Angela ’85 and Kerry Stein ’85 graduated from Texas A&M University with a clean financial slate as well as their respective degrees in geography and geophysics, a strong network and a wide range of memories.
The couple strongly believe that without scholarship support, their experience would have been significantly different. “The scholarships were a tremendous help to us in avoiding having to get a part-time job to cover the cost of school,” Kerry said. “For Angela, it was the only reason she ended up at A&M. “
Crossing State Lines
Angela, a South Carolina native, was planning to go to Clemson University when she received Texas A&M’s letter inviting the National Merit Scholar to consider studying geophysics in College Station. The Aggies sweetened the deal by offering her the Walter Lechner ’16 scholarship and a Department of Geography scholarship that qualified her for in-state tuition and covered her tuition and dorm room for four years. “I don’t think that I heard of Texas A&M before that letter,” she said.
Lured by the chance for a new adventure, Angela said, “Yes!” but momentarily questioned her decision when her mother, who had driven Angela from South Carolina to Texas, dropped her off at the dorm. “All of a sudden, it was, ‘What did I just do?’” Angela said. “But then there was a knock on the door, and it was a girl I had talked to while moving in. She and her friends invited me to a Yell Practice. I had no idea what that was, but I went and just kept going from there.”
She quickly found a sense of home. “I loved everything. I enjoyed the people I was going to school with and everything I was studying,” Angela remembered. “I had an awesome roommate who I roomed with for four years, and we still keep in touch.”
Her roommate also encouraged Angela to get involved in Outdoor Recreation. “I stayed with that all four years and went on wonderful trips to Big Bend, Yellowstone and Colorado,” she said.
A Home Run
Influenced by older cousins who were Aggies, Kerry always had his heart set on Texas A&M — and the San Antonio native’s decision got a surprising boost. “Unbeknownst to me, my high school counselor submitted my application for a scholarship,” he said. “I received a letter in the mail saying that I received a President’s Endowed Scholarship created by C.E. “Pat” Olsen ’23, the namesake for Texas A&M’s baseball field.”
That scholarship helped Kerry keep his eye on the ball — his studies — while in college. “Like Angela, to pay for school was going to have required student debt and part-time jobs, so the scholarship was immensely beneficial financially for me,” he said.
Kerry took full advantage of all the opportunities that Texas A&M offered, including meeting Angela in a geology class. “I made many lifelong friends, and I absolutely loved the culture,” he said.
Re-Engaged In Aggieland
Wanting future generations of Aggies to have the same experience of enjoying their college experience without worrying about debt, the Steins have endowed four scholarships that support students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Thus far, 11 Aggies have received the couple’s scholarships — and the Steins are impressed with these students. “They are awe-inspiring,” Kerry said. “It certainly validates our decision to create scholarships.”
And they are not done yet. They plan to create one new scholarship each year that will alternately go to the College of Arts and Sciences and The Bush School of Government and Public Service. Additionally, the Steins have set up their estate in a way so they can fund scholarships in perpetuity. “Our decisions to generate endowed scholarships was partly to pay back the generosity that we received, but also we’re big believers in education and consider it an outstanding charity to contribute to,” Kerry explained.
Now their devotion to Texas A&M has come full circle, bringing them back to live in College Station. They are actively involved at the Bush School and will join the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council this fall. Additionally, Kerry will step onto the Department of Geology and Geophysics Advisory Council.
They hope their story inspires others to endow scholarships. “Higher education is so important, and the biggest hurdle is cost,” Angela said. “Scholarship support means that students don’t have to have a job while they’re here, so they have more time to study — or do something enjoyable like an outdoor rec trip.”
Meet The Current Stein Scholars
Samuel Hernandez ’26, an applied mathematics major from Mexico City, says his scholarship from the Steins has made a profound impact on his college life, enabling him to receive a non-resident tuition fee waiver.
Hernandez participates in the Aggie Swim Club, Aggie Actuaries and Latino Logradores. He has worked as a teaching assistant for Calculus III and is a sophomore peer mentor in the University Honors Program.
“This scholarship eased my financial burden during a time when I am on a restricted budget,” he said. “I have not had to borrow as much money to complete my education, which means I will not incur as much debt, which will greatly helpful in the future.”
Timothy Nguyen ’24, a mathematics major from Garden Grove, California, has a keen appreciation for acts of generosity like the scholarships funded by the Steins. As the eldest child, he helps care for his family financially, and because he is the first to attend college, it is especially challenging.
“I’ve always believed that constant stress was a normal part of life,” he said. “I was always worried about the things happening in my family life, which hindered my performance in high school. This scholarship gives me breathing room. I now have more time and resources to focus on my classes and no longer negotiate with my parents to help fund my education. I will never take it for granted.
“This fall, I will graduate as a secondary math teacher, and I hope to share my love for learning with the next generation, which is yearning for inspiration and direction. I may not have the financial resources to give now, but knowing how much this scholarship helped me when I was in need, I look forward to a time when I can create a scholarship for others.”
Vincent Dente ’25, a geography major from North Plainfield, New Jersey, is a member of the Corps of Cadets who participates in intramural football and basketball. During a time when he was taking 19 credit hours and pursuing a degree with two minors, the scholarship enabled him to focus on multiple responsibilities more easily, including being the first sergeant in charge of training and discipline for 43 cadets.
“Every semester before I received this scholarship was financially stressful,” he said. “The Army and Corps of Cadets provide generous scholarships that cover most of my college expenses, but every year, they fall a few thousand dollars short. This, unfortunately, forced me to use my limited Army paycheck to cover the difference.
"Thanks to the Steins’ scholarship, I have a vastly improved quality of life, knowing that I will always have enough to cover basic needs during the semester.”
Trenton Heise ’26, a geology major from Weatherford, Texas, also attributes the positive quality of his Texas A&M experience to scholarship funds from the Steins.
“It has allowed me to enjoy my stay here! I can more easily focus on academics while still having time to enjoy the Geology and Geophysics Society, reading, climbing, and playing volleyball and basketball.
Heise’s mother, who suffers from Lyme disease, has experienced great physical hardship and numerous expensive surgeries for many years.
“This scholarship has been extremely helpful in funding my college experience, taking some of the load off my parents. As a result, I have been able to focus on my classes, internships and research projects.”
Higher education is so important, and the biggest hurdle is cost. Scholarship support means that students don’t have to have a job while they’re here, so they have more time to study — or do something enjoyable like an outdoor rec trip.