Published: November 14, 2022

The Gift of a Spartan Start

By Janet Siroto

Illustrations by Dan Williams

Retired Army Lt. Col. Constantine “Thom” Bougas ’74, said his time at UT opened the door to his long and successful career, which may explain why he has not only been a staunch supporter of the Annual Fund and, along with his wife, Angela (“Angie”), has also made a planned legacy gift.

Most UT students are grateful for the world-class education and good times they soak up during their years on campus.

But some consider their time in Tampa truly life-changing, and retired Army Lt. Col. Constantine “Thom” Bougas ’74 is certainly in that extra-appreciative club. 

“The University was the pathway to my entire future,” he says, remarking that it opened the door to his long and successful career, which may explain why he has not only been a staunch supporter of the Annual Fund and, along with his wife, Angela (“Angie”), has also made a planned legacy gift.

SEEKING THE SUN…AND SUCCESS 

Growing up “literally by the tracks” of NYC’s Sunnyside train yards, Bougas started attending City College there, but his education was interrupted. Army service called. He did tours of duty in both Vietnam and Korea. “The climate in Korea rivals that of Alaska,” he recalls. “When winter came, the Han River froze, and we drove trucks right over it.”

When the opportunity came to pursue higher education via the Army, Bougas was only too happy to head to Tampa’s warm, sunny climate.

“I was what was known as a bootstrapper. I had to get A’s and B’s or the Army would have exited me,” he explains. A history major, he was able to make those grades but can still recall just how hard it was to meet the demanding Spartan standards.

“Although not our favorite memory, Angie and I do recall my cramming at night and her helping me type up papers,” he says with a laugh. 

Bougas found his studies at UT fascinating and minored in education. “I loved learning more about history, particularly the Middle East, and planned to teach,” he explains.

SERVING COUNTRY AND CORPORATIONS 

But the Army circled back with a different plan. They didn’t need history teachers at that time, but, noting Bougas’ success in his studies, wondered if he’d be interested in pursuing the burgeoning field of computer operations. 

Once again eager to take advantage of opportunities presented to him, Bougas dove in. The payoff: a brilliant career that saw him through four years in the Army and 19 years in civilian life.

A charter member of the Department of Defense’s Computer Security Center at the NSA, Bougas worked his way through an array of ever-more critical military roles. After leaving the Army, he played a key role at E-Systems, directing a $200 million development program that involved the security of nuclear delivery systems and then became an engineering fellow at Raytheon. 

Retiring in his 50s, Bougas reflected on his good fortune of a career that involved so many engrossing and important projects. As he looked back, a key truth emerged: It all went back to his time at UT and the superb start it gave him. It fired up his love of learning, his work ethic and his ability to achieve. Excelling in UT’s rigorous environment was a critical turning point.

“If it was not for that UT degree, no one in the Army would have invited me to do anything,” he says.

THE JOY OF GIVING BACK

Contributing to the Annual Fund is one way he showed his gratitude. He and his wife, as Tampa residents, have had the opportunity to return to campus regularly and see its growth.

“When I was a student, the campus had perhaps a three-block radius as Angie and I strolled around the hotel and the grounds,” he says. “Now it’s growing all the time. I couldn’t be prouder. I want to be part of that growth and make sure other students can benefit from a UT education the way I have.”

By making a planned gift and becoming members of the Legacy Society, the couple will help the next generation along. This Spartan Ready philanthropist recognizes the vital role UT played in his life unfolding as well as it has. “We hope that the recipients of this gift will feel the same way, that they too will reflect and give back to UT,” he says. 

Bougas likens his planned gift to the concept of tithing, the age-old tradition of giving 10% of one’s income to a house of worship. While acknowledging that most people want to take care of their loved ones in their will, he feels a planned gift can be a great way to acknowledge a stepping stone to lifelong success.

“Perhaps not everyone can give something today, but you can plan to put 10% of what you amassed in your lifetime to help someone else have the kind of opportunities you enjoyed,” he says.

While the couple are active in a variety of charitable causes — he has been president of his parish council and counseled for a crisis hotline; she has worked thousands of hours for the Red Cross and the Moffitt Cancer Center — staying connected to the campus is an important thread in their life. Whether attending a Legacy Society luncheon or enjoying the Plant Museum’s Victorian Christmas Stroll, they delight in seeing UT’s growth. Their planned gift, he says, is a way that lets them know that “even after we are both gone, we will continue to give to the University and acknowledge how it transforms lives.”