J. Melinda ’96 and Gregory Lyman Hall ’96 have established the Melinda ’96 and Greg Hall ’96 Scholarship to benefit one or more students pursuing a degree in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering or Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Greg chose Texas A&M for its premier engineering program and existing family ties.
“Along with many other relatives who attended the university, my grandfather was class of 1940 and my uncle was class of 1969,” Greg said. “Knowing I wanted to be an engineer, Texas A&M was the overwhelming choice for me due to the quality of education and, of course, the Aggie network.”
Melinda does not have family ties to the university but felt at home from the moment she stepped foot on campus.
“I love tradition, so Texas A&M was the obvious choice in that aspect,” Melinda said. “Plus, I wanted to be an engineer and stay in Texas, so there was really no question of where I was going to go to school.”
Melinda and Greg believe their time at Texas A&M greatly impacted their careers in engineering.
“During my time as an undergraduate student in civil engineering and graduate student in the Mays School of Business, I learned to work with a multitude of personality types on all sorts of projects,” Melinda said. “I have worked in engineering, project management, financial analysis and contract administration throughout my career, and my time at Texas A&M prepared me to excel in these fields.”
Greg currently serves as the executive vice president of BCCK Engineering, Inc. specializing in full engineering, procurement and construction projects. This includes concept, engineering, design, fabrication, manufacturing and complete construction services.
“A mark of a good engineering program is its ability to teach students to be better problem solvers,” Greg said. “Texas A&M prepared me for the workplace and to be a productive employee, and we need both of these things in our company and engineering industry.”
As business owners in West Texas, the Halls understand the importance of hiring quality individuals to fill the engineering roles available in the community and business.
“We see the need for all disciplines of engineers, especially those willing to work in the Permian Basin,” Melinda said. “We have been fortunate to get to know high school students in the area, all of which have tremendous academic potential, and if given the opportunity they would be a great fit in engineering.”
The Halls are ecstatic to see the impact their endowment has and look forward to connecting with the students they help support and who have the potential to return the areas they’re needed most.
“We look forward to doing a small part to better the lives of some of these deserving students who may in turn return to the Permian Basin or the Panhandle and make those places better as well,” Melinda said.