What is the AFLC and how did it get its start?

The Abbott Family Leadership Conference (AFLC) is one of the premier student development programs of the Memorial Student Programs of Texas A&M University. The idea for this leadership conference was conceived during the “Capture the Spirit” Funds Campaign during the early 1990’s. Texas A&M had provided extraordinary opportunities for many members of the Abbott family, and it was time for the Abbott family to give back to the university.

With the encouragement of their good friends, Jim Reynolds, (former MSC Director), and his wife Pam, the Abbott family proposed the establishment of a new type of leadership conference as a part of the MSC’s programs. This leadership conference would provide sophomore and junior Aggies with opportunities to explore the relationship between leadership and values, and allow them to establish leadership styles based on ethics, values, and morals. With this kind of leadership style, these Aggies would be better prepared to be the responsible business, community, and family leaders of tomorrow.

As has been the tradition of the Abbott family, they have always tried to be personally involved and financially supportive of the things that they believe in and want to promote. The Abbott’s sons, David, a graduate of Trinity University, Preston, Class of ’84, and Frank Jr., Class of ’86, have also been totally committed to the AFLC. They have given of their time and have financially supported the endowment for the Conference. They and their families have participated in each of the Abbott Family Leadership Conferences.

After planning in the spring and summer of 1995, with new student MSC AFLC directors, Paul Henry, MSC advisor, Jim Reynolds, MSC Director, and a great support team of former students from the Dallas area, the first Abbott Family Leadership Conference was held in Dallas, in November, 1995. The two and one-half day conference was limited to fifteen delegates and six directors. The first AFLC was extremely well received. The next four Conferences also were held in Dallas and were expanded to four days. In 1999, Cliff Dugosh, Class of ’86, MSC assistant director, became the advisor for the AFLC, and a Saturday morning community service work project was incorporated into the conference. Beginning in 2001, the Conference was moved to San Antonio and has continued as a Wednesday through Sunday Conference. The 2003 Conference had thirty-three delegates, nine directors and chair persons, plus special guests: four cadets and their adult advisor from the Air Force Academy. Since 2004, there has been two Abbott Family Leadership Conferences – a January Conference which is held in San Antonio and a February Conference held in Austin. The Austin Conference is a direct result of the continued encouragement of Jim Reynolds and the gracious invitation from the Austin Aggies.

The success of the AFLC can be attributed to the superb efforts of the student leaders, excellent institutional support from the MSC and Texas A&M, continued participation of the host city former students, community leaders, parents, Aggie Clubs, and businesses. The host families have been exceptional in sharing and caring with the delegates, and many people have given of their time, talents, and resources. The extensive pre/post Conference activities enhance the interaction among delegates and directors. The personal participation of the Abbott family, in addition to their financial support, continues to be an essential element of the Conference, since they provide an example of values and commitment to community, which the conference promotes.

What is the purpose of the AFLC?

The purpose of these conferences is to help Aggie students put their lives on a rock solid foundation. The conferences are intended to help each individual establish their own value system that will allow them to positively face any life situation. The conferences encourage delegates to set high standards for themselves so that they will be the master of their own destinies. During the conferences, no one tells them what their values should be, but they are exposed to people and businesses that live and operate with strong moral, ethical, and spiritual values. They experience firsthand the lives of those who have found the joy of giving and serving others. Walt Disney once said “when your values are clear, decision making is much easier.” For some, the conferences will be the beginning of a life long quest for joyful living. The conferences are not intended to offer a “quick fix” or a road map for problem-free living.

Many of the outcomes of the conferences will never be fully known to the Abbott family, the chairpersons and program directors, or the MSC staff. It may take years for the highly motivated student delegates and leaders to become fully aware of the value of their experiences during the conferences. There already is much evidence that many lives have been enriched and impacted by a multitude of people that have crossed paths with each other and with the Abbott family. Hopefully, each of the past and future delegates will have a stronger sense of their ethics, morals, and values and will choose to lead joyful lives based on a desire to be the best person they can be and a committment to give to and share with others.