Spring Break
Businessman, philanthropist Bright dies
By: Ma, Ji
Issue date: 1/18/05 Section: News
Walker said Bright also had a wonderful sense of humor.
"When I visited (Bright) in his office, he would jump out from behind the doors to scare me," Walker said. "He thought it was funny."
Walker said Bright would introduce himself as Bum and would even get angry when some would shy away from calling the millionaire by such a name.
"Bum Bright was a great Texan and an important member of the Dallas Cowboys family," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a statement in December. "He was a close friend and a businessman that I respected and admired tremendously. Our agreement on the purchase of the Dallas Cowboys was finalized with a few notes on a napkin and a handshake."
Regardless of how he was perceived, Bright's passion and devotion to A&M lies unquestioned, and two prominent buildings on campus bear his name.
Bright's biggest contribution was an unprecedented $25 million unrestricted donation to A&M.
"I don't think it appropriate that anyone should try to rule from the grave," Bright said at the time of the gift. "I can think of no person with more knowledge of the needs of a school than the president."
Bright recently made a $5 million contribution to initiate the construction of an athletic complex, later named the Bright Complex.
"He loved Texas A&M athletics, and wanted them to be the best," said Miles Marks, executive director of the 12th Man Foundation. "When we needed the money, he stepped up."
"When I visited (Bright) in his office, he would jump out from behind the doors to scare me," Walker said. "He thought it was funny."
Walker said Bright would introduce himself as Bum and would even get angry when some would shy away from calling the millionaire by such a name.
"Bum Bright was a great Texan and an important member of the Dallas Cowboys family," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a statement in December. "He was a close friend and a businessman that I respected and admired tremendously. Our agreement on the purchase of the Dallas Cowboys was finalized with a few notes on a napkin and a handshake."
Regardless of how he was perceived, Bright's passion and devotion to A&M lies unquestioned, and two prominent buildings on campus bear his name.
Bright's biggest contribution was an unprecedented $25 million unrestricted donation to A&M.
"I don't think it appropriate that anyone should try to rule from the grave," Bright said at the time of the gift. "I can think of no person with more knowledge of the needs of a school than the president."
Bright recently made a $5 million contribution to initiate the construction of an athletic complex, later named the Bright Complex.
"He loved Texas A&M athletics, and wanted them to be the best," said Miles Marks, executive director of the 12th Man Foundation. "When we needed the money, he stepped up."
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com