Serving Others Through Leadership

Since its beginnings, Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets has transformed wet-behind-the-ears students into well-rounded adults who have a heart for service. World War II proved the Corps’ role in producing servant leaders with over 20,000 Aggies serving, more than 950 of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

More than 145 years later, the Corps is optional and a majority of cadets do not commission into the military. However, there is still one key component to a cadet’s time in the Corps: learning to lead through service to others.

Understanding the impact cadets have after they leave Aggieland, Texas A&M President Dr. M Katherine Banks has made the Corps of Cadets a priority with the “March to 3,000” campaign to grow the Corps to 3,000 members by 2030. “We have a duty and obligation to our state and nation to continue developing leaders of character, and I am in full support of expanding the opportunities the Corps provides our students,” Banks said.
 

As cadets grow in the HCEL, Keller knows he must purposefully grow the program for their continued success. Increasing staff and implementing an official mentoring program are two of the many ways he plans to keep the HCEL at the top of its game. “The Hollingsworth Center is critical to the Corps’ growth plan,” he shared. “As we expand, most growth will likely come from students seeking world-class leadership development to prepare for careers and service outside of the military.”

Allison looks forward to expanding the center’s mentoring opportunities. “Having a diverse group of cadets with a wide range of career interests, it is a tremendous task to identify mentors, vet them and match them with students,” he explained. “We’d like to offer a structured program that includes assessments of how well the program is working.”
 

Inspired by gratitude, Perryman and his wife, Karen, planned a gift in their estate that will benefit the HCEL. Using a charitable remainder trust, they are leveraging their tax-deferred assets to leave a stream of payments for their children and grandchildren. However, the opportunity to create future servant leaders is what they are most excited about.

“I’m confident that our gift will truly benefit students,” Perryman said, “and I’m hopeful that the skills cadets learn will help develop the leaders needed to serve our local communities, Texas and the United States.”

Leaders in Action

Learn how former cadets Gabby Clark McCoy ’12 (A-Battery in Corps of Cadets; Chief of Staff, Racial Equity Shared Value Networks, Walmart) and W Lander ’17 (C-Battery in Corps of Cadets; Assistant Manager of Compliance for Gerson Lehrman Group) are applying their Corps leadership training to selflessly lead others in the professional realm.

Interested in planning a gift to help the Corps continue building ethical leaders like Gabby and W? Contact Kelly Corcoran '95 below!