Michelle ’92 and Robert “Paul” Deere ’92 have established the Paul ’92 and Michelle Deere ’92 Electrical Engineering Scholarship to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing an undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering from Texas A&M University.
Both the first in their families to attend college, the Deeres are excited to help other students achieve the goal of finishing their education.
“Texas A&M gave both of us the skills to pursue our dreams, which has provided us with the means to give back on a larger scale,” Paul said.
Their daughter, Nicole Deere, has continued the tradition of attending Texas A&M and their son, James Deere is hoping to attend as well.
“You might not realize it while you’re a student, but when you come back and see the banners of the core values, it hits you,” Paul said. “The core values are incorporated into your instruction while you’re at A&M, and during that time they build within you until you truly embody them. There is something amazing about that.”
Paul graduated with his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1992. He founded the company, Tolteq Group, LLC in 2003, and recently sold the business to National Oilwell Varco. He is now the owner of Paul Deere Properties, LLC and Deere Development Company. Paul volunteers his time with the Vista Ridge High School Entrepreneurship program and the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M.
Michelle graduated with her bachelor’s degree in genetics in 1992 and earned a doctorate in human and molecular genetics from UTHSC-Houston. Michelle worked in the biotech field then became a biology teacher at Leander ISD. Michelle now volunteers as a science fair mentor at several schools in the Austin area, and she is the lead SRC Chair for the state science and engineering fair that will be held at A&M this spring.
How to give
The College of Engineering is one of the leading engineering programs in the United States, ranking first in undergraduate enrollment and ninth in graduate enrollment. Endowments supporting the students in the college have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering or would like more information on how you can give, please contact Jay Roberts, assistant vice president for development.