The Battalion: June 13, 2017

TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2017 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2017 STUDENT MEDIA | @THEBATTONLINE

ON TO

OMAHA

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PAGE 3: UPD ADDS PUPS ON PATROL PAGE 4: BEDFORD’S BRILLIANCE AT CATCHER PAGE 5: ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION METHODS FOR SUMMER

LIFE&ARTS

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

Free Press Summer Fest rocks despite rain

By Josh McCormack @_JoshMcCormack

LAST CALL FOR ORDERS Eligibility Check Deadline: June 15 Order Deadline: June 16 Aggie Ring Day: September 22 HOW TO GET YOUR AGGIE RING ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2017:

Cage the Elephant lead singer Matt Schultz engages with the audience.

Chevall Pryce — THE BATTALION

If you meet the requirements after Spring 2017: 1. Log in to AggieNetwork.com by June 15 to check your Ring eligibility. (You will need to create an account on this website.)

• Your records will be reviewed and your eligibility status will be displayed online instantly.

2. If eligible, schedule an appointment online to order your Aggie Ring at the Aggie Ring Office.

• Select from available order dates between June 13 - 16.

• If you are unable to order in person, submit an order to the Aggie Ring Program prior to the deadline.

3. On your appointment day, visit the Aggie Ring Office to find your Ring size (with official Aggie Ring sizers) and pay for your Ring.

Post Malone’s new album, “Beerbongs and Bentleys,” is expected to be released this year.

Despite the unfortunate June summer showers which ended the event early, Free Press Summer Fest (FPSF) offered a variety of musical acts that brought both sweet sounds and enjoyment to festival goers.

The festival was held on June 3 and 4 at Eleanor Tinsley Park in Houston, offering attendants four different stages with a variety of artists across the genre spectrum.

The headliners of the event included G-Eazy, Cage the Elephant, Lorde and Flume. Due to the festival’s cancellation, the latter two artists did not perform.

Other artists who entertained included Jon Bellion, Post Malone, The Struts and Bad Suns.

Each performer played with intensity, showcasing their talents to the festival crowd.

The best performers of the festival were Post Malone and Cage

the Elephant.

Grapevine-native Post Malone drew a huge crowd for his performance. During each song, Malone was almost drowned out by the voices of his fans singing along. By far, Malone’s celebratory piece, “Congratulations,” had the audience jumping. Despite the Texas night heat, people were still dancing to the hiphop melodies.

With no surprise, Cage the Elephant brought a powerhouse performance to a crowd that might have been the largest of the festival. They played their large discography of hits, including “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked,” “Come a Little Closer” and “Cigarette Daydream.”

Overall, festival goers enjoyed themselves, despite the rainfall.

After the showers had stopped, people could be seen trudging through the mud on their way new performances to watch the artists they love.

• FULL PAYMENT IS DUE AT TIME OF ORDER. • Pricing is available online.

batt THE

• Ring Loans are available to qualified, currently enrolled students at the Short Term Loan Office.

Visit AggieNetwork.com/Ring for full details.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: 1. 90 cumulative completed undergraduate credit hours.

2. 45 undergraduate resident credit hours completed at TAMU. 3. 2.0 cumulative GPR at Texas A&M University.

4. Must not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on honor violation probation from the university.

GRADUATE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: Master’s Thesis Option 1. Defended Thesis Due to ordering deadlines, you may order at the beginning of the semester you will graduate. Your Aggie Ring will be delivered on Aggie Ring Day if you have defended your thesis prior to the deadline set by the Office of Graduate Studies. If you do not defend your thesis prior to this date, your Aggie Ring will be held until the qualification is met.

The IndependenT STudenT VoIce of TexaS a&M SInce 1893

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Alicia Rodriguez,

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AggieNetwork.com Visit www.AggieNetwork.com/Ring for complete details or call the Aggie Ring Program at 845-1050.

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

Kevin Chou — THE BATTALION

TAMU police officer Eric Walker sits with his police dog, Tyson. Tyson and Jackie are UPD’s first K-9 dogs on the force.

Online Parking Permit Registration ENDS July 5 transport.tamu.edu

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Pups on patrol: new K-9 units in TAMU UPD Dogs donated by K9s4COPs being used in mobile detection

By Mariah Colón @Mariahcolon18 Between June and December of 2016, TAMU UPD officers Eric Walker and Jonathan Blythe were completing training to welcome the first K-9 units to the Texas A&M Police Department.

Donated by Tony Buzbee ‘90, John D. Schiller ‘81 and K9s4COPs, a 501(c)3 organization that provides K-9 units to law enforcement officers. Jackie and Tyson, a Belgian Malinois and German shepherd, can now be seen on campus striding alongside their partners.

Lieutenant Bobby Richardson of UPD said the process to get K-9 units was in discussion for a couple of years and came full circle when the dogs were donated.

“They were donated by Texas A&M regent Tony Buzbee, 12th Man Foundation Board Trustee John Schiller and K9S4COPs,” Richardson said. “K9s4COPs is an organization that helps build a safer future by putting police dogs in communities and schools, so those three working together allowed us to get these dogs.”

Richardson explained that the dogs were chosen for mobile detection and will be used at large campus events.

“What they are are mobile detection dogs, so they’re trained to recognize components found in explosives,” Rich-

ardson said. “So that is why they are used at football games, baseball games, or any type of large event, but on any given day you can find them across campus.”

Kristi K. Schiller, the founding chairman of K9s4COPs, founded the organization in 2011. She decided to donate to A&M to make sure the campus remains safe.

“With everything changing, you know the temperature in America with our safety and the way things are changing, it was time to implement a program at the university to make sure that everyone goes into one of the best learning environments in the world and [stays] safe in the process,” Schiller said.

Schiller said that the K-9 units were trained and chosen because of their heightened sense of smell, specifically with components found in explosives.

“These dogs go in price up to fifty thousand dollars each and they go through hundreds of hours of training…

These dogs do not bite they just have a very high sense of smell,” Schiller said.

“They go in and can detect smells that are three hundred to five hundred thousand times stronger than a human’s and if you have gunshot residue or certain odors on you that they may find alarming they sit at alert and let someone know that this person smells a little funny and they just need to check them out.”

Schiller said the dogs have an en-

hanced sense of smell and similar K-9s are at use all over the country.

“Their job is to protect against explosives and explosive devices and odors.

They are not drug dogs, they are not patrol or attack dogs, they just pinpoint the issue,” Schiller said. “This is an initiative of our program K9s4COPs, anytime we put dogs on campuses around students or kids it’s called K9s4KIDs, and to date we protect over 1.2 million kids in schools…

In 37 states and Paris, France.”

Eric Walker, an officer for UPD who has been working at Texas A&M for 10 years, said in an email statement that his experience working with his K-9 has been a wonderful journey.

“My experience with the K-9’s has been amazing to say the least. As I have told everyone that ask me this question, this has been a dream come true for me,” Walker wrote. “I’ve always wanted to work with and train K-9’s. Working with these two particular K-9’s has been very rewarding.”

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Notice of University Student Rule Revisions Additions, deletions and changes to the University Student Rules may occur over the course of the year.

The following student rules have been revised: Rule # 24 26

Rule Student Conduct Code Student Conduct Proceedings

Date Student Rule Website Updated May 4, 2017 May 4, 2017

Each student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with and to comply with the Texas A&M University Student Rules. Student Rules can be found at http://student-rules.tamu.edu.

SPORTS

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

THE SELFLESS SERVANT Bedford’s unique leadership helps him flourish behind the plate

By Heath Clary @Heath_Clary

Texas A&M assistant coach Jake Carlson couldn’t help but swell with pride as Cole Bedford rounded the bases after his go-ahead three-run home run against Iowa in the Houston Regional.

It was the culmination of hours upon hours of hard work and dedication. Bedford’s outgoing personality and infectious spirit made him an easy guy to root for.

“Nobody deserves success more than Cole Bedford,” Carlson, the Aggies’ second-year catching and first-base coach said. “I was extremely proud of him. He’s the epitome of college baseball and Texas A&M baseball.

He’s going to work every day for his brothers, punching the clock academically, socially and on the baseball field.”

Bedford, a redshirt sophomore catcher, is highly regarded around the A&M program for his leadership and work ethic. Whether it’s coming to the ballpark early before class to catch a pitcher’s bullpen session or going to the weight room on weekends to work out while his teammates are still sleeping, Bedford’s leadership and team-first attitude are always on display.

“He’s a selfless servant,” starting pitcher Brigham Hill said. “He comes in early and he stays late. He’s one of those guys that if he has a bad game it’s not because he’s not prepared. He leaves it all out on the field every day.”

The catcher position was a major question mark for A&M heading into the 2017 season following the departure of two-year starter Michael Barash, with Bedford and incoming freshman Hunter Coleman competing for the job.

Bedford saw limited action the year before, taking over at one point late in the SEC schedule when Barash suffered a concussion, and the results left much to be desired.

Bedford hit .143 in 35 at-bats and admitted

he wasn’t ready for the fast pace of SEC play.

Bedford’s teammates and coaches still marvel at his unending spirit. Even when he was on the bench most games last year, he maintained a positive attitude and tried to do whatever he could to help the team.

The A&M coaching staff assumed at the beginning of the season that Bedford would be someone they would pencil in near the bottom of the order and occasionally get a big hit, but he has vastly exceeded those expectations.

The Deer Park-product has batted all over the lineup for the Aggies, including critical spots like second and fifth, and is one of four players on the roster hitting over .300. He enters the College World Series batting .302 with three home runs, 26 RBI and a .438 slugging percentage, which ranks third among A&M’s current starters.

“I knew if I stuck to our approach more consistently, then I could have a little bit of success,” Bedford said, who is third on the team with 12 doubles. “I think I’ve been able to do that a little this year — I know it’s not even close to being perfect but I think I’ve done alright and I’m going to try to continue to get better.”

Since senior Joel Davis went down with a broken bone in his foot and Coleman slid over to first base, Bedford A&M’s every day catcher.

He has caught every inning of A&M’s last ten games, playing error-free baseball behind the dish and continues to impress.

Some of Bedford’s defensive improvements can be attributed to a personnel change the Aggies made at the beginning of the season — no more bullpen catchers.

This year, instead of a walk-on or two catching the pitcher’s bullpen sessions in an attempt to save the starter’s legs, Bedford and Coleman are the ones back behind the Jake Carlson, plate honing their craft. assistant coach This allowed Bedford to become more familiar with A&M’s pitching staff and understand each pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I just feel like I’m getting more comfortable pitch by pitch and I know what the pitchers are trying to do and where I need to set up for

“NOBODY DESERVES

SUCCESS MORE THAN

COLE BEDFORD”

“He’s one of those guys that if he has a bad game it’s not because he’s not prepared. He leaves it all out on the field every day.”

Brigham Hill A&M Starting pitcher

Alex Miller — THE BATTALION

Sophomore Cole Bedford throws the ball around the horn after a strikeout in game one of the Super Regional against Davidson.

them,” Bedford said. “I just try to get a little better every day and do whatever I can to make sure that we have a good chance to win.”

The 6-0, 200-pound backstop has all the tools of a great catcher: A strong arm to control the opposing team’s running game, alwaysimproving receiving skills that allow him to steal a few strikes over the course of a game and leadership qualities that Carlson said are immeasurable.

Now he barely resembles the freshman catcher who was thrust into action in 2016 against South Carolina.

“It all goes back to confidence,” Carlson said. “When guys start truly gaining confidence in themselves they become better players —

the two go hand in hand. His confidence has skyrocketed as the year has progressed and in turn he has performed better.”

The Aggies will rely on Bedford to continue his offensive production and defensive prowess as A&M heads to Omaha to compete in the College World Series.

“He’s put the time in, he’s never got caught up in himself and he was the same kid when he wasn’t playing as he is as an everyday guy. That’s so rewarding and so special, and it’s just a great story,” Carlson said. “To see him put in the time and effort and have such an incredible attitude when he wasn’t playing at all, you root for that guy and that’s why that kid will be successful in whatever he does in life.”

NEWS

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

Beat the heat with public transportation Student options for reasonable summer public transportation throughout Texas A&M TAMU BUS ROUTES

01 02 03 04 05 06 08 09

Bonfire Replant Yell Practice Gig ‘Em Bush School 12th Man Bush School Vet School Map provided by TAMU Transportation Graphic by Hayley Douglas

By Conrad Frey @Freytex29

W

ith summer in full swing, students may try to avoid walking around in the warmth.

Luckily, there are many alternate forms of transportation offered at various times of the day and night in the Bryan-College Station area.

AggieSpirit bus One of the most popular options for transportation is the AggieSpirit bus. With 18 routes on and off campus, there are few places the service does not reach.

The buses, which run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer and even later during the school

year, are free for Texas A&M students and staff, as well as anyone with a Brazos Valley Transit Pass.

According to public health senior Amber Davis, who has driven an Aggie bus since 2014, the buses are a safe and cheap way to transit campus.

“AggieSpirit buses drive some 1.82 million miles and carry 7 million riders each year,” Davis said. “The best part for students is that they don’t have to deal with traffic. They also don’t have to pay a dime.”

Davis said that while crowding on the buses is something students need to take into account, it is often avoidable.

“You may have to work around the schedule, but because there are so many buses your wait time is never long,” Davis added. “Since few people ride in the early mornings, that’s the optimal time to ride.”

CARPOOL Another safe and free option for students is CARPOOL. According to Adriana Hensley, CARPOOL’s director of Public Relations, “CARPOOL aims to provide a free, safe, nonjudgmental ride home to anyone who needs one.”

CARPOOL runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. during the spring and fall semesters.

“CARPOOL is completely student run, and you can be sure that you will be taken home by caring Aggies,” Hensley said. “Each ride is confidential, so there is no need for students to worry about drivers discussing who was taken home, what occurred during the ride or what was witnessed.”

Zagster For students looking for a more physically active way to get around campus while saving time and money, A&M offers a new bike rental program through Zagster.

Membership for students is $25 a year and includes the first hour free on weekdays and three hours free on weekends. After the allotted time, the price is $3 an hour.

“When I transferred, I was extremely excited to see Texas A&M had a bike share program like Zagster.” Mechanical engineering senior Ashton Greene, who has been using the program since he started college in Boston said.

“The bikes are nice, the app is easy to use and the membership is pretty cheap,” Greene said.

SPORTS

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The Battalion | 6.3.17

A&M RALLY OFFERS A BID TO OMAHA Eighth-inning insanity leads Aggies to clinch first College World Series berth since 2011

By Alex Miller @AlexMill20

I

t was magic – Olsen Magic.

There may not be another way to describe Texas A&M’s 12-6 win over Davidson last Saturday, which punched the Aggies’ ticket to the College World Series.

Down 6-2 in the top of the eighth, the Aggies (41-21) were struggling to find a glimmer of hope. Evan Roberts was in a groove for the Wildcats (35-26), keeping the A&M hitters in check with his fooling fastball that sat in the upper 70s.

Then came a rally.

Maybe it was the pickles in the dugout, or maybe it was destiny, but it took just a little bit of magic.

The Aggies’ angst to avenge the past two years had become too much.

This time, it was the maroon and white that would charge the field in celebration of reaching Omaha. It was the way it happened that made it so memorable.

After pulling within 6-5, A&M head coach Rob Childress pinch-hit

Jorge Gutierrez for Austin Homan. The bases were loaded. A&M had two runs were safe and A&M had the lead. already scored three runs and the crowd was electric.

“It was the correct call. You have to have a voluntary release,” DaGutierrez, however, did not seem to deliver the anticipated knockout vidson head coach Dick Cooke, who served as chairman of the NCAA blow, popping up a high infield fly – it appeared the Wildcats would Rules Committee in 2012, said. “He, by definition, had control of that escape the inning maintaining their lead. ball, and when he opened the glove, it came out… He has to be making “I thought Jorge was going to hit a grand slam. As the attempt to release that baseball. If a guy catches a basesoon as the ball went up, I kind of let out a sigh. I was ball, puts his glove to the side and the ball drops out, that’s like, ‘Oh man,’” center fielder Nick Choruby, who technically not a catch. So, they applied the rule exactly as stood on deck, said. “Then, I heard the crowd get so it should be. It was a tough play, and it was loud.”

“That’s why loud and I was watching the play and was like, ‘Oh The Aggies did not stop their rally there. Choruby folGod.’” lowed the wild sequence with a two-RBI single to right I do it. To The stands grew louder and the Davidson infielders field to add insurance. In the ninth, Walker Pennington grew closer before second baseman Alec Acosta collidadded an exclamation point, blasting a three-run bomb sit there and ed with third baseman Eric Jones. Acosta appeared to over the left field fence. enjoy that make the catch, falling to the ground, but then did the “I got all of it. I didn’t look at it the whole way around,” unthinkable – he dropped the ball. moment with Pennington said. “I made eye contact with Coach CarlIn a state of confusion, the Aggies were able to bring right when I hit it and we just smiled at each other.” the smiles on sonEchoes around Blake Kopetsky and George Janca while the of the a cappella War Hymn rang through the Wildcats’ players stood around a shaken up Acosta, trybleachers when the game headed to the bottom of the their faces.” ing to figure out what had happened. ninth. When Janca threw the ball across the diamond After a review of the play, it was ruled that although from third to record the final out, Childress could do Rob Childress Acosta originally caught the ball, the drop meant he did nothing but stand at his usual perch in the dugout and Head coach not maintain possession and did not record the out. The soak in the excitement as his team raced out to celebrate

with each other.

“That’s why I do it. To sit there and enjoy that moment with the smiles on their faces,” Childress said. “To listen to the locker room right now – that’s why we spend so much time away from our families. I have such a great time with these guys. To see their joy is worth it.”

For the past two years, the Aggies were on the other side of things, standing in the dugout in despair as TCU players tackled each other on the mound after punching their consecutive ticket to the greatest show on dirt.

Pushing through the pain of the past, Childress said the current team wouldn’t be here without the leadership of players before who had suffered through those sorrows before – Barash, Melton, Birk, Boomer, Moss, Banks, Simonds and more.

“They got us to the door and allowed us to taste what it feels like and the pressure of being in a Super Regional,” Childress said. “These seniors led the 27 through the door this year. I couldn’t be more proud of everybody in and out of our program.”

Choruby had been there through it all against the Horned Frogs. He said earlier this week that hopefully this year would be third time’s the charm. Thanks to some Olsen Magic, his dream finally came true.

“This is what I’ve been dreaming of my whole life, to go to Omaha,” Choruby said. “Now we have the chance to go and compete for a national championship. I’m so excited.”

1 1. Sophomore Mitchell Kilkenny dunks A&M head coach Rob Childress and Joel Davis with a bucket of Powerade in celebration of the Super Regional win.

2. Senior Walker Pennington is greeted at home by the A&M dugout after hitting a three-run homer.

3. Freshman Logan Foster celebrates his second-inning home run with Braden Shewmake.

4. After missing the tag on Davidson’s Max Bazin, third baseman George Janca was able to recover and throw out Will Robertson at first in the 11th inning of game one.

All photos by Alex Miller.

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NEWS

8

The Battalion | 6.13.17

A scientific artist, crafting from imangination faculty member serves as instrumentation specialist for on-campus glass shop

By Tenoch Aztecal @tenochaztec

Cristian Aguirre — THE BATTALION

Bill Merka working at his on-campus glass shop.

He has ran the shop for 33 years.

You don’t need to be an expert in glassblowing to know Bill Merka does the impossible with just his bare hands, glass and a flame.

Since 1985, William “Bill” C. Merka has served as Texas A&M’s research instrumentation specialist in the university glass shop.

He designs and blows custom glassware for students, departments and other universities throughout the state.

Born and raised in College Station, Merka spent much of his early life in and around A&M, specifically the university’s glass shop, which first opened in 1961.

“Well, we grew up in here,” Merka said.

“When we were little kids we came in here

and used to have a blast.”

During a typical day of work, Merka will see various students, professors and faculty of other departments to develop concepts and work orders for the glassware they require. The rest of his day is spent behind the flame, physically constructing the desired products.

“What we mainly do is custom scientific glassware,” Merka said. “We wouldn’t build a flask, but if you wanted a flask inside of a flask, inside of another flask with platinum electrodes going through the middle, we would build that. We’ve sent stuff into space, the bottom of the ocean, pretty much all around the world. ” With most of the glassware being custom-made, Merka often collaborates with William Seward, research instrumentation specialist of the university’s machine shop, which is located across the hall from the glass shop.

“Helping students is the best part of the job,” Seward said. “A student will come in here and just doesn’t know how to get there

and we show them.”

Horticulture junior Seth Kellenbeck is currently the glass shop’s only student worker and said he is considering taking over the shop one day.

“I’m learning stuff that I’m going to need one day,” Kellenbeck said.

In his off time from the glass shop, Merka has crafted a number of unique pieces of glass art including Christmas ornaments, hummingbirds and wine glasses. Merka said that in his opinion, the custom glassware he produces is artwork.

“We have to conceptualize something that’s never been done before and then run it through your hands,” Merka said. “In my mind, that’s art.”

As Merka approaches year 33 of his career at A&M, he said he has considered the possibility of retirement but for now enjoys his time here.

“33 years of doing something is a long time,” Merka said. “But I’ll be around for a little while longer.”

George Bush Library hosts birthday celebration for namesake Community celebrated former president and first lady with pearls and socks

By Savannah Mehrtens @SJMehrtens The George H.W. Bush Library and Museum hosted a birthday celebration in honor of former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush’s birthday on Friday, June 9 free for the public community.

The event was held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lobby of the museum. Cake, popcorn, and Blue Bell ice cream were provided to celebrate the birthdays of the former president and first lady. Barbara Bush’s birthday was the day before on June 8, and George H. W. Bush’s birthday was June 12.

The suggested attire according the invitation was pearls and socks. The fashion represented Barbara Bush’s classic pearls and George H.W. Bush’s

newly acquired crazy sock fashion, according to Tracey Paine, the public programs director.

“Barbara is known for her pearls, of course,” Paine said. “She always wears her three strand of pearls, and usually some pearl earrings as well.

He’s really been in the news lately for his crazy socks, that’s kind of become his trademark...Just to honor both of them, we do both.”

Anthropology senior Kaela Clark, a summer intern at the Bush Presidential Library and Museum, said that it is important to celebrate the lives of the Bush family.

“This event was celebrating together George Bush’s and Barbara Bush’s birthday,” Clark said. “It’s really important just to remember our past, and the people who helped get us through some difficult times in our country’s past.”

Management professor Ed Elmore asked his business law students to meet with him at the celebration. Accounting senior Zoe Zeller was one

of Elmore’s students who came to the celebration.

“We actually had a professor conference after class, and he said ‘Why not just meet here and celebrate the Bush’s at the same time,’” Zeller said.

Paine said that it is common for presidential libraries to celebrate the birthday of their namesake, but some stand out from the rest.

“They have been here for some of the bigger ones, like 41 in ‘80, he actually parachuted onto the grounds, they had a huge tent and a big party,” Paine said. “We just like to celebrate them and their legacy, so we do this every year.”

Paine said the Bush’s dedication to one another and their lasting legacy were honored through the celebration.

“They’ve been married for 73 years, so [the event was] celebrating the long, happy life they’ve had,” Paine said.

Savannah Mehrtens — THE BATTALION

Public programs coordinator Tracey Paine, anthropology senior and Kaela Clark and political science senior Ashtyn Davis cut the Bush’s birthday cake.

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

Grounded in History A background on A&M’s buildings and statues

By Brad Morse @BradSMorse53 WAR HYMN MONUMENT

Place

an ad Phone 979.845.0569 Suite L400, Memorial Student Center Texas A&M University

When

to call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day

FOR RENT $1100 Prelease, Brand Newer Luxury 2/2 on Northgate, walk to TAMU, granite counters, faux hardwood floors, FREE Wifi/Cable, Fullsize W/D, Call/Text Maroon & White Management, 979-422-5660. More info at www.rentmaroon.com

Austin Patterson — THE BATTALION

The War Hymn Monument in front of Kyle Field was unveiled in Sept. 2014. The 40-foot wide statue features 12 students locked arm in arm, swaying to the War Hymn and sawing Varsity’s horns off, a tradition unique to Texas A&M. The statue is located on the 50-yard line of the east side of the stadium, which is where the student section is located. The statue is modeled after A&M students from a diverse background, including both undergraduate and graduate students.

BOLTON HALL

Austin Patterson — THE BATTALION

Bolton Hall is located to the left of the front of the Academic Building on A&M’s central campus. Constructed in 1912, Bolton Hall was originally named the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building. In 1921, A&M students conducted what is believed to be the nation’s first ever play-by-play commentary of a football game inside the building. Renamed Bolton Hall in 1939 after Frank C. Bolton, the then head of the electrical engineering department. The building now houses the communication department.

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FOR RENT 4bd/2ba house in Northgate, a few blocks behind the Dixie Chicken, big backyard, deck, large trees, hardwood floors, new carpet in all bedrooms, $1900/mo, 972-822-9341.

New 1/1 Falcon Point Condos Broker/Owner, 979-777-5477.

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ANSWERS

to todays puzzles

ATTENTION RECENT AND UPCOMING AUGUST GERADUATES!

NEWS

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

NEED A JOB? WORK FOR ADVISE TX!

Maggie Pruitt — THE BATTALION

Workers walk to the construction site of the hotel. Construction is expected to be completed before the 2018 football season.

YOUR CAREER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. APPLY NOW!

POSITION: College Recruitment Advisor JOB POSTING NUMBER: S00623FY17 APPLY ONLINE AT: jobpath.tamu.edu

Advise TX TAMU admissions.tamu.edu/advisetx

Texas A&M University hotel to be finished in fall 2018

Press conference discusses construction, future plans

By Maggie Pruitt @maggiepruitt

Texas A&M University System officials provided a construction update on the on-campus hotel and conference center on June 9 during a press conference held on site.

The building is still currently under construction and is expected to be complete by Sept. 1, 2018. A model room is expected to be available for visitors to tour in mid-July.

The hotel will feature 250 rooms, including 12 luxury suites, a full service bar and restaurant, fitness center and pool. The hotel will also have a significant amount of conference space and break-out rooms.

“This is the amenity our campus has needed to help our students get jobs and attract conferences,” Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said. “We think it is unequalled.”

The hotel was Sharp’s vision, according to Texas A&M Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Phillip Ray. Inspired by the on-cam-

pus hotels at other Southeastern Conference universities, system officials said A&M’s hotel will outdo the hotels at other universities.

The hotel is funded through a public-private partnership, or P3, between A&M and the National Campus and Community Development Corporation (NCCD) of Austin.

By using private money in conjunction with university funds, A&M is able to reduce the use of university funds for projects.

“It’s a prudent use of those resources, [a] prudent use to manage our debt capacity and maintain that triple-A credit rating, which is non-negotiable,” Ray said.

According to NCCD president Greg Eden, both Cain Garage and the off-campus student apartments Park West have been funded through P3 partnerships.

The projects NCCD has helped fund total approximately $561 million.

Sharp said with the building of these structures along with the renovation of Kyle Field, A&M is experiencing its biggest building boom in history.

System officials added that because A&M has used private money to fund these projects, revenue will go back to the university.

NEWS

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The Battalion | 6.13.17

Political Representation of B-CS A look at the prominent civil servants who represent local citizens Judge Edward J. Spillane III Beginning with College Station’s presiding judge, Spillane’s duties include presiding over trials, logging each case, ensuring that witnesses attend court and serving as a Texas magistrate.

Karl Mooney Mooney is the current mayor of College Station. He was elected to College Station council in 2011, and became mayor in 2016.

Bill Flores U.S. Representative Flores was elected in 2010, serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee. Flores is also on the Board of Directors at Texas A&M’s Private Enterprise Research Center and serves on the external advisory board for the Texas A&M Energy Institute.

Kyle Kacal ‘92 Texas House Member Kacal represents Brazos County under House District 12. Because Kacal graduated in an agriculturally focused field, he has contributed to agricultural issues raised in the House.

WALK OR BIKE to Class!

John Raney ‘69 Texas House Member Raney represents Brazos County under House District 14. Raney serves on the Committee on House Appropriations and the sub-committee on Education.

Raney is also the secretary of the House Republican Caucus.

Charles Schwertner Schwertner serves as a Texas State Senator. He was a House member from 2011-2013 and became a senate member in 2013 where he has served ever since. Schwertner serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, and as a member on these committees: Finance, Administration, Business and Commerce and state aff airs.

Barbara Cargill Cargill serves as aTexas Board of Education Member and Chair of the Committee on Initiatives. Cargill represents over 1.7 million people on the Board of Education, College Station residents included.

Ted Cruz The two Texas U.S. senators are Republicans Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. Cruz was elected in 2012 and serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Joint Economic Committee and the Committee on Rules and Administration.

John Cornyn The second senator, Cornyn, has been serving since 2002 and serves on the Senate Committee on Finance, the Committee on the Judiciary, the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control and the Select Committee on Intelligence. Every Thursday the Senate representees can visit Cornyn’s office to have coffee with the senator.

By Mariah Colón

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Show your Aggie Pride with the Aggie Bucks Unlimited Debit Card Texas A&M University — College Station and Wells Fargo have teamed up to bring you the Aggie Bucks Unlimited Debit Card1

1. Get it

2. Use it

Visit a nearby Wells Fargo branch and ask for the Aggie Bucks Unlimited Debit Card when you open a Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account.2

• No-fee access to your cash at Wells Fargo ATMs nationwide • Make everyday purchases and pay bills worldwide at participating retailers and service providers

Wells Fargo College Station locations: • University Drive | 321 University Drive | 979-691-8366 • Southwest Pkwy. | 200 Southwest Pkwy. East | 979-695-3266 • Rock Prairie | 1801 Rock Prairie Road | 979-776-3266 Wells Fargo Bryan locations: • Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. | 501 N. Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. | 979-821-3120 • Briarcrest | 3000 Briarcrest Drive | 979-776-3277

Take advantage of this optional benefit today.

Connect with us

1. The Aggie Bucks Unlimited Debit Card is a Visa® debit card issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 2. Your Everyday Checking account will receive a monthly service fee waiver within 45 days of linking your Aggie Bucks Unlimited Debit Card to that account. See a Wells Fargo banker for more information about other fees that may apply.

Wells Fargo may provide financial support for use of Texas A&M University branding on the Aggie Bucks Unlimited Debit Card.

Materials expire on March 31, 2018. © 2017 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

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