About Us

Office of Philanthropy and Engagement

The Office of Philanthropy and Engagement at East Texas A&M University connects alumni, donors and friends to support the university's mission of transforming lives. The office leads fundraising efforts, donor stewardship, and alumni engagement to enhance student opportunities and campus initiatives. Through giving programs and community partnerships, the office helps expand opportunities and enrich the educational experience at East Texas A&M.

Give to Our Lions

Your gift to East Texas A&M creates a foundation for teaching, education, learning and growth.

Become An Alumni

Join us in supporting future generations of Lions while cherishing the traditions that make East Texas A&M special.

East Texas A&M By the numbers

#1
Fastest-Growing Public
University in Texas in Fall 2023

$14M
Awarded Annually
in Scholarships

89%
Alumni Working Full-
Time in Six Months

23%
Top 23% in the Nation for
Social Mobility

17:1
Student-to-Faculty
Ratio

41
States
Represented

59
Countries
Represented

Foundation Board

Jessica Yowell
Chief of Staff and Operations FP&A, Southwest Airlines
Class of 2003 and 2008
Tatiana Chamorro-Rivers
Chief Marketing Officer, Shaken Beverage Company
Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founding Partner, Toucan Cocktails
Class of 2016 and 2020
Scott Ward
CFO, Fix & Feed and Retail Trade
Tiffany Miller
Attorney, Law/Legal Services, The Law Offices of David E Rohlf
Class of 1998
Jandy Thompson
Owner and Founder, McLaren-Hill, Inc
Class of 1997
Jamee Jolly
President and CEO, The Real Estate Council
Class of 1997
Jim Chester
Attorney/Business and Technology Lawyer, Klemchuk PLLC
Class of 1994
Cathy Janke
Senior Vice President, Fifth Third Bank
Class of 1993
Joseph Showell
Executive Director of Student Services, Birdville ISD
Class of 1992
Bruce Trego
Retired President, L3 Harris
Class of 1990
Brian Weast
CEO, The Weast Group
Class of 1989
Michael Smith
Partner, Scheef & Stone, LLP
Class of 1986
Scott Stahl
Retired Vice President, Northeast Texas Data Corp
Class of 1984
Timothy Meads
Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Class 1982
Mary Hendrix
Retired Vice President, East Texas A&M University
Class of 1981, 1983 and 2005
Scott Wheeler
Retired EVP and CFO, Daseke, Inc.
Class of 1980
Debra Nelson
Retired Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Frisco ISD
Class of 1978, 1980 and 1983
Steve Ragland
Retired Vice President, Oncor
Class of 1977
Nancy Craig
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Real Estate, Hunt Properties Incorporated
Class of 1977
Kathy Thrailkill
Team Leader, Prestonwood Pregnancy Center
Class of 1977
Bradley Beers
Lawyer and Owner, Beers Law Firm
Class of 1976
Zenetta Drew
Executive Director, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation
Class of 1974
Preston McAfee
Retired President, Rogers O’Brien Construction Company
Class of 1974 and 1977
Nelson Robinson
Agency Owner, Allstate
Class of 1973, 1974 and 1979
Will Cureton
Partner and Co-Founder, CLB Partners, Real Estate and Rental & Leasing
Class of 1973
Janis Stroope
Retired Educator, Hunt County Head Start; Owner, Ralph Stroope Apiary
Class of 1973 and 1980
Earl Bourland
Farming and Owner, Mitchell & Bourland, Inc.
Class of 1973
Mary Spencer
President and Founder, The Spencer Company.
Class of 1972

We are Here to Help!

Our professional staff oversee major giving, planned giving, annual giving, operations, alumni relations and engagement. They look forward to helping you find the best way to support the Lion family. Please reach out to us today!