Looking to make your mark in Aggieland? Get started with our free Giving Guide to explore how you can make an impact on the areas of Texas A&M University you love most.

Do All Legacies Look Alike? These Aggies Don't Think So.

These Aggies share their experiences on estate planning and charitable giving.

By Hilary Nguyen ’26

Illustrations by Red Doodle Creative

March 19, 2026

No two lives follow the same path, and estate plans shouldn’t either. To prove just that, we’ve asked several Aggies to share their experiences on estate planning and charitable giving. The moral of the story: No two donors are alike — your plan depends on you.
 

Sandra and Harold Stancil ’73

Because of their estate plan...

They know their wishes will be respected.

Education has long been a central value for the Stancils. Raised by parents from coal-mining families, Harold’s father benefited from the opportunities education provided and later led his son to believe in its transformative power. After Harold’s retirement, he and Sandra re-evaluated their assets and clarified priorities, choosing to include the Texas A&M Foundation in their estate plan.

At this stage of their lives, the Stancils no longer worry what will happen to their assets if something unexpected occurs. Their estate plan leaves nothing unresolved, providing peace of mind and allowing them to focus on supporting their local church and enjoying retired life in the Texas Hill Country. They know their wishes will be carried out as intended, without placing a burden on their family, and that the transition will proceed smoothly, free from possible delays and probate complications.

Sandra and Harold Stancil ’73 planned a bequest for the Texas A&M Foundation in their revocable living trust, a flexible method that allows them to manage and amend their assets before transferring to their beneficiaries after their lives. Their gift will create an endowed excellence fund to support the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in honor of Harold’s parents.
 

Dale Tibodeau ’82 ’85

A charitable plan allowed him to...

Move forward knowing his future was secure.

Following a major life transition, Tibodeau reassessed his financial outlook with a focus on securing a well-funded retirement while also creating space for future possibilities. Estate planning was not only an opportunity for him to create stability but also to reflect on what mattered most.

He had long rented out farmland in Minnesota for supplemental income, but as the property appreciated, he incorporated it into a charitable remainder trust as part of his plan. This approach significantly increased his annual income, multiplying what the rental income had generated. It also promised payments for the rest of his life, with income continuing for additional beneficiaries after his lifetime. He avoided capital gains taxes, received an income tax deduction and will benefit from income designed to grow over time, helping to keep pace with inflation.

Dale Tibodeau ’82 ’85 named the Texas A&M Foundation as the trustee and beneficiary of his charitable remainder unitrust to turn his appreciated assets into income while supporting causes at Texas A&M University he cares about. Tibodeau’s endowed gift will create a department chair and scholarship in perpetuity for the Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
 

Patricia Shepherd ’86 and Ronnie Crocker ’85

They started estate planning to…

Be intentional about making a difference.

After Crocker's mother passed, Shepherd and Crocker created an Endowed Opportunity Award (EOA) for first-generation students in her honor. Over the years, they met recipients and witnessed how these scholarships help students focus on their studies — an experience that became an essential pillar as they created their wills.

When they began estate planning, the couple wanted to ensure they set aside funds for more scholarships. They worked with the Texas A&M Foundation’s team to identify the areas of the university most meaningful to them. Raised in Galveston, Texas, Shepherd was drawn to how Texas A&M Galveston has helped build community in the area, while Crocker, a journalist, wanted to support liberal arts students. Estate planning allowed them to be intentional and strategic about the students they would help, ensuring their gifts would reflect their values and have a lasting impact.

To continue their legacy of giving, Patricia Shepherd ’86 and Ronnie Crocker ’85 planned a bequest for the Texas A&M Foundation in their will. This revocable gift will establish two endowed scholarships — one for students at the Texas A&M Maritime Academy and another for students in the College of Arts and Sciences — and will also supplement the EOA scholarship named after Crocker’s mom.
 

 

More on Estate Planning and Legacy Gifts

These Texans Planned for Their Kids and the Corps Down to the Last Dollar

Julia ’79 '80 and Chris Morton ’78 '79 use a unique planning strategy to provide for their children before helping future cadets.

This Aggie Attorney Breaks Down Estate Planning

In this Q&A, estate planning attorney Mark Edgmon ’87 answers FAQs and shares how he helps his Aggie clients create a meaningful legacy.

This Couple’s Pets Will Always Have a Home, Thanks to Careful Estate Planning

Meet one couple who partnered with our team to plan their estate, keeping both their pets and future Aggies top of mind.

Tagged with:
Contact

  • Kevin Westerman '11

  • Assistant Vice President for Charitable Gift Planning
  • Charitable Gift Planning
  • Call: 979.314.8799

Make Your Impact

Give Now