College Station, Texas – November 14, 2012

Three outstanding alumnae will be presented with the Women’s Legacy Award in a Friday, November 16 ceremony in the University Center Exhibit Hall starting at 3:30 p.m.

The Women Former Students’ Network established the Women’s Legacy Award to honor women who have achieved excellence as a student or former student and whose accomplishments have had an impact on future generations of Aggie Women.

Recipients of the 2012 Women’s Legacy Award are:

Laura Dean Mooney ’82 is the Immediate Past National President for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Through her work, she has influenced many lives and has improved the delivery of services to those individuals affected by drunk driving. She has been directly or indirectly responsible for increasing awareness of underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Currently, Laura is the Program Coordinator with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and provides coordination of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Statewide Alcohol Grant. Both as a spokesperson for MADD and with the AgriLife Extension Service, Laura has educated and influenced current and future generations of Aggie Women about alcohol awareness, underage drinking prevention, and drunk driving. As Aggie Women have families, the influence she has demonstrated on local, state, and national levels, will continue to touch future generations. Laura graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in 1982.

Elizabeth (Liz) Rigney ’79 is a devoted community servant. She has volunteered and provided leadership to over 18 organizations, including as incoming Chairman of the Board and current Co-Chair of the $8 million Capital Campaign of Camp for All – a non-profit, barrier-free camp for children and adults with special needs; as the third time Chairman of the Houston Theta Charity Antiques Show – a nationally recognized fundraising event that supports Texas Children’s Hospital, Bayou Bend, Theta Foundation and other beneficiaries in the Houston community; and as President and board member of Holly Hall Christian Retirement Community – a non-profit independent, assisted and healthcare retirement organization. Liz has been an inspiration to the young Aggie Women who have been fortunate to work with her while as students and as graduates. Over the years she has mentored many young women particularly those in Greek Organizations from helping them to grow as thoughtful, compassionate women to supporting them in times of need. Liz graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology in 1979.

Carri Baker Wells ’84 joined the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP after receiving her BBA in Marketing and now serves as a Key Executive and Chief Operations Officer for the firm’s San Antonio Office. She has served Texas A&M through leadership positions on the San Antonio A&M Club, the Association of Former Students, and Development Board for the Mays College of Business. Carri became the first woman to Chair the 12^th Man Foundation in 2002. Her other civic roles over the past 25 years have focused on education and economic development endeavors at the local and state level including Chair of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Tri Chair for the City of San Antonio’s $596M Bond Program, Chair of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women and Circle of Red. In 2007 she helped reestablish the San Antonio ISD Foundation to support the District in becoming a model urban school system and she has served as the board Chair for the past three years.

“The WFSN is honored and privileged to bestow the Women’s Legacy Awards on such deserving alumnae. These women former students have demonstrated leadership, scholarship and service and have had and continue to have an impact on future generations of Aggie Women” says Melanie Cheairs ’85, current president of the WFSN..