The gift is now official, and $3,082,117 will go to the Chaparral Circle Endowment Fund (CCEF). "This is the largest single gift to the Foundation, and the Aarons are now the second largest contributor to the Midland College Foundation, preceded only by the Abell-Hanger Foundation established by George and Gladys Abell," MC President David E. Daniel said.

 

His affection for Midland College continued as he planned how his estate would be distributed. Through a legacy of planned giving, Mr. Aaron assured that future generations of Midland College students would continue to benefit from his love of the college by willing the majority of his estate to the Midland College Foundation.
 
The Aarons' gifts to Midland College began in 1997 when Mr. Aaron and his wife Dorothy (who died in 1998) responded to a challenge grant from the Abell-Hanger Foundation. The couple gave $1 million to build a new medical sciences building at Midland College. The Aarons then joined the officials from the Abell-Hanger Foundation to urge others to contribute to the building. Eventually, 80 Texas foundations, corporations, and individuals responded to that challenge.

 

The Dorothy and Todd Aaron Medical Science Building, which was dedicated and named in honor of the couple in September 2001, provides a home for the partnership between MC and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Hundreds of MC Health Science students study in the building's classrooms and labs each semester and remain in the area to serve the health care needs of Permian Basin residents.

 

After his wife's death, Mr. Aaron continued to support the college through gifts to the Leona G. and John E. Fox Science Building, Nadine and Tom Craddick Hall, the Court of Honor and various scholarships. With the latest gift to the Midland College Foundation, the Aarons' contributions to the college total $4,626,768.

 

Mr. Aaron often gave his wife, Dorothy, credit for making wise investment choices, saying "I made the money, but Dorothy made us rich." However, Mr. Aaron was known for his contributions to the oil industry. He was inducted into the Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2003, and he received a "Top Hand" award from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association in 2001.

The Aarons had a long-standing interest in both MC and the medical field. Mrs. Aaron attended MC from 1974 to 1976 before pursuing an advanced degree in creative writing. Mr. Aaron was the retired owner of Aaron Cable Tool Drilling Company. His father and grandfather were both medical doctors in the Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state. Mr. Aaron's grandfather was a government physician who brought medical services to the Osage Indians.

 

"Through his 10 years of giving to the Midland College Foundation, Todd Aaron was able to enjoy the fruits of his gifts and see a return on his investment," according to Dr. Eileen Piwetz, Midland College Foundation Executive Director. She noted that he rode around the campus circle everyday, watching the campus grow and the parking lots fill with students.

Until his death, Mr. Aaron maintained a close relationship with Midland College - attending events as his health permitted and celebrating his birthdays in the Aaron Medical Science Building with the children from MC's Helen L. Greathouse Children's Center. In visits with MC administrators, Mr. Aaron always asked about the college and said, "Midland College is really a great place. You all are doing such a fine job." Likewise, Midland College is a premier institution because of the generosity of people such as Dorothy and Todd Aaron.