Ariss establishes scholarship for first-generation engineering students

Kamal M. Ariss ’83 has established the Kamal M. Ariss ’83 Engineering Scholarship. Distributions from this endowment will be used to provide one or more scholarships to full-time first-generation students in good standing, pursuing an undergraduate degree from the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. All recipients of this scholarship will be participants in the First-Generation Engineering Students Mentoring (FGEn) program.

When looking at colleges, Ariss was drawn to Texas A&M’s engineering program all the way from his prep school in Connecticut. He said he admired how the Aggie core values are timeless and are for life, not just until you get your degree. “Back in 1979 everybody said howdy while I toured the campus. The friendliness, education and traditions all played a major factor that I never regretted. I liked it so much I came back for my master’s degree as well,” said Ariss.

Ariss has been on several Texas A&M boards and organizations and said he has enjoyed every moment of his involvement. “Those experiences made me realize there is plenty of need for help academically and athletically to keep A&M’s reputation as a premier university,” he said.

“Giving back is very important to me. We need more donors to help many students achieve their dreams.”

In addition to a quality education, Ariss hopes his scholarship will help students build an affinity toward their alma mater and find ways to give back once they graduate. 

Ariss is the first Aggie in his family and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in engineering technology in 1984 and his master’s in land development in 1987. He hopes his daughter will follow in his footsteps when she applies to Texas A&M this upcoming year. Ariss is the president of Woodway Enterprises, and he and his family currently reside in the Dallas, Texas area.