Jean Cotner Thomas and George E. Thomas ‘67 of Marietta, Ohio have made a $25,000 gift to the Texas A&M Foundation in support of the Corps of Cadets.  Their gift will establish the “J. Arthur Cotner Text Book Assistance Endowment.”

The scholarship program is named in honor of Jean Thomas’s dad, J. Arthur Cotner, who was a graduate of Ohio Northern University in Ada Ohio. Since he was a resident, tuition was free, but he came from a poor family and had no money for books.  Consequently, he would study nightly in the college library using their text books. 

After graduation in 1929, he began a career with AT&T that would span 40 years.  This was interrupted when he volunteered for service in World War II as a member of the Signal Corps in the Pacific Theater and was later a part of the occupation forces and witnessed the trial of General Tojo.  After leaving the army, he resumed his position with AT&T.

Jean and George Thomas say they made this gift because they believe the Corps of Cadets reflects values Cotner strongly professed. Thomas graduated from Texas A&M in 1967 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and then served in the U. S. Army for two years.  

“We hope to assist cadets in the pursuit of a Texas A&M education.” They encourage others to do the same to strengthen and enhance the Corps of Cadets.