Carl Haynes bent over the whirring engine of the car in his driveway, examining each piece of machinery to see that they were running smoothly. He grabbed the old rag from his back pocket, wiped the sweat from his face and let out a contented sigh.
Haynes found his purpose in fixing things and experienced the most joy when using his skills to help his friends. To honor his passion for service, an undergraduate scholarship has been given in his name to promote engineering education for those who share his love for working with materials.
The Mr. Carl Edward Haynes Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Materials Science & Engineering, created by Haynes’ daughter Terri O’Kelley ’90 and son-in-law George O’Kelley ’90, is the first of its kind to be endowed in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Haynes attended Texas A&M University briefly, and though he didn’t graduate from the school, he was nothing short of an Aggie in spirit.
My father would have enjoyed the opportunities offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He practiced many of the skills these students are learning and would have been proud to support their futures.
Terri and her father had a very close relationship, as they bonded over their strong connection to using their hands, solving problems and constantly pushing themselves to a higher standard. Haynes was known for being capable of fixing anything and was glad to get his hands dirty and lend his spare time to help others.
“People from all around would come to him with engine, mechanical or electrical issues, and he always had a thought and path to fixing it,” Terri said.
The O’Kelleys enjoyed their time as students at Texas A&M, each drawn to the traditions and values the university holds. They decided to give through multiple endowments to support the fields of study and the individuals close to their hearts, all in the spirit of giving back to the university that has given so much to them.
“We have established five scholarships across Texas A&M for similar reasons,” George said. “Mostly, to follow in the footsteps of those that have left us for heaven and in remembrance of what they brought to this world and what we can now give back to help others.”
With the Mr. Carl Edward Haynes Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Materials Science & Engineering, the couple aims to help soften the expense of college, but more importantly, provide a new perspective and mindset for scholarship recipients — to value service and use their skillset to keep the Aggie spirit alive for generations to come.