Patricia and Carr Benton “Ben” Thomson ’59 have had a far-reaching influence on Mike Hodge ’87. As a teenager, Mike and a group of Junction, Texas, youngsters regularly piled into the couple’s crew-cab truck to attend Texas A&M University’s home football games. Mike also turned to Ben, an engineer and surveyor who helped design and construct Interstate 10’s span through Kimble County, for advice about an engineering career. And the Thomsons officially welcomed the young man into their family when he married their daughter, Dani ’88, in 1988.
On the left is a glimpse of the Thomsons’ wedding day in 1962, while on the right is a snapshot of the couple today.
Now, Dani and Mike are following in the older couple’s footsteps by helping future generations of Aggies. Using a matching gift from Dani’s employer, JM Huber, they created an Endowed Opportunity Award scholarship in the Thomsons’ honor. The scholarship is earmarked to help students from small towns who want to pursue a STEM major.
The Thomsons couldn’t be prouder. “We are quite honored,” said Ben, noting that the family’s Aggie lineage, which dates back to 1916, continues today with the couple’s grandchildren. “I can’t think of anything the kids could have done to honor us that would have meant as much.”
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