The Texas A&M Foundation board of trustees awarded the Sterling C. Evans Medal to Henry "Bartell" Zachry Jr. Friday during the A&M Legacy Society gala on the Texas A&M University campus. About 500 donors, students, faculty and staff gathered at the Bernard C. Richardson Zone to celebrate the occasion.
The Evans Medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Texas A&M University philanthropic efforts. Evans Medal
recipients must exhibit a distinguished record of supporting philanthropy at Texas A&M, both through exemplary giving and volunteer leadership. Other qualifications include a willingness and ability to motivate others to support Texas A&M, a lifelong devotion to Texas A&M and higher education, and a personal history of integrity and excellence in all aspects of life.
Zachry is a 1954 graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in civil engineering. He is chairman of Zachry Group Inc., a collection of companies including Zachry Construction Corp. and the Zachry Foundation. The H.B. Zachry Co. was founded in 1924 by Zachry's father, H.B. "Pat" Zachry, Texas A&M Class of 1922.
Bartell Zachry and his wife, Mollie, are long-time supporters of Texas A&M and their generosity to his graduating department is unrivaled. The Department of Civil Engineering was named in honor of the Zachry family in 2005 in appreciation of their loyal support, and he also was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Engineering.
Zachry's gifts to the university extend beyond the halls of learning in the College of Engineering. He is an avid supporter of the Corps of Cadets, funding two endowed General Rudder Corps Scholarships. It was his gifts and inspired thinking that were the catalyst for the formation of the Corps of Cadets Leadership Excellence Program, a progressive four-year curriculum at Texas A&M that develops leaders of character. As a result of his excellence of character and support for the Corps of Cadets, he is an inductee of the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor.
He also has also funded two President's Endowed Scholarships in memory of his father, and along with his family, company and foundation, he has created faculty chairs, professorships and fellowships, and has funded many scholarships for exceptional civil engineering students.
Zachry's close relationship with The Association of Former Students and generosity to the university has given him the honor of being named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1997, the only former student to share this honor with their father.
The medal's previous recipients are the late Sterling C. Evans '21 himself; the late William C. McCord of Dallas; John H. Lindsey '44 of Houston; the late Leslie L. Appelt '41, also of Houston; the late H.R. "Bum" Bright '43 of Dallas; the late Minnie Belle and Herman F. Heep '20 of Austin; Jon L. Hagler '58 of Boston; and George P. Mitchell '40 of The Woodlands.
Zachry's Speech on May 2, 2008, upon receipt of the award:
"I am truly honored to have been selected for the Sterling Evans award. It is rather special to me, however, for another reason - I knew Sterling, or Mr. Evans, when he would allow me to show proper respect.
You see, Sterling graduated in 1917, a year ahead of my father, from Uvalde High School. They served on the Board of Regents at the same time and both were Chairman. Must be something in the water in Uvalde.
It was their Board that brought Earl Rudder to this campus and the changes that followed.
In 1983, Sterling owned and lived on a ranch near San Antonio. His wife had passed away and part of the ranch was in her estate that had been given to A&M. He wanted to sell the ranch and my father was a prospect, but my father told Sterling he would not make the decision and it was up to me.
Sterling was a real negotiator. He invited my wife, Mollie, to see the ranch. She really liked it and was convinced it would have good value in years to come. His clincher was "why do you care how much it costs, Bartell - it's all going to A&M anyway."
Needless to say, there was no further discussion about price or value. We purchased his ranch and he bought another near Uvalde. I continued to visit with him until he died.
He loved this school. He loved the opportunity it gave students and had given him. He loved A&M's place in the life and future of this state. Those were my father's feelings, too, and they are mine.
The A&M Foundation has been a full partner in the marvelous growth of A&M - even loaning a President, Dr. Ed Davis. Without the presence and the work of the Foundation and the fruit of its efforts, A&M would not be a top-tier University. A&M would not have programs in the top ten in the nation. It would not have important scholarships that make it possible for deserving students to attend. It would not have the kind of physical plant nor the quality of staff. And, it would not be fulfilling its potential to this state and nation.
Our university is unique. I loved seeing the Washington Monthly College Rankings alternative from that of the U. S. News , because it factored in service, giving back to the country, as a ranking component. It put A&M at the top.
For the Foundation, "philanthropy" is a defining word, but I prefer the term "investor." That is what all of us do through the Foundation - influence and facilitate programs and improvements. It is a partnership and it is an active involvement - not a passive one. There is nothing like coming here and seeing the outcome of teamwork through the Foundation. Visiting the campus periodically is an absolute must. It recharges your batteries.
I offer my compliments and my respect to the Foundation. All those who serve it honor A&M. Thank you for all you do and for my presence here this evening."
