Observing Aggieland through optimism

Although Kim and Robert Brown reside in Oklahoma, their hearts are in the Brazos Valley, where they fell in love with Texas A&M University and, eventually, each other. Today, as enthusiastic patrons of current students, the couple has established the Kim E. ’83 and Robert Y. Brown III ’82 Computer Science Scholarship in the College of Engineering.  

With an eagerness for remaining connected to the university and sending more Texas A&M graduates into the world with Aggie-lensed glasses, the Browns are committed to building future generations. 

Deep in the heart

Over the years, the Browns have often returned to Aggieland for football games, departmental events and scholarship receptions. These visits have afforded them meaningful engagement with both the university and students, keeping them close to Texas A&M’s evolving culture. 

“It is so exciting and refreshing to actually talk to students,” Kim said. “What are they sensing? What are they feeling? What is Texas A&M today?”  

Through giving, the Browns feel deeply connected to the university’s pulse, maintaining their strong ties to the College of Engineering and its students. 

“We’re constantly touching every part of Texas A&M, and that’s exciting,” Robert said. “It’s way more than just coming to football games. We’re building lives with this, and we’re getting to see it.”

Their connection to Aggieland, however, predates their philanthropic efforts. 

“Ever since I can remember walking, I was always wearing maroon,” Robert said. “I’ve never owned a piece of orange clothing in my life, even to this day. There was never any question where I was going to school.” 

Meanwhile, Kim — a first-generation Aggie — recalls her induction into the university at Fish Camp, an experience that shaped her understanding of Texas A&M’s distinctiveness. 

An Aggieland love story

The couple’s love story began on campus, where Robert remembers noticing his future wife in the Commons Dining Hall. Although he told his friends that he intended to get to know her, their paths finally crossed during a mutual introduction outside the historic Dixie Chicken. Before long, their stories became intertwined and the two were married in 1983. 

While she pursued computer science and he studied petroleum engineering, the greatest takeaway from their education was a foundation in critical thinking. 

“A degree from Texas A&M prepares you for life way beyond just the technical aspects,” Robert said. “It taught us to critically analyze everything through an Aggie set of glasses.”

Stepping into a career, he found himself remarkably equipped to take on various jobs in the petroleum industry. 

“When I graduated from school with the foundational grounding that Texas A&M provided from an educational, technical and scientific standpoint, it prepared me for the world ahead,” he said. “My Aggie degree prepared me to do my job in the petroleum industry like no other place in this world could.”

Kim began her career in the computer industry as a programmer-systems analyst and worked through various positions before electing to concentrate on her young family. She attributes her success in managing family life and volunteer work to the skills acquired through her computer science degree. 

“I take care of a lot of things around the household with computer-mindedness,” she said. “I’ve also held several positions that were more recreational, where I was able to apply my degree, as well.”

The couple agreed that without Texas A&M, they wouldn’t be where they are in life. 

Aggie-lensed glasses

In lieu of their gratitude for Texas A&M, the Browns recently established a new undergraduate scholarship in the computer science and engineering department. The couple had also previously established the Kim E. ’83 and Robert Y. Brown III ’82 Von Goten Scholarship in Petroleum Engineering in 2017.

Expressing the heart behind their gift, Kim said, “We wanted to encourage people and give back with the generosity that God has shown us so that we could help other Aggies succeed in life.”

Their visits to campus always leave them with immense optimism for the university’s future.  

“Every time we go to Texas A&M and talk to the students, we leave blown away by how intelligent they are,” Robert said. “That further excites us about what we’re doing because we’re helping produce an Aggie-thinking type person that is going to change the world.”

To the Browns, seeing the world through Aggie-lensed glasses means uplifting others to reach their highest potential. Their story demonstrates that a love for Texas A&M can grow into a lifelong effort of service and generosity lasting for generations and creating opportunities for countless future Aggies.