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Arts Champions
Afshi and Bobby Mirza weren’t planning to spend their lives in College Station when they got on the plane from Pakistan. Bobby came to Texas A&M for an engineering degree in 1974. Afshi followed in 1977. After getting into business for themselves, they adopted Aggieland as their home. Almost 50 years later, their love for the country—and the Bryan/College Station community—runs deep. While running Sound Waves (the building with the blue roof), Bobby and Afshi began their commitment to service by volunteering at KAMU/PBS. As their family grew with 2 children, Afshi began volunteering with College Station ISD. Through the years, Afshi and Bobby have supported various causes that reflect their belief in giving back to the community. These include, Keep Brazos Beautiful, Habitat for Humanity, Opera and Performing Arts Society, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Brazos County Sheriff’s Department Alumni and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
In June of 2019 Afshi received the Archivist’s Achievement Award from the National Archives and Records Administration for 20 years of outstanding volunteer service at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. In addition, Afshi was recognized as the Daily Point of Light #7415 in November of 2022 for 25 years of service as a volunteer at George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Afshi is also a proud Aggie wife and Aggie mom! Bobby currently serves on the city of College Station planning and zoning commission.
Afshi and Bobby live their lives as a reflection of President George H.W. Bush’s belief in volunteerism, “any definition of a successful life must include service to others”. They became supporters of the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley to promote the arts for the entire community and believe that “any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it makes us move”.
In life, as well as in service, Afshi and Bobby often reflect on the words of Barbara Bush, “faith, family and friends”, that’s what life is all about.