MONDAY, MAY 4 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2020 STUDENT MEDIA
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G R A D U A T I O N
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20 MOMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF
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Photos by Meredith Seaver and Angelina Alcantar — THE BATTALION / Archive photo via Aggieland Yearbook
Clockwise from top left: The COVID-19 pandemic has left much of campus empty since spring break as all classes have transitioned an online format. // The Bonfire Memorial stands tall on campus 20 years after the collapse that killed 12 and injured 27. // Buzz Williams joined the Texas A&M Athletic Department as the head coach of men’s basketball in 2019. // Former United States President George H. W. Bush was transported by train to College Station where he was laid to rest on Dec. 6, 2018.
PROVIDED
This year’s Lavender Graduation will be held on May 8 at 7 p.m. live on the LBGTQ+ Pride Center’s social media pages.
Lavender Graduation celebrating online LGBTQ+ Pride Center to celebrate community graduates with online event By Alyssa Gafford-Gaby @AGaffordGaby Texas A&M’s LGBTQ+ Pride Center will host the Lavender Graduation Ceremony for the sixth year to affirm and celebrate the accomplishments of graduating LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students and their allies. On May 8 at 7 p.m., the LGBTQ+ Pride Center will post the Lavender Graduation
Ceremony to their social media channels. This event is normally held in person, but due to the coronavirus outbreak it has since been moved online. The ceremony will include several speeches, including keynote speaker Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute & Fund and former mayor of Houston, and a presentation celebrating the accomplishments of this year’s Lavender graduates. According to A&M Director of Gender and Sexual Diversity in the Offices of the Dean of Student Life Heather Wheeler, the online ceremony is different, but still offers a sense of community and celebration.
“Lavender Graduation is a cultural celebration for our LGBTQ+ students and allies,” Wheeler said. “It’s recognized that some of our LGBTQ+ students face that heterosexual and binary students do not face so we wanted to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments that our LGBTQ students and their allies give to a campus environment.” Traditionally, special graduation stoles are given to Lavender graduates by the LGBTQ+ Pride Center. While this ceremony is not in person this year, stoles will still be available. “When the staff is all back on campus we will mail out the stoles to graduates who have requested them for free,” Wheeler said.
“Graduates do not have to participate in Lavender Graduation to get a stole. If they would like a stole they can email the LGBTQ+ Pride Center and we will work with them to get one.” LGBTQ+ Pride Center student worker and communication junior Espyn Burks said although having the ceremony online makes it hard to feel a sense of community, the LGBTQ+ Pride Center has worked hard to make it a celebratory event despite the challenges. “Lavender Graduation is a more personalized graduation ceremony because it more specifically recognizes the individual,” Burks said. “It can be challenging because this celebration is about community and, while there are virtual communities, it can be difficult to maintain that, but we are trying to make sure everyone still feels individualized and recognized.” Although online, Lavender Graduation is still going to be an exciting day that offers members of the LGBTQ+ community a chance to celebrate who they are and what they’ve accomplished, said Vivian Escalon, biomedical sciences senior and Lavender Graduation participant. “I wanted to find a place where I could feel included and not worry about hiding myself,” Escalon said. “When I heard about the ceremony, I felt like it was another way to be a part of the community at A&M and to be proud of myself and my accomplishments. Being able to share my accomplishments and everyone else’s accomplishments together is a really amazing opportunity.” To watch Lavender Graduation, visit studentlife.tamu.edu/lgbtq/programs/lavgrad or watch on the LGBTQ+ Pride Center’s social media. The Pride Center can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @tamulgbtq.
GRADUATION
The Battalion | 5.4.20
20 MOMENTS
2
The Battalion looks back at some of the most iconic events from the Class of 2020’s time in Aggieland Compiled by Hannah Falcon, Sanna Bhai and Samantha Mahler
Photos from Meredith Seaver, Kaylee Cogbill and FILE
Aggies United
Myles Garrett drafted No. 1
K9 Units added to UPD
Hurricane Harvey
One America Appeal
Texas A&M hosted a unity event on Dec. 7, 2016 called Aggies United on Kyle Field to counter a white supremacist speaker event taking place on campus. The event featured a wide variety of speakers and musicians and drew in an estimated crowd of around 6,000 people.
In 2017, the Cleveland Browns drafted Garrett as a defensive end, making him the first No. 1 overall draft pick in Texas A&M’s history.
Texas A&M regent Tony Buzbee, 12th Man Foundation Board Trustee John Schiller and K9S4COPs donated K-9 units to UPD for large campus events. This allowed for a safer campus for students, faculty and staff.
This hurricane was the biggest storm to hit Texas in over 40 years, damaging the greater and southeast regions of Houston. This storm caused high winds, flooding, power outages, deaths and school closures for the directly impacted regions.
To raise relief funds for those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Maria and Irma, the five living U.S. presidents gathered in Reed Arena. The event included a surprise performance from Lady Gaga and other stars. More than $31 million was raised through this campaign.
Corps changes uniforms
Snow in Aggieland
Rise and fall of ride-share
Barbara Bush funeral
Female Mascot Corporal
Due to the constant weather changes in College Station, the Corps of Cadets revived a past uniform that included a darker, thicker pair of pants along with the option to wear a long sleeve or short sleeve bravo top.
During finals preparation in the fall of 2017, a snowstorm hit Bryan-College Station as a surprise. The unexpected storm gave students a chance to enjoy the snow before winter break.
To combat the number of abandoned bikes on campus, Texas A&M contracted bike-share program ofo in February 2018. The bikes quickly became a meme, as they were left abandoned around town in odd places. After switching to VeoRide in 2019, one of the infamous teal bikes was left atop the Academic Building in October 2019.
After a series of hospitalizations, former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away on April 19, 2018. An advocate for literacy, Barbara often used the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library to promote reading education programs. She and the former president are buried behind the presidential library today with their daughter Robin.
In April 2018, Mia Miller was named the first female Mascot Corporal. This selection came after Alyssa Michalke was appointed as the first female Corps Commander in 2015, breaking down barriers for women within the Corps of Cadets.
Texas A&M defeats LSU
George H.W. Bush funeral
12th Man touchdown
Christchurch vigil
New coaches arrive
On Nov. 25, 2018, Texas A&M topped LSU in a momentous seven overtime win that lasted four hours and 53 minutes. The game became the highest-scoring game in Football Bowl Subdivision history at 74-72, prompting new overtime rules from the NCAA.
The 41st president of the United States passed away on Dec. 7, 2018. Bush laid in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C., and was honored at a funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. He was then flown to Houston for a second funeral and was transported by train to his final resting place in College Station.
Cullen Gillaspia became the first 12th Man in Texas A&M history to score a touchdown during the 2018 Gator Bowl against NC State. Gillaspia continued to make history in April 2019 when he was drafted to the Houston Texans in the seventh round.
Aggies held a vigil in Academic Plaza on March 21, 2019 to honor lives lost during two mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand. Names of the 51 deceased were read, and individuals representing the Sikh, Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths spoke.
Texas A&M Athletics contracted the historic $7.5 million deal with football coach Jimbo Fisher on Dec. 4, 2017. The hires continued with men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams on April 4, 2019 and athletic director Ross Bjork on May 23, 2019.
Coronavirus pandemic shuts down campus
Bonfire 20th anniversary
Aggie ACHIEVE begins
Construction completion
DRAGgieland
On Nov. 18, 2019, Aggies honored the 20th anniversary of the Bonfire collapse. The solemn occasion remembers the 12 Aggies lost in 1999.
Texas A&M began the Aggie ACHIEVE program on Aug. 19, 2020. Students with learning disabilities were admitted to a program designed to help them achieve socially, professionally and academically.
Since the Class of 2020 took to campus, the skyline of Aggieland has seen many changes. Student Services, the Quad, the Commons, Cushing Stadium, Davis Diamond and many other facilities have all had recent facelifts.
MSC Town Hall held the first ever on-campus drag show on Feb. 20, 2020. The show was met with protests, which were met with counter protests. But the drag queens and kings danced on.
Congratulations CLASS OF
2020 GRADUATES!
You’ll always be part of the Aggie family.
Students left for Spring Break 2020, not knowing they wouldn’t return to in person classes for the rest of the semester. Traditions such as Muster and Ring Day were reimagined to fit a new normal, and classes were conducted online.
NEWS
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The Battalion | 5.4.20
New lady leading the Aggieland Freshman Kylie Sledge to become Aggieland Yearbook editor-in-chief By Samantha Mahler @mahlersamantha The Aggieland Yearbook has named psychology freshman Kylie Sledge its 2020-2021 editor-in-chief. Sledge, the current student life editor, joined the Aggieland in fall 2019 as a photographer, but gradually became more involved with writing and design as the year went on. Her roots in yearbook began with her high school’s Tiger Yearbook as a freshman where she worked as a photographer, writer and designer. Sledge became editor-in-chief of the Tiger Yearbook her senior year. Sledge’s high school yearbook adviser Christina Strnad worked with Sledge from middle school through high school. Their hometown of Thrall, Texas, has a population of just under 1,000, which meant Sledge was involved in just about everything but the football team, Strnad said.
“I’ve always taught my kids it doesn’t matter how big your school is or matter how big your high school is, you are gonna go often to this big world, and so you need to think big,” Strnad said. “The fact that a student from little Thrall is the editor of the Texas A&M yearbook really speaks to how seriously kids can take that message, how much kids can rise to the expectations that they’re set for.” Current Aggieland editor-in-chief Liz Liu was a member of the interview panel for the 2020-2021 editor. Liu said Sledge has all of the boxes checked in the categories that were needed to lead the yearbook team next year. “She had great leadership skills, great communication skills,” Liu said. “She’s able to work with staff and other organizations on campus, and then she is super developed in her photography and design skills. She came into college already knowing AP Style, which was crazy to me, so that is a huge kudos to her previous adviser.” Although she had experience with the Tiger Yearbook, Sledge said working for a collegiate yearbook has been an entirely different experience. As a younger leader, Sledge said
PROVIDED
Psychology Freshman Kylie Sludge will serve at the editor-in-chief of the Aggieland Yearbook for the 2020-2021 school year.
one of her goals for the upcoming year is to continue the teamwork and energy from this school year. “I just overall wanna make the yearbook the best that it could be,” Sledge said. “I want it to be an accurate representation of student life at A&M, and I want it to be something that we’re all proud of making.” Liu, a biology senior, will be leaving the
yearbook in Sledge’s hands after she graduates. Liu said her biggest piece of advice for Sledge is to not be too hard on herself and stay strong in her decisions. “Hopefully if she excels, she’ll stay with the program for her entire college career, which is exactly what we’d like to see,” Liu said.
The Battalion names new editor-in-chief
Journalism sophomore Brady Stone to serve as next editor-in-chief of The Battalion By Samantha Mahler @mahlersamantha
Beginning in May, journalism sophomore Brady Stone will lead The Battalion as editor-in-chief for the rest of the calendar year and into spring 2021. Stone joined The Battalion in November 2018 as a page designer, but quickly grew interested in other parts of the paper. After being on staff for several months as a page designer, Stone wrote his first article for Maroon Life magazine in April 2019. In the fall, Stone began writing in-depth features, such as covering the 20th anniversary of Bonfire collapse. During the spring 2020 semester, Stone served as both head page designer and assistant news editor. His high school journalism teacher Erika Prater, Class of 1995, said Stone is universally talented. “I’ve had students who were excellent writers or enthusiastic photographers or skilled designers,”
Prater said. “Brady is all of those ... he is equally gifted in every aspect of journalism.” Throughout his education in journalism, Stone said the guidance he has received from his teachers and fellow editors will be the most helpful as he transitions into his new role. “I have learned so much from my journalism instructors and The Battalion’s past editorial staffs. I owe them all of my gratitude,” Stone said. “I am so honored to be joining the long list of Battalion editor-in-chiefs and I am excited to lead our staff into 2021.” Current editor Samantha Mahler has worked closely with Stone since he was a page designer. Mahler, an agricultural communications and journalism senior, said Stone’s leadership abilities have been a huge asset to The Battalion’s editorial staff. “Brady has always looked for ways to improve The Battalion, whether it’s through design or our social media presence,” Mahler said. “I’ve learned so much through watching him grow as a journalist, and I am excited to see him lead The Battalion this coming year.”
Journalism sophomore Brady Stone will serve as the editor-in-chief of The Battalion for the Summer, Fall and Spring terms. PROVIDED
CONGRATULATIONS! The Association of Former Students congratulates the 2020 Gathright Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Junior recipients for their outstanding academic performance at Texas A&M University.
The Buck Weirus Spirit Award honors up to 55 students each year who demonstrate high involvement, create positive experiences throughout the Aggie community, impact student life at Texas A&M and enhance the Aggie Spirit.
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2020 Buck Weirus Spirit Award recipients!
2020 AWARD RECIPIENTS College of Dentistry Katie Shea Smith ’22 College of sCienCe Chloe Ann Todd ’21 College of Veterinary MeDiCine & BioMeDiCal sCienCes College of agriCulture & life sCienCes Kaydee Lee Free ’21 College of arChiteCture Kathryn E Moore ’21 College of eDuCation & huMan DeVeloPMent Monica M Nguyen ’21 College of geosCienCes Nicholas James Pontikes ’21 College of liBeral arts Kalista E Jordan-Debruin ’21
Yann G Chevalier ’21 Dwight look College of engineering Brady K Allen ’21 Mays Business sChool Sarah Beth Roberts ’21
Isabelle Agurcia ’20 Ritika Bhattacharjee ’21 Emma Bianchi ’20 Sreyashree Bose ’20 Claire Brown ’22 Ashlyn Chauhan ’22 Keller Cox ’21 Kyle Cox ’18 Abhi Dhillon ’20 Alexandra Easley ’17
texas a&M sChool of PuBliC health
Weston Fisher ’20
Holly A Novak ’21
Laney Froebel ’20
texas a&M uniVersity galVeston
Anna Fedewa ’22
Ahmed Gad ’20 Luis Garcia Saldana ’20
Jace Garrett ’20
Nolan Moore ’22
Ethan Gleberman ’20
Aariana Myles ’21
Stephanie Gonzalez ’20
Shannon Norris ’20
Ferryn Gradney ’21
Erica Pauls ’21
Andrew Hebert ’21
Junhong Peng ’21
Jabreon Jackson ’21
John Petroff ’20
Jeevika Jarmarwala ’20
Madison Pratt ’20
Breidon Johnson ’21
Adrian Reed ’21
Ryan Johnson ’20
Trey Richardson ’21
Mason Kleinecke ’21
Edward Rodriguez ’20
Oriana Koot ’21
Nicholas Rossi ’20
Ammani Kyanam ’16
Kristen Sarna ’20
Essynce Lewis ’21
Zachary Skrehot ’21
Karsten Lowe ’20
Micah Tardy ’20
Steven Mancillas ’21
Michael Teve ’22
Kaley Markos ’19
Luke Thomas ’20
Jocelyn Marrufo ’21
Vita Tijerina ’20
Mary McQuade ’22
Abraham Van Helmond ’20
Julia Meyer ’20
Megha Viswanath ’22
Allison Migura ’20
Aleah Wyatt ’20
Madlyn Rose Crist ’21
College of nursing
texas a&M uniVersity at Qatar
Tristen Montana Hyde ’20
Nadin Mohamed ’21
Sponsored by:
The Houston A&M Club
Presented by:
Student Activities DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
SPORTS
4
The Battalion | 5.4.20
Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION
The NCAA made the decision to allow Division I schools to provide spring sport seniors an extra year of eligibility on March 30.
A&M announces return of over 20 seniors for extra year Spring sport cancellations prompt NCAA to grant eligibility relief By Hannah Underwood @twitterhandle After the coronavirus cut the spring sports’ seasons short, the NCAA voted on March 30 to allow its member institutions to make the decision to grant seniors an extra year of el-
igibility. Texas A&M will provide the extra year for over 20 of its spring sport seniors, Athletic Director Ross Bjork announced on Friday. “We were a proponent of providing as much flexibility as possible for our coaches to work with the senior class of student-athletes that were not able to achieve their goals and dreams of competing during their final year of eligibility because of this pandemic,” Bjork said in a statement released by the universi-
ty. “Recognizing that each situation would vary for every student-athlete, I believe we have developed a great plan and appreciate the efforts of our coaches, student-athletes and their families. Our student-athletes made their commitment to Texas A&M with a desire to compete at the highest level in college athletics and we are proud that we can offer scholarship support in 2020-21.” According to the athletic department’s release, the total investment to allow the seniors
to return for the 2020-2021 season is estimated to cost $550,000. Along with the NCAA’s decision to give schools options for extending eligibility, the league also increased the number of student-athletes teams can have on scholarship to account for incoming freshmen and the seniors accepting the extra year of eligibility in addition to extending baseball’s roster limit.
PROVIDED
Journalism junior Hannah Underwood’s Aggie Ring was delivered to her hometown Hawkins, TX.
Second home
PROVIDED
Multimedia editor Robert Castro (center) thanks the friends he made in Aggieland for the many memories he’s made along the way.
College Station may not be my hometown, but it is home Hannah Underwood
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@hannahbunderwoo
y 10-year-old brother recently asked me what an Aggie Ring is and why it is so important. When I told him about it and showed him a picture, he said, “Wow. I want one.” For a long time, I shared that same sentiment. Last summer, I took 13 credit hours to be able to hit the 90-hour mark at the end of the fall semester and get my ring a semester earlier than I should have. Little did I know, my Ring Day would not look like I had planned. Over Spring Break, I was just over a month away from that long-awaited day, and everything was normal. Then it all changed. Instead of receiving my ring among family and friends in Aggieland like countless Ags before me, I received mine through the mail at my mom’s house in East Texas. It would be easy to make this all about the coronavirus and the ways in which my Ring Day was “ruined.” But that’s not what any of this is about. I worked hard over those 90 hours to earn this piece of gold, and by golly, I’m going to celebrate that. As a first-generation college student, and by default an Aggie, Aggie Ring Day is a concept that is alien to my family. No matter how many times I try to explain it, they just don’t get it. I guess it goes back to our little saying in Aggieland: “From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.” It also doesn’t help that all my family are fans of that little school down in Austin, and I betrayed them by drinking the maroon kool-aid (and no, I am very much not sorry). But for as long as I can remember, I
have been an Aggie at heart. I think it started when I decided at a very early age that I wanted to be a veterinarian (thank God that didn’t pan out though because my math and science skills are LACKING). When I found out A&M has one of the best vet schools in the country, I decided College Station was the place for me. I’m on a much different career trajectory now, but one thing has remained constant: I am an Aggie. Over the past three years, I have found a second home in College Station. My ring, which was delivered last Thursday, is just further proof of that. I will forever be indebted to College Station and Aggieland for the things they have given me. In Suite L400 of the MSC, I have gained a closer group of friends than I could have ever imagined, and my time as a sports writer for The Battalion has provided me more opportunities than I thought possible. When I took my first journalism class my sophomore year of high school and began to realize that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, I could have never imagined that I would get to work for an award-winning student newspaper for starters, or that the experience would allow me to cover football games in pro stadiums. For me, this ring serves as a reminder of all the memories I’ve made, from long nights covering games at Kyle Field to longer nights editing in the newsroom. For my brother, I hope it inspires him to keep pursuing his dreams even if they seem out of reach. It was in College Station where I found a place I felt I truly belonged and I will wear a reminder of that on my right hand for the rest of my days. Hannah Underwood is a journalism junion and sports editor for The Battalion.
The long, meditative drive Multimedia editor Robert Castro takes a trip down memory lane Robert Castro
E
@Robert_ACastro
very time I drive from my hometown in Brownsville, Texas, to College Station I find myself reminiscing back to the long road I had throughout my college career. I can still remember the feeling I had in my stomach as my parents left me in my dorm to start my Aggie life with my international roommate who would later become one of my best friends. That’s when I first knew I was going to cross paths and metaphorical highways with a lot of interesting and amazing people. As a first-generation college student and first-generation Aggie, I really didn’t know what I was going to experience, but I was confident that it would be wonderful with whatever bumps, detours, and u-turns that would come along my drive. I cannot thank those that have shaped and kept me trucking along enough. Thank you to all my friends and family who never failed to support me in whatever situations came up. They motivated me to transcend into the Aggie I am today. From my sister, Lisa, calling me randomly to ask how I was doing to my friends coming over late at night to have study sessions, I always felt their energy being my backbone as I drove into the unknown. Thank you to my learning community and scholarships that believed in us, and pushed us to be the best Aggies we can be. I loved being a part of those communities as it assisted many of us who are first-generation college students in feeling at home, even with our family being far away from us. These expe-
riences really made us create our own Aggie family here in College Station. One that would have splendid amounts of love and care that you could not find anywhere else other than Aggieland. Lastly, I cannot thank The Battalion enough. The newsroom full of life and energy that I cannot forget, and members with some of the most fascinating minds that I have interacted with. As soon as you walk into the offices, you can feel the drive everyone has, and the motivation to fulfil their goals. The experiences and skills I have acquired will forever be stored in my mind’s engine, and will continue to push me forward into my future career. Many of us are currently feeling as if there is some construction happening on our road to success with the global pandemic hovering over us. During these times we have to remind ourselves that, just like the countless constructions that pop up in College Station, this too shall soon pass. The construction never stopped us from continuing our drive to move forward and continue our journey before, and neither will this one. Like my family always says, “Si se puede,” which means yes, you can do it. We will all get through these difficult times together. We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we, true to each other as Aggies can be. We will be the backbone energy for each other, and we will continue our tradition of spreading love and support. Thanks and Gig ‘em. Robert Castro is a Telecommunication Media Studies senior and Multimedia editor for The Battalion.
SWANSONG
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The Battalion | 5.4.20
PROVIDED
Assistant sports editor Jackson King covered A&M sports through print journalism as well as a podcast during his time at The Battalion.
An unexpected journey Jackson King reflects on his experiences and journey with The Batt Jackson King @MrJacksonTKing
O
ne thing I have learned over time is when you put in enough effort, life tends to make things work out in the end. When I visited the Texas A&M campus in February of 2015, I knew I wanted to end my college career as an Aggie. I wanted to lose my voice at football games, get an Aggie Ring and walk across the stage with an A&M diploma in hand. Although the journey has been anything but smooth, the destination remains the same as I finish this long and winding road as a graduate of the Texas A&M Class of 2020. Looking back on everything I have been able to accomplish at A&M, especially when it comes to working at The Battalion, I’m humbled. I never expected to be walking off this campus as a journalism major five years ago. Back then, I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career. Over time, I began to fall in love with journalism, viewing it as the passion I knew I wanted to pursue for a living. When I returned to A&M, I knew where I wanted to eventually be: covering sports for The Battalion. In my short time here at The Battalion, I have been able to do more than I could have ever thought possible. I covered Aggie teams in the NCAA Tournament, reported on A&M football and the wider SEC on a weekly basis, got to cover a Kentucky basketball game (which was a dream come true having grown up in the heart of Big Blue Nation) and worked opening day at Olsen Field. In the short amount of time I had here, I had a lifetime’s worth of remarkable experiences. As I reach the end of what has been a five year journey of self realization and bliss, I want to give my gratitudes to those that have been there on the way. First and foremost, I want to thank my family for always being supportive of me, even when you weren’t sure what you were supporting. Mom and Dad, I appreciate you being there for me every step of the way and pushing me to always do better. I can’t wait to show you what I’m doing next. To my brother, I want to thank you for always being there for me, even when it isn’t convenient. You’ve made the time here in Aggieland fun and enjoyable. To my professors here at A&M, particularly Angelique Gammon and Dale Rice, thank you for being great mentors and teaching me along the way. Angelique, you are someone I have constantly looked to for advice, and I am so glad you always have the knowledge I need. Dale, I have loved learning from you over the years, as you have always been
supportive and collaborative. To Douglas Pils, thank you for being a great resource and helping make The Battalion a great place to work and a supportive place for journalists of all kinds and backgrounds. I have loved picking your brain for knowledge, which is great because you have so much. To Angel Franco and Abigail Ochoa, I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done to help build my journalism ambitions. From taking me into The Battalion heads on, to helping develop my journalistic skills while on the sports desk, you two have always been supportive of my work, and I really appreciate it. To Hannah Underwood and all of the other people I have worked with on the sports desk, I have loved the opportunity to work with everyone over there. At the sports desk, we have the best job in the world, covering our school’s sports and athletes for a publication, and I have loved the opportunity to work with everyone. Hannah, this last semester has been anything but ideal, but I will always appreciate working with you and learning how to be a better journalist by emulating you. I can’t wait to see what great articles you produce in the future. To the rest of The Battalion editors, I have loved working with you this semester in creating a newspaper. When I applied to be an editor, I never expected to have this much fun working with everyone like I did. Brady, you are one of the nicest and kindest people I have ever met, and you are going to be great as the new editor-in-chief. To any of the great journalists I have met over the years, from Charean Williams and John McClain, to John Clay and Brent Zwenerman, to Olin Buchanan and Travis Brown, thank you for being great role models and letting me embody how you work on a daily basis. I have loved the opportunity of working alongside you. As I end my career at A&M, I tend to think back to that famous quote from the poem “The Road Not Taken”: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. I never understood what made the road less traveled so blissful until I took it myself, that while the road may seem less desirable while upon it, in reflection, the unexpected journey is one that is quite remarkable. Thanks and Gig ‘Em Jackson King is a journalism senior and assistant sports editor for The Battalion.
PROVIDED
Opinion writer Osama Qureshi uses his final column to reflect on his second time around Aggieland.
Radial ruminations The Batt’s overly verbose, resident old man writes his swan song Osama Qureshi @Osamaliciousrex
“
There is this circle I walk that I have learned to love. I hope one day to be a spiral but to the birds I’m a circle.”
I stumbled across this poem, written by the late Jim Harrison, during my senior year here back in 2011. At first glance, Harisson, a cock-eyed, septuagenarian-hedonist had very little in common with myself, a zealous young Muslim. But oddly enough, his poem continues to be an extended metaphor of my life, and perhaps many who choose to re-walk the path of higher education in graduate school. In June of 2016, I returned to the bucolic confines of Bryan-College Station, and while much of the landscape was recognizable, it was now festooned with burgeoning growth. New towers and complexes seemed to arise where lovably shabby establishments like Fatburger once anchored, catering to a new crowd of wealthier students, whose discerning tastes seemingly include boutique shops and artisanal “piadas.” It was as if the College Station I knew was a bygone relic, like the old sepia photos of campus you see ubiquitously adorning the walls of administrative offices. Nevertheless, coming back reinvigorated memories that had long been dormant in my subconscious. At first it was warmly nostalgic, but as I established myself as a Research Associate at the Muneoka lab at the vet school, it quickly gave way to a pining ennui. As I passed the places where so many formative experiences were forged, none of those whom I shared those experiences with were here. Everyday became a lonely reminiscence, like a ghost who only haunts itself. But I soon made new friends at work who became family. In particular, Lindsay Dawson, Regina Brunauer, Katie Zimmel, along with all my “step-children” (students) gave me a new life. And my fresh experiences with them, in a sort of mnemonic succession, began growing over the anamneses of the past. It was then, I decided, that I was not going to simply retrace the circle of my old life, but reach farther, be more adventurous and leave behind the shyness
that crippled me when I was first here. This new disposition of mine also applied to me when I went back to school in the fall of 2018, being the first one in my graduate program to ever both work and be enrolled full-time. It also led me to The Battalion, where I have been writing for this last semester. I would like to thank the editorial staff and those on the opinion desk, especially my editor Henry, whose patience with my unending intifada against the tyranny of AP Style was saintly and under whose tutelage I have become a better writer. I look forward to seeing what this desk produces in the future, especially those who I’ve gotten to know over our virtual meetings over this semester. As the sun sets on my time at Aggieland once again, I find myself reminiscing about when I first graduated. Still an adolescent, my mind vacillated between absolutes. Everything was either portrayed in opaque blacks or pristine whites, and relationships were seen through a kaleidoscope of nevers and forevers. I know now that life rarely can be bifurcated in sharp dichotomies, and two seemingly opposite things can exist at the same place. For me, A&M has simultaneously been a place of depression and elation, acceptance and ostracization. But although the location has been constant, I have been afforded the perspective to see that my experiences extend outwards in the latitudes of time — a spiral where once I thought was a circle. As you leave this place, I hope you will find a path you love. On this path, do not focus only on the resplendence of sunrises and the tragedy of sunsets. Remember that life is lived mostly in the days that shine between. Unfortunately, the coming days may seem like you are caught in a sisyphean cycle, especially in this economy, but know your struggles will elevate you... Years from now, when you stand on the edifice of your life experiences and look down like birds on those who are in your position today, cycling between successes and failures, I hope you will recognize a familiar pattern. Remember, to the birds they’ll always look like circles. Osama Qureshi is a biotechnology graduate student and opinion writer for The Battalion.
Now is the time to pre-order your copy of the
2020AGGIELAND 2019AGGIELAND We have extra copies of the 2019 Aggieland, a photojournalistic record of the 2018-2019 school year. The 117th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook. Go Online to tx.ag/BuyTheAggieland or call 979-845-2697 to make your purchase.
A photojournalistic record of the 2019-2020 school year. The 119th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook. Distribution will be the Fall 2020. Go Online to tx.ag/BuyTheAggieland or call 979-845-2697 to make your purchase. $81.19 (Includes Tax and Mailing Fee)
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The Battalion | 5.4.20
On to the next chapter Graduating news editor is thankful for the people that made her time in Aggieland memorable Sanna Bhai
W PROVIDED
News editor Sanna Bhai has worked at The Battlion for eight semesters and was a part of each desk during her time at the newspaper.
Samantha Mahler, Editor-in-Chief Hannah Falcon, Managing Editor Sanna Bhai, News Editor Julia Potts, Asst. News Editor Brady Stone, Asst. News Editor Hannah Underwood, Sports Editor Jackson King, Asst. Sports Editor Hollis Mills, Life & Arts Editor Rebecca Morris, Asst. Life & Arts Editor Lexi Ellis, Engagement Editor
Jane Turchi, Special Sections Editor Meredith Seaver, Photo Chief Kaylee Cogbill, Asst. Photo Chief Henry Mureithi, Opinion Editor Cole Fowler, Arts Criticism Keagan Miller, Asst. Arts Criticism Robert Castro, Multimedia Editor Vatsal Modgil, Asst. MM Editor Cori Eckert, Page Designer
THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2020 spring semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.
@BhaiSanna
here do I begin? There are not enough words to describe my Aggie Story. In the words of Charles Dickins, ‘it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…’ I came to A&M with a clean slate, a fresh start. It was a time to find myself, my passion, my people. It was everything I wanted and much more. For me graduation isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. It’s not about my GPA or my 120 hours of policy and business knowledge — it’s about my experiences, my growth, my future. It is the day I get to step into the world and prove that all my hard work is not futile. First and foremost I want to thank the most loving, gracious people I know — Feroz and Shahnaz Bhai. They have made me the person I am today. They are my twin pillars and I am proud to call myself their daughter. This last semester has been anything but ordinary. All those lasts that a senior hopes to have didn’t happen. I know I am not the only one, but it has been almost eight weeks since Spring Break and I’m still processing the fact that I’m graduating in four days and I wasn’t able to have one last laugh with my roommates, go through my last production night, take my final walkthrough of the Bush School or take my senior pictures. Even though my Aggie experience was cut short by a couple of months, my memories and experi-
ences are not diminished. My Aggie story began as I wandered through the warm musty halls of MSC Open House hoping to find a place at this huge school. I stumbled upon The Battalion. I listened to the speel, took the handout, and then kept moving forward. I had never thought about working for a newspaper in my life. I knew I loved to write, but I was nowhere near good enough to be hired as a reporter or so I thought. Too afraid to check the news desk box, I went with Science and Technology and a week later I was hired. From then to now, I have been a part of every desk from sports to news to photo. It is safe to say that without The Battalion and its people, my journey would be incomplete. From our advisor Mr. Pils to a freshman page designer that became one of my best friends, Brady Stone, and everyone in between — thank you. A big chunk of my Aggie story is the people I met. I remember my first class, Arabic at 8 a.m., I made my very first friend — Morgan. We suffered through our daily 8 a.m. for a whole year and four years later, we continue to cheer each other on. Like most freshmen, I came to Aggieland with no car and quickly became an expert at using the bus system. Frankly, I hated asking for rides because I never had to in the past, but no matter how much bus hopping I tried, there was no way I would make it to my place of worship all the way in South College Station. Finally, I texted these two ladies I had met earlier
for a ride, and little did I know that those two girls from Beaumont would be my future roommates and friends for life. Saman and Hena I want to thank you for your friendship, it means more to me than you can imagine. I have contemplated my decision to come to A&M, leaving my comfort zone comprised of my family, high school and childhood friends multiple times, but what I have gained always outweighs my losses. I have made friends that accept me for who I am, and without them, I would have never made it to this day. I have gained valuable experience and a family at The Battalion from my journey as a freshman writer to my current position as the news editor. The editorial staff has ripped apart my writing, cherished my commitment, and spent countless moments with me complaining about college. Last but not least, I want to thank my biggest support, my sounding board, my big sister — Sarah Bhai. You fulfill all my wishes without me even asking and no matter how much you hate having me back home, know that you inspire me daily. Although I don’t say it much, I love you. This may be the end of my Aggie story, but it is not the end of MY story. Aggieland has treated me well and I cannot wait to start the next chapter of my story. Thanks & Gig’em Sanna Bhai is a political science senior and news editor for The Battalion.
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HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $75-$150/hr, up to $500/day. No experience. aggieresponse@gmail.com Looking to get real-estate license or have license but looking for a company to work for? Call 979-693-4900 or send resume to curtis@aafbcs.com.
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The Battalion | 5.4.20
Good ol’ days Fifth year looks back as if she didn’t get enough time Samantha Mahler
I
@mahlersamantha
n the finale of “The Office,” Andy says, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ol’ days before you’ve actually left them.” I’ve known my time at Texas A&M would be the good ol’ days all along, but I didn’t know it would end so quickly. It’s funny. If you were to ask me three years ago what I thought the good ol’ days of Aggieland would be, I probably would have said football games, Ring Day and nights at the Chicken. While I (mostly) remember all of that, I would have never guessed my fondest memories would happen in the basement of the MSC. When you work as a student journalist, sometimes really cool things happen to you by chance, like helping cover the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush or following along a national news story as it affects your university (thanks but no thanks, Miss Rona). Heck, Parker McCollum even called me for an interview one time. But at the end of the day, it’s the in between moments that made my time so special. To me, the good ol’ days are standing around talking and getting behind on print production because you can’t stop talking about Mount Rushmore or hamsters. Brainstorming during a headline party and laughing so hard I cry because I’m so sleep deprived. Leaving the newsroom at 2 a.m. only to spend two more hours at Fuego and fall asleep on megabed. I’m gonna miss these things more than I know. The good ol’ days are dwindling faster than I can type this column. I’m running out of time as a current student, and I’m also running low on my word count. Before my time is up, I need to recognize the people who made the good ol’ days what they were. A huge shoutout to my mother, who supported me when I took a pay cut by quitting my waitressing job to pursue an editor position at The Battalion. I’m
sorry I’m continuing to burden you financially by going to grad school, but I hope it’s worth it. And to my huge family, who inspired me to attend A&M and are my biggest fans on Facebook, thanks for believing in me since day one. Without a doubt, the reason I am so passionate about The Battalion can be summed up into two simple words: the people. The staff has become my mentors, my cheerleaders and my family when I needed them most. Thank you for letting me ramble on about country music and tractors and breakfast tacos from Stripes. I’m leaving Shelby and Cori in charge of teaching y’all what good music is. None of what our staff does could be possible without our general advisor and advertising manager, Doug Pils. Thank you for being a voice of reason when it felt like everything was crumbling. Remember in January when you told me we were due for a national news story? I forgive you for that. I’d be remiss to have this platform without thanking people who impacted my college career outside of the newsroom. Aggie Sisters for Christ and Camp Allen were the calm in the middle of the never-ending storm that is college. My friends from back home kept me grounded and were the first people I called when something good happened. To my roommates: don’t forget to call me when Howie and Hannah come over. And to the Femmatas: I can’t sing to save my life, but you took me in as an honorary member anyways, and I love y’all for all that you’ve done for me. When I think of the good ol’ days, I’ll think of how The Battalion defined not only my college experience, but who I am as a person. So now, as I spend my last few days as a student at Texas A&M holding on for dear life, I’ll join yet another tradition by echoing the parting words of the last four graduating editors:
Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION
Editor-in-chief Samantha Mahler majored in agricultural communications and journalism, but did not write a single article about cows.
SUICIDE is the
2
ND
LEADING cause of
DEATH among
COLLEGE
STUDENTS
Thanks and Gig ‘em. Samantha Mahler is agricultural comunications and journalism major and editor-in-chief for The Battalion.
Suicide Awareness & Prevention Office
LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP: caps.tamu.edu/suicideprevention
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The Battalion | 5.4.20
PROVIDED
Special sections editor Jane Turchi came to A&M as a transfer student, but quickly found her place through studying abroad and The Battalion.
Up to the challenge
PROVIDED
Life & arts editor Hollis Mills says goodbye to his coworkers, including a very squished news editor Sanna Bhai.
A&M is an exciting place full of new experiences
Here’s to you, Aggieland
Jane Turchi
True to form, former editor submitted this column late too Hollis Mills
I
@sillohsllim
t’s been easy to be cynical about the current moment. I’m not graduating under ideal circumstances. I don’t have a job lined up after college. I’m the most out of shape I’ve ever been and badly in need of a good old-fashioned drunk. However, it’s been a hell of a lot easier to appreciate my time in Aggieland before it comes to an end. The shame is what I’ll miss is what I already have been missing for the last seven weeks. No, my senior semester wasn’t unfairly taken because someone ate this or that halfway across the world. I’d make a stronger case for the lot of you who can’t seem to stay home, but I won’t. I’ve experienced more good than any bad half a semester can bring. But I’ve loved my time here in College Station. I loved frigid mornings headed out the door and evenings so humid I’d kick back the sheets to keep from sticking. I loved the toll of Albritton on Sundays, the bustle of Dixie
pool tables on Thursday and crushed cans of High Life on any damn day of the week. It’s hard not to be romantic about Texas A&M. There’s history here, and each graduating class is ready to make their own. More often than not — truly, more often — I met Aggies who cared deeply about making this university a home for all. I can’t begin to tell you how many of them came from our student newsroom. Contrary to boomer belief, we never chased headlines with the intent to send them slithering to their keyboards; we wrote about what mattered — anyone with something to say. Graduation brings with it a melancholy all on its own. Accepting I won’t edit alongside these storytellers is another grief entirely. You would never know it, because Battalion staffers are locked in a basement five days out of every week, but these editors, my friends, transcend what it means to be a good Ag. They’re beautiful people, and I only hope I carry myself with an inkling of the grace they’ve shown me. And as my final week at this institution passes me
by from a family couch in Mission, Texas, I’m reminded of a conversation I had with another graduating senior and friend. “I love this university, but I hate so many of its alumni,” she said. “Now, I’m about to become one of them.” As a soon to be former student of Texas A&M, I intend to be the kind of alumnus this university needs. A supportive one. One who does not question where the hell my alma mater went, but the kind who looks on and says, “Thanks and Gig ‘em, Aggieland.” There’s not enough I could say here to encapsulate my time at Texas A&M, so I’ll end it here, with a few words you can thank Hunter Stockton Thompson for: “Let us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords... and to the ‘good life,’ whatever it is and wherever it happens to be.” Hollis Mills is an English senior and life & arts editor for The Battalion.
L
@JaneTurchi
ike many graduates, my time in college was filled with late nights, long test days and studying, but as I look back on my time at A&M what I remember most happened outside the classroom. I feel so fortunate to have been encouraged and inspired by classmates, friends and professors. I learned so many things, not least of all to continue learning and always be curious. From my first football game in the student section to watching this April’s Muster online, I experienced what it means to be an Aggie. Graduation celebrations look unlike how I expected they would, but I have felt so thankful for the Aggie community that has gathered (digitally) to make the end of my college career memorable. As I face uncertainties in the future, I am glad to know that my time at A&M has prepared me for overcoming challenges and finding new opportunities. Coming to A&M as a transfer student, I feared I might miss out on being a part of organizations and traditions. I soon discovered how quick Aggies are to welcome someone new. Arriving at the Transfer Student Conference I began a conversation with a
stranger who would soon become one of my best friends and roommate at A&M. It has been through A&M that I have made friendships that will last long after classes are over. To students returning to Aggieland in the summer or fall, the best advice I can give you is to challenge yourself and try new things. There are opportunities to find new challenges here in Aggieland. In kinesiology classes I learned things and challenged myself like I never thought I would. Taking a rock climbing class I overcame fears of heights and gained a whole new respect for the sport while making friends along the way. Taking a scuba diving class I am well on my way to gaining a diving certification with which a whole new world of possibilities is opened up for me. Through the university’s study abroad programs I had the opportunity to spend 10 weeks taking classes in Valparaiso, Chile. Spending the summer outside of the country, I learned many things about Chile’s history and people, but I also learned about myself. As a writer for the Battalion newspaper I have met fascinating people and been fortunate to share their stories. Jane Turchi is an international studied senior and Maroon Life editor for The Battalion.
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