Named Spaces

The A&M-Central Texas Foundation and the University proudly recognize our donors for their support and generosity.
 

Other Named Spaces

The C. E. Fikes Lobby in Warrior Hall was named in June of 2014 by Central Texas residents James and Kym Fikes. Their gift established the C. E. Fikes Endowed Scholarship Fund, providing scholarship funds to employees of The Fikes Companies or its affiliates, their children or grandchildren, and business students majoring in accounting, marketing, management, human resources or information technology.

The Hanik Bookstore was named in November of 2015 by long-time University supporters and husband and wife, Stephen A. and Mary L. Hanik. Steve Hanik served on the University Foundation Board, and Mary is an adjunct professor in the College of Business. Their gift established an endowed scholarship benefitting the students enrolled in the College of Business and majoring in marketing.

Whitis Recreational Field was named November of 2018 in honor of The Whitis Family who gave most generously of their time, talent, and resources to develop the University’s first recreational grounds.

The Dr. Tracy Teaff Scoreboard, dedicated in February 2018, is located on Whitis Recreational Field in honor of former employee, Dr. Tracy Teaff. Retiring in 2017 following more than a decade of service to the University, Dr. Teaff was honored by her many colleagues and friends who raised funds for the sign in appreciation for her leadership and the continued development of recreational sports programs at the University. Dr. Teaff and wife, Cindy Curtis, also very generously named The Teaff-Curtis Family Alcove in August 2012.

The Carlson Law Firm Courtyard was named in November of 2013 by Craig Carlson, Managing Partner of The Carlson Law Firm. A former JAG Officer with the U.S. Army, Mr. Carlson and his wife, Vicky, both believe in the Central Texas region and its citizens and served separately as members of the A&M-Central Texas Foundation. Their gift was a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Jerold B. Katz Courtyard was named in June of 2012 by The Jerold B. Katz Foundation and Chairman of the Board and CEO of First National Bank Texas, Terry Tuggle. Jerold B. Katz was a well-known Houston businessman and philanthropist and his very generous gift represents a significant gift to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The City of Killeen Floor, the first floor of Founders Hall, was named in 2012 to honor the generous contributions of The City of Killeen and The Killeen Chamber of Commerce, both long-time supporters of the University. The many generous donations made to the University by The Killeen Chamber of Commerce and The Killeen Economic Development Corporation merit their recognition and represent significant gifts continuously made to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The City of Copperas Cove Floor, the second floor of Founders Hall, was named in 2012 to honor the generous contributions of The City of Copperas Cove, especially during the University’s initial years of development in 2009. Their support for the University via these gifts made to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund helped to support student scholarships during the University’s formative first years.

The City of Harker Heights Floor, the third floor of Founders Hall, was named in 2012 to honor the contributions of The City of Harker Heights, especially during the University’s initial years of development in 2009. Their support for the University via these gifts made to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund helped to support student scholarships during the University’s formative years and beyond.

The United States Army/Fort Hood Floor, the fourth floor of Founders Hall, was named in 2012 to honor the contributions of The United States Army and Fort Hood, specifically, the Congressional Act which allowed the University to be built on 672 acres of land previously a part of Fort Hood.

The Bernie Beck Lecture Hall was named by the Beck Family in January of 2012 to honor their husband and father, Mr. Bernie Beck, longtime higher education advocate and University champion. Mr. Beck was crucial to the development of the University during its transition from American Technological University and University of Central Texas and served as Chairman of the Board for more than a decade. Their very generous gift represented a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund and subsequent significant gifts made thereafter include The Eula “Sis” Beck University Legacy Wall and The Beck Family Heritage Hall.

The Tony and Jerrie Sue Cleaver Children’s Reading Nook was named in June 2014 by long-time Killeen husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Cleaver. Lifelong champions of education, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Cleaver and wife, Jerrie Sue, have devoted their entire lives to service and education and they particularly enjoy seeing the A&M-Central Texas Library visited by students and their children. Their gift was a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund. Read more about this amazing couple.

The Gromacki-Zembo Family Career Services Center was named in January of 2014 by George Gromaki and daughter, Deborah Zembo. The Gromacki-Zembo families are long-time University supporters and residents of Central Texas and their gift was a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Jennifer Royce Memorial Reception Area honors former student, Jennifer Royce, and was named in February of 2014 by her parents, Marvin and Heidrum Royce, and her brother, Steven Royce. Jennifer was posthumously awarded her undergraduate degree in psychology from A&M-Central Texas in 2013.

The Merry Ruth Byers Deocariza Classroom was named in August of 2013 by her husband, Conrad Deocariza. Located on the third floor of Warrior Hall, near the original biology and chemistry labs and faculty officers, the classroom is a place of learning for students pursuing a science degree and it is her husband’s wish that she be remembered for her love of learning and the sciences. His gift represents a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Metroplex Computer Lab in Warrior Hall was named in May of 2012, initiated by (former) Metroplex Hospital CEO, Carlyle Walton. Their gift was a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The CenturyLink Conference Room in Warrior Hall was named in June of 2014 by Steven L. Hanik, a Legacy Alumni and graduate of University of Central Texas. This gift represents a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund. Mr. Hanik and his wife, Mary, are long-time University supporters and are among the most frequent donors, having supported the initiation of the University’s rugby team, the naming of the CenturyLink Technology Classroom, the CenturyLink alcove, and the Steven L. and Mary A. Hanik University Bookstore, which is also named for them.

The Subhani Foundation Alcove was named in July of 2014 by Mr. Abdul Subhani, long-time Central Texas resident, Legacy Alumni of University of Central Texas, and adjunct professor in the College of Business Administration. Mr. Subhani and his Foundation are among the most frequent donors, having supported several named spaces and scholarships, and his gift represents a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Cosper Family Alcove in Warrior Hall was named in November of 2015 by former state representative, Scott Cosper, his wife, Christy, and his two daughters. The Cosper Family also named The Cosper Family Technology Classroom in May of 2012 and their gifts represent a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Mary Yeaman Welcome Desk was named in 2011 to honor the memory of Mary Yeaman, long-time employee, retiree, and legacy alumni from the University of Central Texas. Mary worked for both American Technological University and the University of Central Texas as the University Scheduler.

The Patriot Buick/GMC Conference Room was named in 2012 by long-time University supporters, Bill and Mary Kliewer, who in the same year, also named the BKCW Conference Room. Mary Kliewer served as a founding board member on the A&M-Central Texas Foundation and was a member of the party of representatives in the Governor’s Office when the legislation funding Texas A&M University-Central Texas was signed into law. The Kliewer’s gifts represent a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Ted and Dianne Connell Veteran’s Center was named in May of 2012 Dianne Connell whose extremely generous gift established the naming and endowed programmatic activities for A&M-Central Texas veteran students. Long-recognized as an accomplished businessman, Ted Connell was the past VFW commander in 1960-61, Killeen mayor from 1962-1966, a personal aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson, and well-known for his business activities in real estate, banking, automobile and regional airlines. A military child herself, Dianne Connell is the daughter of an U.S. Air Force pilot. Spanning a career complimented by professional and personal highlights, Dianne operated Connell Chevrolet in Killeen for more than a decade, and she has been a patron of the arts in Central Texas and served as the Founding Chairman of Vive Les Arts Societe and many other civic leadership roles. The gift represents a significant donation to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The American Businesswomen’s Association and Stephen Bufton Memorial Education Fund Student Commons was named in January of 2013 by (then) National President, Tina Ackles, Legacy Alumni from University of Central Texas. This gift also established a one-time scholarship awarded in cooperation with the Stephen Bufton Memorial Education Fund and A&M-Central Texas Foundation.

The McCauley Family Alcove was named in May of 2015 by Mr. Radford and Mrs. Virginia McCauley. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley are the parents of Randy McCauley, who served as the inaugural director of marketing for A&M-Central Texas from 2007-2017. Randy developed the University’s original logo and spirit mark, the University seal, many beautiful works of art on display in the President’s Office, and many of the visual images used by the University to date. The McCauley Family Alcove gift represents a contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

Mary Shipp Lewis Alcove was named in May of 2012 by her loving family, Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Martha Tyroch, long-time Central Texas residents. Mary was known for her lifelong career as a registered nurse. She traveled the world with her husband, U.S. Air Force Officer Clements A. Shipp. She was a frequent volunteer at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Sunrise Beach, Texas and active in many civic events, but her favorite memory was having had an audience with the Pope, His Holiness, John Paul XXIII. The gift that named the Mary Shipp Lewis Alcove represents a lovely contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship Fund.

The Clark H. Key Stairway Atrium was named in 2016 by Inaugural University President, Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, to honor the significant contributions of the architect who conceived, designed, and executed the development of Founders Hall and the campus ‘vision’ for future facilities. Clark passed away in May of 2012, before Founder’s Hall was complete, but his wife, Kathy, and son, John, were present when the space was named and an original cornerstone of rock used on the foundation of Founder’s Hall was presented to them as a memorial tribute.

The Scott & White Classroom were named in January of 2013, representing a very generous donation to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund. Former Scott & White CEO (Ret.), Dr. Al Knight later served as the A&M-Central Texas Foundation Board Chair, and he and his wife, Nan, have made many privately-funded gifts in support of A&M-Central Texas and our students.

The ATU/UCT Classroom was named in March of 2015 by Inaugural President, Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, to recognize and commemorate the two universities first formed in Central Texas that A&M-Central Texas developed from. Former students and graduates of American Technological University and University of Central Texas are recognized as “Legacy Alumni” by A&M-Central Texas and eligible to receive Legacy Alumni Certificates as the early leaders that helped make Texas A&M University-Central Texas possible.

The Toyota of Killeen Classroom was named in May of 2012 by Toyota of Killeen Dealer Principal and former A&M-Central Texas Foundation Board Chair, Paula Lohse. Ms. Lohse has been a long-time supporter of the development of A&M-Central Texas and has made many gifts of her time and leadership in support of the University. The Toyota of Killeen Classroom represents a generous contribution made to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Santos Maria Urrabazo Rodriguez Alcove was named in August of 2012 by Dr. Karen Clos to commemorate the loving heart and life of long-time D’Hanis resident and her family, many of which attended Texas A&M University in College Station. Santos lived a simple life, loved God and the Church, raised 15 children and saw to it that they received the education she was deprived. Santos loved tending her garden and growing things, and to all who knew and loved her, she represented all that is good, loving, and kind.

The Mary Jane Taylor Communications and Advancement Suite was named in June of 2015 by her husband, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Pete Taylor to honor the life and memory of his wife.

The Peg and Scott Gray Vickrey Student Commons was named in August of 2012 by Dr. Peg Gray Vickrey, the inaugural provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. Her very generous gift represents a significant gift to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.

The Yowell Family Conference Room was named in August of 2012 by the Yowell Family. The family also named The Bill Yowell Conference Center in December of 2018, honoring the memory of their father, Mr. Bill Yowell, long-time Killeen resident and community champion. The combined gifts from this exceptionally generous family represents an historic ‘first’ for the A&M-Central Texas Foundation and significantly enlarged the Foundation’s general scholarship fund.

The First State Bank Central Texas Conference Room was named in May of 2012 by First State Central Texas President, Randy Sutton and represents a significant contribution to the A&M-Central Texas Foundation general scholarship fund.