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rom left to right: Lynn Krebs, Paul Bierschwale, Larry Kokel, Ed Elmore, Cydney Donnell, and Nicky Amos—each a lifetime member of the network.

    The Aggie Real Estate Network (AREN) traces its roots to a ranch, not a lecture hall. The Master of Real Estate (MRE) degree began as the Land Economics and Real Estate (LERE) program, which opened its doors in 1975 under Dr. Ivan “Doc” Schmedemann. Doc fostered a culture of camaraderie, and in July 1978 he hosted the first planning session for a student reunion at his “Yoponderosa” ranch near Wellborn. Twenty‑six attendees laid the groundwork for the inaugural Labor Day weekend reunion that same year, drawing 73 participants for fishing, swimming, and networking.

    The success of that gathering spurred formal organization. In February 1979, a meeting in College Station christened the group the Association of Texas Real Estate Economists (ATREE). By the end of 1979, ATREE adopted its by‑laws and constitution in Wimberley—a ceremony that has recurred annually.

    A pivotal partnership with the Texas Real Estate Research Center (TRERC) helped LERE and ATREE survive early challenges. Directed by Dr. Alvin B. “Pappy” Wooten, the Center employed LERE students and promoted the program to industry leaders. The collaboration deepened in the 1980s, with ATREE hosting continuing‑education seminars and fundraising events with TRERC’s support. The annual Legal Seminar on Ad Valorem Taxation, now drawing over 500 attendees, originated from these efforts. TRERC also established scholarships, including the A. B. (Pat) Wooten award and the Ivan and Luanne Schmedemann Endowed Scholarship in 1989, with alumni backing. In 1984, Dr. Wayne Etter’s office moved to the TRERC suite, placing him beside Dr. Schmedemann until 1995.

    As the real estate market evolved, so did the program’s focus, shifting from appraisal toward the full spectrum of investment real estate. In 1995, the LERE program transferred from the College of Agriculture to the Department of Finance in Mays Business School, a move approved by Dean Benton Cocanougher after Dr. Etter agreed to serve as advisor. The program retained the LERE name temporarily but was now awarded by Finance, broadening its appeal. Dr. Etter quipped that this transfer might be the only recorded instance of a department relinquishing something for student benefit.

    The alumni association also transformed. In the early 1990s, ATREE became the Society of Texas A&M Real Estate Professionals (STAMREP) to satisfy TRERC Director Rick Floyd’s requirement that the name include “Texas A&M.” STAMREP’s emphasis on camaraderie and professionalism proved vital during market downturns, especially after the 1986 Tax Reform Act, offering networking and hiring support and hosting scholarship dinners.

    After Dr. Etter’s retirement in 2006, Cydney Donnell assumed directorship. In 2007, she renamed the academic program the Master of Real Estate (MRE). The alumni group adopted the name Aggie Real Estate Network (AREN), and STAMREP, doing business as AREN, became a constituent network of the Association of Former Students in the early 2010s.

    Today, AREN—an integral part of the Aggie Real Estate Umbrella launched in 2024 within the Department of Finance—continues to grow its membership and is recognized for its leaders across valuation, development, and investment management.

    Views expressed on The 338 belong solely to the authors and do not reflect endorsement by the Texas Real Estate Research Center, Division of Research, or Texas A&M University.