Texas A&M University and the engineering program hold many fond memories for Jamie and Dennis Mudd. Both earned degrees from Texas A&M, and they credit the engineering program for bringing them together. Jamie was employed at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Dennis was studying civil engineering when they met.
Since the engineering program has played a key role in their academic and personal lives, the Mudds wanted to support their alma mater by endowing the Jamie ’86 and Dennis ’85 Mudd Scholarship. The $100,000 gift will support high-achieving students pursuing a degree in civil engineering.
“Texas A&M and the department of civil engineering enabled both Jamie and I through jobs, scholarships and graduate assistantships to complete our undergraduate and graduate studies work,” said Dennis. “This is our way of saying ‘thanks.’”
U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering as one of the Top 10 undergraduate and graduate civil engineering programs because of its academic performance by students and faculty alike. Donors play an important role in the sustainability of the department’s success by endowing scholarships.
“Because of the support we receive from former students like the Mudds, we are able to recruit and retain exceptional students,” said Robin Autenrieth, interim department head for civil engineering. “We greatly appreciate their endowment and their support of our department and students.”
The Texas A&M connection started with Dennis’s parents, J.E. ’43 and Tillie Mudd of Yoakum, Texas, who recently celebrated 70 years of wedded bliss in December 2013. Jamie is a first generation Aggie.
The Mudds currently reside in Baytown, Texas. Dennis received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1985 and his master’s in 1987. He currently works as a Global Project Safety Consultant for ExxonMobil covering the Gulf Coast and North America. Jamie received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1986 and works as a real estate agent for Krisher - McKay. They have four children and one grandchild, Brandon ’18, Galen ’10 and his wife Katie and grandson Rylan ’38, Shannon ’12 and Mary Frances ’15.