Dr. Howard Hesby was a Professor in the Department of Animal Science. He joined Texas A&M University in 1971 and influenced thousands of young Aggies in and out of the classroom.

Dr. Hesby and others worked on providing Animal Science students with a suitable place to study in the Kleberg Animal and Food Sciences Center after a renovation in 2004 removed the existing lounge. The idea of renovating the atrium to make it more student-friendly was born. Shortly after, Dr. Hesby passed away in 2005. He was a great friend to his students. To honor the man who influenced more than 10,000 Aggies, it was determined that the planned atrium be named after him, now known as the Howard Hesby Student Atrium.