Edward H. Shackelford '77 has established a scholarship in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University. The Edward H. Shackelford '77 Scholarship will be used to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
In high school, Shackelford said he was very interested in building infrastructure, and initially looked at the architecture program at Texas A&M. “I visited with the dean in the College of Architecture about what to expect during the five years of academic life and in real life,” he said. “After that meeting, I walked across the street to visit with professor Jones in the civil engineering department and I was hooked from there.”
Shackelford felt that Texas A&M fit his personality and his life the best compared to other Texas universities. “I was used to the more structured environment since I grew up in a military family, both my mother and father served in WWII, my father continued to serve until 1971 in the United States Air Force in the security service branch,” he said. “
While at Texas A&M, Shackelford said he appreciated that his professors taught him the theory of civil engineering as well as the practical and real-life applications. “I also greatly valued the tough love the professors brought to the classroom in letting the students know it was time to get their act together and decide whether they were here for a purpose,” he said.
Shackelford was inspired to establish this gift by his own experiences at Texas A&M as well as the motivation to honor his parents' military service. “My education and my career of 46 years has allowed me to be involved in some very significant projects in the Houston metro area,” he said. “I felt the time was right to give back to the university that established my foundation.
“My endowment honors my parents' service by making this endowment available to those with a military background and who are interested in civil engineering and/or water resources,” said Shackelford.
Shackelford said his hope is that his scholarship will offer more students the chance to attend Texas A&M. “I hope this endowment will assist the students with their college expenses and set them on a career path that is as rewarding and fulfilling as mine was,” he said. “The goal is for them to be able to share with their family and friends the impact they made in enhancing their community.”
Giving With a Purpose
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 and its departments or would like more information on how you can give, please contact True Brown, senior director of development or Patrick Wilson, assistant director of development.