Raised on captivating stories of Aggieland from her grandfather, a proud member of the Corps of Cadets during the Great Depression, Evelyn Mullen ’86 was destined to be an Aggie herself. Along with her grandfather’s connection to Texas A&M University, the renowned nuclear engineering program drew her to become part of the Aggie family. Her time at Texas A&M not only sculpted her into who she is today but helped lay the foundation for a distinguished career and her return to Aggieland to establish the Evelyn (Breiner) Mullen ’86 Endowed Scholarship within the Department of Nuclear Engineering.
“I grew up hearing my grandfather’s stories and the great Aggie traditions,” said Mullen. “I always knew I would go to Texas A&M, and fortunately, Texas A&M also has one of the top nuclear engineering programs in the nation.”
As a student, she received the Mitty C. Plummer '65 Scholarship for Nuclear Engineering, which alleviated some of the financial strain of attending college and allowed her to focus and excel in her studies. Now, passing it back, she created a scholarship to support the next generation of Aggie nuclear engineers. In a time of escalating educational expenses, Mullen wants to empower aspiring nuclear engineers, especially those breaking new ground as first-generation students.
Throughout her educational journey, Mullen was shaped by the nurturing environment of the nuclear engineering department. She recalls how professors and mentors persistently instilled a sense of dedication, expertise and excellence, so much that their influence echoes through her tenure at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).I always knew I would go to Texas A&M, and fortunately, Texas A&M also has one of the top nuclear engineering programs in the nation.
“It is hard to make that step up into a challenging program like nuclear engineering, and having the encouragement and support of others and knowing that your faculty have confidence in you can make a real difference,” said Mullen.
While her career took her out of Aggieland, Mullen remained tied to the Department of Nuclear Engineering. She spent many years on the Department of Nuclear Engineering’s External Advisory Committee. Supported by former professors, she was recognized as an American Nuclear Society Fellow. Even more recently, she was selected as a distinguished alumni in the department in 2023.
Contributing to the spirit that can ne’er be told, Mullen eagerly returned to campus to serve on a joint appointment between LANL and The Texas A&M University System as a Special Advisor to the Texas A&M Vice Chancellor for Research, as well as an adjunct professor in nuclear engineering. Embracing this role as an opportunity to pay forward the support she once received, Mullen aspires to cultivate a supportive community and instill knowledge to nurture the brightest minds in nuclear engineering.
Mullen’s endowment not only stands as a tribute to her steadfast journey but also as a catalyst for the future of Aggie engineering; it represents the power of the Aggie network and the commitment to fostering excellence in engineering education.