2025 HONOREES
We're excited to announce our 2025 Aggie Impact Gala Honorees!
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From a young age, Dr. Bowen-Jallow’s passion for healing was evident. Today, she serves as a pediatric surgeon at Cook Children’s Medical Center, where her clinical excellence, compassion, and visionary leadership have made a profound impact on patients, families, and colleagues alike. What began as childhood curiosity with the game Operation and a toy doctor kit evolved into a remarkable career dedicated to saving lives and inspiring future generations. Dr. Bown-Jallow’s scholarly activity reflects not only her clinical expertise but also her commitment to advancing evidence-based, equitable care for vulnerable pediatric populations. Dr. Bowen-Jallow is remarkable for her dedication to education and mentorship. She is deeply invested in shaping the future of medicine by mentoring aspiring surgeons and medical students. Her teaching philosophy blends rigorous academic standards with personal mentorship, inspiring students to excel in their medical careers while fostering a sense of empathy and responsibility. She has served as a professor of practice, reaching audiences in the classroom, podcasts, in webinars and seminars touching the lives of hundreds of aspiring physicians and fellow colleagues.
Angela Chapman, M.S. ’93, is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University and a tireless advocate for Black students and alumni. As a servant-leader on the Texas A&M Former Students Association Leadership Council, she exemplifies the Aggie spirit in every facet of her work. In her role on the Former Students Association Leadership Council and as an active member of BFSN, Angela has provided invaluable mentorship and advocacy for countless Black Aggies. She has hosted panels, led networking events, and opened professional pathways for students and graduates alike. As CEO of Bright Legacy Enterprises, Angela leverages her success to support community-based initiatives. Her entrepreneurial spirit is matched by a philanthropic heart, and she regularly invests in causes that uplift and support Aggie students of color. Angela’s involvement in Aggie traditions—such as Ring Day, Muster, and alumni events—shows her deep-rooted connection to Texas A&M. She is not only a proud alumna but a legacy-builder whose work ensures the next generation of Aggies thrives with confidence and community.
Elected in 1991, Ronnie became the first Black Yell Leader AT Texas A&M University. His slogan 'Hump It Ron' remains iconic across generations of Aggies. He became the youngest County Judge in Texas history and served four terms as Bastrop County Judge. Championed unity, tradition, and school pride during a pivotal time. Ronnie returned to Texas A&M as AgriLife’s Executive Director of Government Affairs, where he championed rural communities, agricultural policy, and public access. He continues mentoring students and shaping the land-grant mission. Ronnie has been recognized for crisis management, rural infrastructure, and economic innovation. Ronnie McDonald is a unifier, trailblazer, and lifelong public servant who embodies Aggie values of loyalty, leadership, and respect. He is an Aggie whose legacy continues to inspire every generation.
Hugh McElroy ’71 was the first black football player to start a game at TAMU and the first black player to score a touchdown. Hugh went on to become the Associate Director of HR at TAMU. He retired from the TAMU Foundation as the Development Officer for the School of Public Health and College of Nursing. Hugh was instrumental in making Aggies around the world through a partnership with Kano State, Nigeria to encourage and support (17) Nigerian physicians/scientists to attain graduate degrees in public health.
Dr. Kathleen McElroy is a professor in the School of Journalism and Media at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. McElroy earned her BA in Journalism (Texas A&M), MA (NYU), and a PhD (UT Austin). She received her Ph.D. from the School of Journalism in December 2014, after nearly 30 years as a professional journalist. At The New York Times, she held various management positions, including associate managing editor, dining editor, deputy sports editor and deputy editor of the website. She previously worked for The National, an all-sports daily and Newsday on Long Island as well as the Austin American-Statesman, The Huntsville Item and the Bryan-College Station Eagle in Texas. Her scholarly work focuses on media, race, and cultural representation. Dr. Kathleen is an advocate for truth in media and ethical journalism, which inspires the next generation of journalists and Aggies. Dr. Kathleen’s peers describe her as a role model of excellence and truth in journalism. Dr. McElroy exemplifies leadership, scholarship, and the Aggie spirit through her contribution to media, education, and justice.
As the daughter of an Aggie Pioneer who couldn’t finish at Texas A&M due to systemic racism, Dr. Dana Wells represents both an unfinished legacy and generational fulfillment. Dr. Dana Wells didn’t just graduate, she built systems so others could. She has turned that foundation into a career of scale, service, and sustained impact. Dr. Dana D. Wells helps success-oriented professionals get hired, get paid, and get positioned for power. She’s the award-winning Human Capital Strategist behind DW&A, the firm Fortune 500 companies trust to deliver over $1.5 billion in results when performance is non-negotiable. She also mentors Black Aggie students, helped establish the Aggie Ring Fund to ensure visibility and legacy, and presents Aggie Rings three times per year to celebrate and elevate Black student achievement. Through the Association of Former Students, she serves as a bridge-builder for Black Aggie visibility—presenting rings, funding legacies, and helping future leaders see themselves in the Aggie story. In 2025, she received the Deion Dorsett Pioneer Business Leader Award from the Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals for trailblazing leadership in transforming industries, elevating communities, and building generational impact.
2025 RISING STAR AWARD
Morgan Mekale Smith, M.S. is a biomedical researcher and former scholar-athlete who is dedicated to serving her community. A former Texas A&M softball standout and NFCA All-South Region honoree, Morgan balanced athletics with rigorous academics, earning both her B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Sciences before pursuing her current M.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston. She also holds a certificate in Data Science in Precision Medicine and Cloud Computing from Stanford University.
As a Senior Research Assistant at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Morgan applies machine learning and biotechnology to study neurodegenerative diseases. Her work has led to multiple publications, national presentations, and award-winning research on brain modeling and disease prediction. Beyond the lab, she is an advocate for diversity in STEM, a mentor to aspiring scientists, and a leader within organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers.
Morgan embodies resilience, humility, and purpose—qualities that make her a great Rising Star.