My Howard Hesby Story

I had the opportunity to spend 6 years interacting with Dr. Howard Hesby of Texas A&M University....4 as his student, and 2 as his colleague while I worked as marketing coordinator in the Department of Animal Science.

I have so many Hesby stories, I'm going to have a hard time picking just one to share with the new Howard Hesby book project. Maybe my favorite was right before we hosted the 100th Anniversary of Animal Science Reunion. We had been planning this event for a year, and just 2 days before the event, Dr. Hesby thought we should go through the Kleberg Building and replace all of the ceiling tiles (by hand) that were dirty. He recruited his two friends in the media center, gathered a ladder, and was up at Kleberg all night replacing these tiles, so that our former students would get the best impression of our building.

If you're an Aggie Animal Science graduate, I guarantee there is a time in your life where you said a phrase..."I went on a trip with Dr. Hesby, and...." or "I wouldn't be where I am today if Dr. Hesby hadn't....".

Well, it's time to tell those stories! Our good friends at A&M Dr. Chris Boleman, Dr. Larry Boleman, and Dr. Gary Acuff are calling on all Aggies to help tell the stories of Dr. Hesby in a book called "Our Hero, Howard Hesby."

This book is a project that will include short stories from students, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Howard Hesby. Everyone has an “H2” story. It seems all former TAMU Agriculture students have either taken a class from him, took a trip with him, needed him to unlock Kleberg in the middle of the night, or just hung out with him in the Kleberg lounge.

Drs. Boleman and Acuff are asking you to write your story so that they can package all the personal testimonials into one book for all to read, relive, and remember a great man.

Here is what they are requesting from you to make this project a success:
• Write a Howard Hesby story in 2,000 words or less
• Email the story to Chris Boleman at cboleman@ag.tamu.edu
• Spread the word and tell all your friends to do the same
• Submit story by January 15, 2010.

Dr. Howard Hesby impacted everyone he met. This book will help tell his story so that all of us and future Aggies know a little bit more about a man that give so much to Texas A&M University. All proceeds from this book will be used for the Howard Hesby Student Atrium project at Kleberg Center at Texas A&M.

If you're someone who isn't the best writer, but you have a Hesby story to tell...call me at 979-532-9141! I will be glad to listen to your stories for you and put my journalism experience to work to write your story on your behalf.

Also, if you aren't aware of the Hesby Atrium project, the Department of ANSC is still accepting donations to help get this project going. You can donate online to this special project at the Coals Giving Web site. You have to go through a couple of drop down menus to find the Hesby fund. Go to this page then choose the first option of "College of Agriculture and Life Sciences" then choose "Animal Science". In the next box you will see the option of Howard Hesby Student Atrium.

Let's help spread the word....
If you have any questions, contact Dr. Chris Boleman at cboleman@ag.tamu.edu.