Laura and Tom Gilbert were delighted when their son David ’07 followed his brother Jon’s path and chose to attend Texas A&M University.  (Jon is class of '04) “While each son went his different route at A&M,” comment the Gilberts, “both immediately benefited from the unique experiences this university offers.”

Sadly, David’s days at A&M were cut short when he was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma at the end of his freshman year. He fought hard, going into remission in October and returning to school in January ’05, but his battle ended a few months later.

During David’s brief time at A&M, the family witnessed the remarkable effect that his relationships with faculty, sponsors, administration, and other students had on his life. David’s involvement with Fish Aides was especially positive. His parents marveled at their son’s growth and enhanced leadership skills, as David chose to lead student tours for incoming students and their families.

In memory of David, the Gilbert Leadership Conference was established by his Aggie friends. The student-led conference invites students from all walks of Aggie life to explore their different leadership styles. The Gilbert family wanted to participate and express their appreciation for all that A&M's student organizations do for young spirits and minds. So they turned to the Texas A&M Foundation and funded the David Ramey Gilbert '07 Leadership Endowment with a gift of $100,000 to support the leadership conference.

The Gilberts also established a scholarship endowment for deserving students selected by the Fish Aides Scholarship Committee on the basis of character, service, leadership and academic achievement. The Gilberts are deeply pleased that their leadership and scholarship endowments will last in perpetuity and that they could memorialize their son in such an enduring way. They are also touched that both endowments have grown as other Aggies have contributed.