The gift is one of the largest in the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s history and will strengthen the school’s excellence in intelligence studies.
As a position supported in perpetuity, an appointment to an endowed chair is one of the most prestigious recognitions for scholarly achievement a university faculty member can receive. But what does it mean to have an endowed chair named in your honor? A longtime Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service faculty member, Professor of the Practice Emeritus James “Jim” Olson, found out when Angie ’84 and Billy Lemmons ’83 established and named the new James M. “Jim” Olson Endowed Chair in Intelligence Studies in summer 2024.
One of the largest donations in the Bush School’s history, the $1 million gift will establish a chair to support the Intelligence Studies Program director, further strengthening the school’s excellence in training the next generation of intelligence professionals. “Jim Olson’s life and service to our country is incredible,” Billy said. “It’s an under-told story, and we are blessed and honored to recognize him in this way.”
A History of Giving
The Lemmons are longstanding supporters of Texas A&M University and the Bush School. Billy, a Kingsville native, and Angie, a San Antonio native, first met as undergraduates and married in 1984 shortly after graduating. Since then, their three daughters have chosen to become Aggies themselves: Hayley Lemmons McQuaid ’15, Kelsey Lemmons Kuhl ’18 and Avery Lemmons Caudill ’22.
To say the Lemmons love Texas A&M is an understatement. Through the years, the couple has generously given their time and treasure to the university, including Billy’s service as a member of the Texas A&M Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2018, where he held the position of chairman in 2022-23. The Aggie couple are also members of the Texas A&M Legacy Society, a recognition given to those whose cumulative, current giving for the benefit of Texas A&M totals $100,000 or more.
Though they did not attend the Bush School, the Lemmonses have nonetheless invested much into its growth. For example, they created the Angie ’84 and William R. ’83 Lemmons, Jr. – James M. “Jim” Olson Endowed Scholarship that supports graduate students in the Intelligence Studies Program or those pursuing a Master of International Affairs degree with an “Intelligence as an Instrument of Statecraft” concentration.
Their latest gift to the Bush School, the endowed chair, will be used to support the teaching, research, service and professional development activities of the Intelligence Studies Program’s director. The couple’s support is one of many reasons why the Bush School’s offerings in the field of homeland security and international affairs maintain high national recognitions and prestige.
Bush School Dean John Sherman ’92 recognized the importance of the Lemmons’ contributions. “What a gift it is to have Angie and Billy Lemmons believe in and invest in the Bush School at Texas A&M,” he said. “Their generosity will reverberate for generations as students continue to learn from faculty honored with the James M. “Jim” Olson Endowed Chair in Intelligence Studies.”
“We are blessed and honored to be the behind-the-scenes spy makers,” Billy said.
The One and Only Jim Olson
Of course, this begs the question: Who is the man fit for an endowment’s name?
Born in Le Mars, Iowa, Olson first visited the Bush School as its Allen Building home was being built in 1997 while he was still employed with the CIA. His CIA career spanned 30 years, including serving as chief of counterintelligence at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and in the Directorate of Operations conducting clandestine operations mostly overseas in countries including the former U.S.S.R., Austria, Mexico and elsewhere.
He was assigned as an officer-in-residence at the Bush School after his first visit in 1997, teaching courses on intelligence and counterintelligence. In August 2000, he was appointed as a permanent faculty member, helping shape the trajectory of the prestigious Intelligence Studies Program ever since.
Though Olson retired in 2022, he and his wife, Meredith, are still very active in ensuring the success of students, including serving as mentors. Angie noted, “We are obviously so happy to honor Jim for all he has done for our country, but we also want to recognize the important role that Meredith played. She not only supported Jim during his often-times dangerous work, but she also had her own role as a CIA intelligence professional, all the while raising three wonderful children.”
The Lemmons’ interest in the Intelligence Studies Program grew after spending time with Olson at the Spy Academy, a fundraising event for the program years ago, where he taught attendees about spy operations. This interest has grown into establishing the endowment to help train newer generations of public servants venturing into homeland security and intelligence studies.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am,” Olson said. “The Intelligence Studies Program is a great service to our country, and I can’t thank Billy and Angie enough for the support they have provided. Intelligence is now a trademark here at Texas A&M and the Bush School, and we have so many Aggies out there on the front lines. It is an honor to be here and help so many young people realize their dreams.”
Olson’s reputation and record makes for a legacy fitting to bestow his name upon an endowed chair for intelligence studies. He has been awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit, the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the Donovan Award and several Distinguished Service Citations. He is the author of two books, titled “Fair Play: The Moral Dilemmas of Spying” and “To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence,” both of which explore the ethics, theory, and methods of intelligence and counterintelligence.
His teaching has also received recognition, including the Bush School’s Silver Star Award and an Excellence in Teaching award from The Association of Former Students. While in the Bush School, he taught courses on international crisis management, intelligence, and counterintelligence, as well as directed studies on Chinese and Russian espionage.
“If you know Jim—or know his record—it is obvious why Angie and Billy would select his name to not only be synonymous with the field but also serve as a marker of distinction through this endowed chair,” Sherman said. “He exemplifies dedication to public service and love of country. His recognized excellence in both his field and teaching have contributed so much to the Bush School students and the school’s mission.”
“This is such a surprise,” Olson added. “I had absolutely no idea that something so wonderful was in the works. We have roughly 350 graduates who now work in intelligence, and President Bush would be so proud of the students carrying on his legacy in public service.”
