Before Jordan Bass '23 was a commencement speaker, a Singing Cadet or an Aggie Catholic ambassador, he was a freshman at Texas A&M University forced to withdraw from his first term in 2018. One year later, he returned to Aggieland with determination, passion and numerous scholarships from the university and its donors who wanted to see him succeed.
When Bass first made the trip to College Station from his hometown in Missouri in 2018, he did so for three main reasons: to study physics with prestigious professors; to experience the culture of the 12th Man; and to escape the cold weather of the Midwest. Originally set to graduate in 2022, Bass did not qualify for the in-state tuition waiver he had been hoping for, which led to his withdrawal from the university during his initial semester. However, the roadblock did not deter him from his dream of completing his degree. He applied once again in 2019, and this time, he was determined to make Aggieland his home.
“I talked with the Department of Physics and Astronomy during my New Student Conference,” Bass said. “I told them that I didn’t have the money, and I worked to show them that I would not only be a capable Aggie but a successful Aggie. They were compelled to offer me more money that allowed me to qualify for the in-state tuition waiver.”
In his five years attending Texas A&M, Bass not only received the in-state tuition waiver that made attending the university possible, he was also the recipient of nine other scholarships, grants and funds, such as the competitive University Scholars Award from Texas A&M LAUNCH and the Jack McIntyre Scholarship in Physics.
“The financial aid that I received played a huge role in allowing me to even be an Aggie in the first place,” Bass said. “Donors really shaped my life in a dramatic way and allowed me to have access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that I couldn’t find anywhere else in the world.”
For students across the world, a scholarship can be life-changing. While the financial aid he personally received enabled Bass to afford to attend college, he said it also gave him the chance to experience the education and alumni network that Texas A&M offers.
“I wouldn’t have been able to come to Texas A&M without the scholarships offered by donors,” Bass added. “I would have been stuck somewhere else entirely, at a place that I didn’t feel connected to. Scholarships completely changed my world and allowed me to be at Texas A&M and experience the support and education from such a world-class institution.”
Attending Texas A&M helped Bass to develop and grow as a person, along with academic advisors like Sherree Kessler '99, who provided support and helped him in his search for extra funds made his time in Aggieland even more impactful. He said being an Aggie has changed his life for the better.
“I’m proud to be an Aggie, and I couldn’t be one without the support of others,” Bass explained. “To me, an Aggie is someone who cares about making a difference — not just in the world, not just in their community, but in individuals’ lives. They care about the small details; they care about the big picture.
“What an Aggie is to me is someone who not only wants to change the world, but wants to change lives along with it.”
During his time in Aggieland, Bass was able to travel with the Singing Cadets, performing internationally in places such as the Greek Islands with his choir. He has been involved with the University Honor Council and has been an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Center. Following his graduation, he accepted a three-month fellowship with the National Science Foundation, and he hopes to attend law school to pursue a career in civil service with an emphasis on science policy — none of which would have been possible without the help of Texas A&M scholarships and the Aggie Network, he noted.
Even after our names are called at a Muster, we will still be Aggies, and the legacy of this institution, much like our own, is whatever we work to make it. I know that without the support of this family in the form of friends, mentors and scholarships, I wouldn’t be half the man I am today or have even been able to be an Aggie.
In the future, Bass hopes to be a donor himself to continue to provide aid to deserving Aggies hoping to get the most out of their time at the university, he said.
“I want to make sure that no one else has to drop out of college because they can’t afford Texas A&M,” Bass said. “I want to make sure that no one else has to worry about not being able to attend the school they want to go to because of money. I really hope I can be at a point in my life where I can make that difference and I can support students in-state, out-of-state, freshmen, sophomores, whatever, and allow people to be Aggies if that’s what they want to do.
“I want to help this university and this institution change people in the way it changed me.”
While Bass works toward his dream of being able to help Aggies reach their goals, he provided advice for current students.
“Find your group,” Bass said. “Find an organization to invest in, find people to invest in who want to invest in you as well — just dive in.”
College is a chance to become an adult and make a difference, Bass said, and students need to make sure they do not let opportunities slip by because of fear or anxiety.
“I wouldn’t have had the success that I’ve had, or the joy that I’ve had, or the friendships that I’ve had without trying,” Bass added. “Don’t give up, Don’t lose hope. Don’t hold yourself back. Really invest in yourself and believe in yourself and make college everything you want to make it.”