This professor of marketing is also a student of history
Dr. Samuel Gillespie was a member of Greater Texas Foundation’s board from 1984 to 2024. He served as Vice Chair, chaired the Finance & Investment Committee, and served on the Executive Committee and Charitable Activities Committee. Dr. Gillespie taught for 33 years as a Marketing professor at Texas A&M University and was named Professor Emeritus in 2001 upon his retirement. He now lives in California with his wife, Patricia. In honor of Dr. Gillespie’s many years of service, Greater Texas Foundation has made a gift of $50,000 to Texas A&M Foundation to establish the Dr. Samuel Gillespie Endowed Scholarship.
What do you remember about joining the board in 1984?
I was on the business faculty at Texas A&M University and I was approached to be on the board. Back then it was the Greater East Texas Higher Education Authority, the predecessor to GTF. The Authority helped assure that Texas college students could get student loans from banks.
Back then, I was a neophyte. Many of the board members were associated with A&M and other universities and we saw it as our civic duty to help students.
I was proud to be asked to be involved. It’s been a journey of learning for me.
What are the accomplishments that you are most proud of during your tenure with GTF?
The best thing we ever did was hiring Sue McMillin as President. She has made the foundation what is today through her leadership. Sue has grown the mission and helped the foundation earn the exposure it deserves.
We have a very long-term staff. They do a very good job! They are smart and have great reputations and networks across the state.
What are your hopes for the foundation in the coming years?
I hope they will continue to help underserved students in Texas get a postsecondary degree. With that same goal in mind, our family has a scholarship fund at Texas A&M for graduates from the Bryan school district.
You met a lot of students in 33 years of teaching at Texas A&M. What were they like?
I had all kinds of students. Some were kind of like me as an undergraduate–having a good time! I was not a great student at Illinois (University of Illinois, Urbana). I didn’t work at it so I missed chances to take better courses. I am a better student now! I work hard to stay up to date on current events.
How has Texas A&M University changed over the years?
Well, the enrollment was 12,000 students when I started. I think it is 77,000 today. I don’t even recognize it.
Back when I was teaching, I drove a 1959 Morris Minor. I was recognizable around campus for that car. I bought it for $500 from a pastor in Bryan, then fixed it up. It was a cream-colored two door with brown fenders and brown interior, like a saddle shoe. It didn’t have cruise control so I used a dowel rod to hold the accelerator in place on long drives!
What are you enjoying in retirement?
Since I was a boy, I’ve always been interested in reading about historical events and political history. I study small political groups that created positive disruption to improve our democracy. Other interests include 1938-40 when Hitler was ascending. Also, America’s involvement in the Pacific region and the ongoing struggle over Taiwan. Or the time of westward expansion in the US. Some areas were called “settler states” but it was really an invasion. Indigenous people were expected to assimilate or be killed. We’ve been very cruel.
Right now, I’m reading The Struggle for Taiwan. Up next, I’m looking forward to The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi about the torture and murder of Emmett Till.
