2016 Aggieland Primer

YourT H E2016 GUIDE to BRYAN, COLLEGE ASTATION, TEXAS COLLEGE B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E GGIELAND P R I M E R A&M UNIVERSITY & BLINN JULY 28, 2016 | 1

Rooted in history.

COMMITTED TO YOUR FUTURE. B AY L O R S C O T T & W H I T E M E D I C A L C E N T E R – C O L L E G E S TAT I O N Welcome to the new name in health care in the Brazos Valley – Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station.

We’re excited about our new name because it represents two nationally recognized leaders in health care joining forces to strengthen the diagnostic and treatment services you’ve come to expect from us. Recent examples of our expanded services and care include: • • • • • •

Robotic-assisted da Vinci® surgical system Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with NICVIEW™ webcam system Accredited Level IV Chest Pain Center Only hospital in Brazos Valley to attain accreditation for all imaging techniques 24 additional inpatient beds Expanded surgical services and operating rooms

You and your loved ones have access to the knowledge and resources of the entire Baylor Scott & White Health network of physicians and health care facilities, the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas. And our local commitment continues as we bring the strength of the Baylor Scott & White Health system home to the Brazos Valley.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station. Changing Health Care. For Life®.

700 Scott and White Dr., College Station, TX 77845

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To learn more about our continuedAcommitment to N Brazos visit us at collegestation.sw.org.

GGIELA D PValley, RIM ER

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Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2016 Baylor Scott & White Health SWCOLLEGE_46_2016_BH

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Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Baseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 A&M Rec Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Become a Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 TEAM, Blinn College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Study Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Spiritual Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Code Maroon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Brazos County Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Corps of Cadets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Association of Former Students . . . . . . . . . . . .28 A&M Transportation Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 About Texas A&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Texas A&M Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

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FOOTBALL

Changes have A& M football progr am moving

By ROBERT CESSNA The Eagle

Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Eagle Texas A&M University defensive end Myles Garrett (15) bears down on running back James White (20), while defensive back Justin Evans (14) gets a hand in during Texas A&M’s Maroon and White Spring Game on April 9 at Kyle Field in College Station.

Photo by Sam Craft/The Eagle Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, seen here yelling encouragement to his defense, hopes to have a good season despite several changes.

Christmas in July?

That’s how Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin feels about his program. He’s changed coaches; he’s changed quarterbacks; and he likes how they’ve helped change everything else.

“I like where our team is right now,” Sumlin told more than 700 at the Brazos County A&M Club’s annual Coach’s Night at the Brazos County Expo, last month. “I like our locker room. I like our leadership.”

Sumlin has made major changes the last two offseasons, which coincide with back-to-back 8-5 records, each time starting 5-0 and being ranked in the Top 10. After the first slip, A&M hired defensive coordinator John Chavis, who immediately paid dividends. The Aggies, after finishing 109th in total defense (475.8 yards per game) in 2013 and 102nd (450.8 ypg) in ‘14, improved to 51st (380.0 ypg). Chavis converted part-time running back Brandon Williams into a starting cornerback who was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. And Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall became one of the nation’s best pair of defensive ends.

A&M is hopeful first-year offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone can have the same impact on a unit that’s been struggling. A&M also brought back offensive line coach Jim Turner to replace Dave Christensen, who was hired a year ago with the added title of running game coordinator.

A&M did run for 20 more yards per game under Christensen, but the Aggies averaged only 4.4 yards per carry, which was 0.2 less than the previous season. More alarming was A&M’s highpowered offense with a veteran line ranked only 50th in total offense (424.7 ypg) and 71st in scoring (27.8 points per game), costing offensive coordinator Jake Spavital his job.

Sumlin turned to Mazzone, someone he’s known almost three decades since they both were assistants at the University of Minnesota under Jim Wacker.

“He’s been around a lot of different quarterbacks and he’s been in the NFL,” Sumlin said. “He’s been a great addition. He’s an accomplished guy; he’s been around; he’s seen a lot. You can’t put a price

on that type of experience.”

Mazzone, who was offensive coordinator at UCLA the last four seasons, also was an offensive coordinator at Auburn, Ole Miss, Oregon State, North Carolina State and Arizona State.

Sumlin added more experience in first-year defensive tackles coach David Turner, who has been an assistant in the Southeastern Conference since 2002. Throw in Jim Turner, who was offensive line coach at A&M under Mike Sherman from 2008-11, and Sumlin has five assistants who have been with him less than two seasons, the other being wide receivers coach Aaron Moorhead.

The makeover hasn’t been confined to the coaching staff.

A&M had quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray transfer before last season’s Music City Bowl loss to Louisville. Then in early May, the Aggies lost a pledge from Tate Martell, seniorto-be high school quarterback at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Martell hassince pledged to Ohio State, but the Aggies have moved on with the addition of former Oklahoma starting quarterback Trevor Knight, who will be a senior. Knight graduated from OU, allowing him to play his senior season with the Aggies.

forward The former Sugar Bowl MVP was named the starter after spring drills. He’ll be backed up by junior Jake Hubenak, who started the Music City Bowl, giving Sumlin a pair of veterans at quarterback.

Knight and Hubenak also went on a Haiti Mission Trip in May along with many of the other team’s leaders – junior All-America Garrett, senior Hall and senior wide receiver Josh Reynolds. It was a good way to bond, doing good for others at the same time.

“We have a maturity level we didn’t have last year,” Sumlin said. “We are excited to be here.

We’re excited to get to work this summer. We’re excited where we are. And we can’t wait to play UCLA on Labor Day weekend.”

The Aggies will kick off the 2016 season Sept.

3 at Kyle Field against UCLA.

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l l a b Base

’s goal l l a b e s a b M & A ill remain w a h a m O , r e v o n tur Despite a lot of

By RICHARD CROOME The Eagle Texas A&M baseball coach Rob Childress preaches to his players to make him write their name in the lineup.

In the upcoming season, there will be more opportunities to do just that than in the past.

A core of 12 players -- who led Texas A&M to 99 wins over the past two seasons, had been consistently in the Top 10, claimed the program’s first Southeastern Conference title and came one victory from reaching the College World Series twice -- has moved on, leaving the Aggies with more than just a few holes to fill.

The Aggies had a school record of 13 players, only five of whom were seniors, selected in the MLB Draft, and all but one signed to start their professional career.

The good news is Childress can use that stat as a tool to show recruits they can get to where they want to be if they come play at A&M. The bad news is that’s a whole lot of talent and experience Childress is going to have to replace in a hurry.

With all juniors and a small percentage of sophomores eligible for the MLB Draft, rebuilding teams is nothing new to most college baseball coaches who have had success, and Childress has with a record of 458-238 in 11 seasons, the last 10 of which the Aggies have made the NCAA tournament.

The 2017 season could be his biggest test since the season he took over for Mark Johnson.

A&M returns two players from the starting lineup of its final game, a 4-1 loss at home to TCU in the Super Regional. Only three returning players started more than half of A&M’s 65 games, and shortstop Austin Homan is the only infielder among that group.

Under the guidance of assistant coaches Will Bolt and Justin

Sealy, the Aggies were the top-rated offense in the Southeastern Conference. More than 75 percent of that production belonged to players that moved on, one of which was SEC player of the year Boomer White and another was fellow junior Ryne Birk, the first-team all-SEC second baseman.

A&M also was hit hard on the mound, specifically in the bullpen with senior Andrew Vinson and junior closer Mark Ecker signing pro contracts. Vinson set the A&M record for career appearances with 105, and had a 2.32 ERA in 2016. Ecker had eight saves, allowed only two earned runs in 46.2 innings and had 56 strikeouts compared to seven walks.

Childress, who lost his No. 1 and 2 starters the season before, may have to lean on his starting pitchers in the upcoming season.

Brigham Hill, a dependable Friday night starter, and Turner Larkins, who finished the season by solidifying the staff as the No. 3 starter, returns and will be counted on to chew up innings.

Freshmen Mitchell Kilkenny and Stephen Kolek were efficient and will take on much bigger roles with Vinson, Ecker and Kyle Simonds, who threw the no-hitter, gone.

The Aggies need look no further than two of their biggest combatants as an example of a team that has to reload and continues to be extremely successful.

LSU returned only one starter from its every day lineup, and was a national seed, while TCU had three players taken in the first three rounds of the 2015 draft and six in the first 10 and was back in the College World Series for a third straight time.

That’s where Childress will expect his team to be in June because no matter the odds or how many newcomers will be filling the shoes of seasoned veterans, Omaha will be A&M’s ultimate goal again.

Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Eagle Texas A&M University shortstop Austin Homan makes a throw to first base during a game against the University of Alabama on April 23 at Blue Bell Park in College Station.

Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Eagle TexasA&MUniversitypitcherBrighamHillpitchesMarch19during a game against Ole’ Miss at Blue Bell Park in College Station.

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A & M Rec Sports

The Department of Recreational Sports provides Texas A&M University students with a myriad of opportunities for fitness, fun and recreation.

Drop-in recreation at the Student Recreation Center (“the Rec”) costs nothing each time you visit because the fee is automatically included in your fee statement. Just show your student identification card for access to the weight and fitness area, indoor courts, third-floor track, natatorium, indoor climbing and bouldering walls, tennis courts and more. Free play is also available at the department’s outdoor field facility, the Penberthy Rec Sports Complex.

In addition to drop-in recreation, Rec Sports offers numerous programs and services to help students and other Rec members live an active, healthy lifestyle.

Offerings include: • Intramural sports • Sport clubs • Group RecXercise classes • Specialty programs • Boot camps • Aquatics classes • CPR certification courses • Outdoor adventures • Indoor climbing • Strength and conditioning • Massage therapy • Equipment rental

The 400,000-square-foot Rec Center is currently undergoing a $55 million renovation and expansion that will increase its size by 25 percent. The project is being funded without an increase in the Rec Sports fee.

Improvements include an additional gym, increased strength and conditioning space, new activity rooms, a new indoor lap pool, renovation of the natatorium, a second entrance, lighting retrofit and an outdoor plaza. Some portions of the renovation have already been completed, and the remainder of construction is expected to be completed soon. For more information regarding the expansion, visit www.recsports4u.com.

Rec Sports is proud of the development opportunities made available to Texas A&M students in the form of employment and leadership. Each year, Rec Sports employs close to 1,000 Aggies, making it the largest employer of students on campus. To find out what types of jobs are available and how to apply, visit the employment page on the Rec Sports website.

For more information about Rec Sports, visit http://recsports.tamu.edu.

Article provided by Texas A&M’s Department of Recreational Sports.

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So Much To Do...

d n a l e i g g A d n u o r All Aat you need to know to become a local Wh

So you’re going to be new in town, and you’ll need to find your way around. While there’s far more to see and do in Aggieland than can fit in this publication, here are basic locations that will help you get started.

MAPS

First, it might not be a bad idea to pick up a map of the area. You can either do this online, or visit the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau. Not only can you get an area map there, but the staff will gladly recommend any points of interest, favorite local restaurants, and which events you can’t miss, as well as point you in the direction you need to go. The bureau’s website is www. visitaggieland.com, stop by in person at 1101 University Drive East Suite 108 in College Station, or call 979-260-9898.

GETTING SQUARED AWAY

Before the B-CS adventures start, it’s recommended you update your driver’s license and vehicle registration first. The driver’s license office in Bryan is located at 2571 North Earl

Rudder and the number is 979-776-3110.

Applicants must complete required forms and pay the required fees.

For tags and registration, go to the Department of Motor Vehicles at 300 E. William J. Bryan Parkway in Downtown Bryan.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

TIME FOR SOME FUN

Downtown Bryan and College Station’s Northgate district are major hotspots for food, fun, live music and even a little theater if you’re up for catching a play. Both locations are packed with things to keep you busy day or night.

And don’t be scared to explore -- there is plenty to do all over the area! Do a little shopping at the Post Oak Mall in College Station or catch some rays by the water at Lake Bryan.

ENTERTAINING THE FAMILY

You’ll need somewhere to go when the parents visit, and luckily, the Brazos Valley is full

Stay updated on news, sports and fun things to do!

of great places to go without having to drive very far. Visit Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, the shops and restaurants in Downtown Bryan, Washington-on-the-Brazos near Navasota or the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, located right on the A&M University campus.

Another great place to visit with the family is the Wolf Pen Creek District in College Station. The park at Wolf Pen Creek offers a variety of outdoor recreational experiences, such as walking, picnicking and playgrounds.

The amphitheater at the park is a main entertainment center, hosting outdoor concerts, plays and festivals. The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley is also near the park in case you want to show off how cultured you’ve become for your parents.

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

There are plenty of adventures to be had in your time in Aggieland. Check with the BryanCollege Station Convention and Visitors Bureau for free suggestions and information, as well as campus organizations or your fellow Aggies, to discover what all the area has to offer.

Article provided by the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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Texas A &M

The Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM (Transfer Enrollment at A&M) Program is a collaborative, co-enrollment partnership that allows students to enroll at both schools with part-time admission to Texas A&M. Since 2001, this pioneering initiative has allowed thousands of additional, qualified students admission into the Texas A&M University freshman class.

The TEAM program is offered to qualifying students during the Texas A&M freshman admissions process.

Participating students are enrolled in one academic course at Texas A&M each semester and complete the remainder of their courses at the Blinn-Bryan campus.

Students who complete 45 Blinn credit hours and 15 Texas A&M credit hours within two years, with a 3.0 grade point average at each school, are automatically admitted to Texas A&M. TEAM students can apply for transfer admission sooner when they meet the eligibility requirements.

TEAM students reap the benefits of both campuses, including access to Texas A&M’s on-campus housing, library resources, recreation center, health center, food services and student tickets to Aggie sporting and performing arts events. At Blinn, they experience lower tuition and smaller class sizes, which many students find advantageous in the transition from high school to a university.

“The TEAM Program is a tremendous partnership that demonstrates the collaborative potential between elite

Blinn TEAM four-year institutions such as Texas A&M and community colleges with strong academic standards such as Blinn,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Blinn College district president/ CEO. “We are very proud to be part of a program that has proven so successful in helping students realize their academic dreams.”

Through TEAM, students enjoy the university experience afforded by Texas A&M and the smaller classroom environment and lower costs offered at Blinn.

Students enrolled in 15 semester credit hours in the TEAM program save as much as $1,500 compared to students enrolled in 15 credit hours at Texas A&M. “Cost savings for TEAM students are phenomenal,” said Dr. John O. Beaver, dean of educational partnerships. “In addition to the lower costs Blinn offers, students are eligible for Texas A&M financial aid, dorm residence and activities such as sporting events.”

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized TEAM with its “Recognition of Excellence” in 2013, and in 2014 awarded the program its coveted Star Award as one of the top educational initiatives in the state.

For more information on the TEAM Program, visit: www.blinn.edu/team.

Article provided by Blinn College.

Blinn College Founded in 1883, Blinn College is the premier two-year college in Texas.

Nationally recognized for its affordable educational excellence, Blinn complements its traditional course offerings with online courses and high school dual credit, and prepares students for quick employment through its workforce certification programs.

Out-of-district students who enroll in 30 credit hours at Blinn in 2016-2017 will save $3,835 in tuition and fees, 44.3 percent, compared to the average Texas public university, and $22,694, or 82.5 percent, compared to the average Texas private university. On top of Blinn’s low tuition and fees, the Blinn Foundation offers more than 200 endowed scholarships available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, academic backgrounds and experiences. Blinn students and prospective students can register for external scholarships and participate in grant programs.

Blinn’s academic transfer rate regularly ranks among the highest in the state and the nation. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Blinn’s academic transfer rate of 39.5 percent ranks second in the state and far exceeds the statewide average of 22 percent.

In addition to transfer agreements with the state’s leading four-year universities, Blinn is home to pioneering co-enrollment programs such as the Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM (Transfer Enrollment at A&M) Program and the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn.

That combination of affordability and academic rigor helped Blinn attract 19,422 students district-wide in Fall 2015.

Blinn recently announced a new partnership with The Texas A&M University System that will allow Blinn to build a new facility at Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus, formerly Riverside Campus. The new campus establishes a new

educational community combining a major university system and a community college at a single physical location. This co-location will allow Blinn College students to transfer seamlessly to leading universities throughout The Texas A&M System in the years to come.

The site also creates opportunities for Blinn to partner with other organizations and institutions located on the RELLIS Campus, including high-end, innovative, private research and development companies, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

Located adjacent to State Highway 47 and Highway 21, the RELLIS Campus is named for the Texas Aggies’ core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service.

As Blinn continues to offer more services for its students, it looks forward to giving back even more to the community.

Blinn’s community service efforts are spearheaded by its Service Learning Program, which combines community service with classroom instruction or student club activities, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility to engage students. Since 2004, Blinn students have documented approximately 577,000 hours of community service, valued at $11.5 million by the Points of Light Foundation.

A recent study found that Blinn makes a $345.3 million economic impact on its community, including $239.5 million in added income by former students employed in the regional workforce, $61.3 million in college operations spending and $44.5 million in student spending.

For enrollment and financial aid information, visit www. blinn.edu.

Article provided by Blinn College.

Both photos contributed by Blinn College Students relax outside the Student Center at Blinn College in Bryan.

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ht ahead ig a r t s t e s s t h has sig l l a b t e k s a b ’s n Aggie me

By RICHARD CROOME The Eagle The Texas A&M men’s basketball team turned the corner in the 2015-16 season.

The next objective is to accelerate down the straightaway for as long as possible.

With a beautiful blend of experience and youth, the Aggies more than backed up their coach’s preseason promise of making the NCAA tournament, a first in five years under Billy Kennedy.

The Aggies’ regular season included a 4-0 mark against Big 12 teams, an overtime victory on Game Day at Reed Arena against perennial powerhouse Kentucky and a first Southeastern Conference title on the way to a school-best 28 wins.

The postseason opened with a run to the SEC tournament title game, where the Aggies were a part of arguably the best conference title game of the season, losing to Kentucky in overtime in front of nearly 18,000 Wildcat fans in Nashville.

There was no arguing the Aggies’ next historic feat, pulling off the biggest comeback in NCAA history when they outscored Northern

Iowa 12-2 in the final 44 seconds to force overtime, before going on to win 92-88 in double overtime.

With the victory, the Aggies made the Sweet 16 for just the fourth time, the first since 2007 when A&M was in the second year of a sixyear run of playing in the NCAA tournament.

Despite losing four senior starters, A&M and Kennedy will be working toward back-to-back NCAA tournament bids this season, which they hope will be the beginning of another A&M tradition.

The Aggies will have to replace three allSEC performers – Alex Caruso, Jalen Jones and Danuel House. With three freshmen who saw extended playing time and were more than just complementary figures

to the seniors, the Aggies have a solid foundation going into the 2016-17 season, which should again keep the fans’ interests with Southern Cal coming to Reed Arena, a trip back to Anaheim for the Wooden Legacy and a Big 12 Challenge game on the other coast with West Virginia.

Post Tyler Davis, wing DJ Hogg and guard Admon Gilder proved they have the abilit and work ethic to be the primary characters of the team.The trio from the Dallas area won’t be alone in building off the 2015-16 season, with forwards Tonny Trocha-Morelos and Tavario Miller returning and a second straight highlyranked recruiting class joining the club.

Point guard J.J Caldwell, shooting guard Deshawn Corprew and the athletic 6-foot7 Robert Williams are all four-star recruits, and will have to help fill the 111 minutes a game lost by the graduating class.

Not unlike last year, Kennedy is also bringing in a transfer point guard in Lipscomb’s J.C. Hampton, who was a second team All-Atlantic Sun Conference performer as a junior.

The successful season brought the fans back to Reed Arena. A&M was among the top 10 nationally in improved attendance over last season, averaging 8,955, an increase of 2,029 from the previous season.

With success sometimes comes turnover on the staff. Kennedy lost two assistants to head coaching jobs. Rick Stansbury took over as the head coach at Western Kentucky and Kyle Keller will direct the Stephen F. Austin program.

Mitch Cole also moved on to take an assistant coaching job at Arkansas-Little Rock.

In their place, Kennedy brought in Isaac Chew, Ulric Maligi and Don Maestri. Chew comes from Virginia Tech and was with Kennedy at Murray State. Maligi was last at SMU and is known for his strong recruiting ties.

Maestri, not unlike when Stansbury joined the staff in 2014, brings tons of experience as a head coach, having won 501 games at Troy over 31 years.

There were no promises made the day the season ended with a loss to Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 like there were the night the Aggies were ousted from the 2015 NIT, but Kennedy and the Aggies surely don’t plan on last year being an aberration and the four previous seasons the norm.

Left photo by Timothy Hurst/The Eagle Center Tyler Davis (34) blocks a shot by Kentucky from Texas A&M University’s Jamal Murray (23) during an overtime buzzer beater win against Kentucky University on Feb. 21 at Reed Arena in College Station.

Right photo by Timothy Hurst/The Eagle DJ Hogg lays one up during Texas A&M University’s win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Feb. 24 at Reed Arena in College Station.

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Study Abroa d Are you ready to go inte The Study Abroad Programs Office works to provide students in all fields and at all levels a wide range of high-impact, international experiences. Last year over 4,000 Aggies participated in course work, research, internships or service learning opportunities in 96 different countries. In addition, the Study Abroad Programs Office contributes to the development of on-campus experiences that foster cultural awareness.

Below is the excerpt from a blog written by students participating in the Research Experience for Undergraduates, directed by Dr. Chris Houser of the College of Geosciences.

Participants designed and conducted research projects that focus on the rich biodiversity surrounding the Soltis Center for Education and Research in Costa Rica.

“This post comes to you from the ecohydrology team. Nathan, Olivia, Gracie and I (Esther) will be focusing on the study watershed’s hydrology, which includes quantifying sap flow, throughfall, and groundwater table depth, as well as

constructing a weir to get streamflow data.

Rounding out our first week at the Soltis Center, we met with several challenges.

Technical issues like finding which USB port actually works on the netbook, locating gaps in huge data sets, and late delivery of materials for the weir site slowed our progress. But we successfully made headway on weir site preparation, relocated throughfall gauges, and downloaded data at the sap flow site. We’re working out the kinks, and with the arrival of three of our faculty mentors today, things are getting into full swing! We have a weir trail, a tarp fortress to keep the construction site dry, sap flow data since January, a throughfall network, and our list of accomplishments can only grow from here.

Something we really enjoy at the Soltis Center is getting to see biodiversity firsthand.

We’ve seen bullet ants, toucans, hummingbirds, vipers, lizards, and heard the beating of bird wings, which we first mistook for jaguar growls.

We also see armies upon armies of leaf-cutter

rnational?

ants. They travel long distances with leaves or flowers many times their size. Hanging up tarps at the weir site, we’d see leaf-cutter ants coming down the trunks of extremely tall trees, carrying their precious cargo home. This first week, we’ve occasionally felt like little leafcutter ants at the top of a tall tree. There’s a lot to do and a long way to go before we can reach our goals, but like the determined ants, we carry on with our eyes on the prize.

We’re excited to continue onward and upward in our projects and to experience more delights of Costa Rica this coming week.”

Sincerely yours, The leaf cutter ants Contact the Study Abroad Programs Office to learn about all the different high impact, international opportunities available through Texas A&M University. Visit Studyabroad.tamu. edu or call 845-0544.

Article provided by the Study Abroad Programs Office.

Photo contributed by A&M’s Study Abroad Programs Office.

An A&M student observes leaf cutter ants.

2016

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JULY 28, 2016 | 13

Nurturing your

spiritual life

After your first day on campus, you’ll be in a daze. Too many faces, too many places and too many instructions. After a week, you’ll miss home and the simplicity of life before college, at least until the first Aggie football game.

Your academic life has many avenues to help nurture it along and keep your head from spinning, like tutors and study groups. In the midst of all the action, you may forget to take a step back and indulge your spiritual side.

Many organizations around the BryanCollege Station area have programs to help nurture your spiritual life. These programs come in various forms, and can be found all around the area. There are Bible- and

church-related programs such as Bible study groups, worship services, retreats and choirs.

If you are wanting to find a religion that fits you or wish to join a church that reminds you of the one where you grew up, The Eagle has a complete listing of all churches online.

The worship directory lists the pastors and gives information about each church across the Brazos Valley. For more information, visit www.theeagle.com/brazos_life/worship_ directory.

For a list of A&M religious groups, visit the Student Activities website at studentactivities.tamu.edu, and click on “Get involved,” then “Organization Search,” and look under the “Religious” category.

Aggie Catholics

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CODE MAROON Code Maroon is Texas A&M University’s emergency notification system. Code Maroon uses multiple notification methods in a best effort to reach campus members in an emergency – by SMS text message, Texas A&M email, KAMU-FM radio, campus cable television, Emergency Alert System radios, desktop pop-ups, classroom speakers, Twitter and RSS. Code Maroon is only used to provide official notification of critical situations that pose an imminent, physical threat to the community.

To receive text message alerts, campus members must have a Texas A&M NetID or Single Sign On (SSO) identifier and sign up for Code Maroon. The University strongly encourages campus members to sign up to receive text message alerts as recent tests of the Code Maroon system indicate that text messaging is a faster method of notification than email. Anyone can receive Code Maroon alerts by subscribing to the Code Maroon RSS feed or following “TAMUCodeMaroon” on Twitter.

In an emergency, Texas A&M will

post additional emergency updates and announcements at http://emergency.tamu. edu as they become available. To sign up to receive Code Maroon text alerts and learn more about Code Maroon, visit: codemaroon.tamu.edu.

In an emergency, what should you do?

Be aware of your surroundings.

Being aware of where you are and what is happening around you can help you to understand how information, events and your own actions will impact your safety and your ability to protect yourself, both now and in the near future.

Protect yourself. Based upon your assessment of the situation, use your best judgment to protect yourself and, if possible, others.

Call for help. Any emergency service can be summoned by calling 911 or 9-911 if using a campus phone.

Help others. Once you are safely away from the danger, warn others of the hazard and help if you can without putting yourself in danger.

For more information on emergency preparedness

visit www.tamu.edu/emergency.

Information provided by Code Maroon.

Serving The Aggieland Campus Community

University Lutheran Chapel and Student Center  Lutheran Student Fellowship  All Nations Christian Center

WORSHIP

Sunday Worship Celebration 10:45am Weekly services are held during the Fall and Spring semesters.

BIBLE STUDIES

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Weekly Small Group Bible Studies TBA

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OTHER ACTIVITIES

Service Projects & Mission Trips LSF Retreats & Social Activities International Student Ministry • English Classes

University Lutheran 315 College Main • C.S. • 979-846-6687 • Pastor: Rev. Paul Hoemann e-mail: ulctamu@verizon.net • website: ulctamu.org

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Advising for Student Aid Scholarships Grants Student Employment Federal, State, Institutional & Alternative Loans

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At Texas A&M, faculty and students come together to combat grand challenges through the fearless pursuit of … …education that comprises excellent teaching and transformative student experiences; …innovation born from ideas, cutting edge research and creative endeavor; …engagement that transfers knowledge in reciprocal partnership with communities and industry; and …a lasting impact gained by better understanding ourselves and our world.

Now and always, Texas A&M is committed to leading by example.

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Professor Liliana Beltrán is committed to sustainable design for homes and buildings using tools such as the Heliodon to impact energy efficiency, daylighting analysis and climate responsive architecture.

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TEXAS A&M COMMITS EDUCATION | INNOVATION | ENGAGEMENT | IMPACT

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Brazos Coun ty resource s for student s Brazos County Sheriff’s Department – Located at 1700 State Highway 21 West in Bryan. Call 979-361-4900 or visit www.brazoscountysheriff.org.

Bryan Police Department – Located at 303 E 29th St. in Bryan. Call 979- 209-5300 or visit www.bryantx.gov/police.

College Station Police Department – Located at 2611 Texas Ave South in College Station. Call 979-764-3600 or visit www.cstx. gov/police.

Texas A&M University Police Department Located at 1111 Research Parkway in College Station. For more information, visit upd.tamu.edu or call 979-845-2345.

9-1-1 - Dial 9-1-1 for police, fire or medical emergencies.

Code Maroon - Code Maroon is Texas A&M University’s emergency notification system.

Code Maroon uses multiple notification methods in a best effort to reach campus members in an emergency – by SMS text message, Texas A&M email, KAMU-FM radio, campus cable television, Emergency Alert System radios, desktop popups, classroom speakers, Twitter and RSS. Code Maroon is only used to provide official notification of critical situations that pose an imminent, physical threat to the community. To sign up to

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receive Code Maroon text alerts and learn more about Code Maroon, visit codemaroon.tamu.edu.

Texas A&M Student Health Services – Health services are provided at A.P. Beutel Health Center, located across from Sbisa and All Faiths Chapel. Services include Dial-A-Nurse, EMS, a laboratory, a medical clinic, nutrition services, a pharmacy, physical therapy, preventative medicine, radiology, a specialty clinic and a women’s clinic. For more information, visit shs. tamu.edu or call 979-458-8310.

Student Counseling Service - The SCS, located at 757 West Campus Blvd., provides a variety of counseling services, including crisis urgent and routine situations. For more details, visit scs.tamu.edu or call 979-845-4427.

Pop-A-Lock - Pop-A-Lock is a large locksmith franchise that provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit www. popalock.com or call 979-775-5599 for more information.

Carpool - Carpool, at 127 John J Koldus, is a student-run non-profit organization serving the Bryan/College Station area with free, nonjudgmental rides home every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., during the spring and fall semesters at Texas A&M

University. For more details, visit carpool.tamu.edu or call 979-693-9905.

2-1-1 Texas – The local 2-1-1 call center is located in the United Way of the Brazos Valley office, 909 Southwest Parkway East in College Station. 2-1-1 Texas is a free, confidential, information and referral line answered by nationally certified specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When callers dial 2-1-1, they are connected to area information centers in their region.

Anywhere in Texas, people can dial 2-1-1 and find information about resources in their local community. Whether they need help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment, 2-1-1 can help them find resources. For more information, visit www.211texas.org. For more information on United Way, visit www. uwbv.org.

Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce - The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, 4001 East 29th St. in Bryan, is a volunteer-driven organization that unites the business and professional aders in the area to expand the economy of the area.

For maps and information on area businesses

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and local events, stop by the Chamber of Commerce office, visit bcschamber.org or call 979-260-5200.

Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau – The Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau helps visitors with information such as local attractions, events and places to stay. It also has helpful maps. For more information, visit www. visitaggieland.com, stop by the bureau at 1101 University Drive E. in College Station or call 979-260-9898.

Better Business Bureau - The BBB, at 418 Tarrow St. in College Station, provides a list of accredited businesses in the Brazos Valley that are in good standing with the BBB, and alerts the community to common scams to avoid. The BBB also provides dispute resolution between businesses and customers. For more information, visit www.bbb.org/central-texas or call 979-260-2222.

Compiled by Shauna Lewis, The Eagle.

JULY 28, 2016 | 25

s t e d a C f o s p r Co A&M s a x e T t a n io it ians of trad

, guard it ir p s e h t f o s r Keepe The Corps of Cadets develops welleducated leaders of character who embody the values of honor, courage, integrity, discipline and selfless service, are academically successful, highly sought-after, and prepared for the global leadership challenges of the future.

•The Corps is the largest student organization at Texas A&M, and it is also the largest uniformed Corps of Cadets in the nation, outside of the military academies.

• Cadets learn leadership in a military-style environment that complements their academic education and prepares them for a lifetime of success; however, membership in the Corps carries NO military obligation.

• This fall, over 2,600 men and women will be members of the Corps — all participating on a voluntary basis.

• Most cadets pursue a career in the public or private sector; however, the Corps consistently commissions more officers than any other institution in the nation other than the service academies. An average of 40 percent of cadets pursue a military commission in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps.

• The Corps also offers the Hollingsworth Leadership Excellence Program, a unique program through which cadets can earn an “Academic Certificate in Leadership Studies.”

The program also offers opportunities for internships and job placement for cadets.

• The Corps of Cadets Athletics Program offers opportunities for athletes in the Corps to compete at the club sport level in a variety of sports. Corps club sports teams participate in competitive sporting events across Texas and the United States. Corps Club Sports teams include baseball, soccer (men and women), basketball (men and women), marksmanship (men and women), triathlon (co-ed), marathon (co-ed) and CrossFit (co-ed).

• The Corps Global Leadership Initiatives program provides opportunities for cadets to

study abroad as part of Cadet Exchanges (currently programs established with Germany and Australia), and participate in international excursions, which are highimpact, short-duration overseas experiences in countries of strategic importance to the United States. These international excursions focus heavily on the four elements of national power: diplomacy, information, military and economics, with a heavy emphasis on religion and culture, as well. Recent excursions have taken cadets to Israel, Japan/Okinawa, Mexico, Singapore/ Indonesia, Georgia/Armenia, Germany/ Poland, China/Taiwan, Korea, Qatar, the Philippines, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Chile and India.

Traditions

Cadets in the Corps are at the heart of the Aggie Spirit. Because Texas A&M was a military college for most of its first 100 years, many of its most cherished traditions grew out of the Corps experience. The university’s Bonfire, Yell Practice, the Twelfth Man, Yell Leaders, the Aggie mascot Reveille, Aggie Muster and Silver Taps traditions all originated with the Corps. The Corps of Cadets is thus referred to as the “keepers of the spirit” and “guardians of tradition.”

Cadet life

The Corps of Cadets delivers the ultimate Aggie experience. It starts with a worldclass university with 140 years of tradition.

The Corps builds on that foundation, guiding cadets as they develop their leadership abilities, while focusing on academic success at one of the nation’s premier universities.

Cadets have their own unique military-style organizations, wear distinctive uniforms, live in dedicated residence halls and eat in their own dining facility, and participate in a wide variety of university student organizations and events. Cadets are a large, visible tradition at

Photo provided by A&M: The A&M Corps of Cadets participates in the 2016 Final Review.

Texas A&M, and enjoy the benefits of being the premier leadership organization in the state of Texas, while also being an integral part of a world-class tier one research institute.

Academics

Academic excellence is the top priority of the Corps of Cadets. During the academic day, cadets attend class, study and attend to their personal business. Freshman and sophomore cadets also have a study period called “Evening Study Time” (EST), which is a mandatory multi-hour period Sunday through Thursday evenings. This time is dedicated to studying, projects, group work, supplemental instruction and test reviews.

There are three full-time scholastic performance specialists in the Office of the Commandant, who provide tailored academic advice and mentoring to all cadets, no matter what their major may be. They provide instruction for coping with college academics, assist with course schedules, and provide mentoring and academic assistance to cadets.

Starting in the Fall of 2016, the Corps will have four, four-story Leadership Learning Centers equipped with state-of-the-art computer labs, as well as small and large group study rooms. These facilities are located on the Quad, where the cadets live, and are dedicated solely to the academic success and professional development of our cadets.

The Corps provides academic support for cadets to help them achieve academic success.

Supplemental instruction, tutoring, test reviews and on-call academic assistance are all provided free to cadets to help them succeed academically in a very rigorous academic environment at Texas A&M. Cadets have achieved some of the highest grade point ratios (GPRs) ever achieved in recent years, and four-year graduation rates for cadets exceed the university rates.

Corps Special Units

Photo provided by A&M: The Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets forms a Block T on Kyle Field.

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The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is the largest military collegiate marching band in the United States. The band is famous for its unique style

AGGIELAND PRIMER

of military precision drill and is an integral part of the Corps of Cadets. Performing at all home football games and several away games, the Aggie Band is one of the most-traveled university marching bands in the nation. This fall, the band will have approximately 430 members.

The Ross Volunteer Company, the oldest student organization in the state, is a very prestigious, highly select student organization composed of junior and senior cadets. The unit is the official Honor Guard for the Governor of Texas and marches in major parades and participates in various campus events throughout the year.

Parsons Mounted Cavalry, formed in 1973, is the only collegiate mounted cavalry unit in the nation, and is reminiscent of the mounted cavalry once present at Texas A&M. This is a parade and show unit composed of 50 horses and four mules, as well as an artillery half section. The Cavalry unit, comprised of junior and senior cadets, represent the university at ceremonial events and parades across Texas.

Fish Drill Team is a precision drill team composed entirely of freshman cadets. They compete in precision drill competitions around the country, and have won the National Championship almost every year since they were created in 1946.

Additional Corps special units also include the Corps Color Guard, the Corps Center Guard and the O.R. Simpson Honor Society, a prestigious corps unit for those cadets who have achieved academic excellence at Texas A&M. Reveille, the official mascot of Texas A&M, is cared for by Company E-2 in the Corps of Cadets.

Members of the Corps represent Texas A&M University at numerous public events throughout the year. They provide a visible reminder of the legacy of Texas A&M at many campus, state and national ceremonies.

The Corps of Cadets is open to all qualified applicants, and membership in the Corps carries no military obligation.

For more information, see corps.tamu.edu or facebook.com/aggiecorps.

Article provided by the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

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JULY 28, 2016 | 27

The Association of Former Students Throughout your Aggie experience -- from your new student conference to ordering your Aggie Ring, to commencement, to Muster and even your 50-year class reunion -- one organization, The Association of Former Students, will be with you each step of the journey.

Founded in 1879, The Association of Former Students will provide a total impact of $11.2 million to Texas A&M University during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Your first experience with The Association will likely be during your New Student Conference, as you experience the historical and interactive exhibits in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center, detailing the organization’s history and impact on Texas A&M. On these same grounds, you and your classmates will try on a Class of 2020 Aggie Ring and gather for yell practice surrounding the 12-foot bronze Aggie Ring on the Haynes Ring Plaza during Gig’em Week GatheRing. As you become involved in student life, The Association will be there, as well, providing staff support and funding for scholarships, traditions and student activities.

Toward the end of your time as a student, you will visit The Association to order your own Aggie Ring and celebrate that achievement on Ring Day! As graduation approaches, you and your family will be invited to attend The Next Tradition (TNT) to learn how you can remain active with the Aggie Network and become involved in supporting the organization that enriched your collegiate experience.

When you graduate, you may leave

College Station, but you will always be part of the Aggie Network and will have a home in Aggieland – the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. When you return for football games, you can watch the game on the Alumni Center’s Huddleston Video Wall in a familyfriendly environment. As you gather for class reunions, you can reminisce and share the story of Texas A&M with your family through exhibits housed on the Neely Mezzanine. You can find information on local A&M Clubs, Aggie Muster gatherings in your area and the annual Coach’s Nights events through AggieNetwork.com.

And who knows, you might even become one of the select few honored each year by The Association and Texas A&M as a Distinguished Alumnus! Most importantly, as a former student, you can assure that future generations of Aggies enjoy an inspiring and enriching collegiate experience by faithfully giving back through The Association’s Annual Fund, just as those who preceded you have done for 137 years.

The Association of Former Students proudly promotes Texas A&M and our core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service, and connects Aggies to one another and to their alma mater. To learn more about The Association, please visit www.

AggieNetwork.com, call 979-845-7514 or follow Aggie Network on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Article provided by The Association of Former Students.

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Photo by Patrick Danielczyk A 12-foot Aggie ring statue is featured outside The Association of Former Students building.

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New Athletic Director Woodward praises

accomplishments, looks for more

By ROBERT CESSNA The Eagle

Scott Woodward hasn’t been on the job a year, but Texas A&M’s new athletic director already has raised the bar of success.

The Aggies made the postseason in all 20 NCAA-sanctioned sports in the 2015-16 school year, the lone Division I school in the country to accomplish that.

“And that’s phenomenal,” said Woodward at the Brazos County A&M Club’s Coach’s Night in June. “And to add to that, our athletic program is the only SEC program to make the postseason in football, basketball and baseball. And it’s just really something that we’re very proud of because we all know how competitive the SEC is.”

The football team was 8-5, playing in the Music City Bowl. The men’s basketball team reached the Sweet 16, setting a school record for victories in a season with 28. And the baseball team ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the country, falling to TCU in the Super Regionals.

Woodward congratulated those coaches – football’s Kevin Sumlin, basketball’s Billy Kennedy and baseball’s Rob Childress – but told them and all the others under his command those kind of accomplishments are expected.

“Our goals are very simple,” Woodward said. “Our goals are to win SEC and national championships, and we’re not going to shy away from them.”

Along with athletic success, A&M’s had great academic success with 314 student-athletes having at least a 3.0 grade point average in the spring semester. The men’s basketball program, which a few years ago flirted with being penalized with low NCAA Academic Progress Report (APR) scores, had a multi-year rate of 974, the program’s second-highest mark since the NCAA began releasing APR scores in 2005-06. Yet the men’s score was only 11th best at A&M, which showed improvement in 10 other sports from last year, and the Aggies were well above the required standard in all 17 programs monitored by the APR. “We want to give our student-athletes an incredible experience first and foremost, and that means having them compete at the highest level on the field of play,” Woodward said. “It also means giving them a world-class education, which we have here. We have to continue to make sure we graduate our student-athletes and do give them that great experience.”

Something else that’s helped attract studentathletes to A&M are world-class facilities. The recent $485 million renovation of Kyle Field is the centerpiece of that, and the A&M Board of Regents approved two more additions early this year for softball and track.

The softball stadium will seat 2,000 and replace the Aggie Softball Complex, which is the most outdated facility in the Southeastern Conference, though the Aggies made the NCAA tournament for the 15th straight year, advancing to the Lafayette (La.) Regional finals.

“We have waited a long time to build a state-of-the-art facility,” A&M head coach Jo Evans said.

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Photo by Dave McDermand/The Eagle Kyle Field is a world-class facility after its recent $485 million renovation.

A&M supporters Becky and Monty Davis are helping fund the $28.6-million facility with one of the largest philanthropic gifts given to A&M athletics.

“This is going to be the best stadium in the country, hands down,” Evans said. "It is huge for our program that the Davises have stepped up and been so generous and supportive of our program. Now, we want to live up to their high standards and play hard for them."

The track & field complex will be adjacent to the softball stadium with both exteriors mirroring Blue Bell Park. The new track stadium will seat 3,000.

"I think it's a very fan-friendly facility," Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry said. "It's designed for the fan; it's designed for the people who really want to watch every event in track and field. It has a little different layout. We'll have the discus, hammer and javelin on the existing grass field we have right now, so that makes a great venue for the throwing events. You will be able to watch from the stands or even walk over to that area.”

Woodward told the Brazos County A&M Club the school has the resources because of all the support from former students, administrators and fans.

“That is the reason I’m here and I couldn’t be more happy, because I know we can do it and it’s something that you can expect,” Woodward said.

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&

A M Transportation Services what you need to know

Howdy! And welcome to Texas A&M University.

As the school year begins, Transportation Services is here to guide you through the process of getting on and off campus, so you can navigate the community like a pro! With so much taking place throughout the year, getting around can be a dizzying experience -- even for the most seasoned student.

Transportation Services provides many options, including alternative transportation choices that make navigating the campus and community as easy as possible. Let’s take a look at some of the great services offered to you as a new or transfer student.

Parking and parking permits First, let’s talk about parking. If you plan on bringing a car to campus you will need a permit.

Permits are required to park on campus, even on the first day of class. Parking permits are available for purchase at transport.tamu.edu.

Once you purchase a permit, park in your assigned lot in a valid space with your permit displayed properly. Please be aware that if you loan your permit out, you are responsible for any citations issued to your permit. And permits may not be resold or transferred between individuals.

If you drive to campus and do not own a permit, you can still park using one of the many pay-by-the-hour parking locations. Get real-time occupancy for several visitor parking areas on campus by downloading the ParkMe mobile app, http://transport.tamu.edu/ Parking/parkingapp.aspx or visit transport. tamu.edu.

Move-in (one-hour loading zones) Move-in can be chaotic, but Transportation Services eases the process by offering free parking and shuttle service in Lot 100 at Reed Arena. As a new or transfer student, you will

receive a map highlighting additional locations to park and the designated areas where you can unload the items needed in your dorms.

Unloading zones are available for one hour only, so please help out your fellow Aggies by abiding by this time limit so that others can move in, too. Don’t worry; parking coordinators will be on site to assist with this transition so your move-in process runs smoothly.

Riding the Aggie Spirit (bus service) Texas A&M transit service is fare-free to all students, faculty and staff; however, a Texas A&M ID is required to ride off-campus routes.

The Aggie Spirit bus services students on and off campus, providing a hassle-free way to get around throughout the year. When boarding the Aggie Spirit bus at off-campus stops, you must have your student ID ready to show the driver.

Customers who do not live directly on a bus route may drive a short distance to one of the free Park and Ride locations. Park and Ride stops are located at Post Oak Mall (Route 27) and First Baptist Church of College Station (Route 34). For real-time information, including bus schedules and occupancy, visit m.tamu.edu.

Students may also use the Brazos Transit District public transit system free of charge by showing their student IDs when boarding.

Direct bus service runs from the Brazos Transit District main hub to campus daily. For more information on their routes visit www.btd.org.

Aggie games As a new student you should be prepared for football game days. Texas A&M has sporting events throughout the year, but just like the saying, “Everything is big in Texas,” football is larger than life here in Aggieland.

As more than 100,000 people descend on Kyle Field, there is more vehicle and

Photo provided by Texas A&M A senior in the A&M Corps of Cadets gets off one of the campus buses.

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pedestrian traffic than normal. As the game day environment changes, so do the rules for parking. For important information about parking rules for football or other special events, visit transport.tamu.edu.

To keep up to date with sporting and other events throughout the community, Texas A&M’s Game Day mobile app, Destination Aggieland, is a must have for everything you need to know about game day and other events. Download Destination Aggieland (http://transport.tamu. edu/Parking/events/football.aspx) today!

Alternative transportation services Don’t have your own wheels? No worries.

Transportation Services offers many alternatives to owning a vehicle on campus. In 2015 Texas A&M University was named Bike Friendly University, and we don’t take that title lightly. You can feel safe knowing we have you covered, so why not switch from horse power to pedal power and get on your bike and ride.

Don’t own a bike? No worries. We’ll let you borrow one for the day to see if you like it.

If you decide that biking is right for you, a bike can be leased through the Bike Lease program for $50 per semester. The program provides durable bikes for your transportation needs in and around the Bryan-College Station community. Monthly safety inspections are included. Leasing a bicycle will allow you to save time and money.

Don’t own a car and need to run some errands? We have you covered with Zimride, the social network for ridesharing. In seconds you can set up a profile, search for open seats, or post a ride of your own. With Zimride, it’s easy to split the costs of commuting with a friend or colleague. Sign up today at www. zimride.com/tamu.

If riding solo is more your speed, Zipcar is here! The car sharing program is a convenient transportation option available at rates starting at $7.50 per hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty and staff ages 18 and older. Gas, insurance and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. Students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/tamu.

Need to get away? Kerrville Bus Company in conjunction with Megabus.com provides weekend bus service between College Station and Houston, Dallas and Grand Prairie with connectivity to many other cities via the Houston, Grand Prairie and Dallas hubs. For more information, including costs and pick-up and drop-off times and locations, visit www. iridekbc.com/college-transport.html.

If you decide you want to sit behind the wheel of your own ride, consider the benefits of AggielandAutoClub.com, a partner of Texas A&M Transportation Services. Aggieland Auto Club recently released their free mobile app, Road Angel. With Road Angel Aggies have access to almost anything automotive service and travel related at deep discounts over retail prices. Road Angel will even replace lost car

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keys purchased through the app, if lost within the first year after date of purchase, free of charge up to $400 per key or fob, including cutting and programming to your vehicle. For more information, call or text 214.681.2700 or email join@AggielandAutoClub.com Lastly, Transportation Services offers a variety of digital services to help you stay informed. Before you pack your bags, make sure you take time to download the following mobile apps to your smart device: - m.tamu.edu - Destination Aggieland - Twitter: @aggiespiritbus, @aggieparking, @GetToAggieGame Wishing you safe travels to Aggieland. See you soon!

Article provided by A&M Transportation Services.

To keep up to date with sporting and other events throughout the community, download Texas A&M’s Game Day mobile app, Destination Aggieland.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

TRADITIONS • PROFILES • SPORTS • HISTORY

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y t i s r e v i n U M A & s a x e T ctivities • A t About n e d tu S n gs and Recognitio • Rankin y a d • o T M & A s • Texa

Texas A&M University is the state’s first and largest public institution of higher education. It was created as a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act of 1862. In 1871, the Texas Legislature established the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and provided funds for construction on 2,416 acres donated

by Brazos County. The college opened in 1876.

In 1963 the Texas Legislature elevated the college to become Texas A&M University. Soon after, Texas A&M admitted women as degreeseeking students and made participation in the Corps of Cadets voluntary. Today, women students make up nearly half of the total enrollment of 64,376 (58,515 on the College Station campus). In addition, the Corps has approximately 2,450 members — a record in recent decades — and continues to uphold the university’s most cherished traditions while producing more military officers than any other institution in the nation outside the service academies.

Texas A&M is one the nation’s largest and most prestigious universities, and among the top 100 universities worldwide. It is one of only 17 institutions nationwide to hold the triple land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant designations, is a member of the Association of American Universities, and is ranked in the top 20 nationally in National Science Foundation funding, at $866 million.

Texas A&M today

Texas A&M has strategically grown to become one of the most comprehensive and diversified universities in the nation, offering nearly 200 undergraduate majors and nearly 250 graduate degree programs through 19 colleges and schools, including the Texas A&M School of Law in Fort Worth and the Texas A&M Health Science Center, which has numerous locations throughout the state. The university also offers professional degree programs in law, veterinary medicine, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and public health.

In keeping with its land-grant mission of

providing a practical education that produces leaders, Texas A&M emphasizes student involvement in research. Faculty, who are among the top scholars in their fields, work toward innovative solutions to some of the most daunting challenges facing the world today, including human, animal and plant health; environmental sustainability; and energy.

Texas A&M operates two branch campuses: a marine-oriented campus in Galveston and an engineering-oriented campus in Doha, Qatar, fully funded by the Qatar Foundation.

In addition, it operates centers in Mexico, Costa Rica and Italy.

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is the only one in Texas, is one of the largest in the nation, and is ranked sixth in the world. In addition, the College Station campus is home to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which attracts scholars and visitors from around the world.

Texas A&M is known around the world for providing an excellent education at a reasonable cost. More than one in four members of each freshman class are the first in their families to attend college. Texas A&M ranks first in the nation for success with low-income students, and is first in Texas (and among the top nationally) in graduation rates.

In addition, Texas A&M ranks first among the state’s public institutions for the lowest student loan debt held by graduates.

Texas A&M is a global university, ranking third in the nation in the number of students who study or work abroad, and attracting more than 5,500 students from more than 150 countries outside the United States.

Students and faculty are committed to learning for a lifetime through a variety of high-impact teaching practices. These include undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, writing-intensive courses, service learning, diversity and global learning and collaborative projects. Graduates from Texas A&M must demonstrate the ability to think critically, work and cooperate with others, communicate effectively, practice ethical

leadership and live and work effectively in a diverse and global society.

Furthermore, Texas A&M graduates are known as leaders. Texas A&M ranks in the top 10 nationally for graduates who get well-paid jobs, and is first in Texas (and among the top nationally) for early- and mid-career earnings of graduates. The Aggie Network provided through The Association of Former Students is ranked third among the nation’s alumni associations.

Rankings and recognition

• Among the top nationally of “Best Value” universities (Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger’s) • No. 1 public university in Texas for 10-year median earnings by graduates and lowest college-cost debt (College Scorecard) • No. 1 public university in Texas and No. 12 nationally for mid-career earnings by graduates (Payscale) • No. 1 in the nation for low-income students (Priceonomics) • No. 1 in Texas in student four-, five- and six-year graduation rates, both overall and for minorities (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) • No. 1 in the nation for “Best Overall Student Experience” and “Would Do It All Over Again (The Daily Beast)

Student activities

The majority of new Texas A&M students begin their college experience at Fish Camp, the largest student-run, extended orientation program for undergraduates in the nation.

Fish Camp helps incoming freshmen learn how to succeed academically, get to know the university’s history and traditions and make lasting friendships.

Students develop leadership skills through more than 1,000 student-led clubs and organizations. The largest are the following: • The Memorial Student Center produces hundreds of programs every year: live music, art exhibitions, films, plays and musicals, distinguished lectures, cultural events, leadership and academic conferences, service

projects and international travel.

• More than 1,500 students get involved in student government initiatives that enrich the quality of student life.

• More than 12,000 students participate in any of the nearly 40 intramural sports programs annually, competing at the state, regional and national levels.

• Fraternities and sororities — Greek Life — are the largest group of student organizations on campus, with thousands of Aggie participants.In keeping with Texas A&M’s core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service, many Aggies are involved with service projects, fundraisers and other charitable efforts, including the following: • The Big Event, which began when six students spent a Saturday cleaning up a cemetery in 1982, has become the nation’s largest one-day, student-run service project.

Aggies spend a day each March working in the local communities on projects ranging from painting, to yard work, to cleaning. In 2016, more than 22,500 students (and some faculty and staff) completed more than 2,500 tasks.

The Big Event has been adopted at several universities across the United States and other countries.

• CARPOOL is a student-run, safe-ride program through which any community member can receive a free, non-judgmental ride home from Aggie student volunteers on weekend nights. Since its founding in 1999, CARPOOL volunteers have given more nearly 260,000 rides.

• Replant Day is an annual fall event when hundreds of Aggies plant trees around the local community. Replant recently expanded its service mission by planting thousands of pine seedlings in Bastrop State Park after it was decimated by wildfires in 2011. Efforts such as this helped Texas A&M become a Tree Campus USA honoree by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Article provided by Texas A&M University’s Division of Marketing and Communications.

Photos provided by A&M.

A record more than 9,000 Aggies graduated in May 2016 during 14 commencement ceremonies in Texas and one in Qatar.

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The Big Event is the largest one-day, studentrun community service project of its kind, with more than 22,500 participating in 2016.

Something for Everyone!

Our 29th Season!

Texas A&M ranks among the nation’s top research universities, with more than $866 million in research expenditures.

Attending community theatre is part of the Aggie experience.

New Season Opens September 30, 2016!

www.theatrecompany.com Follow us on Texas A&M is well-known for its research.

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JULY 28, 2016 | 33

Texas A &M University traditions The 12th Man

Howdy is the official gree ting of Texas A&M Universit y.

Howdy is the official greeting of Texas A&M University. Greeting each other with a “Howdy!” separates us as the friendliest university in the world.

Gig ‘em

Gig ‘em is the universal sign of approval for Aggies. Coined by P.L. "Pinkie" Downs, Class of 1906, when at a Yell Practice before the 1930 TCU football game Downs asked, "What are we going to do with those Horned Frogs?" In reference to frog hunting, he said, “Gig ‘em, Aggies!” and made a fist with his thumb extended up as one would when using a gig. It was the first hand sign of the Southwest Conference for 25 years until t.u. copied the idea from the Aggies and created their Hook ’em Horns. Now Aggies give each other this sign to encourage and motivate each other.

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On Jan. 2, 1922, the Aggies from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas played the Prayin’ Colonels of Centre College, Kentucky, in the Dixie Classic. After the tough 1921 football season, the Aggies were “completely exhausted, both physically and mentally,” according to Red Thompson, a yell leader at the time. But the Aggies came ready to play, and the game's first points (and the first points allowed by Centre all year) came on a safety off a muffed punt in the end zone.

At half time, Coach Dana X. Bible’s Southwest Conference Champion Aggies were winning, but every player on the Aggie team except for the 11 on the field was injured. Coach Bible remembered that a sophomore multiple sport athlete, who had recently stepped down from football to focus on the new basketball season, was sitting in the press box helping identify players on the field. Coach Bible requested that the player, E. (Earl) King Gill ’24, come down to the field and suit up.

E. King Gill went under the stands with a couple blankets and the injured team captain, Heine Weir, to put on his uniform. E. King Gill then stood next to Coach Bible for the rest of the game, ready to play, but was never asked to. Texas A&M went on to beat Centre College 22-14.

Today, Aggies stand at all football and basketball games, from the opening kickoff “till the final gun is sounded,” symbolizing our readiness to go into the game whenever we are needed.

Beginning in 1913 corps companies would practice and learn yells; "learning heartily the old time prep." Aggies in 1934 said that yell practice was “something that cannot be experienced by an outsider” and “something only an Aggie can feel."

In 1931, the first official Midnight Yell Practice was held before the t.u. game on the steps of the YMCA building. Today, Midnight Yell is held the Friday night before a home game in Kyle Field or the Thursday night before an away game at the E. King Gill statue at the northeast corner of Kyle Field. It is also held on Friday night close to where the game is being held out of town.

Aggies practice yells and sing songs for the next day’s game; the yell leaders tell a junior and a senior fable; and then the lights go out. That is when you get to “mug down” and kiss your date, or if you don’t have a date, take a lighter, "flick your Bic" and hope to find a random mug.

Silver Taps is one of the most sacred and significant traditions at A&M. Silver Taps is one of the final tributes held for any current graduate or undergraduate student who has passed during the year.

Silver Taps is held the first Tuesday of the month following a student’s death. Starting in the morning, the flags on campus are flown at half-mast. The names, class and major of the fallen Aggies are on cards placed at the base of the flagpole in the Academic Plaza and on the Silver Taps Memorial. Throughout the day, students can write letters to the families of the fallen Aggies. That night at 10:15, all the lights on campus are extinguished. Hymns are then played on the Albritton Bell Tower. Around this time, students gather silently in the Academic Plaza. The families of the fallen Aggies are also led into the plaza. At 10:30, the Ross Volunteer Firing Squad marches into the Academic Plaza at a slow cadence. Once they arrive, they fire a three volley salute in honor of the fallen Aggies.

After the last round is fired, buglers atop the Academic Building begin to play a special rendition of “Taps” called “Silver Taps” which is unique to A&M. They play it three times, once to the north, once to the south, and once to the west, but never to the east, because it’s said the sun will never rise on that Aggie again. After the last note is played, the one thing you can hear is the shuffling of feet as students return silently to their lives.

Silver Taps has been occurring for over 100 years. The first Silver Taps was in 1898 for

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Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Texas A&M’s seventh president. At Silver Taps, you stand where Aggies have stood for generations. You are connected to those who have come before you.

It is also a tradition unique to A&M because no other university in the world honors students in this way.

Bonfire

Students used burning Bonfire as a pep rally where speeches were made and yells were led, often outlasting the actual burning of the fire. The first Bonfires in 1909 were built with trash and other scraps around campus. It wasn’t until 1912 when logs started to become the standard for building Bonfire.

Starting in the 1950s, building Bonfire became more organized while each class strove to make it bigger and better than the ones before. The tallest Bonfire was built in 1969 and was about 109 feet tall with a 105 foot center pole.

Ninety-two years after bonfire first began, almost to the hour, on Nov. 18, 1999 at 2:42 a.m., the Bonfire stack collapsed and took with it the lives of 12 of our fellow Aggies and injured 27 others. The Bonfire collapse was quite possibly the most trying event in the history of Texas A&M, but it also allowed us to better understand the true meaning of the Aggie spirit. Many of us believe that Bonfire did burn that year when 90,000 Aggies, friends and families gathered at the Polo Fields on the night Bonfire was to burn to silently hold candles together. Even though Bonfire may never be the same as it was prior to 1999, the burning desire that every Aggie holds in his/ her heart for the Aggie family can never be extinguished.

Reveille

Reveille attends every A& M

game.

Reveille is the mascot and first lady of Aggieland, and has been since 1931 when some cadets found her by the side of the road in Navasota. After the death of Reveille I in 1944, there were some interim mascots before Reveille II. She leads the football team onto the field at every game, and is attended by a sophomore cadet in Company E-2.

Muster

Muster represents the Aggie spirit that binds Aggies to their school and to one another. It is more than a ceremony; it is a responsibility that is handed down from one generation to the next. Muster is a way for Aggies to renew their loyalty to their school and their friends.

Aggie Muster is a special time set aside to honor members of the Aggie family. Aggie Muster traces its roots back to San Jacinto Day, which was a Texas holiday in the 1840s that celebrated Texans’ defeat of the Mexican Army in the battle of San Jacinto.

In 1899, the cadets decided to hold a San Jacinto Field Day on April 21. It was a day of fun and activities without class.

During the world wars, this tradition of meeting on April 21 evolved to include a memoriam for those who were absent. In T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

World War I, Aggies met all over the trenches of Europe and at army posts all over America.

The most famous Aggie Muster was held during World War II in 1942 on the small island of Corregidor in the Philippines. Major General George Moore, ’08, led a group of recently commissioned Aggies in a moment to honor the valiant Aggies who had died, hold a yell practice, and sing the War Hymn with all their strength, all under heavy enemy fire.

In 1924, the first campus Muster was held in Guion Hall, and Muster has been held on campus since. Campus Muster is now the largest of the over 400 Musters held worldwide.

The most important and moving part of the Muster ceremony is Roll Call for the absent. The Roll Call lists the names of every local Aggie who has passed during the year, as well as missing members of the 50 year reunion class.

As each name is read, a candle is lit, and the family and friends answer, “Here,” to symbolize that while that Aggie has fallen, they are still with us in spirit.

Aggie ring

The Aggie ring is a unique representation of achievement by an Aggie. Aggies take pride in earning their little piece of gold from the greatest university in the world. The Aggie ring is unlike any other because students cannot design their own class ring or order it at any time. The Aggie ring can only be ordered when an Aggie completes 90 hours, 45 of the hours being from Texas A&M University.

The top of the ring features a shield that symbolizes the protection of the good reputation of the alma mater. There are 13 stripes in the shield that symbolize the 13 original states and Aggies’ intense patriotism.

The five stars found in the shield refer to the five phases of Aggie development: mind or intellect, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise and integrity of character. The eagle on the top of the Aggie ring symbolizes agility and power and ability to reach great heights and ambitions.

One side of the Aggie ring holds a large star encircled with a wreath of olive leaves joined together by a ribbon near the bottom of the ring. The large star symbolizes the seal of the State of Texas authorized by the Constitution of 1845. It is encircled with a wreath of olive leaves, symbolizing achievement and desire for peace and live oak leaves, symbolizing the strength to fight. The leaves are joined at the bottom by an encircling ribbon to show the necessity of joining these traits to accomplish one’s ambition to serve.

The other side of the Aggie ring contains an ancient cannon, saber and rifle, symbolizing that the citizens of Texas fought for their land and our determination to defend our homeland.

The saber stands for valor and confidence, and the rifle and cannon stand for preparedness and defense. On both sides, the United States and Texas flags are crossed to symbolize the dual allegiance to nation and state.

The Aggie ring can only be ordered when an Aggie completes 90 hours, 45 of the hours being from Texas A&M University.

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