COLLEGE STATION — A $25,000 scholarship with matching funds from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Development Council has been donated to Texas A&M University.
Charles and Jean Smith of Sugarland, Texas, designated the scholarship to students in the Department of Animal Science.
Charles Smith received his bachelor’s degree in 1944 from Oklahoma University and a master’s degree from Stanford University in 1958.
The Smiths started their own business, Data Inc., in 1976 which they sold in 1994. However, their ranching business of 17 years keeps them busy in Leona, Texas.
Although the Smiths did not attend Texas A&M, they have worked closely with the animal science department in their ranching business.
“We are friends of the university and proud of the school,” Charles Smith said.
The Smiths started an endowment fund for the animal science department four years ago. They have been able to add to that fund each year with contributions totaling $150,000.
“We would prefer the scholarships be given to students interested in Charolais cattle,” Charles Smith said.
The Smiths have three children, Steve Schuster of Sugarland, Karen Miller of Katy and Gina Faughtenberry of Katy. Of their three grandchildren, one granddaughter is presently studying animal science at A&M.
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