It began with a weathered piece of Aggie gold, a single conversation, a small moment that forever changed the course of Jeff Summers’ life and led him to Texas A&M University. Summers has never seen being an Aggie as a coincidence, but as a gift entrusted to him, and one he continues to honor long after graduation.
His deep commitment to biomedical science, engineering, and research at Texas A&M has inspired the creation of the Jeff Summers ’96 Biomedical Engineering Endowed Scholarship, a reflection of his devotion to making a difference in the lives of Aggies.
An unexpected introduction
Summers vividly remembers his first introduction to Texas A&M during high school, sparked by a conversation with a man who maintained the computers in the school’s computer lab. He noticed the man’s smooth gold ring and asked about it.
“He said it was his Aggie ring. He was a ‘ring twister’ and over a few decades had worn it completely smooth,” Summers recalled. “I asked him to talk to me about A&M, and he convinced me that I needed to go there.”
Summers knew Texas A&M was the right fit for him within less than an hour of his first visit to Aggieland.
“I don't remember the gentleman's name all the years later, but I will always thank him for being the first person to talk to me about A&M,” he said.
Reflecting on his time on campus, Summers credits A&M with shaping his career path and fostering deep friendships.
“During my time at A&M, I made lifelong friends that are still part of my life,” he said, remembering a fantasy football league he started as a freshman with a few fellow Aggies from Dunn Hall. “Thirty-three years later, we not only are still in the same league, but we are lifelong friends and brothers. Our group has experienced all the ups and downs of life over the past 33 years, and we've been a great support network throughout. I can't imagine my life without my Aggie and fantasy football league brothers.”
Making great things happen
As a biomedical sciences major, Summers remembers the challenges of rigorous coursework that ultimately strengthened his resolve.
“Learning was not easy at times, but if you put in the work, you can make great things happen,” he said. “Over my career, I've put those skills to great use.”
Now the CEO of RESBED, Summers is advancing medical device manufacturing through his leadership and innovation.
Summers has used his career as a platform to nurture and enhance Texas A&M. His gift to the biomedical engineering department is one example of how he has invested in the Aggie community. For 20 years, he has partnered with Texas A&M Engineering to hire students for internships as well as full-time positions, sponsor and mentor capstone projects, and help establish the biomedical engineering department’s annual career fair. He also served on the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board for several years, with a mission to empower the next generation of Aggie Engineers to become difference makers.
In addition to his support of biomedical engineering, Summers is passionate about the core values that shape Aggie engineers into high-impact professionals.
“The Aggie Honor Code is based on the philosophy of ‘Do the Right Thing.’ That is not always the easiest path, but it is the best path. I've raised two sons on that philosophy and hundreds of others of the values that I learned in Aggieland,” he said.
His long-standing collaboration with the College of Engineering is a testament to that belief.
A legacy of leadership
Summers leads with purpose by sharing his passion for medical manufacturing and Texas A&M.
“Being an Aggie has been a huge part of my life since I walked on campus,” he said.
Through his scholarship, Summers hopes to give Aggie biomedical engineers the opportunity to pursue a similar path, equipped with the support they need to succeed.
One worn Aggie ring and Summers both share a powerful legacy, each making all the difference in the lives of others. Just as that smooth piece of gold once introduced Summers to a life-changing journey, his generosity, mentorship, and dedication now open doors for future Aggie engineers, shaping their paths to success. In both cases, a small spark became transformative, showing that one moment, and one person, could make all the difference.