For as long as I can remember, giving back to Texas A&M University has been part of my family’s story. I grew up outside a small Texas Panhandle town in an all-Aggie family. My granddad, Class of 1925, established a legacy that both his sons, all five grandkids and countless cousins would follow. My parents are Class of 1968 and Class of 1970 and proudly helped establish the Aggie Ring Scholarship Program.
Eventually, I found my own place at Texas A&M, participating in the Corps of Cadets and various student activities. This university shaped every member of my family in some way, and that history fills me with tremendous gratitude for the Aggie experience.
A few years ago, my wife and I felt it was time to do something to reflect our appreciation. Her parents had both served in the Air Force, so we shared a passion for supporting veterans and thought it was a meaningful way to honor their legacy. Like many donors, we didn’t start with every detail figured out. We simply knew the kind of impact we hoped to make and worked backward from there.
My title is “development officer,” but I consider myself a philanthropic advisor, walking donors through this same journey of discovery, identifying what matters most, and helping turn a heartfelt intention into something impactful and lasting. Even with my years of experience, I still found tremendous value in talking through our options with trusted development colleagues when making our gift. When we learned about an available matching opportunity, it completely changed the scope of what we could accomplish. That generous match amplified our vision and helped us create an endowed scholarship that will support veterans at Texas A&M for generations.
What I appreciate most about the giving process is that it’s never transactional. As you’ll see in the stories throughout this issue that dive into the process, every gift is deeply personal for both the donor and the development professional. It’s a true partnership driven by meaningful relationships. Getting to know incredible Aggies and hearing their stories is truly my favorite part of being on the Texas A&M Foundation team. No matter the size or purpose of the gift, we’re here to listen, encourage and help you shape a legacy that reflects what matters most to you.
With Aggie Spirit,
Scott Jarvis ’00 ’02
Director of Development
Texas A&M Foundation University Development Team
