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Three Corporate Partners Energize Business Education at Texas A&M

ConocoPhillips, Valero and Phillips 66 provide cutting-edge resources for innovation, collaboration and leadership at the Wayne Roberts ’85 Building.

By Hilary Nguyen '26

March 4, 2025

Fronting Olsen Boulevard, the newly opened Wayne Roberts ’85 Building is the latest addition to Texas A&M University’s Mays Business Education Complex. Designed to foster creativity and collaboration, the facility reflects Mays Business School’s vision for the future of business education, boasting a grand atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows and three stories of classrooms and dedicated collaboration spaces that provide an environment for students to sharpen their skills and gain new perspectives from peers of different fields.

This West Campus evolution is fueled in part by industry partnerships. With corporate partners like ConocoPhillips, Valero and Phillips 66 supporting signature spaces, the Roberts Building showcases how the energy industry is impacting business education at Texas A&M.

“Each company’s investment has carved out a distinct presence within the building, and their contributions represent a commitment to the next generation of business leaders,” said Dean Nate Sharp. “We’re grateful that these amazing companies recognize the uniqueness of our students and the opportunity to celebrate them in a lasting way through the spaces they’ve made possible.”

Collaboration Meets Outdoor Inspiration

ConocoPhillips Collaboration Plaza

The ConocoPhillips Collaboration Plaza is the first stop for visitors to the Roberts Building. Designed as a natural connector, the plaza links the business school’s flagship E.L. Wehner Building with its newest addition, creating a seamless flow of movement with three key points of access. The dynamic outdoor hub is a space that feels both intentional and effortless, providing an area for group work, networking or simply passing through on the way to class.
 

The ConocoPhillips Collaboration Plaza seamlessly links the Roberts and Wehner buildings, offering a dynamic space for studying, networking and relaxing under live oaks.

The plaza is the latest addition to ConocoPhillips’ long-standing relationship with both Texas A&M and Mays Business School. “The ConocoPhillips Collaboration Plaza is a reflection of our shared commitment to fostering education excellence and innovation,” said Michael Hatfield, ConocoPhillips chief technology officer and senior vice president, Global Technical Functions. “We’re excited to see how this open and inviting space will encourage connection and cultivate a sense of community to enhance the overall learning experience.”

The outdoor gathering space encourages both relaxation and connection with a covered canopy and comfortable seating complete with Wi-Fi, charging stations and outlets. Its three shaded nooks provide quiet spots for studying or casual conversation, and swing benches among the live oaks offer visitors a way to unwind. All of this flows into the covered patio of the Reynolds and Reynolds Café in the building, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments.
 

“I love how the open garden gives me a spot to catch up with friends between classes, whether we’re hanging out on the swings or grabbing coffee,” said Catherine McSpadden ’25, a graduate accounting student at Mays. “It’s a really refreshing space, and the open design makes it easy to have group study sessions and casual conversations with classmates and even professors.”

Bright Ideas and Bold Displays

Valero Multimedia Wall

It’s impossible to ignore. From the moment someone steps into the Roberts Building, the Valero Multimedia Wall’s presence is immediate. A display that blends technology with business insight, the wall is a central part of the entire facility. Consisting of nearly 290 cabinets and over 1,150 LED panels that stretch across two edges and span three stories, the structure offers students and visitors a constantly shifting snapshot of what’s happening at Mays—from touting the school’s mission and vision to zen breaks, welcoming important guests, and even some special appearances by Aggie’s beloved mascot, Reveille.
 

With nearly 290 cabinets and over 1,150 LED panels spanning three stories and two edges, the Valero Connection offers a constantly shifting snapshot of what’s happening at Mays.

“This wall is a step toward elevating Mays to the next level, and we’re grateful to Valero for sharing our vision and believing in our students,” Sharp said.

The wall, also known as the Valero Connection, represents the company’s relationship with Texas A&M that spans nearly 15 years. From sponsoring a lab at the Zachry Engineering Education Complex and working with Mays on its Trading, Risk & Investments Program to sponsoring Texas A&M Athletics, Valero’s impact spans the campus. The company’s most recent gift for the Roberts Building took shape after Texas A&M Foundation corporate relations officer Damara Lotten presented them with an opportunity to be a greater and more permanent part of the Mays community.

“We’re consistently impressed with Mays graduates’ caliber, capabilities and affinity for the energy business,” said Eric Fisher ’90, senior vice president of product supply, trading and wholesale at Valero. “When we expressed our desire to increase our exposure to the broader Mays audience, Damara helped us develop a meaningful way to make this happen, allowing us to play a larger role in the community by creating a dynamic resource for students—one that we’re excited to see the Mays community make the most of.”
 

Designed for Connection

Phillips 66 Collaboration Room

Collaboration spaces can be found throughout every floor of the Roberts Building. Tucked into corners and lining open spaces, there are spots for every kind of interaction—from singular pods to conversation rooms, students can come together and stay to talk or study all day long.
 

The Phillips 66 Collaboration Room offers a flexible space for groups, featuring a TV monitor, whiteboard and seating for six.

On the third floor, the Phillips 66 Collaboration Room offers a more structured setting. Complete with a wall-mounted TV monitor for screen-sharing, a whiteboard and seating for six, it’s a space that adapts to the user’s needs, whether it’s a quick brainstorming session or a place to group-study for an exam. “It’s our hope that students, even from other colleges on campus, will collaborate in rooms like this, making it a hub for multidisciplinary ideas,” Sharp said.

 Phillips 66 is a leading integrated downstream energy provider who has been a long-standing partner of Texas A&M. From enriching student activities to backing new initiatives across various colleges, its support continues to shape opportunities for future students. “We believe in the values of Mays Business School, and the students we hire from Texas A&M fit right into the Phillips 66 culture,” said Rusty Gott, an early career recruiting supervisor at Phillips 66.  “We continue to look for ways to build our brand with the Mays and what better way than investing back into Texas A&M.”

EMPOWER THE FUTURE: A corporate gift to Texas A&M University can drive innovation, support education and leave a lasting legacy for your organization. Click here to contact our corporate relations team today.
 

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Contact

  • Damara Lotten

  • Chief Development Officer
  • Corporate Relations
  • Call: 979.862.4531

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