Buc-ee's creator donates $50 million for Aplin Center at Texas A&M
Arch Beaver Aplin III started Buc-ees two years after graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in construction science, and hes been building the iconic travel centers ever since.
Aplin recently donated $50 million to his alma mater for a hospitality entrepreneurship program at the school, one of the largest gifts ever given to A&M from a single donor.
The contribution will go toward establishing the Aplin Center that will serve as an immersive learning laboratory for students, according to Kelly Brown, division of marketing and communications associate vice president at A&M.
They havent built a timeline yet. Theyre in the preliminary stages of the process, she said. Before a timeline is set, they will have to create a design concept, hire a construction company and take all the other necessary steps that come with building a new facility.
Texas A&M Today reported the Aplin Center will offer a transformational student experience through new university programs in hospitality, retail studies and food product development involving innovative degree programs including viticulture, fermentation processes, coffee and food science.
Read more: https://theeagle.com/news/buc-ees-creator-donates-50-million-for-aplin-center-at-texas-a-m/article_abcaf30e-ea7c-11ec-925c-7b6bfa09ca64.html
(Bryan-College Station Eagle)