Caleb Lewis ’25 discovered one of his life’s passions at age 4 when he commandeered a small plastic drum from his family’s Rock Band video game set. Little did the Round Rock, Texas, resident know that 15 years later, he’d be laying down the beat for a metal band, writing his own music—and finding a kindred spirit in Ken McClintock ’94, who shares the young Aggie’s love of both drumming and Texas A&M University.
Lewis’s path might never have crossed with McClintock and his wife, Michelle ’93, if not for the Texas A&M Foundation’s new Adopt a Scholar program. Launched during the 2021-22 academic year, this program creates meaningful donor-student relationships for current recipients of a President’s Endowed Scholarship, Foundation Excellence Award or Endowed Opportunity Award in which the originating donor has passed away. This unique program honors the late donors by continuing their legacy of generosity and support of Texas A&M students.
The Adopt a Scholar program also benefits donors who have included an endowed scholarship into their estate plans, like the McClintocks. “We enjoy the benefit of interacting with students while we’re still living,” Michelle said. “And it’s nice to be there for scholars who don’t have the opportunity to build a relationship with their donors. The Aggies receiving these scholarships are outstanding in everything they’ve accomplished.”
The McClintocks, who will fund two scholarships through their own planned gift, first met Lewis in person during a Foundation scholarship luncheon in fall 2021—and the three Aggies have stayed in touch ever since.
“The first meeting was pretty cool because I learned that Mr. McClintock was a drummer, and we had a lot of conversations about that,” Lewis shared. “Not a lot of people are drummers, so it was a nice coincidence that we ended up together. Mr. and Mrs. McClintock keep in touch often over text, letting me know that they are there for me if I have any questions or concerns.”
Lewis, who holds the H.W. McGoldrick President’s Endowed Scholarship, hopes to eventually invite the Katy, Texas, couple to hear his band perform at a future Houston gig. On the other side of the relationship, Ken plans to use his connections to assist the computer science major. “I’m hopeful that my connections can help Caleb with future internships and job opportunities,” Ken said. “Michelle and I plan to show him the power of the Aggie Network.”
A Feast of Aggie Support
