Tale as old as…1876
Inspired by his relationship with a first-generation student, Brian Smith '92, and his wife Stacy '94, have established the Stacy A. ‘94 and Brian E. Smith ‘92 Endowed Scholarship in Liberal Arts to benefit first-generation students in the College of Liberal Arts.
By Allen Junek ’18
Friendships have a way of expanding outlooks, often allowing people to see things from a new and different perspective. They have a way of weaving together two stories that might otherwise have existed in completely separate books. That’s what happened with Brian Smith ‘92 and Alfredo Garcia ‘15.
While serving on the scholarship committee for the Capital City A&M Club, Smith, the Club’s former president, had the privilege of awarding one of their scholarships to Garcia, a first-generation student. Smith and Garcia quickly became friends and have remained in touch even after Garcia graduated and went on to pursue graduate coursework at Harvard University.
Brian Smith ’92 and Alfredo Garcia ’15
“He’s just a phenomenal young man,” Smith said.
Inspired by his relationship with Garcia, Smith, and his wife Stacy, have established the Stacy A. ‘94 and Brian E. Smith ‘92 Endowed Scholarship in Liberal Arts to benefit first-generation students in the College of Liberal Arts.
“I believe that the mission of our university as a land-grant institution is to be a resource to provide a college education for all those who would like it, and I think it does a extraordinary job,” Smith said.
With Smith’s gift, Texas A&M is one step closer to providing an outstanding education for all people, regardless of socioeconomic status.
“One of the many things I pride our university on is the high percentage of first-generation students we have, especially within the College of Liberal Arts,” Smith said.
Smith feels strongly that the education he received at Texas A&M extended far beyond academics. He was able to develop values such as selfless service, excellence, and leadership–all of which have proven indispensable in his life.
“These core values are just literally in the air we breathe there and the water we drink at Texas A&M,” Smith said.
Having received so much from A&M, Smith felt a mantle of responsibility to ensure future Aggies might benefit in the same way.
“I really felt a responsibility to do whatever I could to give somebody else that opportunity as well,” Smith said.
This constant striving for excellence and sense of duty to one another binds the stories of all Aggies, past and present, into one volume. And thanks to donors like Smith, it will be a never-ending story.
For more information on how you can impact students and faculty in your preferred area in the College of Liberal Arts, please contact Larry J. Walker II.
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