A lifelong champion of the Aggie spirit, Thomas “Tom” Reddin ’59, has established a new scholarship in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. It will be awarded to a computer science graduate student at Texas A&M University and reflects Reddin’s lifelong devotion to selfless service, hard work and excellence.
Eager to immerse himself in student life, Reddin entered Texas A&M Corps of Cadets in 1955 as a member of “A” Company Ordnance. During his time on campus, he was a student senator, Ross Volunteer, member of the election commission and president of the Texas A&M American Ordnance Association chapter. He was selected for Phi Eta Sigma, Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Who’s Who. He also served as the Corps Adjutant and graduated as a distinguished student and distinguished military graduate.
“As an undergraduate, I wanted to major in electrical engineering and become a career Army officer — Texas A&M was my best choice,” Reddin said. “I was able to achieve both my goals and was commissioned in the regular Army on graduation day, 23 May 1959. I also married my Aggie sweetheart that evening in the chapel.”
A few years later, Reddin was sent back to Texas A&M by the Army to earn a master’s degree in computer science and is now recognized as one of the first Aggies to graduate with this degree. He was inducted into the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Computer Science Honor Society and is a Department of Computer Science and Engineering Distinguished Former Student.
Reddin served over 10 years in the Army, including a year in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division, and rose to the rank of major. His awards include three Bronze Stars.
Except for his service in Vietnam, he continuously worked in the computer science field from 1965 until his retirement, first as an Army officer and then as a civilian contractor on large automation projects. He spent 20 years as director of the Parklawn Computer Center, supporting seven agencies of the U.S. Public Health Service. He was later promoted to the Senior Executive Service and recognized with a Presidential Rank Award for his career achievements and dedication to public service. He was also a recognized authority on the successful development, operation and cost recovery of federal fee-for-service data centers.
Now living in North Carolina, Reddin remains involved at Texas A&M by attending local Aggie Muster and class reunions. He enjoys serving as a class representative for the Ross Volunteer Association and visiting campus with his family. He is a life member of the Corps of Cadets Association and the Ross Volunteer Association, reflecting his commitment to investing in the next generation of Aggies. In 2024, he was inducted into the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor.
Reddin hopes his scholarship will inspire a computer science graduate student who has demonstrated excellence as an Aggie engineer.
Aggies such as Reddin embody the selfless service and excellence that define Texas A&M’s former students. His generosity is a reminder that a storied life can be leveraged to invest in the next generation.