Mary Bonham Receives Honorary Doctor of Letters
Degree From TAMU-C Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

In a special recognition ceremony at the Graduation Exercises for the Summer Term at Texas A&M University-Commerce, on Saturday afternoon, local businesswoman and horse breeder, Mary Bonham, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree. Bonham, born in 1928, during tough economic times in Hopkins County, was one of five children born to Annie and Johnny Spencer. From a young age, Mary desired to go to college, but the Great Depression presented challenges to her accomplishing that dream.

However, Mary went to the "college of hard knocks" and worked hard to achieve her goals and eventually enrolled in Nelson's Beauty College in Dallas, where she received her beauty school licenses. Eventually she wound continue her education at Draughons Business School, in Dallas.

Mary married Sam Bonham in 1968, and they created the world-renowned J-B WELD Company. Sam discovered the "tougher than steel" expoxy in his machine shop, in the mid-1960's, and the husband and wife team, sold the product to automotive shops, first in the Northeast Texas area. But, it wasn't long before the product's sales advanced throughout the nation and increased international sales to 27 foreign countries.

 

 

 

 

Mary told graduates at Saturday's commencement exercises, "I want you all to realize your dreams and to set goals, even small ones, and attain those goals, and reach for higher ones!"

Mary has consistently dedicated her time and efforts to several business ventures and numerous community activities, including the donation of funds for Kid's Kingdom in Buford Park, and the Hopkins County Courthouse Restoration projects. She was later involved in the Women's Pavilion at the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, where she donated time and money to see the project to completion.

As most know, Mary is an avid racehorse fan and like everything else, she doesn't "take a back seat." Soon, she became involved in the breeding of racehorses and created and operates one of Texas' few training and breeding stables. Events sponsored by Mary's Rafter L Ranch and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce has led to the development of the horse industry in Hopkins County.

Mary continues to play an integral part in the local Northeast Texas Community and her passion for education has led her to help local students with scholarships to TAMU-C. Currently, two students are attending TAMU-C and will be the first members of their families to graduate with a college degree.

For her many accomplishments and contributions, TAMU-C presented Mary with the Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree, on Saturday afternoon, and hosted a reception for her, that followed. A large group of family and friends from Hopkins County attended and supported Mary in this distinguished honor.

 

 

 

Congratulations, Mary!!!

 

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