The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University recognized Krystle R. Beauchamp ’07 and John D. White ’70 as recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award at an annual ceremony held in the fall of 2023. On Jan. 18, a luncheon was held to honor Beauchamp as she could not attend the presentation held in October. The luncheon, which was attended by Beauchamp’s family, friends, Bush School leadership, and students, included remarks from Interim Dean Dr. Frank B. Ashley III.
“Bush School outstanding alumni are chosen based upon their exceptional career distinctions, continued commitment to service, and enduring support of the Bush School. These alumni are dedicated leaders with a sincere commitment to public service. President Bush would be proud to have Beauchamp and White representing his beloved school as Outstanding Alumnus,” Ashley said.
Krystle R. Beauchamp received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and her Master’s in Public Service and Administration from the Bush School. After graduation, she served as deputy director of planning of the Louisiana Recovery Authority in the Governor’s Office, where she developed a disaster recovery policy addressing hurricanes. Beauchamp also served as director of development for the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana and the director of university relations for Southern University at Shreveport. She is currently employed as the communications director and spokesperson for the Parish of Caddo, working to inform over 250,000 people each day.
Beauchamp has dedicated herself to voluntary service as a member of several community-based organizations, as well as a NASA-appointed solar system ambassador, to engage underserved communities regarding space exploration and planetary science. Beauchamp regularly answers the call to support the Bush School by participating in alumni panels and recruitment events.
When asked for her thoughts on receiving the outstanding alumni designation, Beauchamp remarked, “I am overwhelmingly humbled at my selection as this year’s Bush School outstanding alumni. I strive each and every day to be able to live out the legacy of this institution that poured so much into me, and it is an incredible honor to be recognized by the Bush School for my efforts to carry out those core values and mission of our school.” When presented with her award, Beauchamp stated, “I am beyond honored to be a legacy of this institution. I say often that there is not a day that goes by that I am not conscious of the Bush School difference.”
John D. White received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas A&M University and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He has served as a JAG (Judge Advocate General) in the United States Air Force and practiced law for three decades. White’s record of public service includes appointments by the governor of Texas for two terms on the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, where he was elected chairman of the board and then vice chairman. He also served as a board director of The Association of Former Students, chairman of the board of the Ed Rachal Foundation, and currently serves as a trustee of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation. White was inducted into the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor in 2019 and named a distinguished alumnus by The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M University in 2020. White and his wife, Daisy, have given generously of their time, talent, and treasure across Texas A&M University through each of the affiliate organizations and to countless causes for which they are passionate, such as the Intelligence Studies Program at the Bush School, the Corps of Cadets, and a President’s Endowed Scholarship in honor of his parents, Neva and Buddy White ’42, to name a few.
White reflected on receiving this award: “It is truly humbling to be named as Outstanding Alumnus of the Bush School. I revere anything that bears the name of George H.W. Bush. I graduated two years after the Department of Political Science was created. It is somewhat ironic that 53 years later, due to realignment at Texas A&M, I am now an alumnus of the Bush School! The realignment has allowed newly minted undergraduates of the Bush School the honor of adding to the legacy of President Bush and contributing to the spirit of service to others — truly enabling participation in selfless service, which is, in my opinion, the guiding ideal of A&M’s core values.”
