Dr. John A. Adams Jr. ’73 of Wellborn, Chet Edwards ’74 of Waco and Jeffery D. Hildebrand ’81 of Houston are among 12 Aggies selected by Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students to receive the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Adams, who was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and has authored numerous historical books, including eight about his alma mater, earned three degrees in history at Texas A&M (bachelor’s in 1973, master’s in 1976 and Ph.D. in 1987) and also is an honors graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.
Edwards, who championed causes for veterans and Texas A&M aimed at improving the quality of life and education for veterans and their families during his 20 years in Congress, resulting in increased funding for the Veterans Administration and a public-private housing program as well as childcare centers, barracks and military hospitals, earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1974.
Hildebrand, a former track and field student-athlete and geology major at Texas A&M and a University of Texas graduate who has made significant contributions to Texas A&M in honor of his Aggie veterinarian father, Dr. Thomas Hildebrand ’56, is the executive chairman and founder of Hilcorp Energy Co., Harvest Midstream Co. and JDH Capital.
Adams, Edwards and Hildebrand are being honored along with Dr. Greg Bonnen ’88 of Friendswood, James A. “Jim” Creel ’69 of Fort Worth, David D. Dunlap ’83 of The Woodlands, Bradley R. Freels ’81 of Houston, Thomas Britton Harris IV ’80 of Houston, Phil Miner ’80 of New Braunfels, Kent Moore ’72 of College Station, Wayne Roberts ’85 of Bryan and the Hon. Richard A. Smith ’59 of College Station.
Established in 1962, the Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University. Since its inception, only 342 of Texas A&M’s more than 588,000 former students have been recognized for achieving excellence in their chosen professions and making meaningful contributions to Texas A&M University and their local communities.
"Distinguished Alumni are a living testament to the power of a Texas A&M education and the strength of our Aggie family," said Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III. "Their achievements and contributions reflect the Core Values we hold dear and serve as inspiration for current and future students. I’m proud to congratulate the 2024 Distinguished Alumni on this well-deserved recognition. Thanks for being such incredible ambassadors for Texas A&M and Aggies everywhere!”
Adams, Edwards and Hildebrand along with their fellow 2024 recipients learned of their honors via surprise announcements from university and Association representatives, including The Association of Former Students President and CEO Porter S. Garner III ’79, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp '72, Texas A&M System Board of Regents Chairman William "Bill" Mahomes Jr. '69 and various Ross Volunteers.
"The 2024 Distinguished Alumni demonstrate the remarkable impact Texas Aggies make on our world," said Association of Former Students 2024 Chair of the Board Bobby Jenkins '81. "They are leaders in their professions and in their communities, and their remarkable achievements and selfless service set an example to which all Aggies can aspire.”
Garner echoed Welsh’s and Jenkins' sentiments and offered his congratulations on behalf of The Association of Former Students.
“Nearly 600,000 Aggies have attended Texas A&M, but only 342 have received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honor bestowed on a former student of Texas A&M," Garner said. "The 2024 Distinguished Alumni belong on that roster of noble and esteemed former students because they represent the very best of our worldwide Aggie Network.”
The Association of Former Students will further honor all recipients of this award during its annual Distinguished Alumni Gala set for Sept. 20. In addition, the 2024 recipients will be recognized during the Sept. 21 Texas A&M football game against Bowling Green.
Nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award and future years will be accepted through Aug. 30 at http://tx.ag/DAnominations. Once submitted, a nomination remains eligible for consideration for five years.
The Association of Former Students, established in 1879, is the official alumni organization of Texas A&M University and the oldest organization serving the university and Texas Aggies. The Association connects hundreds of thousands of members of the worldwide Aggie Network with each other and the university and will provide $15.5 million in impact to university scholarships, awards, traditions and student activities and recognition for students, faculty, staff and former students in 2024.
Read more about the members of this year’s class at http://tx.ag/DA2024.
For more information about the Distinguished Alumnus Award or The Association, visit www.AggieNetwork.com.