We are proud to have Jacqueline and Kristopher Knoop serve as our 2024-2025 Parents of the Year. The Knoops, nominated by their daughter Sydney ‘24, a senior business honors and accounting major, were surprised with the announcement during one of Jacqueline’s classes. When asked what their reaction was, Jacqueline said, “Pure shock; we remember being in school and seeing the Parents of the Year be announced and would never, in our wildest dreams, have imagined being named with the honor.”
“We’ve always considered our highest honor to be parents to our two daughters, Sydney and Maddie,” Kristopher said, “to know that Sydney felt so strongly about our greater impact that she nominated us brought us to tears.”
In her nomination, Sydney described her parents as “legendary” in their respective fields. “While I always knew I had amazing parents,” she said, “these past four years have shown me all that my parents mean to the student body of Texas A&M,” Sydney added that her parents inspire her daily to live out the core values of Texas A&M.
Sydney wrote that her mother’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. She is the first accounting professor many students will have, but she also has dedicated herself to being the first mentor, career adviser, “mom” away from home and supporter to all her students.
Describing her father, Sydney wrote that Kristopher strives to give back to the Texas A&M medical community. He volunteers with the Texas A&M School of Medicine and has guided and advised students pursuing medicine for many years. Kristopher is also a proud Aggie sports fan who is always ready to bring new fans to experience the Aggie Spirit.
The Knoops also give back to the Texas A&M community outside their professional roles. The Knoops are involved in OPAS, with Jacqueline serving as the President of OPAS Encore, the fundraising arm of OPAS, and Kristopher serving on the board of directors.
The press release announcing the Knoops status as Parent of the Year can be found at today.tamu.edu.