50 Years | Bryan Area Foundation

1970 Assets $17,221 1979 Assets $407,678 R i g h t s t u f f , r i g h t c o m m u n i t y , r i g h t t i m e . First Deposit - $500 The Right Stuff In the 1970s , author TomWolfe wrote his famous novel about U.S. astronauts who had pioneered the exploration of space culminating with the moon landing of 1969. It was titled The Right Stuff . 1969 was a stellar year for the country and the Bryan community with the founding of the Bryan Area Foundation. Surely the founders and early members of the BAF could be described as possessing “the right stuff” to firmly establish, nurture and grow the foundation. Their successful launch could also be attributed to Bryan’s prosperous agricultural, commercial and industrial base and community support for exceptional schools, parks, library and the arts. The 23 founders got to work in earnest. President Lem Hawk and secretary John Dwyer created a code of regulations to guide members in the governance process. Mr. Hawk was insistent that the foundation have no administrative expense and always said, “We must be as pure as motherhood and apple pie.” The Aro Corporation produced printed materials for the foundation, and officers maintained records in their own offices. 1974 Officers: Pictured L to R are Juanita Myers, Richard Reed, Ted Spangler, John Dwyer and Lem Hawk First Fund 1970 Hugh A. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship Fund