They say money can’t buy love, but can love fund an endowment? The Debra ’79 and Michael Dishberger ’79 Graduate Fellowship Endowment seems to answer “yes.”
This love story begins in 1975 when Debra and Michael began their undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. Michael had started his bachelor’s degree in chemistry while in the Corps of Cadets, and Debra pursued her bachelor of science in geophysics. They both attended a street dance for incoming freshman outside the Memorial Student Center.
“We met pretty much the first weekend we were at Texas A&M University,” Debra said.
“Met, dated the whole time and got married almost a year after we graduated,” Michael added.
After their wedding, Michael served four years in the United States Army, during which time he was stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash. Afterwards, he and Debra returned to Texas and settled in Houston. Michael entered the home building industry, and Debra worked in the field of geophysics for 32 years.
We’ve been fortunate in life, and we’re able to give back. One thing we learned throughout our careers is the importance of education. We wanted to make resources available to students so they can carry on and maybe better themselves also.
In recent years, the couple had created two previous endowments to benefit students in the College of Arts and Sciences — a graduate fellowship in the Department of Geology and Geophysics in 2017 and an undergraduate scholarship to support Arts and Sciences Leadership Scholars who also are members of the Corps of Cadets in 2019. The third time indeed has proven charmed for future Geology and Geophysics Aggies for generations to come.
“We’ve been fortunate in life, and we’re able to give back,” Debra said. “One thing we learned throughout our careers is the importance of education. We wanted to make resources available to students so they can carry on and maybe better themselves also. This is a win-win for the student and the department since the department can use the fellowship to convince the best students to come to Texas A&M.”
The new endowment will be used to provide a fellowship to a full-time student in good standing pursuing a graduate degree in Geology and Geophysics. Recipients will be selected by the department head or members of the faculty as designated by the department head.
“Since geophysics was my major and seeing more and more that a master’s degree was becoming the professional level, we wanted to help someone with the support to get into the field with an advanced degree,” Debra said. “While I was working, I would sometimes mentor the summer interns who were usually students getting advanced degrees. I always liked those students and thought they should get a little help.”
Ultimately, the Dishbergers are excited to see amazing students choose Texas A&M for their education through the endowment as building the Aggie community was integral to their entire experience.
“I think it’s the bond you make with your fellow students is what makes an Aggie,” Debra said. “I don’t see the geophysics friends I made at the university much anymore, but they feel like extended family.”
Perhaps through the Dishbergers’ support, another set of Aggies may find their lifelong love. That is, after all, at the root of this endowment.
“He was a wimpy kid at first,” Debra teased as the couple exchanged a loving glance.
“A wimpy kid that became a leader in the industry,” Michael responded. “I was in the Corps, and it made me into who I am today.”