thebattalion
news for you inside Songs and prayers Donna Stuart, wife of the director of Breakaway Ministires, releases her second solo album.
● thursday,
The Aggie Equestrian team is ranked No. 1 in the country and just finished off its fall season with a 6-0 record.
sports | 5
Stopping the stigma Students with STIs regularly feel ostracized due to their disease. Instead of treating other people like social lepers, students should support those suffering from an infection and treat STIs like any other illness.
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all began with one parson Three cadets revived historic cavalry unit
lifestyles | 3
Top finish for equestrians
december 2, 2010
Joanna Raines The Battalion From the moment Parsons Mounted Cavalry enters Kyle Field their presence commands the attention of everyone present. You can hear the sounds of the horses’ hooves as they take each powerful step, and the rattling of each turn of the wagon wheel. “I feel like I’m on top of the world,” said Zach Hollon, senior geology major and first platoon leader. “There’s nothing better than riding a horse, especially into Kyle Field.” After World War I, the Cavalry was taken out of the Texas A&M Corps units. But in 1972, three members of the Class of 1978 sought to revive the tradition. Darrell Williams, Michael Collins and Pete Starks approached their commander, Tom Parsons, to resurrect the tradition. His support earned him the honor of being the Parsons Mounted Cavalry’s namesake. Collins became the commanding officer, and the unit only accepted upperclassmen that could pay their way and supply their own horse. As the
program developed, the community aided in the program’s growth. John Fritz donated his skills as a horseman as well as supplies for the horses. A store donated feed, and a rancher, Billy Bryant, supplied funds for the barn. Texas A&M University also aided the Cavalry in its development. The University donated the land that is still used today known as “Fiddler’s Green.” “The whole unit is history,” Hollon said. “We are a representation of pre-World War I cavalry and artillery. Our whole purpose is meant to be a historical representation of Texas A&M College.” Parsons Mounted Cavalry sets A&M apart from other universities around the nation. “We’re the only college that has an actual field artillery piece,” said commanding officer William Echols, a senior agriculture economics major, when referencing the “Spirit of ‘02” which is heard with every Aggie touchdown. Along with representing the military history that accompanies Parsons Mounted Cavalry, the
Photos by Tyler Hosea — THE BATTALION
See Parson on page 4
voices | 9
texas Jeffs to face sex charges Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was quietly extradited from Utah to Texas, where he was arraigned Wednesday to face trial on bigamy and sexual assault charges. Jeffs, who was indicted more than two years ago, was not asked to enter a plea. Texas authorities have charged the head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with bigamy, aggravated sexual assault and assault. Prosecutors plan to try the charges separately, with the first trial set for Jan. 24.
nation &world House plans tax cuts vote The White House held the door open Wednesday for a year-end compromise that would extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts temporarily as House Democrats scheduled a politically charged vote to let them expire for the wealthy. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president’s main goal is to prevent a middle class tax increase.
UK police arrest 153 students British police made 153 arrests during student demonstrations in London on Tuesday against proposed university tuition hikes, officials said. Police reported the arrests following a day of clashes between demonstrators and riot officers ending in a violent standoff in the capital’s Trafalgar Square. Students are furious over the coalition government’s decision to allow schools to triple the cap imposed on tuition fees, allowing the best universities to charge £9,000 per year up from £3,000 in a bid to reduce the burden on Britain’s debt-laden public sector. Associated Press
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Aggieland remodels reach Olsen Field Sean Lester The Battalion Thanks in large part to two former Texas A&M students, Olsen Field will be getting a long-awaited makeover. Former students and Blue Bell Creameries executives Ed and Howard Kruse of Brenham along with Blue Bell Creameries have pledged a $7 million gift to the 12th Man Foundation’s Championship Vision capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of Olsen Field. To recognize the gift, the A&M athletic department leadership has requested that the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents name the new construction, that will give Olsen Field a complete face lift, as “Blue Bell Park,” and that the official name of the baseball facility be changed to C.E. “Pat”
Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. “When we thought of a perfect partner to complete this fantastic facility, the name of one family came to mind. The support of the Kruse’s and Blue Bell for Aggie baseball go together like Peaches and Homemade Vanilla.” said Miles Marks, president of the 12th Man Foundation. To handle the competitive nature of the baseball program the 12th Man Foundation formed the Olsen Field committee in 2009. The committee had gathering around the state to inform potential donors of the two-part renovation. The $16 million first phase construction of a twostory student-athlete center housing a new locker room, player’s lounge, coaches’ offices, training and weight facilities as well as club seating, widening of the concourse
and new concession stands and restrooms. A secondary $8 million phase includes a dramatic new exterior façade of the facility, removal of metal bleachers and construction of grassy seating areas on both the first base and third base sides. Additionally, construction of suites along the top of the stadium and numerous fan and family amenities throughout the ballpark will be added. “Howard and I are proud of our association with Texas A&M and what it has meant to us over the years. We are honored to be able to give back in some way,” Ed Kruse said. The renovation of Olsen Field has already created excitement among students on campus. Tyler Johnson, a See Olsen on page 4
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New Greeks on the block Connie Thompson The Battalion Texas A&M Greeks say they are Aggies first and Greeks second. And even with the addition of two new fraternities on campus, this tradition continues to prevail. Through the work of dedicated Aggies, A&M’s Interfraternity Council has expanded by two chapters: Delta Kappa Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha. These fraternities bring not only additional leadership to IFC, but diversity as well. As the newest fraternity on campus, PIKE said it was proud to join and actively participate in the Aggie community. PIKE has become one of the largest fraternities on campus. “As a fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha aims for success in both its academic and philanthropic endeavors, while fostering a brotherhood shared by leaders on campus,” said PIKE president Phil Gallegos. “With a membership of nearly 100 campus and community active men, I believe our impact in the area will be felt not only at A&M but also throughout the BryanCollege Station community.” The fraternity encourages its members to be involved on campus. Many of the members participate in multiple organizations such as the Corps of Cadets, CARPOOL and Sophomores Advancing in Leadership Originally founded in 1868, PIKE has grown to be one of the largest international fraternities, with more than 240,000 members. PIKE had a strong presence on campus in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and is now re-chartering
thanks to the support of former students who were collegiate members during this time. In addition to Pike, the Tau Chi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was chartered on March 24. “After consideration of several national fraternities, the founders decided upon DKE for a variety of reasons including the university being home to the George Bush Presidential Library,” said Greg Dundas, IFC vice president of public relations. “This was the first colonization effort in history to have two former U. S. Presidents, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, personally support the endeavor.” The Tau Chi chapter works to improve the character of its members through the strengthening of its brotherhood. The chapter also strives for excellence by growing as scholars, citizens and gentlemen. To benefit the BryanCollege Station area, DKE is adopting a community service project to build ramps for those in need. DKE also raised more than $6,000 to go toward medical expenses after fellow DKE and Southern Chapter Consultant Chase Treadway had a spinal cord injury. The chapter raffled a flat screen television with the proceeds donated to Treadway’s treatments. “We are very excited to welcome both the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Kappa Epsilon into the Interfraternity Council,” said IFC President Ben Peterson. “We know they will contribute greatly to Greek Life and our community, and have already proven to be an asset to the IFC.”
12/1/10 9:33 PM