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Karen and D. Wayne Klotz posing for a photo.
Former student Wayne Klotz ’74 and his wife, Karen, generously established an endowed fellowship to provide financial opportunity for engineering graduate students. | Image: Courtesy of Wayne Klotz
Karen and Wayne Klotz ’74 have established the Karen and D. Wayne Klotz ’74 Environmental Endowed Fellowship. Distributions from this endowment will provide one or more fellowships to full-time students pursuing a graduate degree specializing in water resources engineering in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University.
 
For Wayne Klotz, coming to Texas A&M was not only about following in the footsteps of generations before him, but it was also his way of ensuring he received the best engineering education possible. Attending Texas A&M provided Wayne with an education and experience that he would not have gotten anywhere else.
 
“My attendance at Texas A&M served as a great benefit to my career,” Wayne said. “First, I was rewarded with an excellent engineering education, and I continue to believe that my Aggie degree is second to none.”
 
Six months after graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Wayne decided to enter a master’s program while retaining a full-time job. Starting in a new industry and simultaneously furthering one’s education would be tough on anyone, but Wayne was awarded a fellowship that helped relieve some fiscal stress.
 
“I was fortunate to receive a water resources fellowship from the American Society of Civil Engineers,” he said. “My wife and I want to provide that same cushion to future generations.”
 
The Klotzes are huge proponents of civil and environmental engineering and its ability to improve the quality of life for all through not only infrastructure, but also clean water.
 
“Clean water is the one infrastructure system that is essential for life,” Wayne said. “The need for and limited availability of clean water is a growing challenge both domestically and globally. Our desire is to support students who will carry forward the innovation and sustainability that will be required to provide water to an ever-increasing population.”
 
The Klotzes want this fellowship to enhance the lives and educations of current and future Aggies, but they also want to pass on the generosity that was shown to them so many years before. This fellowship will allow its recipients to embrace all of the experiences Aggieland has to offer.
 
“The foundation of my Aggie experiences served me well in every arena,” Wayne said. “We believe that supporting the next generation through education is a great way to pass on the legacy that I received.”

How to Give

Endowments supporting 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 Patrick Wilson, director of development.