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The Gift Worth Re-Giving

Dr. Partha Mukherji ’97 ’01 plans a scholarship to repay the kindness of the donor who helped him attend Texas A&M University.

By Sadie Kammlah '25

Photography by Jason Kindig

September 20, 2023

The summer before his freshman year of college, Dr. Partha Mukherji ’97 ’01 received a letter that would profoundly alter the trajectory of his educational journey. Prepared to attend the University of Texas, with a dorm room arranged and plenty of close friends poised to join him, Mukherji faced a pivotal decision.  
 
“I received a letter from Texas A&M University’s financial aid office notifying me that I was the recipient of the William Sherrill ’26 Endowed Opportunity Award, a four-year scholarship,” he shared. Knowing the scholarship would ease his parents’ burden of funding his education, he opted to commit to a year. If it wasn’t a good fit, he could transfer his credits to UT his sophomore year. 

Once Mukherji became immersed in Aggieland’s traditions and opportunities, any thoughts of becoming a Longhorn were long gone. He found many ways to get connected on campus, but he recalled one “aha” moment that secured his understanding of and love for the Aggie Spirit and traditions that Ags hold dear.  

The sense of unity, community and connections with Aggies I otherwise wouldn’t have crossed paths with is something I still remember 25 years later.”
Dr. Partha Mukherji

About two weeks before the big rivalry game with UT, there was an urgent call for Aggies to help construct the Bonfire stack. Around the clock, students and the local community got together to stack. “I remember getting ready for bed around 10 p.m. when I noticed some of my hallmates were about to leave, while others were returning after hours of hard work. I thought, ‘Sleep can wait. I want to be part of this,’” Mukherji said. “Once I experienced stack, the hard work and dedication of Aggie men and women inspired me. The sense of unity, community and connections with Aggies I otherwise wouldn’t have crossed paths with is something I still remember 25 years later.” 
 

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Mukherji also appreciated the university’s small class sizes and attention and knowledge he received from professors in his honors courses. He finished his undergraduate career with a bachelor’s in biology and a double minor in chemistry and psychology. He later pursued dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry, now the Texas A&M School of Dentistry. 

Time passed, and the graduate began his successful dental career in Fort Worth. However, he never forgot the kindness of the donor who helped make his Aggie story possible, and he made it his personal mission to find his benefactor to say thank you. “I kept up with the Texas A&M Foundation’s Spirit magazine after I graduated,” he shared. “In 2008, I wrote a letter to the editor to see if they could connect me with William Sherrill’s family to tell them how grateful I was for the scholarship.”  

Regrettably, Mukherji discovered there were no living family members. Determined to express his gratitude, he decided to create his own Endowed Opportunity Award in honor of his parents as well as Sherrill, the generous Aggie who enabled him to attend Texas A&M. After researching his giving options, he chose to make the Texas A&M Foundation a beneficiary of his retirement account and ensured his future gift would have a lasting impact on generations of Aggies by endowing it.  

Reflecting on his life, Mukherji spoke to what he learned from his parents’ love and support and Sherrill’s act of generosity. “It takes a village to get to where you want to be, so it’s imperative to honor those who supported you,” he explained. "Celebrate the journey, savor each moment and pay tribute to those who have accompanied you along your way.” 

Interested in planning a gift that keeps on giving to support future Aggies? Contact Amy Bacon ’91 below. 
 

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  • Amy Bacon '91

  • Senior Planned Giving Officer
  • Office of Planned Giving
  • Call: 979.845.5869

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