thebattalion l tuesday,
february 5, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
Letter to the Aggie family: From Firing Squad Commander, Ross Volunteer Company I would like to wholeheartedly thank all those who came to Silver Taps on Dec. 4. Your selflessness to attend was truly something special to the family of the fallen Aggie we honored that night. Unfortunately we again must perform this incredible act of solidarity tonight, and while the Aggie family turnout for December was amazing, it was not enough. Attendance at Silver Taps is traditionally strong in September because of Fish Camp and the beginning of the academic year. Slowly but surely, however, the numbers dwindle to mainly the Corps and the few truly dedicated Aggies. We owe it to our brothers’ and sisters’ families to tell them that we cared. Silver Taps is one of the special traditions that make Aggieland irreplaceable and is one that is unique only to A&M. To simply be in attendance is the most important act you could do for those families. Actions speak louder than words. It is a truly powerful sight to see all those caring Aggies envelop the families of our fallen brothers and sisters in a large, loving embrace. For there to be no room on the grass in front of the Academic Building and Sully, displays what it really means to be an Aggie and exemplifies the humble and loving nature of the Aggie spirit. If you were to be honored at Silver Taps, how many people would you want to show up? How many people would you want gathered around your parents as they are led into Academic Plaza and seated in front of Sully? How many people would you want to honor your life and the person you were? I know not everyone can see the ceremony. I know you have to stand uncomfortably close to people you don’t know. I know it seems like it takes a long time. And I know that you are extremely busy. But please, I ask that you put aside 30 to 45 minutes to selflessly sacrifice that time to the families of our fallen Aggies by showing up at Academic Plaza tonight. The ceremony starts right at 10:30 p.m. and lasts about 30 minutes. In the past, the area between Nagle and Bolton Halls and the YMCA Building to the Academic Building was full of Aggies who showed up to honor those at Silver Taps. We had fewer students back then as well. How much more should we now pay our respects with a student body of 50,000 Aggies? All I ask for is simply your presence out on the plaza tonight. That is all you have to do. That alone is a wonderful act of compassion, selflessness, and devotion. How many people would you want at Silver Taps for you?
FILE PHOTO
Chandler Renee Small
Cameron Martin Lindsay
June 8, 1993 - Dec. 19, 2013
June 6, 1991 - Jan. 4, 2013
“Her Christian upbringing probably shaped her with everything she did. She went to church every Monday night no matter what.”
“He was really persistent. He always studied and he was very diligent because he wanted to succeed so much.”
Small sacrificed first fall to attend A&M
He was positive, the life of the party
Julie Blanco
Ashe Matocha
The Battalion ith her warm and contagious smile, Chandler Small could light up a room wherever she went. Her kind spirit and Christian upbringing made her someone who others loved to be around. “She was just out there for everyone,” said Chandler’s mother, Renee Small. “She had a ton of friends; she met a friend everywhere she went.” Although the sophomore general studies major hadn’t been an A&M student for very long, she still had a strong impact on fellow students. There was never a dull moment with Chandler. “You always knew it would be a good time when she was around,” said Chandler’s friend and senior ag economics major,
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Special to The Battalion ameron Lindsay was a fighter. You could see it in his persistent positive attitude, despite an 11-month battle with cancer. Even though he went through an extreme amount of chemotherapy, proton radiation and aggressive treatment five days a week, 24 hours a day, the junior petroleum engineering major remained optimistic and constantly looked forward to returning to school after therapy. “He was very positive,” said Cameron’s mother, Valerie Lindsay. “It was a very painful cancer and when that boy was done with his chemo treatments that very same day he would get out of hospital — no matter how sick he was — he always
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See Small on page 3
See Lindsay on page 5
25 by 25
Deans quantify engineering enrollment increase Retention of current students part of plan to increase engineers Torri Clark
The Battalion eans from the Dwight Look College of Engineering answered students’ questions about the plan to increase engineering enrollment to 25,000 students by 2025. To address student concerns about the controlled enrollment growth program — called 25 by 25 — Texas A&M Student Engineers’ Council set up a student forum to encourage conversation between engineering deans and students Monday afternoon in the Zachry building. Several students voiced concerns regarding how the dramatic increase in enrollment in
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the college of engineering will affect the quality of an engineering education at A&M. “We will enhance the quality of an engineering education at Texas A&M as we grow by enhancing the experience,” said vice chancellor and dean of engineering Katherine Banks. Banks said as an example of the innovative teaching style promised of the 25 by 25 initiative, students may watch an online lecture at home before going into the classroom with a smaller team to gain hands-on experience. To accommodate these types of learning experiences, the 25 by 25 initiative includes plans to renovate and expand the Zachry Engineering Center into a state-of-the-art engineering complex. The new building will house teaching laboratories, experimental learning labs, tutoring facilities, flexible classrooms and interactive learning systems used to educate a technologically advanced generation. The building will be open 24/7 and dedi-
inside sports | page 4
Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
cated solely to undergraduates. The plan of the enhanced learning environment is to improve the overall educational experience, regardless of the quantity of students, by integrating technology with teaching, as well as increasing faculty.
Another common concern among students was how the deans plan on retaining current engineering students. “The first year is about making an informed See 25 x 25 on page 2
texas legislature
Former students to descend on capitol for Orange & Maroon Day
Win streak continues Losses to topranked SEC teams left the door open for a young A&M team. Led by junior center Kelsey Bone, the No. 14 Aggies stormed through Baton Rouge. Bone led all players with 21 points and freshman guard Courtney Walker added 16 as A&M put LSU away, 74-57. A&M and Tennessee are now tied for first in the conference at 8-1.
Julie Blanco
The Battalion he University of Texas and Texas A&M University are putting their rivalry aside and joining forces at the state capitol Tuesday to advance a common interest of higher education. Orange & Maroon Legislative Day is organized for UT alumni and A&M former students to come together with Texas representatives to discuss future investments for each educational institution. The Association of Former Students and The Texas Exes are two of the largest and most respected graduate organizations in the world and will have around 200 participants at the event. University presidents, R. Bowen Loftin and Bill Powers, will attend as honored guests.
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Deans from the College of Engineering field student questions about the 25 by 25 initiative.
“We are proud to work alongside the Texas Exes to promote the significant impact our two flagship universities make on our state, nation and world,” David Heath, Class of 1976 and 2013 board chair for The Association of Former Students at A&M, said in a statement. “Together, our universities seek to serve the citizens of Texas and deliver both excellence and value in education.” Kathryn Greenwade of The Association of Former Students at A&M said there will be groups of four that meet with members of the legislature to discuss the initiatives. The goal of Tuesday’s legislative event is to restore funding to higher education previously cut by the Texas Legislature in 2011, See Legislative on page 2
“If it’s true that efficiency is doing things right and effectiveness is doing the right things, then Texans have reason to be proud.”
— University President R. Bowen Loftin
2/5/13 12:10 AM