Denise and Wesley’s love for Texas A&M University goes beyond an appreciation of the Aggie Spirit; it serves as a catalyst for making higher education accessible and providing unique experiences to Aggies.
“I know there are very smart, talented students that can benefit from a little financial help here and there to get them on a good path to creating their own success in life and career,” said Wesley.
Calling Aggieland Home
With the support of his family, Wesley’s decision to become part of Aggieland was easy. Joining the Corps of Cadets, Wesley became a proud keeper of the spirit. Committed to his role at Texas A&M, Wesley discovered the value of enhancing his leadership qualities and life skills.
“I had an opportunity to not only earn an engineering degree from one of the best engineering schools in the nation, but also the opportunity to learn important life/leadership skills as a member of the Corp of Cadets,” said Wesley. “Both ultimately had a very positive impact on my personal life and professional career.”
Serving campus as a cadet and student, Wesley practiced discipline and selfless service while capitalizing on unique experiences. The relationships Wesley built with professors and fellow students helped him grow into the engineer he is today.
“I honestly believe that Texas A&M provided me with the foundational knowledge and the life skills/confidence that I would likely not have been able to get as effectively elsewhere,” said Wesley. “Fifty years later, I still remember the names of many of my professors.”
Wesley found community as a civil engineering major by becoming a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter, which began his over 50-year tenure with the organization.
“I still remember the positive influence that participating in the ASCE Student Chapter had on my view of Civil Engineering as a profession,” said Wesley.
After graduating in 1974 with his bachelor's in civil engineering, Wesley began his storied career in infrastructure. Wesley became integral in altering perceptions of infrastructure safety and developing new standards and structures.
“I have both participated in and led several of the committees within that organization that have written most of the standards that are in use today for designing much of our pole and tower infrastructure supporting critical electrical power lines, telecommunications, and lighting equipment,” said Wesley.
I love that Texas A&M helped me understand the importance and value of learning something new every day. How boring it would be otherwise.
Their shared passion for infrastructure led Wesley and two of his sons to co-found Exo, a lifecycle asset management for energy, lighting and utilities. With over 500 clients served and totaling asset inspections at over one million, Exo is changing the way engineers evaluate structures. Wesley now yearns to see future and current Aggies lead the future of infrastructure.
“I would like to see Texas A&M graduate new engineers that are willing to make that same commitment to improving the design and construction of critical infrastructure,” said Wesley.Along with their scholarship in the College of Engineering, Denise and Wesley established a scholarship in the College of Veterinary Medicine, supporting students on both ends of the College Station campus. The Oliphants hope that their scholarships will help students fulfill their dreams of attending Texas A&M.
“I hope that the scholarships to both the Civil Engineering department as well as the scholarship my wife and I set up for the College of Veterinary Medicine will help a number of students over time fulfill their own dream of attending Texas A&M University and forging their own way to create a successful professional career,” said Wesley. “I love that Texas A&M helped me understand the importance and value of learning something new every day. How boring it would be otherwise.”