BLINN ANNOUNCES SIX INDUCTEES FOR 2025 HALL OF HONOR

  

Six honorees with longstanding ties to the Blinn College District are being inducted into the Blinn College Alumni and Friends Association Hall of Honor on Oct. 3.

June Dreyer, Floyd Hogan, Kevin Ray, Michael Schaefer, Kay Schwartz, and Karen Thornton will be recognized as 2025 inductees at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Janis Sneed Banquet Room in the Student Center on the Blinn-Brenham Campus.

Tickets are $40 for an individual and $300 for a table of eight. They are available at the Blinn College Foundation Office, 706 College Avenue, or by calling 979-830-4179.

The Hall of Honor, held annually, recognizes Blinn distinguished alumni, local business leaders, and those who have made a significant impact in their communities or professions. They are recognized during Blinn’s homecoming week.

“Blinn College is proud to induct six distinguished individuals into the Blinn Hall of Honor this year,” said Hannah Jenkins, President of the Alumni and Friends Association. “This momentous occasion celebrates their outstanding contributions and lasting impact on the College. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and leadership, which continue to inspire and shape a bright future for Blinn College.”

The Alumni and Friends Association maintains contact with all former students and friends of the College, encourages support for and participation in the educational, cultural, athletic, and social programs of the College, encourages personnel recruitment by members, assists the College in achieving planned goals and objectives, and provides fellowship among former students and friends.

JUNE DREYER

June Dreyer, wife of the late legendary Blinn College Athletic Director and Head Baseball, Head Football Coach Leroy Dreyer, is being recognized for her immeasurable influence on Buccaneer athletics and the Brenham community. While Coach Dreyer’s career and accomplishments have long been celebrated, those who know the couple say that his story could not be told without June by his side.

For 36 years, during her husband’s tenure as Blinn’s Athletic Director, June shaped the lives of student-athletes, coaches, and their families. After supporting Leroy through his education at the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University, she encouraged his decision to return to Blinn in 1958 and dedicate his career to the College. They moved into a home on the Blinn campus, which quickly became more than just a residence. June kept her door open to athletes, coaches, and families, earning the title of “Mama June.”

Life for the Dreyer family revolved around Blinn sports. Whether it was helping Leroy set up sprinklers on the football field, washing the team’s uniforms late into the night in the Field House, or dragging the baseball field behind an old Army jeep with a rake chain in preparation for the next game or practice, June was there, side by side with her husband. When Leroy didn’t have a statistician, June became one, often staying up past midnight keeping records for football and baseball. In the early years, when Leroy had only a part-time student secretary, June filled the gap by helping with grading papers, typing reports, and ensuring everything was ready for the next day.

June attended every Blinn game, home or away, bringing along her three children. She even served as a chaperone on Blinn’s band buses for long road trips and chaperoned campus dances. If anything was needed, June was the first to step up, ensuring her husband and Blinn College always had her full support.

Generations of Buccaneers remember her not only for her hospitality but also for her guidance and encouragement. University of Houston Head Football Coach Willie Fritz and his wife Susan recall how their early years in Brenham were shaped by the kindness and mentorship found in the Dreyer home. To this day, it is rare to hear stories of Coach Dreyer without mentioning June, whose presence was at the heart of Blinn athletics.

June’s service extended well beyond the College. She served as President of the Blinn College Women’s Faculty Club, chaired the March of Dimes, and led the Brenham Cancer Association. She also gave her time as both a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader and was active in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Eastern Star, and the Fortnightly Club. A woman of deep faith, she was a member of First Baptist Church and later First United Methodist Church of Chappell Hill.

Her legacy continues through the June & Leroy Dreyer Scholarship, which provides opportunities for future generations of student-athletes. Blinn’s baseball stadium is named in his honor – Leroy Dreyer Field.

In 2017, Coach Dreyer was inducted into theAmerican Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Earlier in his career, he was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the NJCAA Football Coaches Hall of Fame, the Karl Young Baseball League Hall of Fame, the Blinn College Ex-Student Hall of Fame, and the Brenham High School Football Hall of Honor.

FLOYD HOGAN

Hogan was one of the premier athletes in Blinn’s illustrious sports history, earning All-America recognition in football and track/field in 1972. He was a two-way player in football (defensive back and receiver) and competed in the sprints, high jump, long jump, and relays in track.

Hogan was inducted twice into the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Hall of Fame, once as an individual and then as a member of the 1972 undefeated Blinn football team.

He then attended the University of Arkansas, earning a football scholarship and studying dairy science and agronomy.

Hogan had a seven-year career in pro football before retiring due to injuries. After his pro career ended, he established and ran a 168-acre, 750-cow dairy operation.

Hogan has been active in agriculture, including serving as an advisor to Development for Peace International, which provides aid to needy people.

KEVIN RAY

He attended Blinn after graduating from Brenham High School in 1992, then transferred to Sam Houston State University. Ray used the reverse transfer program to earn a degree from Blinn in 1998 (to qualify for reverse transfer and receive their associate degree, students must complete at least 15 credit hours at Blinn, meet current degree requirements, and earn a minimum of 60 credit hours across their academic career).

Ray was a member of the Baptist Student Organization and the Ebony and Ivory Club at Blinn. He is active in his church, Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, and in the Brenham community, often promoting the College.

Ray worked in Brenham ISD for 13 years and with the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County for 7½ years as a youth development specialist. He is currently working in Waller ISD.

MICHAEL SCHAEFER

Blinn has always been an important part of Schaefer’s family. His father was an accounting professor at the College, and Schaefer, a Brenham native, taught at Blinn for 20 years and served in its administration. He received a Blinn Teaching Excellence Award in 2005 and was named State Administrator of the Year by the Texas Business & Technology Educators Association in 2012.

While still at Blinn, Schaefer continued a career in construction after building his first home at age 18. He is president of Schaefer Custom Homes, established in June 1986, and Schaefer Development, established in January 2010.

Schaefer currently serves as chairman of the Blinn College Foundation Board of Directors and is active in a number of community organizations. He served on the College Station school board from 2014-22, including as president. In 2021, Schaefer received the Sam Houston State University Bearkat Excelling in Business Award.

KAY SCHWARTZ

A 1982 graduate of Blinn College, Kay Schwartz is the daughter of the late Walter Schwartz, former Brenham Mayor and Chancellor and President of Blinn College; and Annie Belle Schwartz, a longtime Brenham educator. She is the fourth member of her family to be inducted into the Hall of Honor.

Schwartz was chosen Miss Buccaneer while at Blinn, was a two-year letterman of the Lady Bucs basketball team, and graduated as valedictorian of her class.

Schwartz earned degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M University before becoming an attorney, graduating with honors from the University of Houston Law Center.

Her legal career started as an associate with the Dallas-based firm of Gardere and Wynne and was elected as a partner in 1999. Schwartz serves as co-chair of the Trademark, Copyright, and Advertising Group and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer and as a Best Lawyer in D Magazine.

KAREN THORNTON

Karen Boehnke Thornton grew up at Blinn College, where her father Ben Boehnke was a head football and track coach and a 1998 inductee into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. Her mother, Sue, was co-founder and director of the Blinn dance team.

Thornton graduated from Blinn in 1976 and was a teacher in several Texas school districts. She is a life member of the Blinn Alumni and Friends Association, has served on the Blinn Foundation Executive Board, and a volunteer with the Clay Shootout fundraiser.

She and her husband Bodley are sponsors of conference rooms at Blinn’s new administration building in Bryan, honoring their parents by naming the rooms Ben and Sue Nelson Boehnke Conference Room and the William S. and Nita B. Thornton Conference Room.

Thornton has been a strong advocate for educators. Her community involvement includes serving as president of the Katy Area Retired Educators (KARE), as an officer with Texas Retired Teachers Association. In 2017, Thornton was honored as one of Katy Magazine’s “Top 100 Women” for her work with KARE.