Study abroad experiences sparked a successful career in architecture for the late Chris Sanders ’93. Today, his family is carrying on his legacy through a study abroad scholarship in his honor.
Following his passing in 2023, Temple and their children, Mary Ellen and Robert, established the Christopher L. Sanders ’93 Memorial Scholarship to support a College of Architecture student who is participating in a semester-long study abroad program.
“Constantly hearing about Chris’ adventures abroad and how they shaped him into the person he became was eye-opening,” Temple said. “He used these travel experiences not only to learn more about architecture and design but also to understand how people from different cultures lived. Creating this scholarship to support students in study abroad programs is the perfect fit for our family.”
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