The Battalion: July 08, 2009

thebattalion ● wednesday,

july 8, 2009

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media

Aggie Miss Rodeo Texas ■ Sophomore Devin Felger won a $20,000 scholarship.

Megan Clark The Battalion Sophomore agricultural leadership and development major Devin Felger has become the third consecutive Aggie to be crowned Miss Rodeo Texas, and won a $20,000 scholarship.

“I’ve been doing pageants since I was probably 13, so about seven years,” Felger said. “I was previously Miss Rodeo North Texas Teen 2007 and took the Miss Rodeo Austin title to Miss Rodeo Texas.”

Felger was named Miss Rodeo Texas June 26.

Miss Rodeo contestants compete for scholarships and prizes in three age-specified competitions.

The Miss Rodeo Texas contestants vary in age from 19 to 24.

Contestants compete in categories of speech, appearance, horsemanship, photogenic ability and personality. Felger won four out of the five categories.

“Devin Felger will be a super Miss Rodeo Texas to represent our great state in 2009 and 2010,” said Miss Rodeo Texas public relations

Taking it in

See Rodeo on page 4

Stride

Bill Byrne: Athletic Department cuts 17 positions

J.D. Swiger— THE BATTALION

Construction science major Jess Terrell is the commander of Parsons Mounted Cavalry for the 2009-2010 school year, an organization that trains cadets in leadership, horsemanship, and character.

By Patrique Ludan | The Battalion

T Student leader profile series Once a week during the summer, The Battalion will be profiling a student leader to gain insight into their lives and what it takes to do their job.

he Parsons Mounted Cavalry, or PMC, commander for the 2009-2010 school year, senior Jess Terrell, has a great deal of responsibility but is taking it step by step.

Terrell is the third of his siblings to command the horse unit and to be a member of the Corps of Cadets. Terrell’s brother, Paul Terrell, commanded the unit from 2004 to 2005 and his brother Gabe Terrell commanded the unit during the 2008-2009 school year.

See Parsons on page 5

Meet the commander Find out what he loves most about being an Aggie.

Football star He learned leadership on the field at Sherman High School.

Hear from him Read his guest column to students. student leaders | 5

Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne announced that 17 positions within the athletic department will be eliminated. “The Texas A&M University Athletic Department is facing difficult economic decisions like many companies and universities across the United State,” Byrne said in a statement Thursday. “Charged by the University to reduce the budget by $4.5 million for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, our goal was to make spending cuts that would not impact the competitiveness of our teams and to ensure that student athletes have a good experience here at Texas A&M.” According to Byrne, the University was able to cut $3.5 million from the budget without reducing personnel.

“This difficult decision came after an exhausted review of the entire program and with great reluctance,” Byrne said. Of the 17 positions eliminated, four are currently vacant. Job placement and counseling services are being made available for those people who did lose jobs.

Brett Sebastian, sports editor

A&M researchers map melon genome Julie Rambin The Battalion Researchers with Texas A&M University and Texas Agrilife Research have mapped the melon genome in an effort to make melons tastier and healthier for consumers.

“The point is to be able to develop molecular markers that are linked to important genes,” said study co-author and associate horticulture professor Kevin Crosby. “There are some quality attributes like sugar, vitamin C, flesh thickness, beta carotene and other traits like sterility and disease resistance.”

Authors Crosby, Soonoh Park and Hye Hwang published the DNA sequence study results in the Journal of the American Society of Horticultural Sciences.

“We analyzed a family between two diverse melon parents and they were variable for the traits we were looking for,” Crosby said. “That allows us to look for a trait called

Pg. 1-07.08.09.indd 1

polymorphism, which is a difference within a trait.”

The researchers developed a molecular linkage map containing hundreds of molecular markers, said Park, study co-author and Texas Agrilife Research associate research scientist.

Cantaloupes can be bred selectively using conventional methods through the use of these molecular maps, Park said.

“We map genes controlling fruit color traits, fruit size traits and disease resistance,” Park said. “Right now it is extremely important to use genetic tools in fruit and vegetable breeding.”

The research may lead to advancements in disease prevention, Park said.

“Through the linked maps we can select ascorbic acid and beta carotenes, which are known to prevent cancer occurrence in human bodies,” Park said. “If we have an anti-

oxidant compound, it is a great benefit to the consumers to improve their health.”

Similar research will continue, in hopes of improving drought resistance in cantaloupes, Crosby said.

“We’ve been working on developing improved root systems,” Crosby said. “We haven’t determined the genes involved yet.

We hope to someday be able to find molecular markers linked to those particular traits.”

This research is just one part of the agricultural research done in collaboration with the Texas Agrilife Research Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, said director Bhimu Patil.

“That particular research will help in improving the melon,” Patil said. “Our focus is to improve vegetables and fruits to benefit the consumer.”

See Melon on page 4

Ramya Prakash — THE BATTALION

Researchers at Texas A&M University and Texas Agrilife Research are working together to make the melon at your picnic both tastier and healthier.

7/7/09 10:09 PM

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pagetwo thebattalion 7.8.2009

Battalion staff blogs

thebattalion. wordpress.com For a look at what goes on behind the scenes of The Battalion’s studentled newsroom, check out Editor in Chief Kalee Bumguardner’s blog.

battdesign. wordpress.com

Tiny trucker

Graphics Chief Karen Cruickshanks talks about aspects of the design behind The Battalion in her blog Inside the Design.

dougklembara. wordpress.com Aggieland photo editor Doug Klembara shares his experiences as a photographer for The Battalion in and the Aggieland Yearbook in his blog Photography.

Witness. Passion.

Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION

Jonah Keoughan, 2, plays with toy trucks Tuesday at the Children’s Museum in Bryan. The Children’s Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers exhibits such as the PBS area, village arts, small town play and the block table.

thebattalion Jackson memorial a somber celebration THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893

Kalee Bumguardner, Editor in Chief Mattie Williamson, Managing Editor Meagan O’Toole-Pitts, City Editor Jill Beathard, Lifestyles Editor Brett Sebastian, Sports Editor

Jason Staggs, Opinion Editor Karen Cruickshanks, Graphics Chief Christine Soriaga, Photo Chief

THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111.

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.

Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classified advertising, call 979-8450569. Advertising offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678.

Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979845-2613.

LOS ANGELES — It was not spectacular, extravagant or bizarre. There were songs and tears but little dancing. Instead, Michael Jackson’s memorial was a somber, spiritual ceremony that reached back for the essence of the man.

Singer, dancer, superstar, humanitarian: That was how some 20,000 people gathered inside the Staples Center arena on Tuesday, and untold millions watching around the world, remembered Jackson, whose immense talents almost drowned beneath the spectacle of his life and fame.

Jackson’s daughter, ParisMichael, made the first public statement of her 11 years.

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, dissolving into tears and turning into the embrace of her aunt Janet. “And I just wanted to say

I love him — so much.”

The ceremony began with Smokey Robinson reading statements from Jackson’s close friend Diana Ross — “Michael was part of the fabric of my life” — and then Nelson Mandela — “Be strong.”

A lengthy silence followed, punctuated only by a steady twinkle of camera flashes. The thousands of mourners spoke softly to those in neighboring seats or contemplated their private thoughts.

Celebrities made their way to their seats in front of the stage: Kobe Bryant, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Lou Ferrigno, Don King, the Kardashian sisters, Brooke Shields, Larry King.

While Jackson was among the most famous faces in the world, today’s megastars were largely absent. Those present mostly reflected some connection to Jackson’s life or work.

Family members and friends hug at the end of the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The fans, clutching tickets that 1.6 million people had sought, were a visual representation of Jackson’s life: white, black and everything in between; from Mexico, Japan, Italy or America; wearing fedoras, African headdresses, sequins or surgical masks. Actor Corey Feldman showed up fully costumed as Michael Jackson.

“Words can’t express how I feel,” said Dani Harris, a 35-year-old mother from Los Angeles.

“You think about one person, larger than presidents and kings and queens,” Harris said.

“People in countries you can’t even see on the map know his face, his music.”

Associated Press

4LTVYPLZ MHKL @LHYIVVRZ SHZ[ H 3PML[PTL Order your 2010 Aggieland yearbook (chronicling the 2009-2010 school year) by choosing the Yearbook fee option when you register for fall classes. For info, call 979.845.2613.

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Pg. 2-07.08.09.indd 1

7/7/09 9:54 PM

sports

The draft doesn’t work

thebattalion 7.8.2009 page3

Ian McPhail

NBA’s age limit rule for the draft is a broken and needs to be fixed.

Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION

Tales from the

A

s the NBA season ends, many fans of teams not named the Los Angeles Lakers can’t help but look to the draft to better their franchise.

Since 2005, a collective bargaining agreement has prevented 18 year olds from playing in the NBA in an effort to encourage players to attend college instead of competing at a professional level. Instead of this agreement adding to their well-being, it is a restriction on adults who should be free to make their own decisions. Graduating high school students have consistently shown the ability to compete at the highest level. The league’s policy currently restricts the earning power of young players and the freedom of owners to make good team decisions.

It’s hard to argue with the success of many players drafted out of high school. The Lakers and Cavaliers, both championship contenders, boast leaders drafted out of high school.

Realistically there is little reason to believe that either the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant or Orlando’s Dwight Howard would be better off delaying their careers.

The league’s current MVP, Lebron James, was able to make an immediate impact on his team, averaging 20 points a game his first seasons out of high school.

These players immediately earned millions from their clubs and sponsors with a high school diploma. The additional year spent in school robs athletes of an opportunity for money in an often short career window.

There is clearly no reason to prevent the country’s biggest basketball talent from skipping such an unnecessary step. Critics argue that allowing athletes to enter the draft before their 19th birthday robs the college ranks of premier talent. But the risk of selecting an extremely young player has been considered and accepted by successful teams.

More importantly, college sports should not exist as farm clubs for professional leagues. The NCAA needs to retain its identity as a student-athlete organization.

Allowing high school students to skip college allows more room for athletes who truly care about their education.

College is often thought of as a beneficial and necessary step towards success. But it is extremely judgmental to assume that every American needs it to accomplish their goals. When it comes to professional basketball, athletes have already demonstrated that legal adults are not too young to begin an extremely lucrative and productive professional basketball career. The NBA needs to allow adults of any age the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.

Ian McPhail is a sophomore history major.

Stands

Present and past Aggies reflect on favorite Twelfth Man moments David Harris The Battalion hen people talk about the best fans in the nation, Texas A&M seems to be included in the discussion. Whenever the best venues are discussed, Olsen Field, Reed Arena and Kyle Field seem to make the cut. The University has poured money into the three athletic landmarks that you see on the College Station horizon. And, through the years, all three stadiums have seen their fair share of history.

Olsen Field, sitting at the corner of George Bush Drive and Wellborn Road, has been a fixture in Aggieland since 1978. The stadium was built next to the train tracks and with Kyle Field hovering in the background. It was named after Pat Olsen, Class of 1923. The stadium’s capacity is 7,053 with an attendance record of 8,847 against Texas in 2003. Past and present students have all been a part of what students call the Olsen Magic.

“When John Byington hit the second of back-toback home runs in the last inning against Texas at Olsen in 1989, Olsen Magic was maybe not born, but it was as magical as it could get,” said Phillip Robertson, Class of 1991. “To do that at home versus the sips, twice, absolutely gutting them emotionally, was one of the most wonderful days of my life. These weren’t lollipops into the bleachers; these were fat man and little boy nuclear shots into the depths of College Station. Ball hits bat twice, ball shoots out, and the place looks like a fire ant bed with Ags hugging, shouting, leaping up and down in the stands.”

Sports Illustrated, in 2004, called Olsen the best college baseball venue in the country. The student section at Olsen has implemented new traditions differing from the ones at any other Aggie sport. The Raggies, as they are called because of their tendency to rag on the opponents, make life incredibly tough for visiting squads.

“Kyle Colligan’s walk-off home run in 2008 in the bottom of the 10th against fourth-ranked Missouri in the battle of top five teams,” said junior nuclear engineering major Zachary Papas. “It was the loudest and most electric I’ve ever heard Olsen.”

Coinciding with Aggie basketball’s rise to prominence, Reed Arena, sitting across the railroad tracks, has become, in recent years, one of the toughest places to play for opponents.

Reed was built in fall 1998 and named after Mr. and Mrs. Chester J. Reed, Class of 1947. As Aggie Men’s basketball has gone on a five-year run of great success, the Reed Rowdies have brought the tradition of the Twelfth Man across the street.

“Following an Alexis Wangmene elbow to DeAndre Jordan late in the 2008 upset of 10th-ranked t.u., the crowd pleaded with the official to kick him off the bench where he was sitting,” Papas said. “When the official complied, the stadium erupted in a roar of which I have never heard.”

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Jonny Green — THE BATTALION

For many, Kyle Field on a Saturday afternoon is a defining memory of their time at A&M. The arena can seat up to 12,989 with the largest “In 1989, Larry Horton ran back the opening crowd to date being 14,584, taking place in 2008 kickoff of the season against seventh-ranked LSU,” against Oklahoma State as Acie Law IV’s jersey was said Damon Smith, Class of 1991. “The place was hung in the rafters. going bonkers. Bananas. We proceeded to beat the Reed Arena has been the scene of many buzzer pulp out of the Tigers that night. It was great. We beaters, multiple court rushings and upsets. Arguably just didn’t expect to lose when we walked into Kyle the most famous moment for Aggie basketball fans is those days.” what is simply known as The Shot. In 2006, Law’s Kyle Field was expanded in 1999 with the Berbuzzer beater downed No. 7 Texas. nard C. Richardson Zone to move the capacity up to “As I was watching the game with my t-sip father, 82,600. The largest crowd was in 2007 against Texas the hostility was building the further into the game when 88,253 packed Kyle. we got,” said junior industrial distribution major Kyle has been host many a time to the national Steve Brock. “When the shot went up and in, I let spotlight. The Red, White and Blue Out that took out a euphoric scream and jumped on the couch to place days after 9/11, defeating top-ranked Oklagive my dad an earful.” homa in 2002 behind Reggie McNeal, an emotional Kyle Field is arguably the most well-known land- victory in beating Texas just days after the Bonfire mark in College Station. Erected in 1927 in honor collapse are some of the more famous examples. Midof Edwin Jackson Kyle, Class of 1899, Kyle sits on night Yell, the Fighting Texas Aggie Band and the Wellborn Road and has been home to many stu- Block T are all images that have become just as well dents’ most memorable times in College Station. known due to their association with Kyle Field.

“In 1958, Jim Swink, the All-American from “My favorite memory is, without a doubt, the TCU, gets the ball four times down at the goal line,” 1989 Cougar High [Houston] game,” Robertson recalls Pat Robertson, Class of 1958. “And all four said. “Houston had a future Heisman winner in Antimes, the Ags stuff him. Froggies to this day think dre Ware at the game. R.C. [Slocum] came to the he got in. I disagree. Nonetheless, the game featured yell practice the night before and told Kyle Field and a tornado at the airport and rain that was horizon- the Twelfth Man that they could win the game for tal. Not just rain, but a torrent that defied meteoro- us, to be louder than you have ever been. Houston logical possibilities. But Old Army played on, and could not get a play off and Ware spent most of his the Twelfth Man willed the Ags to a huge win over time on his back. R.C. put in one lineman and the Swink and the Frogs.” rest were linebackers and defensive backs and blitzed Kyle Field is the location where the Twelfth Man, him from everywhere. None of us could talk after the Yell Leaders and many other A&M traditions were game. To a man, we felt like we won that game. That born. It’s a place that saw hall of fame coaches Jackie was the loudest I have heard Kyle to date.”

Sherrill, R.C. Slocum and Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant roamAggie fans have been making memories at these ing the sidelines. There the Aggies have gone 251- sports venues for decades. For a University where 122-12 and in the 90’s, saw a team go 55-4-1 at memories and traditions are so important, it’s easy to home. At one point from 1990-1995, A&M saw 31 see how sports games inspire such straight home victories. emotional reactions.

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Pg. 4-07-08-09.indd 1

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news thebattalion

McNair’s girlfriend lacked motive NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s state medical examiner said Tuesday that investigators have been hesitant to conclude that Steve McNair’s girlfriend killed the NFL star and herself because she didn’t appear to have a motive, but that murder-suicide is the most likely scenario. After the couple was discovered shot to death on MCNAIR Saturday, police were quick to label McNair’s death a homicide. He had been shot twice in the head and twice in the chest, while 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi was dead from a single gunshot to the head. Under her body was a gun she had purchased less than two days before the killings.

Associated Press

Melon Continued from page 1

The center primarily uses conventional methods rather than genetic modification, Patil said.

“We are not focusing too much on genetically modifying crops,” Patil said. “We are using the tools, of course, but our main work will be on conventional breeding.”

The cantaloupe research is based on conventional methods, not genetic modification, said Crosby.

“It is not genetically modified because it’s just looking at native DNA,” Crosby said. “I’ve

“We are not focusing too much on genetically modifying crops. We are using the tools, of course, but our main work will be on conventional breeding.”

— Bhimu Patil director of the Texas Agrilife Research Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center

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Courtesy Photo

Sophomore agricultural leadership and development major Devin Felger won Miss Rodeo Texas 2009 on June 26.

She was the third consecutive Aggie to win this title.

Rodeo Continued from page 1

committee chairman Gary Morris. “Any time you win the Horsemanship category leading to the MRT crown on coronation night, you have proven you’re a cowgirl, in addition to [having] beauty and charm.”

As Miss Rodeo Texas 2009, Felger will compete in the Miss Rodeo America pageant at Las Vegas, held the first week of December in conjunction with Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (PRCA).

“I think that the most enjoyable part of the pageant is not only friendships with contestants but [also] friendships with judges,” Felger said. “It continues the Aggie network because people are very supportive of A&M and I think it’s going to help me later on in life.”

Felger is involved with the Texas A&M Saddle and Sirloin club, the Freshman Leadership Experience, Aggie Horseman’s Association, Rodeo Club, American Quarter Horse Association, Children Of The Republic Of Texas and the Texas Simmental-Simbrah Association.

Devin said she credits her success to her supportive family.

“My parents are strongwilled and they have taught me to push my limits,” Felger said.

“So I was one of the youngest to compete, and younger girls rarely take the title, but my parents pushed me to compete.”

For encouragement during the pageant, Felger’s mother Zena Felger brought Felger dark chocolate covered strawberries because, she said, they are her favorite.

“We’ve always told her to do the best that she could do,” Zena said. “We sent her cards

“I think that the most enjoyable part of the pageant is not only friendships with contestants but [also] friendships with judges.

It continues the Aggie network because people are very supportive of A&M and I think it’s going to help me later on in life.”

— Devin Felger Sophomore agricultural leadership and development major and Miss Rodeo Texas 2009

during the contest because we could only speak with her 10 minutes a night.”

Felger said she will be taking a year off of school to fulfill her duties of the title. She will be traveling to rodeos across the country to make appearances in places such as Colorado and Wyoming. Felger will attend the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, a 21day event.

“Devin really stood above the crowd in her public speaking, poise and knowledge,” Morris said. “A&M should be proud of its third consecutive winner of the prestigious Miss Rodeo Texas title.”

The coming year should prove to be eventful, Felger said.

“From the pageant I am just so excited and thankful for everyone that has gotten me here and I just think God has blessed my life,” she said. “I want to be a great role model and project a good image of the rodeo organization. “

7/7/09 10:06 PM

Commander of Parson’s Mounted Cavalry Jess Terrell senior construction science major

studentleaders

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thebattalion

What do you love most about being an Aggie? The connection and strong bond I share with every past and present Aggie. As the “Welcome to Aggieland” video states, “Being an Aggie is a way of life. Character is stitched into the fabric of every Aggie, and leaders are a natural resource.”

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thursday, 7.8.2009

If you had three hours of free time, what would you do with it? I would saddle my horse — Big Papa — and go on a ride around campus with my Parsons Mounted Cavalry buddies.

2

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was a child, one of my favorite things was going to Six Flags, so naturally, I figured that working at Six Flags with the responsibility of daily testing out the roller coasters would have to be one of the best jobs out there.

3

What are your goals for after graduation? This summer I am working for Britt Rice Electric Company in College Station. At this job, I am gaining valuable experience and knowledge in the field of construction. I hope this job will assist me in acquiring an internship with one of the construction companies working on the Texas A&M campus, which will lead to a job after graduation with a general contractor.

4

What is your favorite memory made at Aggieland?

I cannot limit it to one but I can pin it down to the parades in which we have ridden. No other universities were involved in these large parades, which further emphasizes the uniqueness and strength of Aggie student organizations. There are always Aggies in the crowds,and the Spirit of Aggieland is seen in their faces and verbalized in their voices as they “Whoop” and cheer as we pass.

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GUESTCOLUMN

There’s a Spirit can ne’er be told W

Photos by J.D. Swiger— THE BATTALION

In addition to Parsons Mounted Cavalry, senior construction science major Jess Terrell has been involved with Fish Aides, Big Event and Fish Camp, as well as serving as a Ross Volunteer.

Terrell Continued from page 1

The Terrell brothers were in the same company.“There were positives and negatives to this,” Terrell said. “In one respect, I was semiprepared for all the surprises that the pissheads try to spring on you, but in other areas, I felt tremendous pressure to succeed in the same way my brothers did.”

Terrell has the ability to handle the pressure of any situation and still accomplish many things, Paul said.

“He is able to deal really calmly with high stress situations,” Paul said.

Leading the unit during football game days can become stressful after working the 12-hour shift, which begins at 5 a.m., Terrell said.

“The 12-hour work days are tough but they surely produce some amazing memories,” he said.

PMC co-founder, adviser and site manager Bob Byrns said he has seen Terrell grow from the initial steps of trying out as a sophomore to becoming first sergeant as a junior to now taking the lead role as commander. “[He is] well respected by his peers, subordinates and advisers, and has a background in stock,” Byrns said.

His life experiences since early childhood have led him to this point, he said.

“I grew up showing Hereford cattle so I enjoy stock shows, rodeos and of course,

Jess Terrell willl serve as commander of Parsons Mounted Cavalry for the 2009-2010 academic year, and plans to join the workforce as a contractor after graduating from Texas A&M University.

Pg. 5-07.08.09.indd 1

horseback riding,” Terrell said. “The responsibility I had at an early age to take care of cattle and hogs as I raised them and showed them for nearly 10 years contributed to my success in college.”

Terrell has been involved with Fish Aides, the Big Event Committee and was a Fish Camp counselor for two years. Currently, he is a member of the Ross Volunteers.

Terrell said he credits ability to handle the responsibilities that come with being in PMC and Ross Volunteers to his commitment and flexible personality traits.

“There is no way you can be an effective commander of Parsons Mounted Cavalry without fully committing yourself to every task you are given,” Terrell said.

The PMC, which began in the spring of 1973 in order to represent the University at agricultural and equestrian events, is one of the largest school funded organizations on campus, Terrell said.

About $100,000 is spent within PMC, and with this amount of money comes great responsibility, he said. There are several events per year and with each event comes precise planning. The ability to adapt when something goes wrong is essential.

“Each year we attend an average of 50 events, which include rodeos, Aggie Ring Days and parades,” Terrell said. “Flexibility is essential because things are constantly changing and you need to always be ready with a backup plan.”

hat is this mysterious phenomenon that we call the Spirit of Aggieland? Is it beyond our ability to explain? Does the English language have words to describe it? From the first time you even begin to consider attending Texas A&M University, you are told about the amazing Aggie Spirit. If you ask 100 different Aggies, “What is the Aggie Spirit?” you would probably have 100 different answers. But one thing is for sure: every Aggie experiences it in one form or another. I will attempt to define it with a couple of my own personal stories.

I will never forget the first time I had the privilege of experiencing the Aggie Spirit firsthand. It was during the fall of my freshman year. My E-2 fish buddies and I were cleaning and polishing the brass surrounding Reveilles’ graves the night before every home football game.

Close to 2 a.m., two non-regs walked by and asked us what we were doing and why.

We spoke to them briefly, explaining the Reveille tradition and then they went on their way. About 30 minutes later, I looked up and the two non-regs had returned with cold drinks and boxes of donuts.

What would make these strangers do this?

Was it their way of showing us appreciation for our dedication to this Aggie tradition?

They didn’t know any of us personally and yet there was a connection, an unspoken bond. It was the Spirit of Aggieland at work. I dare say that there are few — if any — other universities where this bond and connection among students is so apparent.

It is somewhat ironic that the Aggie Spirit was revealed to me again seven months later and about 50 yards to the west of where we had polished those graves. At the end of the fish year, the Corps holds tryouts for sophomore positions. For three to four weeks, we are pushed and tested in areas of endurance and strength as we compete for Guidon and Mascot Corporal.

The day we receive our positions is the Friday before Parents’ Weekend. We are taken on one last run to Research Park, led to swim through a muddy creek, and complete various other physical exercises.

After an hour of this, we begin our final run through the Wellborn tunnel toward Reveilles’ graves where the positions are announced.

Dead tired, muddy and covered in sweat, we sang our jodies as we ran toward campus.

As we came to the Twelfth Man statue, there was an older gentleman walking with his son and grandchildren.

Wearing a USS Callaghan hat, he appeared to be a veteran. When he heard us

coming, he stopped his slow walk, turned around, took off his hat, and his eyes begin to well up with tears as we ran past him. He was an Aggie, and most likely he had been through the same experience we were going through. Maybe his thoughts were turning toward one of his sons who had been in the Corps, or maybe he was there watching a grandson in one of the units.

But then the thought hit me that maybe he was envisioning himself and his buddies making this same run — buddies with whom he graduated, buddies he grew old with, or more importantly, maybe his thoughts were of his Aggie buddies who paid the ultimate sacrifice in WWII and were left behind in the South Pacific or a field in Europe.

Whatever his thoughts may have been, I was certain that he understood the Spirit of Aggieland, was proud of his Aggie heritage, and held close those great memories that would never die.

Corps members are familiar with the Aggie Spirit of “Al,” who attends every single Corps function, including all morning and evening formations on campus. What motivates this older man who walks with a cane to observe the Corps and attend all our functions when he does not even have a student at A&M? In his own words, Al shared that he holds in high regard all those character qualities that the Corps imparts to its members. This includes discipline, courage, family values and patriotism. These are the same qualities that make America great and keep America strong, and these are a part of the Aggie Spirit.

The Spirit of Aggieland also involves the ability to work together to accomplish great things. We all remember and are still greatly impressed by the red, white and blue-filled stadium at the first football game after 9/11.

Done on a moment’s notice, this event demonstrated the power of teamwork and the spirit of unity at Texas A&M. In closing, the Spirit of Aggieland can be summed up in the respect we offer to those men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Our student union building is the Memorial Student Center where all students remove their hats to honor the memory of our veterans. Entering the north steps of the MSC, students’ eyes are drawn to the words engraved on the wall, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13. This is the Spirit of Aggieland.

Jess Terrell is a senior construction science major.

Terrell sees Aggie reputation forged on the football field Brett Sebastian The Battalion Senior Jess Terrell, commander of the Parsons Mounted Cavalry and a leader in the Corps of Cadets, didn’t learn the discipline and unity he used to rise through the ranks exclusively here at Texas A&M. His work ethic, discipline and leadership was learned at Sherman High School on the football field.

“We were a great team,” Terrell said. “I made lots of friends and learned lots of lessons.

Football taught me discipline, unity, teamwork and being a part of something greater than just oneself. I learned just how much preparation and obedience it takes to achieve your goals.”

Terrell played defensive end and tight end at Sherman where he was a first team all-district player. He grew up a fan of Dallas, rooting for the Cowboys, Mavericks and Rangers before coming to A&M. His interests are reflected in his favorite player, Troy Aikman.

“Troy Aikman is my favorite player of all time,” Terrell said. “I grew up with his jersey and watched him lead Dallas to all those Superbowls.”

While Dallas and his high school impacted his sporting life, his time at A&M and being on the field with Parsons Mounted Cavalry

have impacted him as well.

“A lot here revolves around sports,” Terrell said. “Football games are a really big recruiter for the school, and the student body has a strong spirit and dedication that people all over notice. Even last season, which wasn’t our best, I would be on the field and every time, in the last two minutes, the crowd would get louder.”

This summer Terrell is in Dallas at a convention recruiting for the cavalry. Even now, almost everyone he has talked to first wanted to know about football, being on the field and the experiences he has had.

“Sophomore year when we faced Texas at home had my favorite moment during a sport,” Terrell said. “We were with Reveille and we had a chance to go up to President George H.W. Bush’s box. Getting to go to his box, going past Secret Service, and watching the last few minutes as we beat Texas while he turned to us and said ‘oh boy, what a game’, that was really cool.”

Sports has had such an impact on Terrell that it is reflected in his dream job.

“If I could have any job in sports it would be a high school football coach,” Terrell said.

“I think I would have a lot of fun with it and it would be something I enjoy.”

7/7/09 10:07 PM

news

Thieves steal fake phones MORELIA, Mexico — Call it the case of the dead cells — both telephones and the ones in the brain. Employees at a Telefonica Movistar cell-phone store in Morelia, Mexico say they arrived Tuesday morning to find that the store had been broken into. An examination of the shop revealed the only items missing were hollow replica phones for display that are completely useless for making calls. Employees say the clueless thieves overlooked real cell phones and cash in another part of the shop. Store owners nonetheless reported the theft to local police, who are investigating.

Armstrong surges to second MONTPELLIER, France — Calling his team “simply awesome,” Lance Armstrong was nearly decked out in yellow again.

The seven-time champion surged from third place to second at the Tour de France on Tuesday after his Astana squad won a team time trial in a dramatic finish.

Armstrong erased all but a sliver of his 40-second deficit to leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland in the fourth stage.

Man holds ex-wife hostage Everton Bailey, Jr. Associated Press SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — An advertising executive kidnapped his ex-wife from a parking garage Tuesday, held her hostage for hours in a suburban home and fired gunshots as police negotiators and a bomb squad waited outside, authorities said.

There were no reports of injuries.

A newspaper reported that Richard Shenkman had given it a list of demands, including that a priest be brought in to give his ex-wife, Nancy Tyler, her last rites. A priest was on the scene.

The Day newspaper, of New London, reported Shenkman told a reporter it would be the police, not him, who would hurt Tyler, whom he put on the phone three times.

“I think they’re going to get frustrated soon and they’re going to push me,” he said, ac-

cording to the newspaper. “I believe this is going to end in violence, not that I want it to.”

Shenkman is accused of kidnapping Tyler after he missed a meeting with lawyer Hugh Keefe at Hartford Superior Court Tuesday morning. He was supposed to vacate the home later in the day, Keefe said.

“I hope it ends peacefully without any more violence,” Keefe said.

Police blocked off streets near the home that the couple used to share in South Windsor, just outside Hartford, around 11 a.m. Several hours later, the situation continued.

Police negotiators and the bomb squad were at the scene, and authorities said they were communicating with the two people in the home. South Windsor police Cmdr. Matthew Reed said there was no confirmation of explosives in the house.

Shenkman was “irritated”

by stories on the Internet and demanded the Hartford Courant remove its story, Reed said.

Reed said he was told by the newspaper the story would remain posted.

A message was left by The Associated Press for interim Editor Naedine Hazell.

Reed said he could not confirm that Shenkman had been in contact with The Day. Shenkman made other demands, said Reed, who would not elaborate. The Day reported they included asking that Judge Jorge Simon, who presided over the couple’s divorce case, remarry them. It said he also requested a copy of the SWAT team procedure handbook and asked that police “back off the property,” which he said they did.

Shenkman, 60, and Tyler, 57, have shared three years of contentious divorce proceedings, Keefe said. They married in 1993; a judge granted the di-

Associated Press

Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION

Think you know every nook and cranny of Texas A&M? Test your campus know-how by e-mailing The Battalion and telling us where you think this photo was taken. The first people to get the answers correct will have their names published in The Battalion. Send your response with your name, class and major to photo@thebatt.com.

Monday’s answer: Horticulture and Forest Science Building

Correct responses: Daniel Wolf, senior bioenvironmental science major Craig Schrader, senior agricultural leadership and development major Cody Whitaker, Class of 2007 Lindsay Shea, Class of 2009

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Hartford, Conn., police bomb disposal unit is in place Tuesday in South Windsor, Conn. A Connecticut advertising executive who police say is holding his ex-wife hostage has told a reporter he wants a priest brought in to give the woman her last rites. vorce last year, but Shenkman has been appealing.

The state Appellate Court, in a decision released Tuesday, rejected Shenkman’s appeal.

Shenkman had sought to delay the divorce proceedings until an arson case against him was

resolved.

He is accused of burning the couple’s beach home in East Lyme in 2007 hours before he was to hand it over to Tyler.

The case is pending in New London Superior Court.

Pickens calls off Texas wind farm

Where on campus?

Painkiller limits proposed CHICAGO — Proposed limits on Tylenol, a painkiller as common as pain itself, have left many consumers fearful and wondering where to turn for relief. The potential government crackdown is on acetaminophen, Tylenol’s main ingredient. If adopted by the Food and Drug Administration, the changes would lower the maximum over-thecounter Tylenol dose and would ban two narcotic painkillers, Vicodin and Percocet, which also contain acetaminophen.

7.8.2009 page6

thebattalion

HOUSTON — Plans for the world’s largest wind farm in the Texas panhandle have been scrapped, energy baron T. Boone Pickens said Tuesday, and he’s looking for a home for 687 giant wind turbines.

Pickens has already ordered the turbines, which can stand 400 feet tall — taller than most 30-story buildings.

“When I start receiving those turbines, I’ve got to ... like I said, my garage won’t hold them,” the legendary Texas oilman said.

“They’ve got to go someplace.”

Pickens’ company Mesa Power ordered the turbines from General Electric Co. — a $2 billion investment — a little more than a year ago. Pickens said he has leases on about 200,000 acres in Texas that were planned for the project, and he might place some of the turbines there, but he’s also looking for smaller wind projects to participate in. He said he’s looking at potential sites in the Midwest and Canada.

In Texas, the problem lies in getting power from the proposed site in the panhandle to a distribution system, Pickens said in an interview with The Associated Press in New York. He’d hoped to build his own transmission lines but he said there were technical problems.

Wind power is a big part of the “Pickens Plan,” which was announced a year ago Wednesday.

Pickens has spent $60 million crisscrossing the country and buying advertising in an effort to reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign oil.

“It doesn’t mean that wind is dead,” said Pickens, who runs the Dallas-based energy investment fund BP Capital. “It just means we got a little bit too quick off the blocks.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS

In a Dec. 30, 2008, file photo two wind turbines stand on a farm near Mount Carmel, Iowa. A first-of-its-kind study suggests that average and peak wind speeds have been noticeably slowing since 1973.

Pickens announced in 2007 plans to install the turbines in parts of four Texas panhandle counties.

He had hoped to complete the four-phase project in 2014 and eventually have 4,000 megawatts of capacity, enough to power more than one million homes. The total cost was expected to approach $12 billion.

Renewable energy provides a small fraction of electricity used today, but the wind and solar sectors are the fastest growing in the U.S. In 2008, the U.S. became the world’s leading provider of wind power.

Like most industries around the world, the recession has hurt wind turbine manufacturers and wind farm developers. Companies have shelved development plans and laid off workers.

Associated Press

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