Business honors student uses passions to help others on campus and across the world

Kyle Lawrence with the Arab Student
Association at Texas A&M

Senior business honors major Kyle Lawrence is passionate about problem solving – analyzing processes and making them better. He has taken a special interest in technology and has spent time on his own teaching himself about IT and web design. “I like to think outside the box and teach myself new things,” said Lawrence.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to apply his technology and problem-solving skills to help the Aggie community twice this year. Lawrence was instrumental in launching two new student organizations on campus — BUILD and Challenger 17’s Run of Heroes — by designing and building the websites for both organizations. He currently serves as media coordinator for Run of Heroes.

His commitment to serving others extends far beyond the Texas A&M campus. Another of Lawrence’s passions is helping others overseas, specifically the people of Lebanon. Lawrence has spent the past two summers in Lebanon working with Arabs for Christ to help Syrian refugees. After graduating this month, Lawrence plans on returning permanently to Lebanon, where he will continue to help with the Syrian refugee crisis.

“I love the Lebanese culture and the way of life there,” he said. “Everyone there is very communal.” He is also treasurer of the Arab Student Association at Texas A&M, where he has enjoyed getting to know others at Texas A&M from this cultural background.

BUILD, which was created in honor of the Aggie Bonfire tradition and those who died constructing the 1999 bonfire, BUILD aims to bring together students from across campus through a new tradition benefitting the local community. This year’s project encouraged students from across the campus to “swing a hammer” by partnering with Habitat for Humanity to help build a new home for a local family.

Lawrence designed the BUILD website to allow visitors to learn more about the family receiving the home, view photos of the construction progress, read testimonials and view more information about the organization’s purpose.

“It’s really great to be doing something that gives back to the community,” he said. “I admire BUILD’s vision of bringing together all kinds of people at A&M to work on one project.”

Run of Heroes is a 4.25-mile run through campus hosted by the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets’ Squadron 17. Run of Heroes aims to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers services such as mentoring, stress recovery programs and family support for wounded service members returning to everyday life.

Among other features, the group’s website design enables visitors to view information about the event, sign up for the run, donate to the cause and connect with Run of Heroes through social media.

“There are a lot of problems that come with [soldiers] returning home and readjusting to normal life” said Lawrence. “Run of Heroes is a great organization that works to help service members overcome these issues.”

Lawrence expressed happiness at being able help others by doing what he enjoys. “It’s been a fun experience, and I really enjoy helping other people and organizations,” he said.

Lawrence’s long-term plans include using his business background to become an entrepreneur. He credits the business honors program for preparing him with a wide range of business skills. “As a business honors major, I was able to take whichever classes I was interested in,” said Lawrence. “I was able to take a wide range of classes in different areas.”

Lawrence was recently named the gonfalonier for Mays Business School at the upcoming December 2013 commencement ceremony. Gonfaloniers represent each college at Texas A&M by carrying the gonfalons (or banners).

“Kyle’s designation as gonfalonier is a reflection of his excellent academic record and the core values of Texas A&M that he has displayed throughout his student tenure,” said associate director of undergraduate programs Linda Windle. “Of special note was Kyle’s help with starting two new philanthropic organizations during his final semester.”

Lawrence expressed gratitude at being chosen to represent Mays. “Being named gonfalonier was definitely unexpected, but I’m excited and truly feel honored,” he said.

About Mays Business School

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,000 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools in the country for its undergraduate and MBA programs, and for faculty research. The mission of Mays Business School is creating knowledge and developing ethical leaders for a global society.