About the Institute
The Hagler Institute has clearly emerged as an important vehicle for attracting exceptional scholars.
The Hagler Institute for Advanced Study is a cornerstone of academic excellence at Texas A&M University and is renowned among U.S. institutions of higher education.
The Institute brings the world’s most notable scholars—known as Hagler Fellows—to campus for as long as one year to inspire and collaborate with Texas A&M’s outstanding faculty and students. In its first nine years, the Institute has helped bring eighty Hagler Fellows to Texas A&M. Now a permanent feature on campus, the Hagler Institute was the idea of its founding director, John L. Junkins, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and currently Texas A&M Interim President. The concept was proven over a five-year period with startup funds provided by Chancellor John Sharp and Texas A&M’s Academic Master Plan. A commitment of continuing support by Texas A&M President Michael K. Young, along with a significant endowment provided by A&M Distinguished Alumnus Jon L. Hagler ‘58, established the Institute’s stability.
The implications for the academic environment at Texas A&M are astounding. In essence, each year the Hagler Institute injects new academic excellence into a variety of fields of study at the University.
The typical fellow now spends more than six months in residence, spread over a three-year period. Within any one year, it is common that thirty or more visiting world-class scholars are on the A&M campus. The impact of the Hagler Institute on academic excellence will advance at a pace determined by donor support and by the participation of each college as reflected in fellow nominations.
The Hagler Institute Broadly Elevates the Reputation of Texas A&M by:
LEFT: 2017-18 HAGLER FELLOW, JERRY TESSENDORF IN DISCUSSUION WITH TAMU STUDENT
- connecting A&M faculty and students with recognized scholars from across the United States and, thus far, eleven other countries
- fostering advanced problem solving, research, and publications
- increasing external research funding through efforts of current and former Hagler Fellows
- attracting additional world-class scholars to Texas A&M’s faculty as a by-product of their in-residence visits, some using funds from the Governor’s University Research Initiative and the Chancellor’s Research Initiative
- attracting new outstanding faculty and students by providing a unique intellectual atmosphere
Jon L. Hagler made a significant endowment to the Institute for Advanced Study to ensure its permanence as an epitome of excellence on the A&M campus. His devotion to Texas A&M has been revealed throughout his life. A 1958 graduate of Texas A&M University, Jon L. Hagler is recognized nationally as a leader in investment management as well as philanthropy. In 1984, he and wife Jo Ann founded the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, a private, independent foundation that has served as a financial supporter of Texas A&M as well as multiple philanthropic efforts across the nation. Hagler has shown an interest in supporting overarching initiatives to elevate Texas A&M’s academic stature and long-term success. He is highly regarded and respected at the University for both his leadership and his contributions that have spanned decades. Texas A&M recognized Hagler with an honorary doctorate in 2015 and with the 2005 Sterling C. Evans Medal for his dedication to philanthropy in supporting Texas A&M. He was named a Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus in 1999 and is a past member of the Board of Directors of The Association of Former Students. His many contributions include serving as a chair of the executive committee of the “One Spirit, One Vision Campaign” from 2000 to 2006; co-chairing the University’s 1999 strategic planning initiative, “Vision 2020: Creating a Culture of Excellence”; serving as past chairman and trustee emeritus of the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees; and being the lead donor of the Texas A&M Foundation’s campus headquarters named in his honor. Hagler has provided valuable leadership as a member of the Institute’s External Advisory Board since its formation and has— through his generosity—helped ensure that the Institute will forever be a part of Texas A&M. Hagler received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1958 from Texas A&M. He was Corps of Cadets commander during his senior year and served as a Ross Volunteer. He earned an MBA from Harvard University in 1963.
JON L. HAGLER '58
