David Kellam, former civil engineering student, and his wife Jody Kellam. |
Image: Courtesy of David Kellam
David Kellam has established the David F. Kellam '70 Civil Engineering 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 Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University.
After graduating high school, Kellam knew he wanted to attend a university with a renowned engineering program. “I believed Texas A&M had the best program and opportunities for me,” he said. “The knowledge and skills covered in the curriculum and taught by great professors, along with the leadership training as a member of the Corps, established a strong foundation for my professional career.
“The curriculum was comprehensive and the professors were thorough, demanding and fair,” he said. “I enjoyed the Corps environment, it strengthened my character and helped me to develop my leadership skills. I am a firm believer in Texas A&M's core values — respect, excellence, loyalty, leadership, integrity and selfless service. These core values are the foundation for students as they graduate and fulfill their stewardship responsibilities to society and the environment.”
Kellam said civil engineering touches all elements of our society and our environment. “My belief is that this endowment will provide opportunities to students that desire to become civil engineers and they, in turn, will significantly benefit society and the environment through their accomplishments and leadership,” he said.
Kellam targeted this endowment toward students from low-income families due to his family’s own financial challenges during his early life. “I was afforded some opportunities to attend college that could have easily not been available,” he said. “We have been blessed in our careers and want to give in ways that will contribute positively to the future of our society and the environment.”
Kellam graduated from Texas A&M in 1971 with his degree in civil engineering. He joined Temple Inland Forest Products Corp. in 1977 and worked his way up to serving as the vice president and general manager before his recent retirement. Kellam’s son and grandson both attended Texas A&M, the latter graduated in 2017 with a degree in construction science. Kellam credits his education at Texas A&M for his success at life.
“I would like to express my appreciation to all of the administrators, staff and professors involved in maintaining our core values and growing Texas A&M's positive impact on society and the environment,” Kellam said.
After graduating high school, Kellam knew he wanted to attend a university with a renowned engineering program. “I believed Texas A&M had the best program and opportunities for me,” he said. “The knowledge and skills covered in the curriculum and taught by great professors, along with the leadership training as a member of the Corps, established a strong foundation for my professional career.
“The curriculum was comprehensive and the professors were thorough, demanding and fair,” he said. “I enjoyed the Corps environment, it strengthened my character and helped me to develop my leadership skills. I am a firm believer in Texas A&M's core values — respect, excellence, loyalty, leadership, integrity and selfless service. These core values are the foundation for students as they graduate and fulfill their stewardship responsibilities to society and the environment.”
Kellam said civil engineering touches all elements of our society and our environment. “My belief is that this endowment will provide opportunities to students that desire to become civil engineers and they, in turn, will significantly benefit society and the environment through their accomplishments and leadership,” he said.
Kellam targeted this endowment toward students from low-income families due to his family’s own financial challenges during his early life. “I was afforded some opportunities to attend college that could have easily not been available,” he said. “We have been blessed in our careers and want to give in ways that will contribute positively to the future of our society and the environment.”
Kellam graduated from Texas A&M in 1971 with his degree in civil engineering. He joined Temple Inland Forest Products Corp. in 1977 and worked his way up to serving as the vice president and general manager before his recent retirement. Kellam’s son and grandson both attended Texas A&M, the latter graduated in 2017 with a degree in construction science. Kellam credits his education at Texas A&M for his success at life.
“I would like to express my appreciation to all of the administrators, staff and professors involved in maintaining our core values and growing Texas A&M's positive impact on society and the environment,” Kellam said.
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.