Austin Fairchild and his mother, Elise Fairchild, smiling together outdoors.

The Austin R. Fairchild ’24 Endowed Scholarship aims to support a student in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University.

Two men sitting in a small jet.

Storied explorer establishes aerospace engineering scholarship for Texas A&M students, charting a course for future Aggies in a seamless process.

A couple posing in front of a castle for a photo.

Former student and veteran, Dr. Kasandra Pirkey ’01, established a memorial scholarship in the Department of Aerospace Engineering in honor of her late uncle, uniting service, education and family.

Dr. Kevin Nixon has received a faculty position after graduating from the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering.

An exterior of a large building with many windows.

Anonymous donor establishes endowment to support Texas A&M mechanical engineering students in financial need in honor of an influential professor.

Headshot of Dr. Jianping Li.

Dr. Jianping Li has received a faculty position after graduating from the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering.

Two men holding a slide ruler.

The largest A&M club in Texas established a scholarship to honor longtime member Gerald "Gerry" Grogin '47.

Headshot of Dr. Anubhav Sarmah on a maroon background.

Dr. Anubhav Sarmah received a faculty position at Virginia Tech after graduating from the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering.

A woman in a rocket.
Giving

An Aggie’s legacy in aerospace

Jan. 9, 2026 • 3 min. read

From rural Colorado to the forefront of aerospace engineering, Merri J. Sanchez ’85 broke barriers at NASA and now hopes to help future engineers reach for the stars.

Headshot of a man on a maroon background.

Fueled by his experience at Texas A&M, Dr. Ahmad Al-Douri received a faculty position after graduating from the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering.