The Bush School of Government and Public Service has named Dr. Roger R. Reese as the recipient of the 2024 Inspiring the Spirit of Aggieland – The 41 Award. Reese is a history professor and serves as the director of graduate studies within the College of Arts and Sciences Department of History at Texas A&M University. This prestigious award recognizes a faculty or administrator whose leadership, example, and character motivate others to share in their impact and exemplify the Aggie Core Values, as well as those of the 41st President George H.W. Bush.
“It is evident that Dr. Reese’s commitment to serving others in all aspects of his life truly emulates the intent of this award. Dr. Reese continues to be a beacon here at Texas A&M and in our community, and I am excited to recognize him as this year’s 41 Award recipient,” said Interim Dean Frank B. Ashley III.
The annual award was founded by and endowed through the generous support of Linda B. and Stephen H. Vincent ’73. Bush School Professor of the Practice Emeritus James “Jim” Olson was named the inaugural recipient in 2022, and College of Engineering Professor of the Practice Rodney Boehm was honored in 2023. The Vincents’ vision to recognize a person who embodies the intentionality and integrity of Texas A&M and our beloved namesake, President Bush, has surpassed expectations with all three recipients.
Stephen Vincent remarked, “George H.W. Bush lived a life that exemplified the Core Values of Aggieland — a purposeful life to make the world a better place. Each day, hundreds of professors and administrators at Texas A&M inspire us to follow the example of 41. Recognizing a truly outstanding role model with the Inspiring the Spirit of Aggieland – The 41 Award is an honor.”
Nominated by his former students and colleagues, Reese was cited for his integrity, leadership, and loyalty within Texas A&M and the history profession, as well as his humble selfless service to his community.
Reese received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 1990 and joined the Texas A&M History Department that same year. He specializes in Soviet social history in general, and the social history of the Imperial and Russian Soviet militaries, in particular. Reese is an accomplished scholar having written five books on the Soviet and Russian military. His work has garnered major awards, including the Moncado Prize from the Society for Military History for an outstanding article on military history and the Tomlinson Book Prize for his book on the Russian Imperial Army. In all he does, Reese leads by example in upholding the highest standards of excellence.
Beyond his scholarly achievements, Reese is deeply dedicated to his students and to enriching the educational experiences at Texas A&M. He has created innovative new courses, led study abroad trips to expose students to different cultures and perspectives and gone above and beyond in his teaching, even volunteering to teach overloads to cover for colleagues. Former students attest to how he has inspired and prepared them for success in their careers. Reese’s service extends to his department, college, and the university, where he has taken on committee roles and leadership positions.
Upon receiving the award, Reese remarked, “I, as so many others, have embraced letting the little light in me shine by doing random acts of kindness, in all honesty, directly inspired by George H.W. Bush’s Points of Light program. His Points of Light program, which the 41 Award is in line with, inspires us to respect the value of the myriad little things we all can do either intently or opportunistically in service to others that build community.”
By Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service Staff
