Love of Blinn brings Luke Eckert to leadership role with Alumni and Friends Association

Eckert eager to tout College as Association chairman

February 3, 2026

Luke Eckert’s appreciation for Blinn College runs deep. A Brenham native and two-time Blinn graduate, Eckert now gives back to the institution that helped shape his academic and professional path as Chair of the Blinn College Alumni and Friends Association Board of Directors.

Eckert earned associate degrees in agriculture and sociology at Blinn, then transferred to Texas State University in San Marcos before completing his studies at Sam Houston State University, where he earned a degree in animal science.

“Blinn was so crucial to me, to prepare to go to these other four-year universities,” he said. “If I had gone to Sam Houston State right out of high school, I would have been lost. I didn’t know how to study. I didn’t know how to take notes in class. Blinn really helped me. It was crucial for me to learn how to grow up and mature.”

After graduation, Eckert spent a few years at Washington County Tractor before accepting a job at Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (BEC) as a member service representative. He’s been at BEC for more than eight years, a job he said he loves “because I get to help people.”

He’s doing the same thing in his role with the Alumni and Friends Association. Eckert was asked by Association board member Kyle Merten, also a BEC employee, to fill an unexpired one-year term on the board. Susan Myers, then the Executive Director of the Blinn College Foundation, asked him to stay on.

“I’d served on the board for one year and I loved it,” he said. “Susan approached me and asked if I’d like to re-up and be on the board for three years. I’ve always loved Blinn, so I said yes.”

For Eckert, agreeing to become the Association’s board chair was an easy decision.

“It’s one of the proudest things that I’ve ever accomplished,” he said. “I’ve always had a passion for Blinn. This has been so good for me in my personal life, my professional life. It’s all come from that one time that Kyle asked me to serve.”

With the Association, Eckert has helped with the annual Clay Shootout, a major fundraiser held every April by Alumni and Friends and the Buccaneer Alumni Lettermen. Last October, he served as emcee of the Alumni and Friends Association Hall of Honor banquet.

“That was the first time I’d ever done something like that,” he said. “When I was at Blinn, I never thought I’d be emceeing at a luncheon with the mayor.”

Eckert praised his fellow board members for their contributions.

“The board makes it so easy. I just love meeting with them. We have people who are talking about Blinn, and they’re full of pride about the school,” he said. “The Clay Shootout is always so much fun. All the Blinn students who help out are so nice. You go out there, and this is what Blinn is – it’s these kids. It makes my job so easy.”

Eckert also noted the support of his wife, Stephanie, an occupational therapist with Baylor Scott & White Health in Brenham. The couple has two children.

Looking ahead, Eckert said he is excited about Blinn’s continued growth and expanding impact.

“Blinn’s growth has been unreal,” he said. “It’s just snowballed. If you wear a Blinn shirt in an airport, people will recognize it. You can go anywhere and people know about Blinn, and I think the new Waller Campus is going to really help.”

The Alumni and Friends Association maintains contact with all former students and friends of the College, encourages support for and participation in the educational, cultural, athletic, and social programs of the College, encourages personnel recruitment by members, assists the College in achieving planned goals and objectives, and provides fellowship among former students and friends.

To learn more about Alumni and Friends and to join, visit www.blinn.edu/alumni.