Let Us Know About Your Gift

Last year, the Texas A&M Foundation received nearly $2.6 million in planned gifts from people we’d never met. If you’ve named Texas A&M University in your will, let us know so we can thank you.

By notifying the Foundation, you’ll become a member of our Heritage Society, an elite group of individuals who have included Texas A&M in their after-lifetime wishes. As a member, you’ll be invited to annual appreciation events and receive recognition in the Jon L. Hagler Center as well as on the Foundation’s website.

Your planned gift of any size will also count toward fulfilling Texas A&M’s Lead by Example campaign, a $4 billion fundraising endeavor that will enhance Texas A&M’s capability to address urgent challenges facing the state, nation and world.

Let us know about your planned gift by filling out our Heritage Membership form.

Additionally, if you’d like to create a bequest gift in your will like the Fergusons, our bequest language is available here. It’s easy to incorporate and flexible: You can leave a specific amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder of your estate to the Texas A&M Foundation for the future benefit of Texas A&M University.

The Fergusons have been married for 28 years. Although she didn’t attend Texas A&M, Mary-Ann’s ties to the university go back to the 1990 Holiday Bowl, where the couple witnessed a 65-14 Aggie victory over Brigham Young University. “Over the years, it’s become clear to me why Tom loves Texas A&M so much,” said Mary-Ann. “The people are unrivaled—everyone is so friendly, helpful and respectful.” Tom’s adoration for Aggieland has grown ever since his first Bonfire in 1975.

“That experience showed me how much Texas A&M values teamwork, camaraderie and dedication to building something important,” he said.

After graduating, Tom found success in the oil business and moved up the ranks of various marketing, sales and industrial distribution firms. He eventually served as president of Flowserve’s Flow Solutions Group, a $3 billion global manufacturer of engineered pumps and mechanical seals. He worked 25 years for Flowserve and its heritage companies, during which time he was overseas for roughly 200 days of the year. This experience led him to encourage students to explore international business and collaboration on a global scale.

“Anything we can do to help students experience other cultures and ways of doing business, particularly in areas where we’re going to export goods or establish operations, is not only beneficial but almost mandatory,” he said. “Companies of all sizes now participate in the global arena.”

Aside from his gift, Tom maintains a tight connection to the university by lecturing on campus and serving on the advisory councils for engineering and industrial distribution. “Something I’ve realized in coming back to campus is how much Texas A&M focuses on instilling values of character and leadership in all of its students,” he said.

The Fergusons are confident that the combination of these values and international experiences will lead to promising futures for students entering the job market.

“As a CEO, I love hiring Aggies,” Tom said. “I know they are ready to work, have high ethical standards and bring a service mindset that companies need. We are passionate about anything we can do to help Texas A&M embed that philosophy in our future leaders.”