Stories of impact powered by your generosity
Volleman’s Family Farm sees its partnership with Tarleton State as investment in generations.
How Roy Russell turned hard work, agriculture and generosity into a lasting legacy.
Real stories. Real students. Real impact — because of you.
New endowments expand leadership, counseling and student opportunity
A planned gift honoring David Gilbreath and Tony Henson is creating a lasting legacy for future generations of educators through two endowed funds supporting the College of Education. Valued at $2.5 million, the commitment establishes a Distinguished Department Chair in Educational Leadership and Technology Support Endowment and a Counseling and Educational Leadership Scholarship Endowment.
Tarleton State leadership emphasized the lasting impact on students, schools and communities across Central Texas, noting it as the largest
gift in the College of Education's history. The endowments will strengthen faculty excellence, expand innovative programming, and increase graduate scholarship support. Income from the scholarship endowment will be awarded annually to qualified graduate students, helping cultivate a strong pipeline of highly skilled educators prepared to lead, inspire and serve future generations.
By Abigail Middleton Student Worker, Development Communications and Content Creation
It was through connections made at livestock and land judging contests and relatives who lived nearby that Roy Russell found himself a student at Tarleton State University. These early ties and a strong agriculture program allowed Roy to fit right in.
Tarleton State turned out to be an excellent experience for Roy. He began as a prevet major but switched to agricultural education during his sophomore year. He remembers the dean telling him in his first class that the people sitting on either side of the students would no longer be there the following semester, and, as it turned out, the ones sitting next to Roy were not.
hired as a county extension agent.
Roy spent the next 10 years serving as an extension agent in multiple counties. Being an extension agent for so long allowed Roy to make several meaningful connections and contribute to various agricultural advancements, but when his father called to ask if he wanted to help manage the family ranch, Roy knew it was time to leave extension and return home.
"It has gotten really competitive on the agricultural education side, and I wanted to do something. I know it is not a lot, but offering somebody a $500 per semester scholarship to recruit a good kid and get them in the agricultural education program was a way I felt like I could give back."
'95 GIVING WITH PURPOSE
- ROY RUSSELL
That first semester at Tarleton State taught Roy a great deal. He learned how to study, pass his classes and enjoy campus life. Roy was very involved in intramural sports and went on recruitment trips for Collegiate FFA, where he met some of the people he remains close with today.
While Roy was a student, he worked for US Tobacco. Roy's schedule allowed him to work around his college classes and make connections with potential future employers. One of these potential employers was the district extension officer. Roy told this gentleman he wanted a chance to interview for a job. Roy underwent three rounds of interviews and was eventually
After Roy moved back home, he once again became involved with Tarleton State. He first joined the Texan Club, but since he knew how competitive the field of agricultural education had become, Roy created the Roy D. Russell Family Agricultural Education Scholarship. To Roy, this scholarship was his way to give back to the university that educated him while also supporting a student who had the same aspirations he once had.
Roy has always been a big believer in giving back to his community. He believes that a person should never complain about something unless they are willing to fix it themselves. Roy hopes his children will learn that hard work pays off. As Roy puts it, “Above all, have the heart of a servant and never take for granted what you have been given.” That is the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
For first-generation student Gabrielle Darby, Tarleton State became the pathway to leadership, service and success
By Abigail Middleton Student Worker, Development Communications and Content Creation
When it came time for Kinesiology and Sports Management major Gabrielle Darby to graduate from high school, she was worried college would not be an option. Then she toured Tarleton State University and saw how welcoming and affordable it was. She discovered she was eligible for scholarships and the Tarleton Promise Program, and it was clear she had found her university home.
Darby began her Tarleton State journey as a firstgeneration student. She received the Mike and Sena Leese Leadership Scholarship and the Joe R. and Dr. Teresa Lozano Long Scholarship and was accepted into the Tarleton Promise Program.
Scholarships and support through the Promise Program saved Darby thousands of dollars in student loan debt while also covering her housing costs, easing the financial burden of college.
Once Darby started college, she made it a goal not to let others' negative experiences stop her from making her own. She joined the Student Government Association, the Red Cross Club and Zeta Phi Beta, and she served on the Inner Greek Council and in the Health Sciences Department. Through her involvement in these organizations, Darby earned the distinction of
being the first Tarleton State student to attend and present at the Big XII Conference on Student Government and Leadership and the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference.
Being a first-generation student and maintaining active involvement in campus life have been Darby's proudest accomplishments since coming to Tarleton State. She believes her involvement on campus has been instrumental to her academic success and feels that the more involved a student is, the more likely they are to stay in college. Darby often reaches out to students sitting alone and helps them find ways to get involved.
For Darby, college has been a series of exciting firsts. From becoming a first-generation college student to taking on leadership roles and representing Tarleton State at regional conferences, each experience has broadened her perspective and fueled her ambition.
Upon her graduation next May, Darby plans to pursue her MBA and then attend law school.
“When people ask me why I chose Tarleton State University, I always say it was the beautiful campus and the affordability.”
– GABRIELLE DARBY '27 Junior, Kinesiology and Sports Management
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"One of my favorite things about my position is being able to lead the initiatives on community involvement and local partnerships like this (Team Tarleton), and, as the daughter of an educator, being able to give back to passionate students has a big impact on me."
- SHELBY VOLLEMAN
Volleman’s Family Farm is helping nourish both students and the future of agriculture through its partnership with Tarleton State
By Abigail Middleton Student Worker, Development Communications and Content Creation
Since 1993, when Frank and Annette Volleman moved their family from Luxembourg to Texas to open Volleman's Family Farm, the farm has grown into a thriving dairy business built on sustainability, animal welfare and transparency. Together, the family works hard to ensure the farm stays true to its mission of creating highquality products and its values of giving back.
As Volleman's Family Farm has grown, so have its connections with the community. Over the years, they have worked with Children's Health and Texas FFA. When Tarleton State approached them about sponsoring Team Tarleton®, the Texan Excellence Fund's premier corporate sponsorship, it seemed like the next best step. The Volleman's eldest son, Ben, had previously attended Tarleton State. Team Tarleton® aligned the Vollemans' desire to give back locally with their commitment to supporting Tarleton State University.
By becoming a sponsor of Team Tarleton®, the Vollemans realized their products could go beyond being just greattasting; they could change student's lives. Their values were a natural fit with Tarleton State. Both are strongly focused on the future and place emphasis on agriculture. Volleman's Family Farm and Tarleton State both recognize
the importance of dairy in our communities and everyday lives.
It is from these shared values that Volleman's Family Farm decided to become an official dairy partner of Tarleton State. In the few, short months since, the partnership has proven to be a match made in heaven.
For the Volleman family, their ongoing relationship with Tarleton State is more than a partnership; it is an ongoing investment in future generations and their local community. The Vollemans encourage other prospective supporters to do the same and consider their potential impact on the lives of Tarleton State students.
Through the Texan Corps of Cadets, Carter McKay developed the leadership skills that will guide his military career
By Abigail Middleton Student Worker, Development Communications and Content Creation
Raised in Granbury, Texas, Carter McKay came to Tarleton State University as a business marketing major and left ready to start a prestigious military career. In his time at Tarleton State, McKay served as a Tarleton Transition Mentor and was an active member of the Texan Corps of Cadets.
Being in the Texan Corps of Cadets not only shaped McKay's Tarleton State experience but also presented opportunities he would not have had otherwise, including scholarships. Every scholarship awarded meant McKay could focus on being a cadet and building his leadership skills rather than working through college.
Through the Texan Corps of Cadets, McKay became very involved in Tarleton State's campus life. This experience taught him not only military and Tarleton State traditions but instilled appreciation for the university and valuable life lessons. One of those lessons came between McKay's sophomore and junior years. He was accepted into the Army's Air Assault School, also known as the Army's Ten Toughest Days. Unfortunately, McKay was dropped from the program, but the experience became a turning point. He rebounded by earning second place in his regiment at Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, ranking second out of 580 cadets, demonstrating resilience and growth.
The most valuable lesson McKay learned through the Texan Corps of Cadets was leadership. McKay determined what kind of leader he wanted to be, and, by his senior year, earned the chance to prove himself. McKay was selected to lead the Texan Corps of Cadets as Corps Commander, the highest position a student can hold. As the Corps Commander, McKay provided oversight and intent. He was present for every event, offering guidance and motivation to all cadets. Each day, he strived to be the leader and inspiration his fellow cadets needed.
Since graduating from Tarleton State this May, McKay plans to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, to complete Ranger School. Afterward, he plans to report to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY, and then pursue a 20-year military career.
Through Team Tarleton®, corporate sponsors directly impact students by funding tuition assistance, housing, wellness programs and other resources that support success. These investments open doors for first-generation and underserved students, equipping them with the tools to pursue their education and future careers. By joining Team Tarleton®, businesses become partners in shaping the next generation of leaders while aligning their brands with a legacy of excellence and service.
Team Tarleton® sponsors play a vital role in strengthening the university community and expanding access to life-changing opportunities. Their support fuels achievement, builds confidence and ensures Texans have the resources to thrive academically and professionally. Scan the code to learn how your business can make a lasting impact at Tarleton State University.
