BLINN COLLEGE HALL OF HONOR INDUCTS SIX NEW MEMBERS

  

The Blinn College Alumni and Friends Association celebrated the induction of six new members into its Hall of Honor today (Friday).

June Dreyer, Floyd Hogan, Kevin Ray, Michael Schaefer, Kay Schwartz and Karen Thornton were recognized at a luncheon at the Brenham Campus Student Center, honoring their commitment to Blinn College.

June Dreyer has been a member of the Blinn family since her husband, Leroy, accepted a position with the College in 1958. Leroy Dreyer served as Blinn athletic director, head football coach, head basketball coach, and head baseball coach during a career spanning almost 40 years. Blinn’s baseball stadium is named in his honor.

Dreyer was instrumental in her husband’s athletic success at Blinn, and was known as “Mama June” to numerous athletes who played for the Buccaneers. She was a staunch supporter of Blinn student athletes, attending games, washing team uniforms, compiling statistics, helping with field maintenance, and opening her home to athletes and coaching staff members.

She was also active in the Washington County community, serving as president of the Blinn College Women’s Faculty Club, chairwoman of the local March of Dimes, president of the Cancer Association of Brenham, a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, and a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Fortnightly Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Click below to hear Dreyer’s full acceptance speech.

Floyd 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.

Click below to listen to Hogan’s full speech.

Kevin Ray’s love of Blinn and pride in the College have led to his being known as an “unofficial ambassador” for the school.

He attended Blinn after graduating from Brenham High School in 1992, but transferred to Sam Houston State University before receiving a Blinn degree. 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.

Click below to hear Ray’s complete comments.

Blinn has always been an important part of Michael 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.

Click below to listen to Schaefer’s full speech.

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 and was a two-year letterman of the Lady Bucs basketball team.

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.

Click below to hear Schwartz’ full comments.

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.

Click below to hear Thornton’s complete speech.

Every year, the Hall of Honor ceremony is held during homecoming week to celebrate Blinn’s most distinguished alumni, local business leaders, and those who have contributed in a substantial way to their communities or professions.