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D.A. “Andy” Anderson Award

Becky and B. Don Russell have been in our community for over half a century.. Their combined passions have impacted numerous organizations throughout the Brazos Valley.

Becky was born in Bryan and studied at the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma before moving to College Station. B. Don was hired as an assistant professor of Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Becky was mother to their four children and a community volunteer. B. Don has served Texas A&M for 46 years and currently holds the esteemed position of Distinguished Professor, the Bovay Endowed Chair in the College of Engineering and is the Director of the Power System Automation Laboratory. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and serves as an advisor to Congress and federal agencies.

Becky’s community service began with Junior League and continued with membership in the Woman’s Club. For ten years, Becky served as an educational docent at the George Bush Presidential Library. 

Together with Becky, B. Don Russell’s support of the arts in our community has been remarkable. They are active in our local Opera and Performing Arts Society. Becky has also served on the board of the Arts Council and served as board president for two terms. Becky was also the chair of the first ever Celebrate the Arts and also started the Distinguished Lecture Series which has now become Stories at the Gallery.

Becky currently serves on the board of the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History as well as the board of Unlimited Potential. She and Don are active participants in the Fresh Start Campaign.

Becky currently serves on Texas A&M President Kathy Banks’ Working Group to study a future community museum, teaching gardens and a performing arts center. Becky and B. Don also provide scholarships to engineering students at TAMU, help fund the School Pantry Project for the Brazos Food Bank, and support Still Creek Ranch.

Becky and B. Don Russell treasure their beloved family of 23: Christyn and Brian Taylor, Jenny and Tim Winter, John Paul and Stacie Russell, and Elizabeth and Garrett Latham, along with their 13 grandchildren.