Mays Business School Unveils the Valero Connection Multimedia Wall

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School unveiled The Valero Connection, a state-of-the-art multimedia wall, as part of the dedication ceremony for the Mays Business Education Complex’s new Wayne Roberts ’85 Building on Jan. 9.

The wall, which is prominently located in the Roberts Building’s Kay ’02 & Jerry Cox ’72 Atrium, marks Valero’s latest investment in Mays Business School. “At Mays Business School, our vision is building a better future through business, and our mission is developing leaders of character who will make a positive difference in the communities where they live, work and serve,” said Mays Business School Dean Nate Y. Sharp. “We have been fortunate to develop a strong strategic partnership with Valero over the years. As a result, our students, faculty, and staff have benefitted immeasurably from the company’s investment of its time, talent, and treasure in Mays Business School. These types of partnerships play an integral part in our recognition as one of the preeminent public business schools in the nation, and we thank Valero for their ongoing support.”

The Valero Connection, which measures 26.57 feet in height and spans three stories, also can be easily viewed from the Roberts Building’s other floors and exterior. Thousands of students, faculty, and staff are expected to view the multimedia wall daily, which will highlight Mays’ academic and research programs and commitment to the Aggie Core Values and will serve as a central communication hub to publicize events and key dates. Additionally, the multimedia wall provides a dynamic visual element that will enhance events, meetings and presentations held in the atrium, which was designed as a multipurpose space.

This philanthropic gift extends Valero’s longstanding relationship with Mays Business School and Texas A&M University as a whole.  After initially focusing on recruiting the university’s business and engineering students, Valero began formalizing its relationship with Texas A&M in 2012 through the Commercial and Information Systems Intern Program with Mays.

In 2019, Valero became a corporate member of the Mays Council for the Management of Information Systems (MIS). The council is designed to provide a competitive advantage to the MIS Program at Mays through supporting robust educational opportunities and research.

One year later, Valero expanded its relationship with Mays again through supporting the Trading, Risk & Investments Program (TRIP), which prepares students to work in the field of energy trading, investments and risk management. “Our involvement in the TRIP Program not only gave us exposure to some of Mays’ top talent but also created ambassadors who talk about Valero’s internships and culture after completing their involvement in our Commercial Intern Program,” said Eric Fisher, Valero’s senior vice president for product supply, trading, and wholesale.

As a result, Valero’s leaders began seeking additional ways to increase the company’s visibility among the broader Mays community. “We know that Mays Business School is one of the premier business schools in the nation, so we started conversations about where we could get involved with the opportunities that were emerging around the Roberts Building,” said Fisher, who earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M in 1990. “The video wall really resonated as an opportunity to get our company’s name in front of the students. We also wanted to support what will quickly become an important resource for the business school through the Valero Connection’s daily communication to the students and faculty.”

Mays is just one of Valero’s partners at Texas A&M. In 2016, the company funded the Valero High Bay Lab in the College of Engineering’s Zachary Building. Valero also enjoys a strong relationship with Texas A&M Athletics. In 2021, the company served as the presenting partner for the 12th Man Centennial Campaign and last year announced renewal of its partnership with Athletics.

Ultimately, Valero’s leaders strongly believe that the character of Texas A&M’s students aligns with the company’s mission and culture. “There are hundreds of Aggies who work at Valero, and many are in top leadership positions in our company and refineries,” Fisher said. “Aggies are a great fit in our culture. What we find is that Aggies have a strong work ethic, strong moral values, good character, and an affinity for the energy industry. It just makes for a great fit, so we are committed to continuing to deepen what is already a great relationship.”