The Battalion - November 2, 2018

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2018 STUDENT MEDIA

RING DAY + AUBURN PREVIEW

Jesse Everett — THE BATTALION

Auburn awaits A&M defense looks to prove itself against tough conference opponent

By Grant Spika @GrantSpika After a disappointing loss on the road to Mississippi State, the No. 20 Texas A&M football team now sets its sights on its next opponent — the Auburn Tigers.

The matchup is the final game in a threestraight road game stretch for the Aggies. The 5-3 Auburn team is coming off a bye week after losing to Tennessee at home.

A&M’s total defense is sitting at No. 24, while Auburn’s total defense is No. 37. The Aggie defense is strong against the run, with the Aggies ranked No. 5 in the nation in rush defense, giving up just 89.3 rushing yards per game. On the flip side, the Aggie secondary is 90th in the nation in passing yards allowed, giving up 241.6 yards per game through the air. The Aggies are led on the line by seniors DEFENSE ON PG. 4

Jesse Everett — THE BATTALION

Junior linebacker Tyrel Dodson had his season high of eight tackles against Mississippi State on Oct. 27.

Jesse Everett and Katy Baldock — THE BATTALION

Over 3,000 Aggie Rings were ordered for the 2018 November Ring Day.

The voice of Ring Day Scot Walker lends speaking skills to Aggie celebration

By Victoria Mancuso @VictoriaMancu12

PROVIDED

Scot Walker, Class of 1990, will emcee his 21st Ring Day ceremony today.

THE BEST OF

AGGIELAND 2019

If you’re a student or recent graduate with an Aggie Ring on your finger, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the voice of Scot Walker, Class of 1990.

In addition to his role as assistant vice president of communications for The Association of Former Students, Walker serves as the announcer at Aggie Ring Day. In 2007, he

started working at The Association as an editor of Texas Aggie magazine.

One year, Walker was asked to fill in for former Aggie ring day announcer Scott Jarvis, and he later moved into the position on a more permanent basis when Jarvis left. Friday will be his 21st time emceeing Aggie Ring Day. Kelli Hutka, Class of 1997, and director of campus programs for The Association, said Scot is exactly what they needed in an announcer.

“Scot’s voice just simply resonates,” Hutka said. “His composure WALKER ON PG. 5

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Megan Rodriguez, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION is published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the 2018 fall semester and 2019 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. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@ thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt. com. For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569.

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Classified Advertising • Easy • Affordable • Effective For information, call 845-0569

Jesse Everett — THE BATTALION

Sport management graduate student Larry McDonald was surprised with his Aggie Ring at this week’s ceremony.

From Ring Day to game day A&M football players and staff receive rings before Auburn trip THE TEXAS A&M STUDENT MEDIA BOARD INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR

Editor

Aggieland 2019

Qualifications for editor-in-chief of the Aggieland yearbook are:

REQUIRED • Be a Texas A&M student in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least six credit hours (4 if a graduate student) during the term of office (unless fewer credits are required to graduate); • Have at least a 2.25 cumulative grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) and at least a 2.25 grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) in the semester immediately prior to the appointment, the semester of appointment and semester during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (4 if a graduate student) must have been taken for that semester; PREFERRED • Have completed JOUR 301 or COMM 307 (Mass Communication, Law, and Society); • Have demonstrated ability in writing, editing and graphic design through university coursework or equivalent experience; • Have at least one year experience in a responsible position on the Aggieland or comparable yearbook.

Application forms should be picked up from and returned to Douglas Pils, Student Media General Manager, in Suite L410 of the MSC. Deadline for submitting application: 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018.

By Abigail Ochoa @AbigailOchoa88 It’s a day Aggies look forward to their entire Texas A&M career, and for student athletes it’s no different.

This week, eight students and one staff member from the football team received their Aggie rings before making their way to Alabama to face the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.

Among the student-athletes were finance senior Austin Anderson, agricultural economics sophomore Cagan Baldree, sport management senior Daylon Mack, university studies junior Braden Mann, management junior Colton Prater and management sophomore Braden White.

Other members of the football program were also presented with their Aggie rings. The students include supply chain management senior Aaron Williams, management senior Quinn

Johnson and sport management graduate student Larry McDonald.

Similar to the September ring ceremony when senior Donovan Wilson was surprised with a ring and a visit from his mother, this special day also ended with a surprise ring presentation for McDonald. His wife Tasmin said this was something she wanted to do for a while and when the moment presented itself, she jumped at the chance.

“He often puts off everything that he wants and [says] ‘No, y’all get this, y’all get that. We’ll get it later, we’ll get it later,’” Tasmin said. “I decided now was the time. I had to literally squirrel money from everywhere and cash out everybody so we could get his ring paid for and so he wouldn’t know because we share a joint account.”

Though the surprise was almost ruined after Larry saw Tasmin parking her car on his way to the ceremony, Larry was still shocked when he learned she had ordered him the ring.

“I feel great … I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Larry said. “She’s been wanting me to get it, but I’ve been postponing it. I mean I wanted to get it, but I was

like, there’s other financial things we could use the money for.”

However, this day did not come as a surprise to all recipients — some were fully prepared to receive their Aggie gold, and had been since committing to A&M. “My sister got [one], so I knew beforehand that it was such a big deal,” Mann said. “I was looking forward to it for a while.”

White echoed Mann and said this was a moment he had envisioned for a long time.

“A lot of hard work goes into it,” White said. “I mean ever since you get here, this is a day you’ve really been waiting for, so to finally be able to reach it and put the ring on your finger — it really means a lot.”

A&M will travel to Auburn in their last road game of the season on Saturday, but for these nine Aggies, the trip will be different than most. Mann said he’s excited to have his own gold addition to the trip.

“I’m pumped,” Mann said. “I can’t wait. It’s a little heavy, but I like it.”

Golden career connections Ring helps students thrive in job market

By Navid Nathani @nathaninavid

CONGRATULATIONS! Over 3,000 shiny new Aggie Rings will be delivered at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center

Nov. 2

11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Aggie Ring Tickets distributed online at: tx.ag/AggieRingDayTicket

Visit tx.ag/RingDay for more information, parking, transportation and ensuring the best experience for you and your guests. Houston Street will be closed. No drop offs.

The Aggie Ring is more than just a piece of metal; it plays a unique role in networking and job hunting.

With the majority of Aggies staying in Texas after graduation, and the fact that 95 percent of all eligible Aggies purchase an Aggie Ring, holding onto a piece of A&M seems to have its advantages.

Kevin Hassnain, Class of 2012, is a senior data scientist at medical device firm LivaNova in Houston. In addition to serving as a reminder of Hassnain’s most cherished memories, his ring also helped him get his current job.

“In the company I work for, along with many engineers from MIT and Harvard, about 30 percent of them are Aggies,” Hassnain said. “When I was interviewing for this job, my manager was wearing an Aggie Ring and that’s how

we connected. Not only that, but about two out of the five panelists interviewing me were also Aggies and noticing each other’s rings allowed us to share our experiences.”

Hassnain said being an Aggie has helped him gain connections in his career field.

“Two years ago, I was at the Annual Epilepsy Society Conference where I was presenting my research, and I met three other presenters that had their Aggie Ring,” Hassnain said. “Because of that, we were able to socialize and talk about our experiences at A&M.” According to Kathryn Greenwade, Class of 1988 and vice president of communications and human resources at The Association of Former Students, the values of the A&M honor code are highly sought after in the job market. She said having an Aggie Ring can exemplify those values.

“I know people who have spotted an Aggie Ring and that has helped them close a sale because they felt like they could trust the per-

son across the table,” Greenwade said. “There have been cases where I’ve been on an airplane, see someone with the ring and start up a conversation.”

Kamran Ali, Class of 2011, currently works for Aerzen USA in Sugar Land.

Ali said having his Aggie Ring helped him get his second job.

“When I first started at my job, my colleagues would introduce themselves with their names and class year which threw me off,” Ali said. “I later found out this was because they noticed my Aggie Ring and were less formal around me due to it.”

According to Greenwade, there is something special about A&M that leads to friendships and connections that transcend students’ time at the university.

“A lot of us have seen people we admire and respect wear the Aggie Ring, and that makes us want to join the experience,” Greenwade said. “I firmly believe that the more you give to Texas A&M, the more it is going to give to you.”

Celebrate responsibly.

The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M encourages Aggies to celebrate this significant moment, but celebrate it responsibly. The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M do not endorse or support any activities involving binge drinking.

Dr. Dr.Michael MichaelRuggiero Ruggiero Dr. Michael Ruggiero BOARD BOARD BOARD CERTIFIED CERTIFIED CERTIFIED ININFAMILY IN FAMILY FAMILY MEDICINE MEDICINE MEDICINE

Welcoming Welcoming Welcoming NEW NEW NEW and and and established established established patients patients patients

The Association of Former Students is HERE for Aggies during their days as students and former students, THERE for Aggies as they make their way around the world and EVERYWHERE that the Aggie Network needs us to be.

2310 2310 2310 De De De Lee Lee Lee St. St. St. Suite Suite Suite 200 200 200 Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, TXTXTX 77802 77802 77802

(979) (979) (979) 774-8066 774-8066 774-8066

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The Battalion | 11.2.18

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 10

As the season enters November, teams are now looking at their chance to make the coveted playoff, and bowl implications are coming into play. The SEC is heating up as well. This weekend will feature a top three match-up, along with a game to decide the winner of the eastern division, and the stakes ride high throughout the conference. Here’s a look at SEC action in week 10:

By Dylan Poitevint @Poitite

No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) at No. 3 LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC)

No. 6 Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) at No. 11 Kentucky (7-1, 5-1 SEC)

Saturday, Nov. 3 — Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana 7 p.m. on CBS

Saturday, Sept. 22 — Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium — Columbia, Missouri 11 a.m. on ESPN

This 83rd meeting between the Tigers and the Tide pits two top three teams against each other in primetime this Saturday night. Alabama comes into Death Valley ranked the best in college football and is led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who leads the Heisman race. Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,066 yards and 25 touchdowns and no interceptions. Through his performance, the Tide are averaging an SEC best, 564 yards a game, while only allowing 308 yards a game defensively. Alabama has also maintained a seven game win streak over LSU, but this may be the closest match we’ve seen since the Tigers won in 2011. While national focus has been on the Tide and their phenomenal season, LSU has been making huge splashes in the rankings. The Tigers have beaten the likes of Miami, Auburn, Georgia and Mississippi State and they have what is arguably the best resume in college football. LSU will attempt to use this experience to their advantage over an Alabama team whose biggest win is over Texas A&M. LSU’s impressive season can be attributed to more consistent quarterback play from junior Joe Burrow, who has racked up 1,544 yards this season along with the crushing defense the Tigers have displayed in 2018. Defensively, LSU only allows 330 yards a game, and their secondary only allows 199 yards in the air. This will pose a challenge that Tagovailoa hasn’t faced all season. LSU will give Alabama a fight throughout this game, but ultimately the Tide will roll over the Tigers under the arm of a Heisman-favorite quarterback and a more complete team overall.

In what may be the biggest game ever played at Kroger Field, Kentucky will host Georgia for a showdown to determine the winner of the SEC’s Eastern division. The two teams have yet to lose to divisional foes, and this game is shaping up to be a historic one.

Kentucky is led by junior running back Benny Snell Jr., who has gained an impressive 960 yards on the ground so far in 2018. He leads an offense that averages 214 rushing yards per game and is one of the harder teams to stop on the ground. Snell is helped by one of the strongest offensive lines in the conference. The Wildcats have beaten teams such as Florida and Mississippi State behind this strategy. However, Kentucky has recently struggled as of late offensively, as they have put up no more than 15 points in their last three contests. Defensively, Kentucky ranks second in the SEC and tenth in the nation and should matchup well with Georgia. Meanwhile the Bulldogs looked invincible until their shocking loss to LSU a couple weeks ago, they have since righted the ship with a 36-17 win over Florida last week. The Bulldogs are led by sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm, who has thrown for 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. The Georgia offense accounts for 457 yards a game. Defensively, the Bulldogs are right behind Kentucky and only allow 306 yards to opposing offenses a game. If Kentucky cannot get a passing attack going, then it could be a long game for the Wildcats. Look for Kentucky to play staunch defense and not give Georgia much to work with early on. Kentucky will get a couple of big gains on the ground, but ultimately the Bulldogs will end up running away with this one through a more balanced attack.

Prediction: Georgia 31, Kentucky 14

Prediction: Alabama 35, LSU 21

No. 13 Florida (6-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. Missouri (4-4, 0-4 SEC)

Ole Miss (5-3, 1-3 SEC) vs. South Carolina (4-3, 3-3 SEC)

Saturday, Nov. 3 — Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — Gainesville, Florida 3 p.m. on SECN

Saturday, Nov. 3 — Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Mississippi 11 a.m. on SECN

This Eastern conference clash of strategies through Missouri’s high-octane offense and Florida’s stout defense. Florida comes in on the heels of a punishing loss to Georgia and looks to win out after that harsh test. The Gators are led by sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks, who has played more consistently in 2018, though struggled last week, only passing for 105 yards. Defensively, Florida is ranked 27th nationally. The Gators only allow 336 yards a game, and could pose problems to Missouri’s offensive game plan. On the other hand, Missouri’s high-powered offense has rarely been stopped, and they average 469 yards a game. Senior quarterback Drew Lock is leading his team with 2,144 yards in the air this season, and has 16 touchdowns to six interceptions. Defensively, the Tigers struggle, allowing an average of 414 yards to opponents. Expect to see a struggle early on with Missouri getting some important touchdowns. However, Florida’s defense will recover and the Gators will win this one.

This interdivisional matchup features a couple of teams that are trying to turn their season around with a big win. Ole Miss comes in with an offense that has played well and is undefeated, when senior quarterback Jordan Ta’amu throws for 330 or more yards. Ta’amu has thrown for 2,622 yards this season and has 16 touchdowns to five interceptions. Despite their offensive domination, the Rebels have struggled through their defense which allows 497 yards a game to opponents. If Ole Miss can improve this defense, then they are a tough team for even the best to beat. Meanwhile, South Carolina is a team with many questions.

When rushing for 200 yards or more, the Gamecocks simply do not lose. However, they will have to play a great game to compete with the Rebel’s offense. Watch for Ole Miss to gain big yardage through the air on their way to a big win.

Prediction: Florida 28, Missouri 21

Prediction: Ole Miss 38, South Carolina 28

WEEK 10: STAFF PICKS No. 20 Texas A&M at Auburn Saturday, Nov. 3 at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN

Angel Franco

Sports Editor @angelmadison_

ANGEL

Texas A&M is undefeated in games at 11 a.m. this season. And for some reason on the road in Auburn. Nothing changes this year.

Luke Henkhaus ABIGAIL

Managing Editor @luke_henkhaus

We’re gonna get Auburned this week.

LUKE

SAMANTHA ANTHONY

Anthony Pangonas

News Editor @apangonas

It’s beginning to look a lot like disappointment season around here.

Abigail Ochoa

Asst. Sports Editor @AbigailOchoa88

Where do you go in Auburn in case of a tornado? To the football field — they never get a touchdown there!

Samantha Mahler

Asst. Life & Arts Editor @mahlersamantha

I’m not saying I’m nervous at this point in the season, but 12th man Jesus, where ya at?

Cassie Stricker

Photo Chief @cassie_stricker

After further review, Auburn still sucks.

CASSIE Megan Rodriguez

MEGAN JESSE

Editor-in-Chief @MeganLRodriguez

Legend has it there used to be a lot of wildcats on campus and we were able to get rid of those, so I don’t think a couple Tigers will be a problem.

Jesse Everett

Asst. Photo Chief @JesseEverett17

Anything to play TU in the Texas Bowl.

FOOTBALL

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The Battalion | 11.2.18

5 things to watch for during A&M-Auburn

1

By Brian Bass @brianbass4

3

Improvements from the receiving corps One of the main struggles offensively last week was from the receivers. There were quite a few dropped passes that cost A&M field position and potential scoring drives. To add insult to injury, A&M’s rushing offense failed to get anywhere due to Mississippi State’s dominant defensive front. However, this game could be very different because Auburn has struggled to cover pass-dominated teams. Against Tennessee and Ole Miss, the Tigers allowed 328 and 324 yards in the air, respectively.

DEFENSE CONTINUED Landis Durham and Kingsley Keke. Durham and Keke lead the team with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks each. Senior Otaro Alaka leads the linebacker corps and the team with 49 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss. Senior Donovan Wilson leads the secondary with 40 tackles and has also recorded one interception for the season.

“When you look at their defense, they’re very good against the run,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. “Both of their backers are very active and fast-flow type guys. On the back end, they try to keep everything in front of them, and they have some speed at the corners.”

Auburn’s defense is similar to A&M’s, just not as extreme.

The Tigers’ strength is the run game and their weakness is the

4

Two-dimensional Auburn offense Although the Tigers’ offense may have already peaked at the beginning of the season, it is still one of the more potent offenses in the SEC. Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham is in his senior season and one of the best quarterbacks going into the NFL draft this upcoming spring. Wide receivers A.J. Smith and Damarkus Lodge have also been standouts for the Rebels, and have played well this season. With the addition of running back JaTarvious Whitlow, when this offense gets going in the air and on the ground, it’s very difficult to stop.

A nail-biter in Auburn Both of these teams have high-powered offenses that have struggled on multiple occasions on defense. Auburn has been a disappointing team this year despite their season-opener against Washington, and when they can’t get going on offense, their defense follows suit. A&M has not been disappointing, but has had problems on offense in more than one game this season.

With both teams being one of the better opponents that they’ve seen this season, this game may come down to the final moments.

passing game, like A&M. Auburn’s rushing defense is ranked 30th in the country, while its passing defense is ranked 63rd.

Kevin Steele’s defense has plenty of talent, especially in its front seven. On the defensive line, sophomore defensive end Nick Coe leads the team in both tackles for loss and sacks, with 11.5 and six, respectively. Senior Deshaun Davis leads the linebacker corps. Davis leads the team with 76 tackles on the year and has also recorded 9.5 tackles for loss. Junior Jeremiah Dinson leads the secondary with a recorded 42 tackles and two interceptions on the year.

“Every team [in the SEC] has pro prospects up front, that’s what separates this league,” A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “Their backers are physical and they run downhill. Their corners can run, they have big safeties, they play a lot of man and mix up their coverages a lot. I recruited a lot of their guys when they were in high school. They’re a physical team.”

2

Better showing from the Aggie defense

5

Another battle on the line of scrimmage

The Mississippi State game was a disaster for A&M’s defense. The Aggies gave up 143 yards on the ground, the most this season.

Most of these yards were given to the quarterback and will likely not cause a problem on Saturday. Auburn’s rushing attack will be predominately from the running back, who is known to power through defenders and fight for the extra yard. This is nothing new to the Aggie defensive front, and with Whitlow questionable for the game, A&M may be in a favorable situation.

It was another struggle on the offensive line for the Aggies. In the rushing aspect, A&M was not able to create many holes for running backs Trayveon Williams and Jashaun Corbin due to a great defensive line from Mississippi State. A&M quarterback Kellen Mond will need more time in the pocket to create plays for this offense if the Aggies have a chance of winning this game.

Although Auburn may not be as good up front, this game will come down to how well A&M’s offensive line performs.

A&M’s main concern with the Tiger offense will be junior quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t had a great year but may have the talent to explode any game. A year ago, Stidham went 20-27 with 268 yards and three touchdowns against the Aggies, and he could very well put up those kinds of numbers against the 90th-ranked A&M pass defense.

Auburn’s main concern with the A&M offense won’t be a player, but how long the Aggies have control of the ball. A&M is second in the country in time of possession, holding the ball for an average of 36 minutes a game.

“I know [Stidham is] a great quarterback,” junior defensive end Justin Madubuike said. “He can throw well and runs when he needs to. Auburn’s a great team and nobody in the SEC is easy and nobody is just going to hand it to you. We just have to prepare the same way for everybody.”

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

The following student rules have been revised: Rule # 28

Rule Student Conduct Files and Reports

Date Student Rule Website Updated October 29, 2018

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

PROVIDED

Communication senior Claudia Soto looks back at her time at Texas A&M before receiving her ring today.

A priceless reminder My Aggie Ring is proof of my unique experiences in Aggieland Claudia Soto @cisoto98

I

never cared for the Aggie Ring.

I can hear your gasps now. How dare I? This sacred ring we throw so much money at only to be slipped onto our fingers. I understand the concept of the Aggie Network, but I was already paying so much for my tuition and my living situation — what did it matter?

Growing up in Houston, I knew that I didn’t want to be an Aggie — at least not at first. I’ve always seen A&M feuding with that other school and the Aggies always seemed like the crazy ones I needed to avoid.

With tradition after tradition, it’s no wonder everyone jokes about A&M being a cult.

But here I am — a crazy one myself.

As it turned out, I fell in love.

Maroon has even become my go-to color, as I’m sure most Aggies have wardrobes rivaling my own.

But the Aggie Ring was something I never felt as much excitement for.

I didn’t understand the hype.

Honestly, I still don’t. Unless perhaps you’re a legacy or you always knew you were going to A&M, but I fit neither of those categories. I simply grew to love our Aggie Spirit, and I think that’s what ultimately confirmed my decision.

I am getting my Aggie ring.

I remember every Aggie close to me kept asking, “Are you excited?” up until I was sitting there signing the papers to order my ring. I wish I felt as strongly as they did, but at the same time I wanted it to mean something

unique to me.

During my time at A&M, I’ve seen the good and the bad. I learned that Aggieland was definitely not a perfect adventure by any means. College is stressful and I have always been the person who, no matter how smart I may be, has worked hard to achieve their goals.

But, as I oftentimes have to remind myself, college is more than stress. It’s full of moments that I’ll admit I’ve taken for granted.

And so, with this ring, I not only celebrate my accomplishment of 90+ hours, but I also celebrate my time at college and at A&M. Like dorm life or when I bought boots just so I could two-step.

I even got confirmed in my Catholic faith in College Station. I joined a sorority. I had great roommates.

I studied abroad in Spain and felt right at home with a surprisingly large number of fellow Aggies.

I’ve made new friends and I’ve sadly lost some old ones.

I’ve had hard times in classes. I’ve been so stressed I didn’t want to do anything anymore.

But I’ve also had times when I was so happy that I still smile wide just thinking about them.

My Aggie ring is a reminder that my time was well spent.

I’m not ready to leave A&M next Spring, but I will welcome whatever happens next. After all, I’m one step closer to accomplishing my dreams.

I will look at that ring and know that it was all worth it. And that alone is priceless.

Claudia Soto is an communication senior and Life & Arts reporter for The Battalion.

AGGIELAND 2018

here

Texas A&M University Vol. 116

2018 AGGIELAND It’s not too late to order your copy of the PROVIDED

Scot Walker mentors young staff members at The Association of Former Students.

WALKER CONTINUED and his ability to connect with the crowd and his willingness to be right within the happenings of everything — he’s not one that just sits back and is remote, but [with] all of those characteristics, we felt like he was going to be the ideal person for it, and he stepped up really well to it.”

Kathryn Greenwade, vice president for communications and human resources, said Walker has been a great announcer ever since he took on the role.

“We are looking for someone who has a clear, commanding and welcoming voice, and Scot does that,” Greenwade said. “That person is not just reading a script. They need to have good situational awareness and be able to react on the fly to certain situations and give instructions in a very calm way and

in a warm way.”

Greenwade said that while Walker is known as the voice of Ring Day, his contributions to The Association of Former Students goes far beyond this.

“He is one of the most respected and trusted members of our team,” Greenwade said. “He’s a mentor to many of our younger staff members and he is just a very wise and seasoned professional who just does great work for The Association and for Texas A&M. I value his contributions very much and I value him as a team member.”

Walker said his favorite part of Ring Day is watching the reactions of proud parents.

“Ring Day to me is like Christmas, birthday and family reunion all wrapped up into one big day,” Walker said. “People are happy and there is accomplishment and achievement and there is also fellowship and networking and Aggie spirit.”

2018 Aggieland, a photojournalistic record of the 2017-2018 school year. The 116th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook.

Go Online to aggieland.tamu.edu or call 979-845-2613 to make your purchase. $75.00 + Tax (Includes Mail Fee)

Don’t forget to also preorder your copy of the 2019 Aggieland yearbook. The 117th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook.

Distribution will be the Fall 2019.

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