For Eric von Rosenberg ’77, the value of trustworthy, accurate reporting isn’t an abstract concept, it’s a memory. Some of his earliest recollections are of visiting his Grandma Jean at work, sitting by her editor’s desk at the Granger News, a small weekly newspaper where she served as editor-in-chief for around a decade. It was in that small-town newsroom that a seed was planted, one that grew into a lifelong appreciation for a well-crafted story and a foundation of truth.
That early influence, combined with a deep and enduring love for Texas A&M, recently led him and his wife, Mandie von Rosenberg, to make a significant gift. The couple established a charitable gift annuity through the Texas A&M Foundation, a commitment that will provide scholarships for undergraduates in both the journalism and dental hygiene programs. It is a gift with a connection to the couple’s past that also reaches forward to impact the journalists and health professionals of tomorrow.
Championing Truth in a Changing Media World
Eric’s investment in journalism comes at a pivotal moment in the media landscape. “It’s interesting, the times we are living in,” Eric reflected. “We have shifted as a culture from obtaining our news from traditional sources to sources such as social media, podcasts, etc. and they are often not accurate or properly vetted.”
The impact of this shift, he noted, is tremendous. Just a couple of decades ago, the information landscape was far more limited; a small number of channels delivered news that was generally considered valid. The journalists were well-trained and largely impartial. “Over the last 20 years, it’s really changed,” he said. “And now AI has thrown accelerants on the fire. Things are quite different and put more responsibility on the listener or reader to verify the sources.”
Amid this confusion, Eric believes the role of a trained, ethical journalist has never been more crucial. His family history echoes this belief: his mother, Helen von Rosenberg, studied journalism at Texas Women’s University before marrying Eric’s father when he returned to Texas A&M from the Army after WWII. For Eric, supporting the next generation of Aggie journalists and truth tellers is a direct way to serve society.
While the gift reflects a commitment to sound reporting, it is fueled by Eric’s lifelong connection to Texas A&M. “The university has given me so much in my life,” he said.
Rooted in Aggieland and United by Tradition
Eric’s family moved to Aggieland from La Grange when he was just 4 years old and he literally grew up on campus at a time when the university was just a small, all-male military school. His father, class of ’46, was an Aggie who later worked at Texas A&M. Eric remembers riding his bike around campus with friends, talking to students, and participating in traditions and events like Bonfire, football and basketball games. He holds a master’s degree in political science with an emphasis on public administration from Texas A&M, building on his political science degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, where his father had been transferred in 1966. His career was in corporate and commercial lending, while Mandie von Rosenberg’s spanned roles as a flight attendant, a registered dental hygienist and a clinic instructor of dental hygiene at two colleges in Texas.
While he says getting to experience “the original Texas A&M” was “a blessing,” Eric is proud of the university’s evolution. He admires Gen. Earl Rudder’s vision in the mid-1960s, recognizing that the school had to change to become the world-class institution it is today. “Making the Corps of Cadets optional and opening the campus to women were essential if the university was going to grow and ultimately achieve its vast potential,” Eric noted. “Where we are today is amazing! Gen. Rudder’s vision has played out.”
Mandie, who first dated Eric von Rosenberg as a teenager before they reconnected in their 40s, is a full convert to the Aggie spirit. “Eric has indoctrinated me,” she said, laughing. Before they got serious, Eric made sure she knew the depth of his affection for his alma mater.
“There are no Aggies more impassioned than you,” she affectionately tells her husband.
Eric is quick to return the praise. “She is a wonderful Aggie supporter.”
Their joint gift supporting truth in reporting and excellence in healthcare is an expression of their belief in the power of education and the importance of dedicated, well-trained professionals.