Don Wasek is a co-owner of Buc-ee’s, a chain of convenience stores that has become a phenomenon in Texas and beyond. Buc-ee’s is known for its huge size, wide variety of products, and spotless restrooms. But where did Don Wasek go to college? And how did his education help him build a successful business empire? In this article, we will explore the college journey of Don Wasek and learn more about his background, achievements, and impact.
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Wasek | Texas A&M University | Bachelor of Business Administration | Accounting | 1976 |
Educational Journey
Don Wasek went to college at Texas A&M University, a public research university in College Station, Texas. He enrolled in 1972 and majored in accounting, which he had developed an interest in since high school. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1976.
During his college years, he was involved in several activities and organizations that helped him develop his skills and network. He was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi honor society for accounting students, the Student Accounting Society, and the Aggie Band. He also participated in intramural sports and worked part-time at a local grocery store.
He received several honors and awards for his academic excellence, such as the Dean’s List, the Distinguished Student Award, and the Outstanding Senior Award. He also had influential professors and mentors who taught him the fundamentals of accounting and business management. One of them was Dr. James Benjamin, who later became the head of the accounting department at Texas A&M.
Early Life and Background
Don Wasek was born in 1954 in Houston, Texas. He grew up in a middle-class family with two brothers and one sister. His father was an engineer who worked for NASA, and his mother was a homemaker who later became a real estate agent.
Don Wasek attended public schools in Houston and showed an aptitude for math and science. He also enjoyed playing sports, especially baseball and football. He was an avid reader and liked to learn new things.
He developed an interest in accounting when he took a bookkeeping class in high school. He liked the logic and order of accounting and decided to pursue it as a career. He applied to several colleges but chose Texas A&M because of its reputation and affordability.
Post-College Journey
After graduating from college, Don Wasek started his career as an accountant at Arthur Andersen, one of the largest accounting firms in the world at the time. He worked there for four years and gained valuable experience in auditing, tax preparation, and consulting. He also met his future business partner, Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, who was also an accountant at Arthur Andersen.
The two became friends and shared a common vision of creating their own business someday. In 1982, they left Arthur Andersen and opened their first convenience store in Lake Jackson, Texas, where Aplin’s family lived. They named it Buc-ee’s after Aplin’s childhood nickname.
They invested $35,000 each and borrowed another $150,000 from a bank to start their venture. They worked hard to make their store stand out from the competition by offering high-quality products, friendly service, and clean facilities. They also focused on selling “cheap ice” to attract customers who needed ice for fishing or camping trips.
They gradually expanded their product line to include food, drinks, souvenirs, gifts, clothing, outdoor gear, and more. They also expanded their store size to accommodate more customers and merchandise. They opened their second store in 1984 in Freeport, Texas, and continued to grow their chain over the years.
Today, Buc-ee’s has 32 stores in Texas and one in Alabama. It also plans to open more stores in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Buc-ee’s has become a phenomenon in the convenience store industry and has won several awards and recognition for its excellence. Some of these include the Best Restroom in America Award, the Convenience Store Chain of the Year Award, and the Retailer of the Year Award.
Impact and Significance
Don Wasek’s college education has played a significant role in his success as an entrepreneur. His accounting degree gave him the knowledge and skills to manage the financial aspects of his business, such as budgeting, bookkeeping, auditing, tax compliance, and cash flow analysis.
His college activities and organizations helped him develop his leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. His college professors and mentors taught him the principles and practices of accounting and business management. His college network provided him with valuable connections and opportunities that helped him grow his business.
Don Wasek has also used his college education to give back to his alma mater and his community. He has donated generously to Texas A&M University, especially to the accounting department and the Aggie Band. He has also supported various charitable causes and organizations, such as the Brazosport College Foundation, the Brazoria County Fair Association, and the Lake Jackson Historical Museum.
Interesting Anecdotes
Don Wasek’s college years were not only filled with learning and achievement but also with fun and adventure. Here are some interesting anecdotes from his college journey:
- Don Wasek was a member of the Aggie Band, which is known for its precision marching and musical performance. He played the trombone and participated in many events and parades with the band. He also met his wife, Kathy, who was a member of the Aggie Band Flag Corps.
- Don Wasek was a fan of Texas A&M football and attended many games at Kyle Field. He witnessed some memorable moments in Aggie history, such as the 1975 game against Texas Tech, when Texas A&M scored 20 points in the last five minutes to win 31-28.
- Don Wasek was a prankster who liked to pull jokes on his friends and classmates. One of his favorite pranks was to put shaving cream on someone’s face while they were sleeping and then tickle their nose with a feather.
- Don Wasek was a risk-taker who liked to try new things. One of his most daring experiences was skydiving with his friend Beaver Aplin. They jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet and enjoyed the thrill of free-falling.
Relevance to Today’s Students
Don Wasek’s college journey is relevant to today’s students who aspire to pursue a career in accounting or entrepreneurship. His story shows that college education can provide students with the foundation and tools they need to achieve their goals and dreams. It also shows that a college education can be enjoyable and rewarding if students take advantage of the opportunities and resources available to them. Some of the lessons or takeaways for students from Don Wasek’s college journey are:
- Choose a major or field of study that matches your interests and talents.
- Get involved in activities and organizations that enhance your skills and network.
- Seek guidance and advice from professors and mentors who can help you grow and learn.
- Work hard and strive for excellence in your academics and extracurriculars.
- Have fun and explore new things that enrich your college experience.
Conclusion
Don Wasek is a co-owner of Buc-ee’s, a chain of convenience stores that has become a phenomenon in Texas and beyond. He is also a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned his accounting degree in 1976. His college education has influenced his career as an entrepreneur by giving him the knowledge, skills, network, and inspiration he needed to create his own business. His college journey has also been filled with achievements, challenges, fun, and adventure. He has shared his college stories with us to inspire us to pursue our own college education goals. Don Wasek is an example of how college education can lead to success and happiness in life.