April/May 2014

Quick Connection

April/May 2014

Howdy!

April means the end of the semester is quickly approaching and there is a lot of excitement on campus. Over the next few weeks, it is important to communicate with your student about their coursework and their plans for the summer. April can be an overwhelming month with finals approaching, so it is imperative to support and encourage your student so they have a strong finish to the semester. Whether it’s finishing their first year at A&M or graduation, you play a vital role in your student’s success!

The end of the semester is also the time several A&M traditions take place. Aggie Muster, Ring Dance, and Commencement are among the exciting events that wrap up the spring.

We hope you will enjoy all this spring has to offer! As always, you can visit our webpage at http://parents.tamu.edu/ and feel free to contact us at (979) 845-5826, or aggiefamilies@ tamu.edu if you have any questions.

Thanks and Gig ’Em!

www.facebook.com/Aggieparentsandfamily @NSFPtamu www.pinterest.com/nsfptamu/

Traditions

Aggie Muster Aggies gathered together on June 26, 1883 to live over again their college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon the drill field and classroom. Eventually the annual gathering evolved into a celebration of Texas Independence on San Jacinto Day – April 21st.

Over time the tradition of Muster has changed, but its very essence has remained: “If there is an A&M man or woman in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.” Muster is celebrated in more than four hundred places worldwide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station. Aggie Muster as we know it today is credited to E. E. McQuillen ’20, who served as the Executive Secretary of The Association of Former Students. It is fitting that he was honored to serve as the first Campus Muster speaker in 1944.

Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us of the greatness that lies within these walls, of the loyalty we possess, of the connection that binds us, and of the idea that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit.

The Campus Muster Ceremony and Roll Call for the Absent will be April 21st at 7:00pm in Reed Arena. The doors will open at 5:00pm; seats are available on a first come, first served basis. This year’s Muster Speaker will be Bill Youngkin ‘69. For detailed information about Muster, including the Roll Call for the Absent, visit muster.tamu.edu.

For more information about a Muster ceremony near you, visit aggienetwork.com/muster.

On Campus Muster Speaker Mr. Bill Youngkin was born on January 19, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas.

He graduated from Gilmer High School in 1965 and later attended Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in May of 1969. During his time at Texas A&M, Mr. Youngkin served as Head Yell Leader, a Ross Volunteer in the Corps of Cadets, a Class Officer and was recognized as a Distinguished Student. After graduation, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972 in the 18th Airborne Corps and was stationed in Vietnam from 1971-1972. After his return to the States, he then graduated from Baylor Law School in 1975. Mr. Youngkin was the President of the Brazos County Bar Association from 1985-1986 and now serves as the Principal of Youngkin & Associates, a law firm in Bryan, TX. Mr. Youngkin continues to give back to Texas A&M with many involvements after his graduation.

He was the Co-Class Agent for the Class of 1969, President of the Association of Former Students in 1991, President of the Former Yell Leaders Association in 2000, Parents of the Year for 20002001, and a former member of the Board of Trustees of the 12th Man Foundation. He is currently a member of the President’s Blue Ribbon Panel of the Corps of Cadets and is to be inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor for 2014.

Mr. Youngkin currently resides in Bryan, TX with his wife of forty years, Marilyn Wortham formerly of New Boston, Texas. He has two children, Libby ’00 and Katie ’03, his Son-in-law Jonathan ’99, and two grandchildren, Worth ’30 and William ’33.

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On Campus Muster Activities Flag Raising Ceremony Academic Plaza 7:00AM Camaraderie Barbeque Corps Center Lawn 11:00AM - 2:00PM Reflections Display Memorial Student Center Flag Room April 15th-21st Campus Muster Ceremony & Roll Call for the Absent Reed Arena 7:00PM

Traditions Ring Dance

Ring Dance began on May 15, 1936 and was conceived by a group of seniors who decided that since the Aggie ring is the traditional mark of one whose days on the campus are soon to be over, a dance with the ring as the predominant theme would be appropriate as a final function of the Senior Class. The first Ring Dance had no admission charge and was preceded by the Senior Banquet. It took place with an orchestra in the mess hall and had one plaster Ring replica for the official portraits. Ring Dance occurred from 8pm to 12am because there was a rule on campus that there couldn’t be any dances on Sunday.

Since its creation in 1936, Ring Dance has come to be as much a part of Aggieland as the many other traditions that have existed as long as the school itself. This dance will be for many the last social function of their years at Aggieland. As each senior steps into the replica of the Aggie Ring, they can turn their ring so that the class year no longer faces them-it faces the world. Seniors are able to reflect over the past years spent in Aggieland and anticipate the future. As each person steps away from the ring, another two step in, continuing the tradition that will go on as long as there is an Aggieland.

Ring Dance 2014: Lights. Camera. Action!

Ring Dance is an opportunity for the Class of 2014 to come together one last time to reflect on years spent together, their personal growth, the friendships that they cherish, and the achievements made since they first stepped foot on campus.

The 79th Ring Dance, “Lights. Camera. Action!,” will be on April 26, 2014 from 9:00 pm until 1:00 am in The Memorial Student Center.

Tickets are on sale now at the MSC Box Office, as well as online at http://boxoffice.tamu.edu/. More information about Ring Dance can be found at ringdance.tamu.edu.

Ticket pricing is as follows: April 1-25th: $55/single, $100/couple Day of the event: $60/ticket, no couple price Group Rate: $40/person (a group is considered 10 or more individuals purchasing tickets in one transaction) G. Michael Photography will be creating Ring Dance Portraits at this year’s dance. For more information about photo packages, visit their website at: www.gmichaelphoto.com/specials/RingDance.html.

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Commencement

May Ceremony Schedule May is almost here and we could not be more excited about the thousands of Aggies who will soon graduate and officially join the Aggie Network. Below you will find a full listing of the events for commencement ceremonies with more detailed information available at http://graduation.tamu.edu/ Commencement Convocation Commencement ceremonies begin with a convocation that features one notable speaker. This year’s Commencement Convocation will take place on May 8th at Rudder Auditorium at 5:30 pm with speaker Todd Staples. The commencement exercises at which degrees will be conferred will follow in subsequent ceremonies on May 9th and 10th. Students will not be required to wear academic regalia at the Commencement Convocation, but will need to do so at the subsequent degree-granting exercises.

Congratulations Aggie Graduates!

Please note: Guest admission to all commencement ceremonies scheduled on Friday, May 9, 2014, will require a ticket to enter Reed Arena. Degree candidates graduating in these ceremonies will be allotted 6 guest tickets.

Additional ticketing information and guidelines are available at graduation.tamu.edu.

Friday, May 9- Reed Arena 9:00 am (Degree Candidates - Please arrive at 8:15 am; lines will begin forming around 8:35 am) Graduates and Undergraduates in Liberal Arts Tickets will be required for guest admission to this ceremony.

2:00 pm (Degree Candidates - Please arrive at 1:15 pm; lines will begin forming around 1:35 pm) Graduates and Undergraduates in Mays Business School Tickets will be required for guest admission to this ceremony.

7:00 pm (Degree Candidates - Please arrive at 6:15 pm; lines will begin forming around 6:35 pm) Graduates and Undergraduates in Dwight Look College of Engineering Tickets will be required for guest admission to this ceremony.

Saturday, May 10- Reed Arena 9:00 am (Degree Candidates - Please arrive at 8:15 am; lines will begin forming around 8:35 am) Graduates in George Bush School of Government and Public Service Graduates and Undergraduates in Education and Human Development 2:00 pm (Degree Candidates - Please arrive at 1:15 pm; lines will begin forming around 1:35 pm) Graduates and Undergraduates in Architecture Graduates and Undergraduates in Geosciences Graduates and Undergraduates in Science Graduates and Undergraduates in Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

7:00 p.m (Degree Candidates - Please arrive at 6:15 p.m.; lines will begin forming around 6:35 p.m.)

Graduates and Undergraduates in Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Reminders

Upcoming Dates April 10-25 · Preregistration for the 2014 first term, second term, 10-week summer semester, and fall semester.

April 18 · Reading Day. no classes.

April 21 · Muster. Campus ceremony.

April 28 · Prep day, classes meet. No regular course exams.

April 29 · Last day of spring semester classes. · Last day to apply for all degrees to be awarded in May. · Redefined day, students attend their Friday classes. · No regular course exams.

April 30-May 1 Reading days, no classes.

May 2, 5-7 Spring semester final examinations for all students.

May 9-10 Commencement and Commissioning.

Corps of Cadets Final Review May 3, 2014 The cadets will step off from the Quad at 9:30 am and proceed to Simpson Drill Field where they will form up for a farewell to the graduating senior class — a process that includes a formal ‘pass in review.’

At approximately 11 am, the leadership of next year’s Corps will form on Simpson Drill Field. These new leaders will be acknowledged and then conduct a second ‘pass in review,’ with the graduating seniors acting as the reviewing officers. Final Review, which is open to the public, is expected to conclude by noon.

Fall 2014 Announcement: Classes for the Fall 2014 semester will begin September 1st.

Commissioning Ceremonies May 9, 2014 12:00 pm Air Force Commissioning: 2300 MSC (Memorial Student Center) Army Commissioning: Rudder Theater Navy/Marine Commissioning: Rudder Auditorium

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