Harry & Rheba Icenhower

Together, Harry and Rheba have more than 50 years of service to Texas A&M University-Commerce. They have served on committees, traveled across the country with the football team and served in leadership roles-and that’s just their involvement since graduation.
For Rheba, her involvement with the university began as a child. She grew up in Commerce, and attended high school on campus at the University Training School. As an undergraduate, she was a cheerleader and joined the Tooanoowe Social Club, now Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She currently serves as an adjunct professor in the curriculum and instruction department working with the field-based student teacher program. Harry found his way to campus after serving three years in the South Pacific with the U.S. Army in World War II. His brother James attended A&M-Commerce, and the Tejas Club, his brother’s social club, provided similar camaraderie to what Harry enjoyed in the military.
After graduation, Harry and Rheba left Commerce to pursue careers in public education, Rheba as a teacher, and Harry as a school administrator. After more than 20 years serving the students of Grand Prairie, however, Harry decided it was time to retire, and the desire to move back to Commerce was strong.

Since they’ve returned, Harry and Rheba’s gifts to the university have only increased, as evidenced by their recognition as Gold Blazers in 1987 and 1990 respectively.
They have devoted their resources and energy to fundraising and recruiting for athletics. They have served fellow alumni as members of the Alumni Association, with Rheba also serving on the board. Their unquenchable spirit also led them to organize the purchase of the larger-than-life Lion that remains a staple at university home football games. Of all their activities, however, Rheba retains a particular fondness for one-homecoming.
“I haven’t missed homecoming in 60 years,” Rheba said. “Harry might have a golf or hunting trip, but I’m always there.”
It is that involvement that inspired Harry and Rheba to take their giving a step further by donating towards the construction of the Alumni Center They were recognized at the building’s grand opening with naming rights to one of the offices.

Harry and Rheba are careful to invest not only in the structures that make learning possible, but also in the students. Their scholarship endowment targets students pursuing the same dreams they did- degrees in elementary education.
“This university opened up so many doors for Harry and me,” Rheba said. “Now we cannot help but give back whenever possible, and stay involved with our alma mater that we hold dear.”

(Taken from the Fall 2010 edition of the Pride Alumni Magazine)