Student organization PAWS works with animal rescue for Valentine’s Day adoptions A2
SPORTS A check-in point for Trisha Ford’s squad: How will the No. 6 Aggies fare this year? B1
Three years after invasion, A&M’s Ukrainian Club supports their homeland from across the Atlantic
By Ian Curtis Managing Editor
In the early hours of Feb. 24, 2022, economics senior Natalya Kolomiyets woke up to the sound of explosions echoing through her hometown of Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The things she’d been looking forward to — a nail appointment, university classes and her 18th birthday party — all would have to wait.
“We just packed our little backpacks with first aid kits, underwear, protein bars, and we left,” Kolomiyets said. “I’ve never been home since.”
Three hundred miles west in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, graduate student Julia Deka found herself piled into her dad’s car along with five other residents and someone’s cat, all fleeing the city as Russia invaded from the east.
“There were tens of thousands of cars on the roads,” Deka said. “And when we were leaving, they already closed the entrance to Kyiv, so you could see you can’t enter Kyiv anymore. So only Ukrainian tanks were driving to Kyiv to defend the city. And that was the first time I ever saw a tank in my life.”
Over the three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both Kolomiyets and Deka found their
way to Texas A&M: Kolomiyets at the end of a refugee journey that took her to Hungary and Germany, and Deka as an applicant to the Bush School after finishing her studies in Ukraine.
“I chose the Bush School because I like the idea that it was focused very much on practice,” Deka said.
“I’m trying
NATALYA
Economics
“I want to work in international affairs here and help Ukraine move into the Euro-Atlantic integration, and I felt like the Bush School was the right place for me.”
But even thousands of miles away in Aggieland, both Kolomiyets and Deka aren’t ready to give up the fight for their nation and culture.
Enter A&M’s Ukrainian Club, founded in 2023 near the first anniversary of the invasion.
“It’s our job as citizens and Ukrainians to explain what’s hap-
From 1994-95, agriculture development major Rollins was Texas A&M’s first female student body president and was a key speaker a Muster in 2007.
By Julia Kazda Associate News Editor
Brooke Rollins ‘94 was confirmed as the 33rd secretary of agriculture in a 72-28 Senate vote on Feb. 13, becoming the first Aggie to hold the cabinet role.
In her new position, the 52-year-old heads the agriculture department and its nearly 100,000 employees.
Rollins is a conservative lawyer who served as chief for domestic policy during President Donald Trump’s first administration.
“We understand that serving all American agriculture and all the American people means ensuring that our rural communities are equipped and supported to prosper,” Rollins said in a press release after her confirmation.
pening and tell that we need this support still,” Kolomiyets said. “Because otherwise, how would people know? It really is our job to tell people, ‘Oh, see, this is what’s happening. That’s why it’s happening.’ … I wouldn’t say we’re happy to talk about the war, but we’re happy to provide information and let
KOLOMIYETS
people know what’s actually happening.”
Far from the homefront
Over its two years of existence, the Ukrainian Club has hosted a variety of events to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. They’ve packed trauma kits with the help of local nonprofit Elevate Ukraine. They’ve hosted documentary screenings and cultural performances designed to educate students
about Ukrainian Culture. They’ve even worked hand-in-hand with charities abroad, like United Hearts Ukraine and Litokryl Now, an emotional support center for children based in Kharhiv.
“We are so grateful and privileged to be studying here and to get our degrees because unfortunately, there are a lot of students in Ukraine who never had this option at all because Russia killed them,” Kolimiyets, the club’s president, said. “We want to continue doing what we are doing and raising [money], helping, just continue supporting Ukraine. Because we’re right now in safety, and it’s just like what we have to do and what we want to do, of course.”
As a refugee, Kolomiyets remembers the outpouring of support the Ukrainian cause received across Europe and the United States after the invasion — including at A&M.
“When I got accepted, I started researching Texas A&M,” Kolomiyets said. “ … People got together and people showed that they stand with Ukraine and that they stand with democracy. They stand with independence. So when I saw this on the official Texas A&M Instagram page, it really did warm my heart because I was like, ‘OK, people stand with Ukraine. We matter.’”
University supports over 254,000 jobs, one of every 81 in the state
By Jordan Fox News Reporter
The Bryan-College Station Economic Outlook Conference, held this past January, underscored Texas A&M’s large role in driving the state’s economic growth. City officials, business leaders and economic experts highlighted how the university serves as a financial engine by creating jobs, attracting industries and fostering innovation that benefits communities even far beyond the Brazos Valley. During this conference, there was heavy discourse expressing just how impactful Texas A&M University is to the local and statewide economy.
According to a November 2024 report, A&M adds roughly $22.3 billion to the state economy, a contribution that supports approximately 254,222 jobs — one out of every 81 jobs in Texas. The impact is larger than the entire agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries in Texas.
In an email, A&M’s Executive Director of Economic Development Rebekka Dudensing wrote that the university contributes $2.8 billion in added income and over 47,000 jobs to the regional economy.
“When you include the impact of our former students, that contribution grows to $3.5 billion and almost 60,000 jobs,” Dudensing wrote.
A&M’s impact is especially felt in key industries like healthcare, engineering and energy, where university-driven advancements help businesses expand and communities prosper.
“Our contribution study shows that Texas A&M’s spending and former students’ economic activity contribute 18.2% of the region’s gross regional product (GRP),” Dudensing wrote. “That equates to one in four jobs.”
The university also spends a major part of the $7.7 billion in income it adds to Texas’ economy on operations, construction, research and entrepreneurial activities. Roughly $2.8 billion of the added income is centered in the Brazos Valley, a number that increases to $3.5 billion — 18.2% of the area’s total gross regional product — when considering the impact made by former students.
Additionally, A&M’s role in workforce development ensures that Texas industries have access to a plethora of well-trained professionals. Its graduates contribute significantly to Texas’ economy, working in sectors that range from business and finance to agriculture and infrastructure. The university’s global reputation attracts businesses that seek to tap into this talent pool, further strengthening the state’s economic landscape.
“Texas A&M is growing fast, but our business community is growing even faster,” Dudensing wrote. “We are proud to be an economic anchor helping to attract businesses who rely on the innovation, workforce, and students we generate.”
Left: Signage and flowers are placed on the wall and floor during the Ukranian Club’s live concert titled “Homeland From Afar” at Rudder Tower on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Right: Ukrainian Club members practice making eggs at the Pysanka Easter
Aggies display puppy love with a purpose
Student organization TAMU PAWS partners with animal rescue for pet adoptions, live jazz and local vendors
By Mollie Blake Life & Arts Writer
As attendees snapped photos with rescue dogs, shopped at petfriendly vendors and enjoyed live music, the spirit of Valentine’s Day shone through on The Green at Century Square — not just in romantic love but also the unconditional love between man and man’s best friend.
For members of Texas A&M’s PAWS organization, the event was more than just a festive gathering: It was an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of
rescue animals. PAWS, an acronym for Pets are Worth Saving, works closely with local shelter Zoi’s Animal Rescue to find forever homes for dogs in need. Business management sophomore Ava Thompson, an active member of PAWS, emphasized the impact both groups have.
“We do adoption events like this a couple of times a year,” Thompson said. “Last semester, we held one right in the middle of campus, and anyone could come by and adopt a dog. It’s such a rewarding experience to see these animals find homes.”
The organization is structured to ensure active involvement from its members, with different committees focused on service, fundraising and member relations. Thompson said the structure fosters a strong sense of community among members, all of whom share a passion for animal welfare.
“Smooch-A-Pooch” featured a Valentine’s Day-themed photo booth where guests took pictures with adoptable dogs. For PAWS president and animal science sophomore Tara Woeste, the event was about more than just raising funds — it was about forging connections between animals and potential adopters.
“We want people to see how wonderful these dogs are,” Woeste said. “A lot of them come from difficult backgrounds, and they deserve a second chance. Events like this help them find the loving homes they need.”
The event also featured local pet-friendly vendors, including Fio’s Frozen Treats, a small business specializing in organic, all-natural dog treats. Owner Jasmin Guevara founded the company in 2021 when she began making frozen treats for her pembroke welsh corgi, Fiona.
“I wanted something healthy
and refreshing for her, and she loved it,” Guevara said. “That’s when I realized I could turn this into something bigger.”
Guevara’s business has expanded beyond frozen treats to include dog cakes, which she customizes based on pet owners’ requests. Her mission aligns with that of PAWS — both are centered on improving the lives of animals through care and compassion.
“Pet health is really important to me,” Guevara said. “A lot of store-bought treats have additives and unnecessary ingredients, so I make sure mine are as natural as possible. It’s great to be part of an event where people care so much about their pets.”
Adding to the ambience, mechanical engineering junior Tristan Rappon and telecommunications junior Chance Sutton brought a smooth soundtrack to the Valentine’s Market. The jazz performers
have played together since their freshman year at A&M.
“We try to play gigs every couple of weeks, but it’s gotten less frequent since school keeps us busy,” Sutton said. “We usually play jazz, blues, sometimes R&B, depending on the venue.”
Despite the cold February air, the duo kept spirits high with a mix of classics and personal favorites.
“‘All of Me’ by Ella Fitzgerald is a favorite of mine,” Sutton said. “It’s just a great song to perform.”
As the sun set on the event, the impact of PAWS’ efforts was evident. For Thompson, Woest and their fellow members, it was another step toward their ultimate goal — finding every rescue dog a loving home.
“At the end of the day, it’s about love,” Woeste said. “Not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day. These dogs give so much love, and they deserve to get it back.”
Computing power tripled
A&M to bring Nvidiabuilt supercomputer to West Campus
By Nicholas Gutteridge Editor-in-Chief
Texas A&M is spending $45 million to bring a supercomputer to the university’s West Campus Data Center, according to a press release.
The purchase spawns from a new agreement between the A&M System and World Wide Technology, a company partnered with Nvidia, the technology company making the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD and DGX H200 systems set to be hosted on campus.
The DGX SuperPOD is a data center infrastructure that offers “accelerated infrastructure and scalable performance for the most challenging AI workloads,” according to Nvidia’s website.
“This investment will triple our computing capacity, which will support the A&M System’s growing research initiatives, particularly in areas such as machine learning, generative AI applications, graphics rendering and scientific simulations,”
Chancellor John Sharp said in the press release.
The A&M System is also furthering its supercomputing infrastructure, Sharp said in the release.
“America’s research universities are the gateway to innovation,” Shawn Rodriguez, World Wide Technology’s vice president of state and local government and education, said in the release.
“World Wide Technology is proud to work with NVIDIA to deliver on Texas A&M University’s vision for investing in and leading the way in creating value with generative AI for all of its stakeholders.”
Nvidia is one of the world’s largest companies, at one point sitting as the most valued company.
Led by CEO Jensen Huang, Nvidia focuses on producing and researching advanced semicondutors.
The company also pushes advanced artificial intelligence initiatives, a vital aspect of the supercomputer being offered to A&M.
The deal is one o.f several made in recent weeks by the A&M System.
The organization recently partnered with four modular nuclear reactor companies for its technology-focused RELLIS campus outside of Bryan.
In the beginning of February, the Board of Regents also approved over $200 million of construction projects and authorized President Mark A. Welsh III to negotiate a contract that would send Aggiedriven research projects to space. If successful, the project would sit aboard the International Space Station and prioritize Aggie-led research, with a particular focus on engineering.
‘92
Aggie chosen
Texas A&M picks Lt. Gen. Michael L. Downs for Muster Ceremony held on April 21
By J.M. Wise News Editor
Texas A&M announced Lt. Gen. Michael L. Downs ’92 as this year’s keynote speaker for Campus Muster in a campus-wide email distributed Monday afternoon. The annual ceremony takes place Monday, April 21, at Reed Arena. Downs graduated from A&M in 1992 with a degree in political science and was commissioned as an ROTC Distinguished Graduate. Today, he is the associate director of military affairs for the CIA, serving as the military advisor to the agency’s director. He previously served as vice director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Aggie Muster has been a
tradition since the early 20th century, and the time-honored custom honors alumni who died in the previous year. Notable speakers include former governor Rick Perry ‘92, who spoke in 2002, and current agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins ’94, who spoke in 2007.
This tradition first took its roots in 1899 when the Corps of Cadets hosted their own celebration on April 21 in honor of San Jacinto Day. Over time, it morphed into a meeting on the same day as a memorial for those who were absent. Now, Muster is one of the most sacred traditions of respect and community that A&M has to offer. Doors for Campus Muster open to the public at 5 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 7 p.m. For more details on the Campus Muster ceremony, including the “Roll Call for The Absent,” visit The Association of Former Students’ website.
Photos by Samuel Falade — THE BATTALION
Attendees ventured to Century Square on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 for the “Smooch-a-Poch” adoption event held by TAMU PAWS and Zoi’s Animal Rescue. The event had multiple vendors and live jazz music.
After three long years, some Aggies seem to have no idea the struggle is still ongoing.
“Because Ukraine is no longer the top column in the news, people tend to think that the war is over,” Kolomiyets said. “So when we would do a bake sale in the MSC, a bunch of people would stop by and be like, ‘Oh, is the war still going?’ Because it stopped being shown in the media that much, people just moved on.”
But things are a little different at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, according to Deka. In classes filled with discussions of politics and international affairs, Ukraine comes up quite a bit.
Deka uses her unique experience to bring something new to the conversation.
“My major also allows me to bring Ukraine into discussions whenever I have a chance,” Deka said. “Do presentations on Ukraine, or write policy papers on the Russia-Ukraine War, and posting what I notice on social media, just like different stories. News also helps a lot to raise awareness because nobody voluntarily goes to the news website and looks up, ‘Russia attack today in Ukraine,’ right? So that really helps.”
That’s not to say the club doesn’t feel supported by students. But three years of war can be exhausting.
“Everyone is, the majority of the time, super supportive,” Kolomiyets said. “It’s like, ‘Oh, we pray for you guys.’ I would say people moved on from this, and I do understand that it’s tiring to think about it, maybe all the time, but I would also say no one is more tired of this war than Ukrainians are. Our main goal is to finish it and end it as soon as possible. And that’s what we’re working on all together.”
‘My soul is back home’
Both Deka and Kolomiyets are grateful for their time in Aggieland. Kolomiyets, a beneficiary of the A&M System’s free tuition grant to Ukrainian students, said A&M has given her a “second chance to live.”
That doesn’t mean the war hasn’t taken its toll.
“You just exist, you don’t live,” Kolomiyets said. “I don’t know how to explain that. Even being here, I would wake up, and the first thing I would do, I would go and check the news. I would scroll all my news feed to see, ‘Is my family OK? Are they alive?’ You just randomly started wondering those things, you don’t really care much about anything else.”
CAMPUS
As the political situation heads towards a possible resolution, Deka said the focus must be on supporting Ukraine rather than appeasing Russia.
“At the Bush School, we have a lot of discussions right now going on about the end of the war and what the Trump administration is trying to do and so on,” Deka said.
“And I feel like there is too much
focus on what we can give Russia, how can Russia benefit from taking part in negotiations and stuff. That really outrages me because we are shifting. We have to think about how to preserve Ukrainian sovereignty.”
And as the club rallies support for Ukraine among A&M students thousands of miles from the conflict, there’s a part of the struggle that
Kolomiyets said is impossible for others who haven’t been affected by war to understand.
“I’m trying to live here, but my heart, my soul is back home,” Kolomiyets said. “It is how it is, unfortunately. It feels like this wound would never fully heal, at this point. It just is gonna be like this, at least as long as the war is still going on.”
Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle come to A&M
Father-son duo engage students in discussions on faith and skepticism
By Jordan Fox News Reporter
Texas A&M students had the opportunity to engage in an open discussion on faith, skepticism and the reasonableness of Christianity as Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle brought their knowledge and Give Me an Answer ministry to campus. The father-son apologist duo spoke Tuesday at Rudder Plaza, Aggie Park and Breakaway before holding another oncampus discussion the next day at noon.
The Knechtles are known for their interactive approach to apologetics –– engaging students in conversations about religion, philosophy and morality at universities across the country.
Cliffe, the senior pastor of Grace Community Church in New Canaan, Connecticut and the leader of the Give Me an Answer ministry, has hosted these dialogues for over four decades. His son Stuart, an assistant pastor with a background in mental health and theology, has joined him in recent years. Their visits often attract large crowds, drawing both supporters and skeptics into rigorous debate.
“Why would a thinking person believe that God exists?” Cliffe asked students during Tuesday afternoon, emphasizing the intellectual basis for faith.
He presented five key arguments supporting his belief in God, including the origins of existence, order emerging from chaos and morality’s dependence
on a divine source.
In past engagements, Cliffe has encountered student reactions that range from curiosity to strong opposition. He shared stories about some of the more challenging situations, including a public disruption at the University of Texas at Austin and a difficult debate on biblical slavery early in his career.
“One of the first times I was at UT Austin, a bunch of grad students … pushed me hard on the issue of slavery in the Bible,” Cliffe said. “I did not have a good answer. So after the event, I said, ‘Guys, I’m going to be out here again tomorrow, and I’ll get a better answer.’”
Stuart, who has a background in marriage and family therapy, addressed questions on faith and doubt. He said that questioning faith is a natural and welcomed process.
“Doubt away,” Stuart said. “God will continuously allow you to ask questions and knock at the door.”
The Knechtles’ Give Me an Answer ministry has made appearances at institutions such as Harvard, Stanford and UCLA, where they have engaged with students on a variety of theological and ethical topics. The duo’s visit to A&M generated similar discussions, as students with diverse perspectives contributed to the conversation.
Breakaway Ministries, a popular campus-wide worship event, also hosted the Knechtles at Reed Arena.
The Knechtles view their work as a moral responsibility, driven by their commitment to sharing their beliefs.
“If I claim to love people, I better do everything within my power to tell them about Jesus,” Cliffe said.
Kennedy Long — THE BATTALION
Ukrainian Club members practice making eggs at the Pysanka Easter Egg Making Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
Photos by Jackson Stanley — THE BATTALION
Top to bottom: Christian apologist Cliffe Knechtle speaks at Rudder Plaza on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Christian apologist Cliffe Knechtle speaks during Breakaway at Reed Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
Vance's comments on judiciary are concerning
Recent statements on judicial power suggest a possible expansion of executive power
By Kaleb Blizzard Opinion Writer
“[Chief Justice] John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.”
Although the above is likely an apocryphal quote attributed to President Andrew Jackson many years after he allegedly said it, the statement nonetheless exemplifies a very real historical conflict; namely that between Jackson’s administration and the Supreme Court.
Instead of enforcing the Supreme Court's 1832 ruling on Worcester v. Georgia, Jackson was intent on letting the Georgian courts, whose original ruling had been overturned, continue imprisoning a man who had failed to “take an oath to obey the laws of Georgia.” The man languished in prison for years after the decision was made, sending plea after plea to the state with no response. Still, Jackson was nowhere to be seen.
A similar conflict between judicial and executive power may be upon us now.
Not only has Vice President JD Vance quoted the apocryphal Jackson with affection,
he’s also endorsed a sweeping view of executive power that could seriously challenge the judiciary’s role — up to and including the Supreme Court.
Let’s start with the front-page news.
There’s a good chance you’ve already heard of the federal spending freeze implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration; the same freeze that was halted seemingly moments later by a federal judge’s temporary restraining order.
Of course, this order didn’t stop Trump and he continues to violate current orders despite having verbally renewed his commitment
exercise executive power without judicial rulings impeding them all the time, right?
It’s not as simple as it seems.
The main difficulty with Vance’s statement comes when you ask a very simple question: What is “legitimate” executive power? In other words, what power can the executive legitimately exercise under the Constitution?
The answer should obviously be contained in the Constitution since it is the document that legally grants such powers. But what if there’s a conflict in what powers are able to be legally exercised? Who would resolve such a dispute?
The answer comes in Article III: The courts get to decide how the Constitution is interpreted. And because executive powers are granted by the Constitution, the courts do in fact have the legal authority to “control” and decide the limits of legitimate executive power.
Obviously, Vance has heard this argument before. He’s a Yale Law School graduate, and we would expect no less from him.
So, what’s the deal here?
Vance — and many others in the Trump administration — ascribe to an idea called the Unitary Executive Theory. Fundamentally, the theory asserts the president as the supreme head of the executive branch, giving Trump the ability to decide essentially everything within the branch — a broad expansion of his powers.
Want to fire every single employee in the Department of Defense? Go for it.
Want to freeze the Department of Education’s spending with an executive order? Completely possible.
The theory is quite far-reaching.
In its most radical formulations, Unitary Executive Theory allows the executive branch to decide whether or not it wants to abide by court rulings on a case-by-case basis.
Maybe the executive will listen to a court order one day when it’s convenient, and maybe it will ignore the same order tomorrow.
In effect, the theory could result in a country where the law starts and ends with the president.
As you might imagine, this theory — should it become
realized — could very well open up avenues of radical despotism for the president to use and risk the destruction of basic liberties. Divorced from the traditional considerations that the president “take care” to execute the laws of the United States “faithfully,” the rights of many could effectively be discarded on the whim of the president.
This swings both ways. If Trump fully and successfully embraces Unitary Executive Theory before leaving office, the floodgates are open for a democrat to enter the White House and effectively do anything they wish to bring about their machinations.
It does seem like Trump may be considering this as a serious option, despite his previous pledges.
As he recently wrote on X, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
Maybe if you can make the laws, you don’t ever have to break one at all.
Kaleb Blizzard is a philosophy sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion
The nonprofit sector needs a makeover
Why is their success always ignored?
By Wyatt Pickering
Opinion Writer
I have been involved in the nonprofit sector my entire life. As you might imagine, I’ve heard almost everything negative someone can say about nonprofits and how they operate.
“Nonprofits are laid-back and not as well-run as businesses.”
“Nonprofits barely have any resources and will take anybody or anything.”
And my personal favorite: “I don’t trust nonprofits, they’re just poorly-run money laundering schemes.”
While this may be the case for some nonprofits — including ones with which I’ve had personal experience — there are many charitable organizations doing legitimate work that are overlooked by the general public.
Take, for instance, the Gates Foundation. Founded in 2000 by Bill and Melinda Gates, it’s one of the largest charitable foundations in the world and has over $71 million in assets.
The mission of this nonprofit is to “reduce inequities and improve
lives around the world.” This is quite the general statement — it’s tricky to make a substantial difference toward inequities as a whole. However, the Gates Foundation has been successful in pursuing its mission and has made significant contributions in impoverished areas of the world.
There are many nonprofits that have achieved the same goals — Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross and Feeding America, to name a few.
So why don’t we talk about their results more often? It’s much harder to measure the success of a nonprofit than a for-profit business.
Let's use the example of a nonprofit organization that deals with mental health awareness.
How would they measure their effectiveness at combating this issue? There are no clear quantitative or qualitative measures to show their success or failure.
With such non-concrete goals, the work of a nonprofit is never truly complete. There is such a need internationally that it is hard for these organizations to determine when they have accomplished their mission.
Without the quantitative measures people are used to seeing in relation to success, it’s difficult to have meaningful dialogue
about what nonprofits have been able to accomplish and make it understandable for the average person.
The real problem is how we talk about them. Words have power, and we can use them to shape the narrative of everything surrounding us.
Why do we call them nonprofits?
The main difference between nonprofits and the private sector is that nonprofits use all additional profits made to further their stated mission.
This can vary depending on what kind of organization it is and how they utilize resources to fight for their cause.
We don’t define the private or public sectors by how they deal with revenues and how they pay taxes.
Why do we make that distinction for nonprofits?
Nonprofit organizations fight for a specific cause and can fill the cracks that no other sector of the economy can.
We should be talking about them in a manner that legitimizes the work they do.
In some cases, the status of being a nonprofit hurts more than it helps.
Many people view nonprofits as businesses, but few treat them
as such. They recognize the work and talent that goes into making a nonprofit organization successful, but they don’t recognize the legitimacy of working for one.
There are many spaces in the nonprofit sector for working professionals, and the need is growing daily. Many of these organizations offer competitive salaries and benefits compared to the private and public sectors.
You would think that at a university like Texas A&M — one of our Core Values is Selfless Service, for crying out loud — students would be encouraged to consider careers in service to nonprofit organizations.
This is a problem, but what can we do about it?
The simplest answer is to give your time to nonprofit organizations.
Making an impact in your community makes it easier for everyone to see their purpose.
Having an established presence in the community is one of the most important signs of a nonprofit’s long-term success, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep it that way. In the meantime, we need to get better at showing off the accomplishments of the nonprofit sector and making the impact more visible to the general public.
Wyatt Pickering is a business honors and finance sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion
Satire: A modest proposal for shared beds
An ingenious solution to college students' sleep deprivation problem
By Kaleb Blizzard Opinion Writer
If you ask anyone who knows me to name one of my greatest pet peeves in life, more than half would tell you that being an insomniac is high on the list.
At the time of writing this, it’s 12:44 a.m. That’s not late for me; the usual time I get to bed is far more likely to be about 4 a.m. on my worst nights and maybe around 3 a.m. on most weekdays.
It’s a cycle many of us know all too well: have too much fun on
the weekends, come to class — or more likely skip — on Mondays out of sheer exhaustion and then try to get through the week while still staying up late for some reason.
Unfortunately for many enterprising Aggies like myself who love to read the lecture slides on their own time, sometimes you just have to come into class.
The particular reason you have to go to class is irrelevant; what matters is that you have to be in the ILCB, LAAH building, Zachry or wherever else your classes take you. And sometimes, you just need to take a nap to refresh yourself for the next thing you have to deal with, right?
That’s why I think Texas A&M’s administration should implement an innovation that would
undoubtedly be popular among our student body: communal, bookable beds that are — ideally — located in every building classes are held on campus.
Think of all the possible uses. Need to have a pre-exam nap to get in the right headspace? Go online and book a free bed. Have a few hours between classes? Sleep for a bit to resuscitate your mental health after a sub-sixhour night.
Not only would the communal beds be popular with students, but they’d also boost exam grades. Studies show that sleep deficiencies correlate strongly with academic performance, accounting for an astounding ~25% of the variance in student academic outcomes. If we convinced even a fraction
of the student body to begin using these beds — which I have no doubt they would — the average GPA at A&M would inevitably go up. Yet another great reason to have these facilities. I think it’s clear to anybody with an ounce of sense that this would be an incredible idea; maybe even the best in the history of A&M’s administration. However, I sense that some of you already have thought of an obvious objection to this proposal. Specifically, there’s a seeming inevitability that comes when you bring together beds and college students: sex.
If some freaky freshmen are going to contaminate these beds and ruin everyone else’s experience, why even build them?
Just hear me out: If the students are paying for an undergraduate education, they should be free to use all of the campus resources they need to in the ways they need to — hygiene concerns be damned.
Are you really going to tell some down-bad freshman they can’t use a free bed when one becomes available?
They’re paying for it, they get to decide. I say let the people have what they want, and if they want to “contaminate” the beds, let them do it.
No need to thank me, President Welsh.
Kaleb Blizzard is a philosophy sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion
ENTERTAINMENT
SQUIRREL THOUGHTS
Newcomers, familar players lead No. 6 A&M to 10-1 start
How a hot start has set the tone for the Aggies’ softball season so far
By Olivia Sims Sports Writer
No. 6 Texas A&M softball started the season with the expectation that it would be a contender in the Southeastern Conference and has not disappointed, boasting a 10-1 record. Through the Aggie Classic and Clearwater Invitational, the Aggies have dominated doubleheaders, fourday tournaments and ranked teams.
Coach Trisha Ford has had a stellar impact on the A&M softball program during her tenure, with an overall 79-36 record heading into this season. Ford led the Aggies to an astonishing 44-15 record in 2024, the most wins A&M has had in a season since 2017. Each season, Ford’s team gets better, and after last year’s Super Regional loss to Texas, that pattern could mean a Women’s College World Series bid.
The Aggies kicked off the season by hosting the Aggie Classic at Davis Diamond in front of a never-disappointing 12th Man.The homestand against Utah State, Purdue, then-No. 19 Baylor, Abilene Christian and Villanova was thrilling as the Aggies posted a 6-0 start to the season.
The grit and determination of the Maroon and White was on display as they took on Utah State for the first game this season in comeback fashion. With a sixthinning offensive spark consisting of a pair of base hits and backto-back-to-back home runs, the Aggies took the lead, setting the tone for the season and impressing the Davis Diamond crowd.
Sophomore first baseman Mya Perez was the star of the show, going 3-for-4 at the plate and tallying four RBIs, a new career high.
Later in the evening, the Aggies carried their momentum into a 10-2 victory over Purdue, where the 12th Man saw senior left-handed pitcher Emiley Kennedy dominate on the mound. Recording eight strikeouts, Kennedy showed why she was selected to the 2025 USA Softball Top-53 Player of the Year watchlist.
Kennedy held the Boilermakers scoreless through three innings before giving up two runs late in the game. On the offensive side, the Aggies played lights out, recording 10 runs in three innings and were able to complete their
runs that pushed them over the Bears, 10-7.
The young talent of freshman right-handed pitcher Sydney Lessentine is one to watch as the Fightin’ Famers continue their season. Lessentine earned her first collegiate start against Abilene Christian with nine strikeouts, which was the most by any starting freshman pitcher since 2016.
“[She] did a heck of a job,” Ford said after the ACU game. “ … It was nice to see her come out, pound the zone, really spin the ball in and out, good change up.”
The Aggies shut out the opponents in their last two games against Villanova and Purdue before heading into the Clearwater Invitational ranked No. 5 in the nation. On Thursday and Friday, A&M rolled past Wichita State and UCF, with a 9-1 victory in each. The real test came on Saturday with a top10 matchup against then-No. 10 Oklahoma State.
The Maroon and White led the entire game before Oklahoma State found some resilience and battled back with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. 2024 AllBig 12 freshman infielder Rosie Davis drove two runs in to make it a one-run game for the Cowgirls. The exclamation point was a walk-off home run by sophomore INF Karli Godwin, giving the Cowgirls the win and handing the Aggies their first loss of the season.
However, they quickly got back into the win column with victories against the University of Virginia and Charlotte. A&M moved down to No. 6 in the Division I Softball Rankings despite a 10-1 record. Ford recruited an excellent freshman class that’s paying off, with right fielder Frankie Vrazel and second baseman KK Dement having played in all 11 games this season. Vrazel has not batted under .400 so far, with her most powerful performance being a .556 in the loss to Oklahoma State. She had season highs of three hits and three runs scored against Baylor, but she is still on the hunt for her first collegiate home run.
The other freshman sensation for the Aggies is Dement, who has been crucial to the Fightin’ Farmers. Dement has started each game this season, which was well deserved after being named the Tri-Country Conference-King’s Division Most Valuable Player her senior year of high school. Dement has two home runs on the season thus far, and it doesn’t look like she’s slowing down anytime soon.
The Aggies will head to Tallahassee, Florida for the
Men’s basketball, graduate guard
Despite A&M’s first loss in the month of February,Wilcher was perhaps the lone offensive bright spot against Mississippi State. The sharpshooter caught fire in the first half, draining all three of his tries from behind the arc in an 11-point performance.
Terrence
Baseball, freshman outfielder
To begin his collegiate career as an Aggie, the freshman made huge, game-deciding plays during opening weekend against Elon. The son of former A&M running back Terrence Kiel Sr. was electric in the box, finishing with four hits and four RBIs in his debut.
KK Dement
Softball, freshman second baseman
Newcomers are the name of coach Trisha Ford’s game, and Dement has fit the role perfectly in her first glance at the collegiate level. In the last series at the Clearwater Invitational, the Selma, California native earned the Aggies two runs and five hits on their way to a 4-1 weekend finish.
J.C. Roddick
Men’s tennis, senior
While A&M crashed out of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in a 4-1 loss to No. 3 Texas, Roddick kept his strong campaign rolling. The senior won in straight sets against Michigan and won his doubles matchup against Kentucky in the consolation bracket.
NBAggies: Updates on former A&M stars
How four of the former Aggies in the NBA have done so far this season
By DJ Burton Senior Sports Writer
The NBA trade deadline has passed, and the NBA All-Star Break is over: The final stretch of the regular season is in sight. Here’s a look at how some of the Aggies now in the NBA are performing so far in the 2024-2025 season.
Robert Williams III, center, Portland Trail Blazers
Williams was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 27th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. In his two seasons with the Aggies, Williams averaged 11.1 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game and 2.5 blocks.
The Shreveport, Louisiana native spent his first five seasons in Boston before being shipped off to Portland in the trade that made NBA Champion guard Jrue Holiday a Celtic. This season, Williams has averaged 5.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 17.2 minutes.
Williams’ role with the Blazers is smaller compared to what it was on the Celtics, where he was their starting center from 2021 to 2023. On the Blazers, Williams is listed as the third center on the roster. Before the trade deadline, the 6-foot-11 defensive specialist’s name was thrown around the rumor mill, but he was not moved. With an injury to starting C Deandre Ayton, expect Williams to get more minutes over the next four weeks.
Alex Caruso, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
The “Bald Eagle” averaged eight points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and two steals in his four-season career at Texas A&M. Caruso went undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft and later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.
Caruso made himself a household name after winning the 2020 NBA Championship
with the Lakers. In 2022, Caruso signed with the Chicago Bulls and earned NBA All-Defensive honors in 2023 and 2024 before being traded to the Thunder.
In his first season with the Thunder, Caruso has averaged six points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Seeing minutes at small forward, shooting guard and point guard, Caruso has cemented himself as a real do-it-all player for the Thunder.
Khris Middleton, small forward, Washington Wizards Middleton was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 39th overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and two assists in his three seasons in Aggieland.
Following a lackluster rookie season, Middleton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and immediately became a cornerstone of the franchise. He would go on to be a three-time NBA All-Star and an NBA Champion. Over the past offseason, Middleton underwent surgery on both ankles. Despite dealing with the rehabilitation process, Middleton still accounted for 12.6 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per game.
As Middleton nears his 14th season, his numbers have started to decline with age. His injuries have started to catch up to him, and the Bucks took notice. The team decided to move Middleton at the trade deadline, sending him to the Washington Wizards. Seeing that Middleton is north of 32 years old and has struggled with injuries his entire career, it looks like Milwaukee sent him to Washington for his career to die.
DeAndre Jordan, center, Denver Nuggets
The Los Angeles Clippers selected Jordan with the 35th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. In his one season at A&M, Jordan averaged 7.9 points and six rebounds.
In his nearly 20-year career, the Houston native has racked up the accolades. His extensive
resume includes an Olympic Gold medal, multiple All-NBA nods and winning an NBA Championship with the Nuggets in 2023. At 36 years old, Jordan averages 3.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. After looking like he would spend his whole career with the Clippers, Jordan became a journeyman and jumped around the league. Jordan has been a key depth piece for the Nuggets behind star center Nikola Jokic despite his limited minutes. He seems to have found a home in Denver and will likely remain there as long as they will let him.
Around the SEC: Feb. 22
By Diego Saenz Sports Writer
State at Oklahoma
Saturday, Feb. 22 — 12 p.m. on SEC Network Lloyd Noble Center — Norman, Oklahoma
After starting the season 13-0, the wheels have fallen off for the Sooners, as they have dropped eight of their last eleven games.
The Sooners are coming off their fourth straight loss, an 82-79 defeat to LSU, where they shot a season-low 16.7% from beyond the arc. Senior forward Jalon Moore, the team’s go-to playmaker, has struggled during this skid, averaging just 11.8 points per game.
No. 21 Mississippi State is coming off a crucial 81-71 win against its in-state rivals in No. 19
Ole Miss. The Bulldogs sit at eighth place in the SEC standings with a 6-6 record and have a favorable remaining schedule with only two ranked opponents left.
The Dawgs will look to sophomore guard Josh Hubbard to continue fueling their aspirations at obtaining a better seed in March Madness. Averaging 17.1 points a game, Hubbard has been a catalyst for the SEC’s seventh-best offense.
Expect Oklahoma’s cold streak to continue and Mississippi State to keep rising in conference standings.
While this matchup may not seem as attractive as the previous one, there are still huge implications, especially for an Arkansas squad pushing for a NCAA Tournament bid.
The Razorbacks have turned their season around after a tough 1-6 start in SEC play. Following coach John Calipari’s return and a crucial win at Kentucky, the Hogs have gone 2-2 and positioned themselves in the race for one of the final at-large spots in the NCAA Tournament. No 15. Missouri has defied all
odds this season after being projected to finish No. 13 in the SEC standings. As of today, the Tigers stand firmly at fifth place in the highly-competitive SEC, hanging on to a 8-4 conference record and vying for a top-4 seed in March. These two programs faced off earlier this season with the Tigers comfortably winning with a score of 83-65. With a veteran coaching edge and raucous home crowd supporting them, expect the Razorbacks to keep it closer this time around and pull off the upset.
Prepare for this to be one of the most exciting matchups of the day, as both programs boast the top two ranked offenses and the bottom two defenses in the SEC.
Alabama has the highest-scoring offense in the nation, averaging 90.3 points per game.
Kentucky doesn’t trail by much, sitting at the No. 3 spot in the nation, averaging 85.9 points per game.
Inconsistency is not what you want, especially when facing an explosive Alabama squad fresh off a tough loss in a Top-2 showdown against the Auburn Tigers.
On top of that, Alabama faces a brutal stretch of games with matchups against No. 21 Mississippi State, No. 6 Tennessee, No. 3 Florida and No. 1 Auburn in their remaining schedule. Expect fireworks as the top two offenses collide — with the Tide coming out on top.
Kentucky’s inconsistency has been their downfall this season. In one game they beat the brakes out of a top-10 team, while in another they were toppled by a bottom-ranked opponent.
Prediction: Alabama 100, Kentucky 94
No.
24 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Saturday, Feb. 22 — 2:30 p.m. on SEC Network Memorial Gymnasium — Nashville, Tennessee
In this year’s SEC, no game is a gimme, and this is no different for No. 24 Ole Miss as it enters the daunting Memorial Gymnasium, where Vanderbilt holds a 14-2 home record. The Rebels have relied on their depth all season, with five players averaging double-digit points, fueling the squad to an 8-5 record and positioning them as a likely lock for the tournament. On the other hand, Vanderbilt has endured a rollercoaster season, sitting at 5-7 in SEC play. Unlike the Rebels, the Commodores are far
from a lock and must win to stay in the conversation come Selection Sunday.
Both teams have been excellent at taking care of the rock all season. Ole Miss and Vanderbilt rank second and third in the SEC in turnover margin, respectively. With both teams excelling at limiting their mistakes, expect a tight, methodical game that could come down to the final possessions. In the end, the Rebels’ depth will be too much for Vanderbilt’s star junior G Jason Edwards to overcome on his own.
Prediction: Ole Miss 75, Vanderbilt 65
CJ Wilcher
Kiel II
Jackson Stanley — THE BATTALION
Harrison — THE BATTALION
Chris Swann — THE BATTALION
FIle photo by Chris Swann — THE BATTALION
Gilbert Rono Track and Field, freshman
The Aggies took over the men’s 1 mile, with the Maroon and White taking all three podium spots. Rono set the pace and a new personal best time of 4:02.01 to claim first place. The Kericho, Kenya product also stars for cross country.
