As a testament to the enduring spirit of an engineer who loved the ocean, believed in the power of persistence, and cherished the Aggie community, the Mark E. Haas ’84 Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established to honor the impact Mark E. Haas ’84. Created by Kirstin Haas Shine ’87, Mark’s sister, alongside family and friends, this scholarship reflects both his passion for engineering and his unyielding courage in the face of adversity.
Setting Sail
An Aggie through and through, Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering in 1984 and then obtained a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1986. He was known for his intellect, optimism and love of the water, spending countless hours behind the wheel of his cherished J-40 sailboat, Bonfire.
For Mark, the sea was a place of peace and inspiration. Sailing wasn’t always easy, yet even in rough waters, he stayed true to his course — a philosophy he held both in his profession and throughout his battle with sarcoma cancer. Though he lost his left arm to cancer in 2023, Mark continued to embrace life with optimism and an indomitable spirit.
When asked why this scholarship was established at Texas A&M, Kirstin shares the inspiration she found in her brother and her own experience as an Aggie. She recalls transferring to A&M, drawn to the warm, supportive culture that had first captured Mark’s heart. By creating this scholarship, Kirstin honors Mark’s legacy while also giving future Aggie engineers an opportunity to pursue their dreams, just as her brother did.
“My brother never married, and as his illness progressed, I asked if he’d like a scholarship established in his name,” Kirstin said. “It gave him peace to know that his love for the ocean and engineering would continue forward in support of future Aggies.”
Her hope is that this scholarship will help students who, like Mark, face their own “choppy waters”—whether through physical challenges or personal obstacles.
For Kirstin, the decision to give back to Texas A&M was also motivated by witnessing her daughter’s journey as an Aggie engineer in 2021. She recognized the strides the university has made in fostering one of the world’s finest engineering programs, preparing students to lead and innovate with integrity.
“May we all remember that each day is a gift to be shared,” Kirstin reflects. “Blessings aren’t blessings unless they’re shared. Losing both parents and my brother in the past five years has reminded me of the true legacy we leave: helping others along their journey.”
Through the Mark E. Haas ’84 Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Kirstin, along with family and friends, ensures that Mark’s legacy endures, enabling Aggie engineers of tomorrow to sail forward with courage, resilience and purpose.