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.
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
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
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 must be made by a current TAMU student.
- Answer 4 short answer essay questions.
- Provide contact information for both nominator and nominees.
- Nominees must be available to participate in Family Weekend.
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.
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