Giving Stories

“In receiving this scholarship, I feel that my life’s work and ultimately my legacy, will be intimately tied to Elena’s legacy.”

--M1 Ryan Elliott, recipient of the Elena Franklin Memorial Class of 1981 Scholarship
Funded by the generosity of Dr. Jay ’81 and Mrs. Ana Franklin in memory of their daughter

CONTINUING A LEGACY: Dr. O.C. Copper

Through Preceptorship Program and Scholarship Fund, Family and Friends of Dr. O.C. Cooper Help Future Doctors

As founder of the preceptorship program for third- and fourth-year students at the College of Medicine in 1979, Dr. Cooper fostered the development of young future physicians by bringing them right to patients' bedsides as early in their medical education as possible.

CARING FOR THE BEST INVESTMENTS: Dr. Kathleen Fallon & Mr. Casey Jones

Father Honored through Establishment of Scholarship

Long before a scholarship was established in his name, Bernard Fallon was supporting medical students, specifically his daughter Dr. Kathleen Fallon, now the senior associate dean of student affairs at the College of Medicine.

A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS: Bob '42 and Anabel Bruce

Bruce Charitable Remainder Unitrust Gift Establishes Psychiatry Professorship

When it came to choosing colleges, brothers Robert (Bob) Bruce and E. Ivan Bruce Jr. had different ideas. Bob, a member of the Ross Volunteers, received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1942. Ivan, the older sibling by four years, was awarded his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, then went on to get his M.D. at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. The two brothers also went separate directions in their professional lives, but both built successful careers.

HELPING SPREAD THE WORD: Jack '71 and Nancy '73 Matz

Aggie Couple Donates $50,000 to Dean's Fund

When Jack Matz '71 was asked to be a member of the Dean's Leadership Council at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, he believed it could be a good opportunity to bring his expertise to the medical school. And after meeting with the dean and the rest of the council, Matz was determined to make a difference in the future of the College of Medicine by offering his own advice and direction.

SEARCHING FOR A "PLAN D": Drs. Bob and Sara Jane White

Parents Establish Memorial Research Fund in Honor of Aggie Son

When their 22-year old son and stepson John Warren was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after his junior year at Texas A&M, Sara Jane and Bob White knew the odds were stacked against them. They stood by John's side as doctors prepared them for the worst. But after enduring brain surgery and months of radiation and chemotherapy, John overcame the cancer that nearly claimed his life.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING: Donna Stauber '78, Ph.D.

Lifelong Teacher Donates Her Body to the Willed Body Program

After her father was killed in a car accident in February of 2004, Donna Stauber '78 started thinking about her own mortality. As the family arranged to donate as many of his organs as they could, Stauber realized she didn't want her husband or daughter to have to go through the same process.

AGGIES HELPING AGGIES: Ted E. Saba '41

Aggie Grad Establishes Scholarship for Future Aggie Docs

Born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, Ted E. Saba '41 remembers growing up with no curfew and little discipline. That all changed when he came to Texas A&M University in 1937, having earned enough money working at The Texas Company, now Texaco, during the summer to pay his way.