Mr. Samuel E. “Gene” Murphree Jr. ’45 graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of architecture in 1948. He was a member of G Company Infantry and participated on the freshman football team. Mr. Murphree served in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was the founder and president of the Gene Murphree Corporation where he worked from 1954-1987. Mr. Murphree was the founding chairman of the Professional Advisory Board of the TAMU Department of Construction Science where he served for 25 years. He served as the chairman of the TAMU College of Architecture Development Board. He received the Outstanding Alumni award from the College of Architecture and the Construction Science Outstanding Contributions award. The Construction Science department gives the Gene Murphree Award for Excellence to the outstanding senior every year. Mr. Murphree also served as president of the Texas Association of General Contractors (AGC) and as director of the national AGC.
Hall of Honor Inductees
Lt. Col. Durward B. “Woody” Varner ’40
by amy.thompson
Lt. Col. Durward B. “Woody” Varner ’40 graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. He received his master’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago in 1949. At A&M, Lt. Col. Varner was a member of H Infantry, serving as Cadet Colonel. He also served as sophomore and junior class president, varsity basketball captain, and editor of the Scientific Review. Lt. Col. Varner served in the U.S. Army during WWII and organized the Aggie Muster on the Elbe River. He started his academic career at Michigan State University, rising to Vice President. He went on to serve as the first Chancellor of Oakland University in Michigan and helped create their renowned Meadow Brook Music Festival. He became President of the University of Nebraska in 1970 and later served as the Chairman of the University of Nebraska Foundation. Lt. Col. Varner was the driving force behind the Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska and the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Dean Edwin Jackson Kyle 1899
by amy.thompson
Dean Edwin Jackson Kyle received a B.S. in Horticulture from the A&M College of Texas in 1899. He received a B.S.A. and M.S. in Agriculture from Cornell University in 1901 and 1902, respectively. Dean Kyle served as senior captain, class president, president of the YMCA, valedictorian, and as interim Corps Commandant—the only cadet to do so. Dean Kyle served as the first dean of the School of Agriculture in 1911. Dean Kyle also served as Chairman and member of the Athletic Counsel for 24 years. In 1905, Dean Kyle acquired the land and purchased the lumber and materials for what would become the football team’s permanent venue. Thereafter, the football field became known as Kyle Field. During his tenure, Dean Kyle earned the moniker “Mr. A&M” as a reflection of his devotion to the school and the cadets. In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala, where he received its highest decoration, The Order of the Quetzal.
Mr. David D. Dunlap ’83
by amy.thompson
Mr. David D. Dunlap ’83 graduated with his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M where he was a member of A-Battery and the Ross Volunteers. Mr. Dunlap worked for BJ Services from 1984 to 2010 where he served as Executive Vice President and COO. In 2010, he moved to Superior Energy Services where he currently serves as President and CEO. Mr. Dunlap has served on the Woodland’s Children’s Museum Board, The John Cooper School Board of Trustees, and the National Petroleum Council. Mr. Dunlap received the 2013 Transformational CEO award for the United States Gulf Coast Area. He is currently on the 12th Man Foundation Board of Trustees; the President’s Board of Visitors for the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets; the College of Engineering Advisory Council; the Department of Petroleum Engineering Industry Board; and was a 2017 Inductee to the A&M Petroleum Engineering Academy of Distinguished Graduates. Mr. Dunlap is a founding member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish in The Woodlands. The future Dunlap Drill Field will be named in his honor due to his generous donation for the new Music Activity Center. Mr. Dunlap is a longtime member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association.
Mr. Ronald L. Adams ’70
by amy.thompson
Mr. Ronald L. Adams ’70 received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M and graduated cum laude with his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 1975. As a Cadet, he was a member of Company C-2, Sergeant Major and Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, and a Ross Volunteer. He was also elected Sophomore Class President, involved in many MSC activities, and a member of the Student Senate. After serving in the U.S. Army (Air Defense Artillery), Mr. Adams worked as a briefing attorney for the Honorable Price Daniel, Sr., Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. He has practiced law in Fort Worth since 1976, where he served as President of Brackett & Ellis, P.C. for over 20 years. Mr. Adams was Co-Class Agent for the Class of ’70 for several terms; served as President of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth East; was ordained a Deacon at Broadway Baptist Church; and, along with wife, Pat, was named 2017 Distinguished Friend of Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. Mr. Adams is a longtime member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association.