Price: It provided an environment that allowed me to be a better member of society. I’ve grown professionally and academically, but I’ve also grown as a person. I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in academic research, which has helped me learn how to be an independent scholar. University orchestra provided a fun outlet where I could share my love for music with other like-minded students. Involvement in my church and Christian student organizations inspired me to be a more kind and compassionate person.
Kimbell: It’s been wonderful! Most of my professors have been awesome and kept the well-being of their students at the front of their minds. I’ve made a lot of friends through many different campus organizations such as Student Leaders of Tomorrow (SLOT), for which I served as president this year. SLOT hosts a three-day leadership conference for high school students where members bring in speakers and impart Aggie leadership lessons they’ve learned, so that students can make a difference in their communities.
Jameson: This might sound cliché, but I think I’ve had the perfect Texas A&M experience. I’ve loved every minute of being an Aggie. I’ve met some of the most amazing friends, and all my professors have been awesome. My study abroad experience in France, which was what our international studies degree builds up to, was absolutely phenomenal. I’ve enjoyed my experience interacting with international students during my two years working for the Center for Teaching Excellence’s English Language Proficiency Program. I also loved being a tutor for Student-Athlete Services and finding new ways to discuss materials and adapt my approach to each individual student. That job inspired my goal to become a teacher.
Price: It’s a good feeling to know there are people who wanted to invest in my education. Receiving this scholarship has also provided an environment where I could make the most of what Texas A&M had to offer. I couldn’t have committed as much time and energy to research and on-campus activities if I had to take out loans or work to put myself through school.
Kimbell: It’s removed a lot of financial stress. I’ve been fortunate enough to graduate debt-free through scholarships, and that’s an invaluable gift I will forever be grateful for.
Jameson: It’s been a lifesaver. My dad, who recently passed away, was disabled and couldn’t work, so I’ve relied on my mom’s income and working every semester. I’m not sure I could have made enough money to sustain myself without this scholarship.
Price: It’s hard to pick just one! There are some big memories, like my spring break trip to the Grand Canyon and New Mexico with friends. But some of my favorite moments are the ordinary weeknights where my roommates and a couple of friends and I would play board games. Those ordinary moments become really special, especially toward the end of my college experience.
Kimbell: I met my fiancée here, so that’s a big life-changing event. All the memories and the life that has given me is something I appreciate. But I’ve also really enjoyed the many late nights at West Campus Library grinding out assignments with a team, applying everything I learned.
Jameson: Getting my ring and my ring dunk! My friends and I tailgated the last home game of the season, and six of us all dunked together. That was fun because we had a big crowd cheering for us. When we went into Kyle Field later for the game, I knew it was probably the last time I would be in the stadium for a football game. I got teary-eyed. It was a great day and ending it with my last home game was really special.
Price: I did research for 2 1/2 years, and in May 2019, I published a first-author paper on my findings. I had no idea how much work went into a paper like that, but all the blood, sweat and tears that I put into it made it that much more of an accomplishment and something I could be proud of.
Kimbell: It would have been the SLOT conference at the end of this year because I’m passionate about the organization’s purpose. Leading a group of people to facilitate that conference and make it a success was something I was excited for, but we had to cancel due to coronavirus. I am very proud of last year’s SLOT conference because even as a lower executive, I took a large role in the event’s development and execution. I’ve taken a lot of pride in making a difference for the high schoolers that come and ensuring that they have a great time while learning about leadership.
Jameson: While I was studying abroad in France, I took the DELF B-2 exam, a French language exam, and I scored high enough to attend a French university if I desired. I’m really proud of that because I had started studying French only three years before.
Price: The proximity to such a dynamic community. College is a special time, and Texas A&M is a special place because everyone is so collaborative and is in it together.
Kimbell: It’s what I already miss most: the people. Aggies are a different breed than everyone else. I don’t think it’s a certain kind of person who comes to Texas A&M; it’s Texas A&M that shapes people into a certain type of person—one who is kind, caring, driven and motivated. There are tons of those people at Texas A&M, both the students and the professors.
Jameson: Being in the heart of Aggieland is something I’m going to miss. One of the reasons I picked Texas A&M was that it felt like I was part of a family. We always talk about the Aggie family, but you don’t know what that feels like until you’re here.
Price: My next step is earning a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. I just committed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for grad school, so I’m excited about that. From there, I hope to teach chemical engineering because I’d love to encourage students and help cultivate the next generation of chemical engineers. I’d also like to perform research on pertinent issues like making the transition to clean energy. As a professor, I hope I can help with these issues by doing research and by teaching conscientious engineers who will go into the workforce and push for positive change.
Kimbell: I received a job offer from PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) for management consulting. I also plan on starting a family with my soon-to-be wife. Our wedding was scheduled for the end of May; now it’s canceled because of coronavirus, but we’re still going to get married even if we don’t have a big wedding. I’d also like to pursue politics in the future.
Jameson: I would like to do a French teaching program in France so I can increase my proficiency in the language. It’s my goal to be a French immersion teacher in the U.S., teaching French to elementary school students. If that’s not possible, I’d like to start a French program in a school district where there isn’t one.
