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Texas A&M University

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    • Parents of the Year
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  • Parents of the Year

    The award, given once a year, recognizes the dedication and involvement of Aggie family members.

The Parents of the Year (POY) program is a unique family recognition program that has existed at Texas A&M since 1956. When the program began in 1956, it was known as the Aggie Mother of the Year program. Current students would nominate deserving Aggie Mothers and they would be honored at Mother's Day ceremonies. In 1974 the award was changed to Parents of the Year, yet the selection and announcement process remained the same. Although the announcement process looks slightly different from present day, all other aspects of the program remain the same.

The award, given once a year, recognizes the dedication and involvement of Aggie family members. Families selected as Parents of the Year are invited to be recognized during Family Weekend events, Parents of the Year reunion events, and other campus activities.

Former Parents of the Year
POY Name
2021-2022 Kathy '91 & Reggie Lepley
2020-2021 Tanya & TJ Gillespie
2019-2020 Susan &Preston Abbott
2018-2019 Courtney & Brett Turner
2017-2018 Shelly & Rodney Moss
2016-2017 Glenda & Dean Schneider
2015-2016 Ann & Steve Lovett
2014-2015 Sondra & Todd Janssen
2013-2014 Mary & Gonzalo Rodriguez
2012-2013 Kathy & Brien Smith
2011-2012 Katy & John Garcia
2010-2011 Susan & Keith Weid
2009-2010 Lea Ann & Johnny Walker
2008-2009 Gerilyn & Kenneth Kleckley
2007-2008 Teresa & Roger Lane
2006-2007 Patsy &Bruce Nichols
2005-2006 Kathy & David Howard
2004-2005 Elaine &Eugene Baumann
2003-2004 Janice &Tim Kerlee
2002-2003 Kathryn & Keith Wilson
2001-2002 Marjorie & Bob Walters
2000-2001 Marilyn & Bill Youngkin
1999-2000 Johnette & Jon Jarvis
1998-1999 Gayle & Ken Cox
1997-1998 Margaret & Bob Palm
1996-1997 Caroline & Gerald Macmanus
1995-1996 Shirley & Jim Bilhartz
1994-1995 Donna & John VanDuyn
1993-1994 Sue & Rodney Hill
1992-1993 Thelma& Woody Isenhart
1991-1992 Barbara & Ted Coughran
1990-1991 Patricia & Richard Brunner
1989-1990 Goldia & Patrick Hubert
1988-1989 Peggy & John Erickson
1987-1988 Joanie & Frank Abbott
1986-1987 Joan & Bill Heye
1985-1986 Patty & Joe Hlavinka
1984-1985 Jan & Jim Uptmore
1983-1984 Gardner & William Osborn
1982-1983 Gloria & Charles Weinbaum Jr.
1981-1982 Virginia & Ernst Jaska
1980-1981 Nancy & William Stroman
1979-1980 Martha & Oswald Kubecka
1978-1979 Inez & Ralph Menefee
1977-1978 Dorothy & Durwood Clader
1976-1977 Mary Jo & John Walker
1975-1976 Betty & James Singleton
1974-1975 Mary & Kenneth Hamilton
1973-1974 Majorie Ramage
1972-1973 Ruth Hunt
1971-1972 Ruth Hewitt
1970-1971 Elizabeth Neal
1969-1970 Sister Schodts Reed
1968-1969 Alice Fisher
1967-1968 Katherine Rehmet
1966-1967 Mabel Overton
1965-1966 Merle Ward
1964-1965 Edna Urbanic
1963-1964 Lena Partridge
1962-1963 Lottie Neuman
1961-1962 Helma Hutt
1960-1961 Flora Curry
1959-1960 Dorothy Cleland
1958-1959 Angelina Svatek
1956-1957 Maria Reyes

MEET MELISSA...

2023-2024 Parent of the Year

Melissa Wilkinson standing in front of Rudder Fountain

We are proud to have Melissa Wilkinson serve as our 2023-2024 Parent of the Year. Melissa was nominated by her daughter, Gabriella Romano ’24, who surprised her virtually from Scotland on a study abroad trip.

In her nomination, Gabriella describes her mother as embodying all the Aggie core values but especially Excellence and Selfless-Service. “My mother embodies these values through her work with my older brother and others with disabilities,” she said.

This selfless service and dedication to excellence carried over to Melissa’s job working with high school students with disabilities. As the transition coordinator, Melissa works to determine students' interests and academic ability and then connects them with options, whether that is college, the workforce, or long-term care solutions.

When asked what her initial reaction was, Melissa said, “Disbelief. Disbelief was soon followed by tears as I realized that Gaby was on a video call telling me all I meant to her.”

The press release announcing Melissa's status as Parent of the Year can be found at today.tamu.edu.

Do you want to be the next Parents of the Year?

Nomination deadline is February 26

Nomination Information

Qualifications

The Parents of the Year Award does not discriminate against non-traditional households. If you were raised by someone other than your birth mother or father, please take the time to nominate that special individual. You may nominate both of your parents or caregivers for the award. Nominees do not have to be former students to be selected for the award.

Nomination Requirements
  1. Nomination must be made by a current TAMU student.
  2. Answer 4 short answer essay questions.
  3. Provide contact information for both nominator and nominees.
  4. Nominees must be available to participate in Family Weekend.
Selection Process

Nominations for the Texas A&M Parents of the Year are reviewed by the Parent and Family Programs team in the Office of New Student and Family Programs as well as the Aggie Parent & Family Ambassador student organization.

Students and other constituents who review Parents of the Year nominations utilize a rubric to score the nominations. Nominations are scored with names redacted.

Important Dates

Dates will be announced at the end of the Fall semester.

Nominations Open: February 6, 2023

Nominations Due: February 26, 2023

Nomination Review Begins: March 1, 2023

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New Student & Family Programs

Student Services Building (Building #1564)
471 Houston Street | 1257 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1257

Ph: 979.845.5826
Txt: 979.256.1311
familyprograms@tamu.edu

Who we are

As part of the Aggie Family, we want to be your partner in supporting your student(s) at Texas A&M. Your roles as parents and mentors are as important as ever. Studies show that parental involvement increases the chances that a college student will be successful on campus and improves graduation rates.

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