Pair of alumni recognizes veteran and undergraduates with scholarships

Kelly P. ’86 and Robert E. Jordan ’85 of Flower Mound, Texas, wanted to honor Kelly’s father, a military veteran. In December 2013, they created a President’s Endowed Scholarship in his name, designated for business.

The Major Soren Alfred Potz-Nielsen II President’s Endowed Scholarship pays tribute to the memory of the Air Force fighter pilot, who was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. “It was important to honor him and the rich association between our military and Texas A&M,” Bob Jordan explained of their $100,000 gift to create the endowment. The $12,000 scholarships are awarded to freshmen, and financial need is not a criteria.

In addition, the Jordans have created an Endowed Business Honors Scholarship fund with a gift of $125,000. The first scholarship is scheduled to be awarded in fall of 2015 to a full-time undergraduate student – preferably a freshman.

Bob is executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Southwest Airlines and president of AirTran Airways. He received a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1985 and an MBA in 1986. Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1986.

Bob said financial aid kept him in school. “It was only because I received a Lechner Fellowship from the business school that I was able to stay and obtain my MBA,” he said. “Endowing the Business Honors Scholarship is a small way of paying that back.”

Mays Interim Dean Ricky Griffin expressed appreciation for the scholarships. “The generosity of Kelly and Bob Jordan provides a great example of how Aggies give back,’” he said. “As Bob notes, financial assistance helped him complete his education, and now he and Kelly will provide the same kind of support for future students.”

The Jordans continue to enjoy their affiliation with Texas A&M. In October 2014, Bob was given a Mays Outstanding Alumni Award and in November he spoke with MBA and undergraduate students. “We have been so blessed by our association with Texas A&M, starting with Kelly and I meeting here on campus as students,” he said. “We are an Aggie family through and through, with over a dozen in the family graduating from A&M, including our two children. We will always be involved with the school.”

ABOUT MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL
Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,600 undergraduate, masters 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.