Betsy and Mike Carrell have established the Betsy '77 and Mike Carrell '75 Endowed Scholarship. Distributions from this endowment will be used to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing an undergraduate degree in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University.
After winning a high school contest designed to explore his career interests, Mike discovered he wanted to pursue a degree in civil engineering. “After searching, I found the best engineering school to be at Texas A&M,” he said. “I got accepted but did not have the financial resources, until at the last moment, I received a scholarship.”
Mike arrived on campus a week early and during that time, he was able to learn more about the Corps of Cadets, “I ended up deciding to join and that decision, along with majoring in civil engineering, changed my life forever.” he said.
Betsy always knew she wanted to attend Texas A&M because of her dad and other relatives who had graduated from the university. “Besides a degree in education, I've received so much from my connection to A&M,” she said. “That's where I met my husband, established relationships with those that are still best friends and proudly sent our two children, who are now graduates.”
Betsy said that one of her proudest moments as an Aggie was when her father, Dr. Sam A. Nixon Jr. '46, was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1990.
Mike and Betsy were inspired to establish this endowment by Mike’s own experiences with financial need. “I lived through the structure and limitations of continuing to work and need financial aid throughout college and it changed my life,” Mike said. “If I hadn’t received a scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend Texas A&M and join the Corps of Cadets, and my life today would be very different. Because of Texas A&M, I met my wife, gained lifelong friends, received military training and discipline and became a registered professional engineer.”
Both Mike and Betsy intend for this scholarship to help high school graduates that want to attend Texas A&M, but need financial aid. They have stated additional preferences that the scholarship be awarded to freshman students and those who are members of the Corps of Cadets.
“We hope this scholarship will encourage students who believe in the importance of military training and the value it can add to the college experience and want to be a member of the Corps of Cadets,” Mike said. “Hopefully, upon graduation, the recipients will be very proud of all that they've accomplished, both academically and personally, and in how much they've grown.”
Ultimately, Mike and Betsy feel they owe a lot to Texas A&M in both their professional and personal lives and want to pass that on. “Betsy and I are very blessed to have been exposed to all that A&M has to offer and we want to help the next generation seek access to what can be gained through the Texas A&M experience,” Mike said.
Mike graduated from Texas A&M with both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering and Betsy graduated from Texas A&M with her degree in educational curriculum and instruction. Both of their children, Mark '06 and Mason '18, also graduated from Texas A&M, along with numerous other family members.
After winning a high school contest designed to explore his career interests, Mike discovered he wanted to pursue a degree in civil engineering. “After searching, I found the best engineering school to be at Texas A&M,” he said. “I got accepted but did not have the financial resources, until at the last moment, I received a scholarship.”
Mike arrived on campus a week early and during that time, he was able to learn more about the Corps of Cadets, “I ended up deciding to join and that decision, along with majoring in civil engineering, changed my life forever.” he said.
Betsy always knew she wanted to attend Texas A&M because of her dad and other relatives who had graduated from the university. “Besides a degree in education, I've received so much from my connection to A&M,” she said. “That's where I met my husband, established relationships with those that are still best friends and proudly sent our two children, who are now graduates.”
Betsy said that one of her proudest moments as an Aggie was when her father, Dr. Sam A. Nixon Jr. '46, was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1990.
Mike and Betsy were inspired to establish this endowment by Mike’s own experiences with financial need. “I lived through the structure and limitations of continuing to work and need financial aid throughout college and it changed my life,” Mike said. “If I hadn’t received a scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend Texas A&M and join the Corps of Cadets, and my life today would be very different. Because of Texas A&M, I met my wife, gained lifelong friends, received military training and discipline and became a registered professional engineer.”
Both Mike and Betsy intend for this scholarship to help high school graduates that want to attend Texas A&M, but need financial aid. They have stated additional preferences that the scholarship be awarded to freshman students and those who are members of the Corps of Cadets.
“We hope this scholarship will encourage students who believe in the importance of military training and the value it can add to the college experience and want to be a member of the Corps of Cadets,” Mike said. “Hopefully, upon graduation, the recipients will be very proud of all that they've accomplished, both academically and personally, and in how much they've grown.”
Ultimately, Mike and Betsy feel they owe a lot to Texas A&M in both their professional and personal lives and want to pass that on. “Betsy and I are very blessed to have been exposed to all that A&M has to offer and we want to help the next generation seek access to what can be gained through the Texas A&M experience,” Mike said.
Mike graduated from Texas A&M with both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering and Betsy graduated from Texas A&M with her degree in educational curriculum and instruction. Both of their children, Mark '06 and Mason '18, also graduated from Texas A&M, along with numerous other family members.
How to Give
The College of Engineering is one of the leading engineering programs in the United States, ranking first in undergraduate enrollment and ninth in graduate enrollment. Endowments supporting the students in the college have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering and its departments or would like more information on how you can give, please contact Patrick Wilson, director of development.