Through a shared appreciation for history, Texas A&M University former students Dayna Boren Cartwright ’85 and her son Nicholas (Nick) Cartwright ’20 have established an endowment to support students in the Department of History.
The gift will fund high-impact experiences such as service-learning and community-based projects, public history-related activities, capstone and senior thesis projects, internships and work-integrated learning, leadership development programs, study abroad and collaborative projects with stakeholders. In short, it will help create transformative experiences that stretch far beyond the classroom.
“We want to create opportunities in which students can get their hands dirty and do something that will make a difference,” said Dayna Cartwright. “You have one life and you've got to make it count.”
Dayna Cartwright graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in English and a minor in journalism. Following graduation, she was immediately pulled into the world of media, eventually founding Cartwright Media Group in 2004. While her career has always leaned toward media, she credits her historian-son, Nick Cartwright, with deepening her appreciation for history.
“As the third-great-grandniece of General Ulysses S. Grant, history was always very prevalent in my family. But truthfully, it wasn’t until my son became deeply involved as a historian that we both felt the urgency in ensuring that history remains relevant for future generations,” she said.
Nick Cartwright graduated with a degree in history from Abilene Christian University and later attended graduate school at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, where he majored in public administration. After completing multiple Congressional internships before graduating from the Bush School, he later did advocacy work with the Space Force Association. But after some time, , the pull of history became too strong, and he enrolled in a Master of Museum Studies program at Johns Hopkins University, from where he recently graduated.
He currently works as an apprentice in the collections department at The Alamo, where he helps preserve and catalogue artifacts. Additionally, he is a volunteer in Living History, and is active with several historical organizations throughout the United States
“Even before attending Texas A&M, I always followed research that came out of the university and the history department,” Nick Cartwright said. “They are conducting research that is honoring the past and changing the future.”
He also credits his own study abroad experience in college with changing the trajectory of his career, a key reason why the fund is designed to support high-impact, hands-on experiences. As an undergraduate student, he studied abroad in England, working at a World War II base to help curate a museum. This experience reignited his interest in museums, which he never forgot, and ultimately led him to return to museum curation. The Cartwrights want Aggies to be able to have similar experiences, and it’s important to them that their gifts support student opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.
Dayna Cartwright’s commitment to education partly stems from her parents. Following her mother’s passing soon after graduation, she watched her father dedicate resources to help fund scholarships and educational programs at Baylor University, from which they both met and graduated. Inspired by his example and recognizing how deeply both her parents valued education, she knew that after her father passed away, she wanted to honor him by carrying forward his generous spirit and love of learning.
Even before attending Texas A&M, I always followed research that came out of the university and the history department. They are conducting research that is honoring the past and changing the future.
Shared Appreciation of History and the Aggie Community
When the Cartwrights considered where to direct their support, the Department of History stood out because it held special meaning to both of them.
“We wanted to create a fund to support causes important to both of us, that will help someone after us, because once our time is up, we only have what we’ve left behind,” Dayna Cartwright said. “History is a part of our life; it’s a part of our DNA, so it’s time to make sure history doesn’t go anywhere and that there are stories with lessons for the next generation.”
Nick Cartwright agrees with his mother. Through his work at the Alamo and passion for history, he has been familiar with the department for many years. He often encounters Texas A&M research, particularly in military history.
“Texas A&M always comes up during my research at the Alamo,” he said. “It has one of, if not the best, military history programs in the United States. I am privileged to be more directly involved in the department and to interact with scholars in the field.
“Scholars want to study and work there because the standards are high," he continued. "The amount of research that comes out of the department in almost every field is groundbreaking, especially in military history. You know you’re reading the work of scholars at the top of their field.”
The Cartwrights are also members of the newly formed History External Advisory Development Council, led by Dr. Angela Hudson, department head and professor of history. The council advises the history department’s leadership team on teaching, research and service, while also helping to shape strategic goals and support department growth by connecting students with external opportunities.
“We will serve at the will of the board to do whatever we can to help further the interest of the history department,” she said. “We hope that by providing these funds, there will be at least one student out there who has an experience that helps them figure out what they want to do and possibly change the trajectory of their career," she said.
The Cartwrights’ gift was also inspired by the strength of the Aggie community.
“When I’m wearing my Aggie ring in public, there’s always someone who asks me about my time here,” she said. “Aggies are family. Whenever I meet a fellow Aggie — current or former students — they are always people of high character."
Investing in the Future of Students
The Cartwrights are especially grateful to Hudson, the history department and the Texas A&M Foundation for helping to shape the fund into something meaningful.
“We have a say in how our funds will be spent,” he said. “We were instrumental in working with the department and the Texas A&M Foundation to tailor this gift. We will know exactly where it’s going and how it impacts students.”
The mother-son duo is hopeful for the future of the history department and excited to witness the impact their fund will have on students. They hope recipients of the fund will carry forward the spirits that influenced the gift, spreading their love of education and appreciation of history.
“This is an investment in the future of students,” she said. “Those students will then make a difference outside the classroom and later leave their mark on the world. It’s rewarding to know that we will inspire change in way that is personal.”