Margie Brune recently established a scholarship in honor of her late husband, Lellius Brune, a former industrial engineering student. Lellius held a longtime wish of giving back to Texas A&M University, which has now been fulfilled through Margie’s establishment of the Lellius '58 and Margie Brune Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering.
"My husband was proud to have a degree from Texas A&M and spoke fondly about school traditions and his professors," Margie said. "He knew a degree from Texas A&M made him a valuable candidate in the job market."
Although Margie is not a former student, she was inspired by her husband and his transformative experience at the university. Lellius graduated in 1958 with a degree in industrial engineering.
"His parents worked hard to send him to Texas A&M and were proud of their son and his degree," Margie said.
Following his graduation, Lellius enjoyed a successful career with Owens Illinois Glass, a beverage and food container manufacturing company known for being driven by transformation and committed to sustainability. The knowledge and skills he gained from his degree helped him thrive throughout his career. He worked at Owens Illinois Glass for 39 years and retired as administrative manager of the technical center in Toledo, Ohio.
Margie established this scholarship in the College of Engineering to financially support future engineers. Due to financial restraints, she could not attend college herself, but she is excited to help support other students and give them the opportunity to do so.
"I hope deserving students will appreciate this scholarship. Our parents had limited assets, and I want to see other students in the same situation receive this help," she said.
With this scholarship, Margie aims to give back to students from her and Lellius’ hometowns by supporting high school graduates from Colorado or Fayette counties in Texas, where she and Lellius grew up.
Margie hopes that through this scholarship, Lellius' hard work and devotion to Texas A&M will continue to be remembered and honored by future generations of engineers.