The Battalion - September 26, 2019

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2019 STUDENT MEDIA

Silver Taps Tuesday night we honor the fallen • 10:30 p.m. • Academic Plaza

William Zachary Elder March 29, 1998 - Sept. 13, 2019

Jedidiah Tuedjo Talom August 30, 1998 - Sept. 6, 2019

RING DAY

+ ARKANSAS PREVIEW Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

FILE

In 2018, senior punter Braden Mann won the Ray Guy Award for most outstanding punter and was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

Southwest showdown Aggies to face Arkansas in rivalry game at AT&T Stadium Saturday

By Tara Drummond @TaraDrummond1

Katy Baldock and Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Among the rings ordered, the oldest class year was 1948 and the newest was 2022.

Ringing in a new school year First Aggie Ring Day of Fall semester to be held Friday at alumni center

By Sanna Bhai @BhaiSanna Around 4,300 Aggies will be receiving their rings on Friday, with distribution starting

at 9:45 a.m. in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center.

This Ring Day will be the first of three that will take place in the 2019-2020 school year, with the other two scheduled for November and April. Once an Aggie has received credit for 90 hours of coursework, 45 of which must be at Texas A&M, they are eligible to order their Aggie gold.

RING DAY ON PG. 8

The No. 23 Texas A&M football team will have a test of endurance against Arkansas after falling 28-20 to No. 7 Auburn last Saturday.

Arkansas, now 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in SEC matchups, was defeated last week by San Jose State.

Saturday’s matchup brings about a true testament of rivalry, as two A&M transfers — quarterback Nick Starkel and running back Rakeem Boyd — will lead the Razorbacks into the AT&T Stadium. They’ll be joined by Arkansas head coach and A&M graduate Chad Morris and former A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis.

Though the Aggies have seven straight wins in the Southwest Classic, A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said the team has a lot

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of cleaning up to do after last week’s performance.

“I thought our kids played hard,” Fisher said. “We need to play better, and we are definitely not happy with the outcome we’re getting. We’ve got to be more consistent in how we execute and do the things we do, but the thing about the mistakes is that they are very correctable.”

Despite the defeat, Jhamon Ausbon and Quartney Davis had notable highlights in the game, with Ausbon’s 41-yard catch on the final play of the first quarter and Davis’ 27-yard reception that brought the Aggies up 21-10 in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, both teams seem to be evenly matched, with new leadership behind them as well as new key starting players. With Starkel coming off a loss to San Jose State in which he threw five interceptions, and with A&M’s offense unable to find momentum early in its matchups, both sides will have the opportunity to gain the upper hand.

RINGDAY

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The Battalion | 9.26.19

A tradition that adds up Two quarter centuries separate three generations of Taylor family Aggies

By Cheyenne Shillinglaw @cheyenneshill For many families coming to Aggieland for this Friday’s Ring Day, it will mean watching their students receive a ring. This ring symbolizes the blood, sweat and tears shed to reach the milestone of 90 hours at Texas A&M. But for others, Ring Day also means a legacy passed from generation to generation of the many Aggies in their family.

James Taylor’s family has a unique Aggie story with a significant coincidence. Ron Rhodes, James’ father-in-law, graduated in 1970 with a degree in finance; James graduated in 1995 with a degree in industrial distribution. In May 2020, his daughter, Hallie Taylor, will graduate with a degree in kinesiology, and this Friday, she will receive her ring. Their Aggie family legacy spans 50 years, exactly 25 years apart among the three generations.

James is from Eden, Texas, home of James Earl Rudder. One of his influences to attend A&M was his high school science teacher who brought him to an A&M football game.

“All you have to do is visit the campus once, and you will know and feel that A&M is unique,” James said in an email to The Battalion.

James and his wife, Kelly, brought Hallie to an Aggie football game when she was two years old, and she stood the entire time. Years later, she attends A&M and carries on the tradition that stands strong today. Rhodes said he didn’t have to hope his granddaughter would be an Aggie, because he knew she would be.

“Hallie had all types of Aggie clothes even when she was a baby,” Rhodes said. “There was no question that she was going to be an Aggie. ... I am very proud that 50 years later I have another Aggie.”

Hallie will receive her ring on Friday, but she has been putting her grandfather’s ring on since she was young, her father said.

“Hallie understands what the Aggie Ring symbolizes,” James said. “I am extremely proud of her achievement, and I hope she does not lose her ring or forget where she put it.”

Growing up, Hallie never saw her dad or grandfather without their rings, and she remembers always being in awe of them.

“This ring is so symbolic to me,” Hallie said. “It holds a lot of value academically as it represents the hard work and many late nights spent in Evans to get it, but also personally represents the tradition it holds in my family.”

Hallie said receiving her ring is very meaningful to her, but also for her dad and grandfather.

“It is probably very surreal for my grandpa to see me receive my ring because it represents the tradition he truly began in my family,”

PROVIDED

Kinesiology senior Hallie Taylor receives her Aggie Ring on Friday, 25 years after her father James Taylor, Class of 1995, and 50 years after her grandfather Ron Rhodes, Class of 1970.

Hallie said. “To return 50 years later and see a third generation of the family carrying a tradition is the thought I can’t even fathom.

Although my dad’s bank account is hurting a little after ordering my ring, I know he is so proud.”

James said attending Silver Taps and Aggie Muster are some of his strongest memories from his days in Aggieland, along with meeting George H. W. Bush at Tom’s BBQ. He also remembers walking across the stage, receiving the white tube that held his diploma and opening it up. James hoped not only his diploma was actually in there, but also that all of his parking tickets were paid. Rhodes, James and his wife also had the experience of attending the last Aggie Bonfire on campus.

“It is a great feeling to have Hallie having many experiences similar to mine and then telling me about them, from Silver Taps to Sbisa and from sunburned football games to Northgate,” James said.

Hallie said she could not be more proud to be an Aggie, especially because of the meaning it holds for her family. She knew A&M would become her home, and she is grateful that it is now. Her grandfather and dad played a big role in her decision to come to A&M. “I am so, so thankful for the two most important men in my life making incredible efforts to help me on my journey to get here,” Hallie said.

Making Ring Day a family affair

FILE

After celebrating Ring Day there are many places to visit in the B-CS area.

Aggies recommend post-Ring Day celebration activities

By Meagan Sheffield @mshef350 When thousands of visitors make their way to the Bryan-College Station area on Friday to see students receive their Aggie Rings, they will also be searching for fun activities in town after standing in line at the alumni center.

Kathryn Greenwade, Class of 1988 and vice president for communications and human resources at The Association of Former Students, said the Association does not provide activities for families to participate in at Ring Day. However, she does recommend finding places to go off-campus.

“Our focus is on the delivering of the rings themselves,” Greenwade said.

“If families are coming in from out of town, they might check with the local convention and visitor’s bureau and see what they offer. We’ve got a lot of great restaurants here, and there’s always something going on.”

Greenwade said to remember to make restaurant reservations well in advance for large groups. She encouraged students to celebrate their Ring Day with family if they can.

“The ring is special to you anyway, but when it’s something you can share with your family, that makes it even moreso,” Greenwade said.

Visiting families can also attend the Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival from Friday to Sunday in Downtown Bryan. The festival will feature Texas wine, steak and craft beers. There will also be live music, grape stomping and children’s activities.

BATTASKS

What did you do with your family after you received your ring?

“I received my Aggie Ring last November. My mom is class of ‘91 so she knows all the past and current hot spots. We immediately went to the Dixie Chicken, ordered a pitcher of beer, and dunked our mother/ daughter Aggie Rings.” @Riilleeyy__

“So my family went to Messina Hof and I got a wine bottle with my name and ring day date. It wasn’t very crowded and I got to do a wine tasting which is how I picked my wine. It was really fun getting to have that experience with my parents who are not Aggies and they enjoyed every second. Messina Hof is gorgeous and everyone there was so helpful.” @stacyrae07

MORE ON THEBATT.COM

GroupMe gold In 38 minutes, a GroupMe of 148 people managed to raise enough money to fund their friend’s Aggie Ring.

When economics senior Michael Murray walked into the alumni center to place his ring order, a group was waiting there to tell him the good news.

“My girlfriend handed me an envelope saying it was from everyone,” Murray said. “I didn’t know what was going on, so I opened up the letter.

Inside was an envelope of cash to pay for my ring and a letter with everyone’s names who had donated … I couldn’t help but cry.”

Find the full story, including a video of Murray’s reaction, on thebatt.com.

Immigration Policy Challenges Facing Congress U.S. CONGRESSMAN WILL HURD

Representative for Texas District 23

PROVIDED

Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Reception: 6:15 p.m.

Lecture: 7:00 p.m.

Annenberg Presidential Conference Center 1002 George Bush Drive West College Station, Texas Acceptances only by September 30, 2019 http://bush.tamu.edu/mosbacher/ 979.845.1927

Luke Henkhaus, Editor-in-Chief THE BATTALION is published on Thursdays during the 2019 fall 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 Student Affairs. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.

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Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com.

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NEWS

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The Battalion | 9.26.19

FILE

A copy of the ring ordered by petroleum engineering senior Zach Elder will represent the Class of 2020 in the Memorial Ring Collection on display in the alumni center.

Carrying on Zach’s legacy Family and friends to honor student by partaking in Ring Day traditions

By Camryn Lang @CamrynLang After a young Aggie was taken by a tragedy before he was set to receive his ring, Texas A&M found a way to honor him for generations to come.

Petroleum engineering senior William Zachary Elder passed away Sept. 13, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and a passion for the Aggies. A ring with his name will represent the Class of 2020 in the Memorial Ring Collection in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. Zach’s ring will be duplicated and placed in the collection, while his family and friends will celebrate with the original ring at his ring ceremony and Ring Dunk.

The Association of Former Students approached Scott Elder, Class of 1994, and Carol Elder, Class of 1993, about using Zach’s ring. Scott said they happily agreed. “[The Association] said they didn’t have a Class of 2020 ring yet and that they would be honored to put Zach’s on the wall for the Class of 2020,” Scott said. “We said that we couldn’t imagine a better way to honor him.

We are very proud to have them do that.”

Zach’s former roommate, industrial distribution senior Alex Huck, said when he was randomly assigned to room with Zach his freshman year, he never expected how close they would become.

“He became my best friend,” Huck said.

“We found all our hobbies together, and we just started doing all of those together. We always played 42. That was a big thing that the guys in [the Aggie Club of Engineers] would all do together. We pretty much played together every night.”

Zach wanted to follow every A&M tradition for his Ring Day, and Scott said his

family and friends have no plans of changing that.

“We asked Alex if he wanted us to not do this with them or wanted us to pick up the ring at a private time, but he said ‘No, Zach and I were really looking forward to going at our appointment time with our friends,’” Scott said. “So we’re going to just step into Zach’s place and do it with them.”

Huck and Zach’s friends also plan to honor his passion for the Ring Dunk tradition, in which students drop their ring in a pitcher of beer and chug it down to retrieve their Aggie gold. Huck said they hold plenty of special memories of Zach’s willingness to fulfill any dare they could throw at him.

“We have a pitcher engraved with his name and the back of our jerseys say, ‘In loving memory of Zach ‘I’ll do it for 5 dollars’ Elder,’” Huck said. “We could always get him to do any bet. … We got him to shotgun a beer that was sitting in a car for a few months for five dollars; that’s how it started.”

Although Zach struggled with the difficulties of A&M’s rigorous engineering courses at the start of his college career, Scott said his son saw the ring as his final acceptance into the Aggie family.

“He was very much looking forward to [the ceremony] and being an Aggie forever with the ring,” Scott said. “Engineering down there is hard, and it’s a struggle. We had a talk in the spring where I said, ‘Man, you’re about to be a senior engineering major. I think you’re going to make it. I think they are going to keep you.’”

The Association offered to give the Elders a private time to pick up Zach’s ring, but Scott said they knew the meaning of Ring Day and were looking forward to Zach’s Ring Dunk as well. Scott said he knows that Zach would want to follow those traditions.

“Carol and I both dunked our rings,” Scott said. “We want his to be christened as well.”

GUEST COLUMN

Proud to Be Here Marlisa “Marly” Marquez ’21 and the importance of supporting first-generation students Tyson Voelkel

H

@Tyson Voelkel

owdy Ags, It’s no secret: Aggies are proud to be Aggies. It’s special to say that you are a “third-,” “fourth-,” or even “fifth-generation Aggie,” but I think there is just as much pride to be found in being a first-generation Aggie, and even more so in being a first-generation college student.

Take Marlisa “Marly” Marquez ’21, for example. Marly is among the 25 percent of Texas A&M University undergraduates who are first-generation college students. She grew up in McAllen, Texas, with her mother acting as the sole provider for their family. She impressed upon Marly the importance of striving for what she wanted in life and pushed her to think bigger for her future.

But even with her mother’s support, no one in her family had ever attended college, and earning a degree didn’t seem financially feasible—that is, until she began to receive scholarships during her senior year of high school. Though she had no previous knowledge of Texas A&M, the generous scholarship offers she received from the university immediately swayed her toward Aggieland.

When Marly arrived on campus, she found a community of friends in the Science Leadership Scholars Program, which was established in 2016 to provide financial and academic support to high-performing science majors who share common at-risk factors, including being first-generation students who

are financially challenged. As a Science Leadership Scholar and biology major, Marly attends weekly meetings with other recipients, where they participate in academic workshops and navigate the college experience together.

There are countless similar programs for first-generation students across campus, and last year, the Office of the Provost also announced a new Student Success Initiative that will increase support for groups like first-generation students. The initiative seeks to increase retention and four- and sixyear graduation rates as well as decrease achievement disparities among undergraduates.

Today, Marly still misses her life in McAllen but remains optimistic about what her college experience means for her family. Not only has she found the path to higher education, but she’s also inspired her cousins to start thinking about attending college as well.

This is in line with statistics that show first-generation graduates change the trajectory of their immediate families and are increasingly more involved in civic organizations.

To me, this is why programs like the Science Leadership Scholars and the generous gifts behind them are so important: not only do they give opportunities for first-generation students, but they also allow those students to dream big, set the standard for others and truly lead by example.

Thanks and Gig ’em, Tyson Voelkel ’96 President, Texas A&M Foundation

CONGRATULATIONS! Almost 4,400 shiny new Aggie Rings will be delivered at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center

September 27

9:45 a.m. - 7:45 p.m.

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

NEW EVENT INFO • Enter Aggie Ring Day via Throckmorton Street.

• Park in West Campus Garage or Lot 100 & ride the Aggie Ring Shuttle which will drop off on Throckmorton Street.

• Houston Steet will be closed.

Visit tx.ag/RingDay for more information.

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.

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.

AggieNetwork.com

FOOTBALL

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The Battalion | 9.26.19

AROUND THE SEC

Sports content sponsored by:

www.hiddencreekrv.com

A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 5

By Jackson King @MrJacksonTKing

Last week, the top-tier Southeastern Conference teams cemented their place in the playoff discussion, while the lower-tier teams continued their season long struggles. While Week 5 provides fewer SEC games, it showcases some quality matchups, pitting teams of various levels against one another. Here is a rundown of the top games around the SEC.

Mississippi State (3-1) at No. 7 Auburn (4-0)

Kentucky (2-2) at South Carolina (1-3)

Saturday, Sept. 28 — Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama 6 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday Sept. 28 — Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, South Carolina 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network

The headline matchup of the weekend pits Auburn against Mississippi State in an SEC West showdown. Auburn will look for revenge against the Mississippi State team that upset the Tigers in Starkville last year. To open this season, Auburn has impressed early, putting itself in position for the College Football Playoff with non-home victories against ranked opponents in No. 13 Oregon and No. 23 Texas A&M. With freshman quarterback Bo Nix under center, the Auburn offense has seen steady improvement, scoring 28 points in its matchup against the Aggies. The Tigers also have a tough run defense which held A&M to 56 rushing yards. With a balanced and talented team, Auburn has kept itself in the mix with the other SEC West powerhouses. Last week, Mississippi State responded to its loss to Kansas State by dominating Kentucky at home. The Bulldogs’ rushing attack has been impressive, with star running back Kylin Hill rushing for 100 yards in each of their first four games. Starting for the Bulldogs at quarterback is true freshman Garrett Shader, who ran for 125 yards in the win over Kentucky. The Bulldogs being able to run against the stout Auburn rush defense will be a key factor in determining who wins.

This Eastern showdown between the Wildcats and the Gamecocks features two teams who are trying to salvage their seasons after losing starting quarterbacks to injury. Kentucky is looking to find an identity, as two straight losses to Florida and Mississippi State have killed what started off as a season with high expectations. Against Mississippi State, Kentucky’s usually decent run defense struggled, giving up 225 rushing yards to the Bulldogs.

Kentucky quarterback Sawyer Smith struggled against Mississippi State, completing less than 37 percent of his passes, including an ugly interception that was returned for a touchdown on the first drive of the game. South Carolina is hoping to rebound after back-to-back blowouts against SEC teams. In their last game against Missouri, the Gamecocks’ offense struggled, picking up 16 total rushing yards with quarterback Ryan Hilinski completing less than 50 percent of his passes. South Carolina will look to snap a five-game losing streak to the Wildcats.

Prediction: South Carolina 20, Kentucky 17

Prediction: Auburn 31, Mississippi State 14

Ole Miss (2-2) at No. 2 Alabama (4-0)

Northern Illinois (1-2) at Vanderbilt (0-3)

Saturday, Sept. 28 — Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Saturday, Sept. 28 — Vanderbilt Stadium — Nashville, Tennessee 11 a.m. on SEC Network

This weekend, Ole Miss travels to Tuscaloosa to attempt the unlikely upset of top dog Alabama. Ole Miss started off the season slow, losing to Memphis in a game where the Rebels only scored 10 points. Over the last three weeks, the Rebels’ offense has picked up the pace, topping Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana and ending up one controversial call away from an upset against Cal. The Crimson Tide has started this season as dominantly as ever, winning all four of its games while averaging 50 points across each. Led by Heisman candidate quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Alabama offense has started off the season hot, with the No. 9 total offense and No. 6 scoring offense. Expect a lot of scoring this week.

After a humiliating home loss to LSU, Vanderbilt looks to rebound and earn its first win of the season against Northern Illinois. Vanderbilt has had a rough start to the season, with two tough matchups against Georgia and LSU to open the year. Northern Illinois started the season 1-2, with blowout losses to Utah and Nebraska. The Huskies have struggled offensively, only scoring eight points in their loss to Nebraska. Vanderbilt’s defense, which scored twice against LSU, should look to capitalize on that.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 21, N Illinois 10

Prediction: Alabama 52, Ole Miss 20

WEEK 5: STAFF PICKS

Sports content sponsored by:

Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. on ESPN

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Texas A&M vs. Arkansas

Samantha Mahler

Managing Editor @mahlersamantha

SAMANTHA

Saying this “One Time”: Arkansas will “Pray” and say “What Do You Mean?” when their “Baby” Nick Starkel goes “Overboard” ...

Hannah Underwood

MEREDITH HANNAH

MEGAN

Sports Editor @hannahbunderwoo

Kellen may have said there were no hard feelings between the team and Nick Starkel, but the Aggies are going to rip apart the Razorbacks like Starkel ripped up his Bieber shirt.

Luke Henkhaus

LUKE COLE

Editor-in-Chief @luke_henkhaus

Jerry World? More like Jimbo World.

Brian Bass

BRIAN BRADY

Assistant Sports Editor @brianbass4

Woo Pig.

Meredith Seaver

Photo Chief @MeredithSeaver

... and gets “Stuck in the Moment” against A&M. Aggies won’t be “Sorry” and for all you Razorback fans... “Never Say Never” #EatTheHellOuttaBacon

Meagan Sheffield Life & Arts Editor @mshef350

I won’t be watching this game because I’m terrified to see the Aggies possibly lose their 7-game winning streak in the Southwest Classic.

Cole Fowler

Assistant Opinion Editor @thecolefowler

I mean we cant lose every SEC game.... right?

Brady Stone

Head Page Designer @bradystonex

Nick Starkel ripped up his Bieber shirt for this. He means business.

FOOTBALL

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The Battalion | 9.26.19

5 things to watch for during A&M-Arkansas

By Alek Caro @orackela

1

www.hiddencreekrv.com

Last week, Texas A&M lost to No. 7 Auburn in the Aggies’ SEC opener. The game started out slow as A&M struggled to find any momentum on offense, but the team eventually refocused towards the end to provide some optimism looking forward. This week, No. 23 A&M has Arkansas on its slate in a game that is always interesting no matter the trajectory of the two teams. Here’s five things to watch for.

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Texas A&M’s secondary

Arkansas starting quarterback Nick Starkel

Yes, it’s that Nick Starkel. After transferring from Texas A&M this past offseason, Starkel has earned the starting job in Fayetteville. Though Starkel was not the starting quarterback to kick off the season, he earned the role in the second game of the year against Ole Miss. In the past, Arkansas has been a run-heavy team. This year’s squad is looking like a deviation from the norm as in the past three games they’ve thrown more times than they’ve ran. Last week against San Jose State, Starkel threw for 50 passing attempts and five interceptions.

Led by a familiar face, this Arkansas offense is completely different from what the Aggies have seen in the past.

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Sports content sponsored by:

Rakeem Boyd

Rakeem Boyd was a star in the Netflix Original Documentary Series “Last Chance U.” He played running back and was vital to that junior college team’s success. This season for the Razorbacks, Boyd has been the leading rusher in all the games played through week four. Despite becoming a more pass-heavy offense this season, Boyd has still averaged 98 yards a game. Look for him to be a stabilizing force for the Arkansas offense whenever the pass game falter.

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On the other end of the Arkansas offense passing attack, the A&M secondary is playing the best it has in years. Through the first four games of the season, the secondary has five interceptions compared to seven all of last season. Despite giving up 28 points at home, the back end actually had a relatively strong performance.

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix only had 100 yards through the air.

Cornerback Debione Renfro is back on the field after missing the first two games. Renfro provides some veteran experience, having played in all thirteen games during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

And he certainly has some practice experience against Nick Starkel.

With Arkansas moving toward a pass-heavy offense, look for the A&M secondary to be very opportunistic.

AT&T Stadium matchup When A&M and Arkansas first played each other in 1903, the Aggies were on the winning end of that initial contest. Since 2014, the two teams have met up in Arlington for the historic matchup. During that span, only once was the game decided by more than one score. The two teams may not have a lot of animosity toward each other, but this matchup is certainly a rivalry. The Aggies and Razorbacks play their best against each other no matter what is going on in that particular season. Despite Arkansas losing to an FBS team last week, expect this matchup to be a close one, not any different than what we’ve seen in the past.

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GAME PREVIEW CONTINUED

FILE

The A&M football team sings The War Hymn after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2018.

MONDAYS THROUGH THURSDAYS GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN FOR

THE 2020 AGGIELAND!

AR Photography will be set up to have your FREE portrait taken for Texas A&M University’s 2020 Aggieland yearbook.

ALL CLASSES WELCOME: WEEK 2: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Sanders Corp Museum Library until October 17th!

Place your order for the 2020 book while you are there.

It’s just $65, plus tax and shipping.

If you are unable to make the specified times on campus, contact AR Photography for a complimentary in-studio appointment at 979-721-0306.

Graduating seniors who wish to set up a cap/gown photo can contact the studio, too. Cap/gown sessions are $21.95 in studio and $79.95 for a 30-minute location session.

It’s your yearbook.

Be in it.

“We’ve got to find a way to get that running game going, and we can be more consistent in the passing game” A&M junior quarterback Kellen Mond said. “We, as a collective unit, have to figure out what’s going to be best for us.”

Defensively, A&M started strong but gave up some early scores and allowed opposite drive play action against Auburn last week.

Placing A&M and Arkansas’ defenses sideby-side, Arkansas has allowed 410 yards (252 of passing and 158 of rushing) and A&M has allowed 276 yards (165 of passing and 111

The A&M passing attack

A pattern has emerged in both of the teams’ losses this season — when the passing attack isn’t working, the offense is stalling. In the past, critics pointed the finger at quarterback Kellen Mond for his inconsistency. This past week, it became evident that the fault should not be put on Mond alone. The junior quarterback felt pressure the entire game and was sacked a total of three times. Mond has been let down by his receivers as well, with drops coming at the most inopportune times.

The passing attack eventually got it going late, and played hard even when the game was out of reach. If this A&M offense is going to reach the heights it is capable of, the passing attack must become more cohesive, starting with the offensive line all the way through to the receivers.

of rushing).

“All three phases of the ball — offense, defense, and special teams — weren’t consistent enough, and the results show it,” junior defensive back Keldrick Carper said. “But we’re past that now. We think day by day, and last week was Auburn, but now it’s Arkansas.”

With both teams looking at this matchup as an opportunity for redemption and a confidence boost, both Arkansas and Texas A&M will fight to the finish.

The Aggies will face off against the Razorbacks on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.

RINGDAY

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The Battalion | 9.26.19

One tradition at a time Receiving my Aggie Ring is the final step to becoming an official Aggie Samantha Mahler @mahlersamantha

A

s with all things in life, the best things don’t come easy. Receiving my Aggie Ring has been a slow process, but the experience has shaped me into who I am.

I’m a transfer student by way of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Blinn College.

Though I got to College Station the second semester of my sophomore year, I didn’t begin classes at A&M until the spring of my junior year. I’ve spent the past four semesters making up for lost time.

There have been a few big milestones on my Aggie bucket list: joining a student organization (Thanks, The Battalion!), attending my first football game in the student section, watching my first Century Tree proposal, meeting Miss Rev and attending my first Muster and Silver Taps.

Now there’s only one thing left to

check off my list: getting my Aggie Ring.

This last step has been the biggest missing puzzle piece keeping me from feeling that I am truly an Aggie. Maybe this is because I’m Class of 2019 (A Whoop!) and most of my friends graduated four months ago. While I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world, it makes the wait I’ve endured much more worthwhile.

In the past two years since I transferred, I’ve done more than check items off a list.

I found a major that I LOVE and gained a passion for photography while studying abroad in Namibia.

I’ve juggled multiple jobs and student organizations while taking a full load of classes, and learned how much I value a good eight hours of sleep.

I joined a team of dedicated journalists, and by working together weekly in a basement until 2 a.m., I gained a family.

In transferring to A&M, I found a goal that I wanted to accomplish, proving to myself that I am capable of whatever I

PROVIDED

Sports reporter Jack Holmes is the first in his family to attend an American college, and he cherishes Aggie traditions.

A small piece of home Friday’s Ring Day completes a journey that began in England Jack Holmes

T

@Jack_Holmes98

he day that all Aggies wait for is finally here. It is the day you get to put that ring of gold on your finger, the day to celebrate an ambitious accomplishment, and for many, it is the day that represents the final milestone before graduation.

The concept of the Aggie Ring

and the traditions of Texas A&M are newer to me than for most. I am a first generation Aggie, and I am the first in my family to attend college in the United States, as my family moved to Houston from England when I was just five years old.

That being said, my family and I have come to cherish everything this transcendent university has to offer: the academics, the tradition, the camaraderie and, of course,

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Managing editor Samantha Mahler recalls the milestones from her Aggie experience.

set my mind to.

When I look at my ring, I’ll think of my accomplishments, but I’ll also think of one person who pushed me to achieve them: my mom.

I will be reminded of the time I burst into tears when I found out I had been accepted into A&M. I then waited to tell my mom the news until I could mail her a box full of A&M mother-themed gifts a week later as a thank you for all she had done.

When she puts my ring on my hand, I’ll know that the late nights and study sessions were all worth it. I know this because she’ll be crying, and I’m already crying just thinking about it.

the ring.

When my journey began as a freshman, 90 hours seemed so distant, but as many of you already know, they fly by faster than Christian Kirk returning a punt for a touchdown. I emphasize this regularly to my younger brother and sister, Alfie and Mollie, who are both freshmen this semester.

Although I graduate in December and my time in Aggieland is almost complete, I look forward to watching my siblings make their journey through the next phase of their life. There is no place I would rather they spend the formative years of their lives than right here in College Station.

As for me, I will always treasure my years at Texas A&M. I am sure that I will be back often for football games and the like, returning to a place that will always feel like home. There are three places that I call home and are deeply rooted in the person that I am today: England, Houston and Texas A&M University.

No matter how far this life takes me, wearing that ring of gold on my finger wherever I go will represent a small piece of home — a piece of Aggieland.

On Friday, Sept. 27, at 3:30 p.m., I will check off the final item on my Aggie bucket list. Though I’ve always been an Aggie at heart, for the first time in my life it will feel real.

My ring might be the last tradition to check off, but it is a physical representation of the rest of my list. Wherever I go, I’ll carry the culmination of my experience at A&M with me — a story of traditions, perseverance and friendships.

And also a whole lot of coffee.

Samantha Mahler is an agricultural communications and journalism senior and managing editor for The Battalion.

WILL U B 1?

Some people are sitting in large churches, sitting on their gift of music, singing, dancing, etc.

Our tiny mission church has volunteer openings for your talent!

Contact Pastor Ed Udell, Sr. New Victory Temple 1115 Detroit, College Station, TX 77840 (832) 919-4966

Jack Holmes is a journalism studies senior and sports reporter for The Battalion.

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SILVERTAPS

7

The Battalion | 9.26.19

Silver Taps March 29, 1998 — Sept. 13, 2019

WILLIAM ZACHARY ELDER

A dedicated Aggie and passionate learner

By Camryn Lang @CamrynLang

R

emembered for his infectious spirit, academic persistence and passion for Texas A&M traditions, William Zachary Elder embodied Aggie core values and encouraged others to become the best versions of themselves.

Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Mineral Wells, Texas, Zach developed a love of sports and the outdoors — but he valued being part of a team most of all.

The 21-year-old petroleum engineering senior spent his summers in Oregon hiking, mountain biking and fishing. He was an active member of the Aggie Club of Engineers.

His parents, Scott and Carol Elder, Class of 1994 and 1993, introduced him to the spirit of Texas A&M as a child, and from then on, he felt that the Aggies were the most important team he could belong to.

Scott said Zach worked tirelessly to be accepted into A&M despite struggling with dyslexia. Once he arrived, Zach’s spirit for the maroon and white was infectious among his friends.

“His buddies told us that he was definitely the most Aggie of all of them, and the one that made them really be Aggies,” Scott said. “He wouldn’t miss a game. … He really loved being a part of the Aggie family. All the traditions and all the history really meant a lot to him.”

Zach’s mother said his childhood was full of A&M football games and traditions, creating a foundation for his passion later on.

“The lullaby he liked to have sung to him when he went to sleep at night was the Aggie War Hymn,” Carol said.

As a freshman, Zach initially struggled to maintain his grades in his challenging engineering courses. After receiving low marks on his first exams, Zach attended every tutoring session he could in order to improve.

“He lived the ‘Aggies never quit’ mantra,” Carol said. “He

PROVIDED

Petroleum engineering senior Zach Elder had a passion for A&M traditions and self-improvement.

wanted to be there and not to give up. He wanted to be an engineer, so he went to every A-Plus Tutoring that was offered for every class, no matter the time of night.”

Carol said Zach continued to embody the Aggie spirit when he wasn’t accepted into the Aggie Council of Engineers on his first attempt.

“The whole following year, he went to every ACE function, setting up and tearing down and doing whatever he could to show them that he would indeed make a great ACE member,” Carol said. “The next year he applied, he got in hands down. He never quit. If it was something he wanted, he worked to make it happen.”

Zach always strived to improve as a student and an Aggie, but he had recently began a period of development in which he worked to become a better person overall.

“At the start of the semester, he and one of his roommates, Conner, had become accountability partners and were working to make themselves better people and help the people around them make better choices as well,” Carol said. “They were striving to go from college students to productive, loving and faithful adults.”

The outpouring of love and support from Zach’s friends has aided the family immensely through the difficulties of the past weeks, Scott said.

“The thing we’ve learned about Zach this week is how important he was to so many different friends,” Scott said.

“He had lots of close friends that all thought of Zach as one of their best friends — somebody they could count on. …

That’s meant a lot to us.”

Scott said he hopes that despite the tragedy, Zach’s friends will also remember and embody his kindness going forward.

“What I’ll carry with me is his smile,” Scott said. “He had the greatest smile and the most loving heart. We joked the other day that if you didn’t like Zach, it was your fault; it wasn’t his. … He had a kind soul.”

The Elder family asks that people donate to a scholarship fund made in Zach’s name at the Community National Bank & Trust in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Aug. 30, 1998 — Sept. 6, 2019

JEDIDIAH TUEDJO TALOM

An Aggie artist with heart to spare

By Hollis Mills @sillohsllim

R

emembered for her creative soul, steadfast leadership and devotion to her family and faith, Jedidiah Tuedjo Talom will live on in the hearts of Aggies everywhere.

Through her art she discovered life, and among her family and friends she found neverending love. Talom will always be remembered for her kind heart and an affinity for making others smile.

Born in Doula, Cameroon, before immigrating with her family to San Diego, Jedidiah grew up a joyous and curious child. Backyard games with her siblings and crafting crayon masterworks were some of Talom’s favorite hobbies around the house. After moving to Forney, Texas, in 2012, Talom attended Forney High School, where she joined the Junior ROTC program and graduated with a scholarship from the Air Force ROTC. Following her admission to Texas A&M, the general studies junior maintained an appreciation for any new interest she could apply herself to.

“She was just a unique person from the day she was born,” said Jedidiah’s mother, Nathalie Talom. “Very bright, smart, loving, caring and just committed to whatever she set up her mind to do.”

While most toddlers are preoccupied with making the leap from crawling to wobbling on their feet, Nathalie said her little “coucou” went straight to the doodle pad instead.

“Jedidiah started to draw, and she wasn’t even two years old,” Nathalie said. “She was trying to draw herself, and I said ‘Wow, you are beautiful.’ That was her very first picture.”

From the day Jedidiah picked up a pen, she refused to set it down again. Jedidiah created numerous drawings and paintings throughout her childhood and pursued her passion further when she adopted the artist name Wilarose in 2018.

“For many years, even though many people told her she was very talented, I don’t think she really believed in that,” Nathalie said. “She would say, ‘Mom, I don’t think I am good enough.’ Anytime she would do a drawing or a painting, I would post that on my personal Facebook and then my friend would make all these comments. I would show it to her and say, ‘Hey Jed, you think you are not good enough? Look at what my friend is saying about this.’”

PROVIDED

General studies junior Jedidiah Talom had a love for drawing and painting that stayed strong throughout her life.

Painting held a large presence in Jedidiah’s heart, but Nathalie said her daughter found room for one more investment this past summer.

“When she really decided to embrace Christianity, she said, ‘Mom, I want to be the best Christian. I don’t just want to be a Christian going to church. I want to be the best God is expecting from me. I want to know Him better,’” Nathalie said.

She said her daughter’s excitement in reevaluating her faith initially came as a shock. However, Nathalie knew Jedidiah would invest the same amount of love in the church as she had through all other journeys in her life.

“I told her ‘something good is coming,’” Nathalie said. “‘You are smart, you are gifted and now that you are getting closer to God, He will guide you better, because as your momma I want to help you, but I don’t know everything. If you can get closer to God and hear from Him, you will know what choices to make.’”

Although not a cadet at the time of her passing, an Echo Taps was held in Jedidiah’s honor on the Quad on Sept. 10.

Corps Commander Luke Thomas said the tradition has always been reserved for current cadets, but many cadets still expressed a desire to hold Echo Taps in her honor.

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Josh Mathew recalled the buoyant and inspiring friendship he shared with Jedidiah when she was still a cadet in Squadron Six. “There has never been a one-on-one conversation with J. where I just didn’t feel better about myself,” Mathew said.

“She always looked for the best in people. She was just a very positive person and she was smiling all the time. I don’t think I have a memory of her not smiling.”

When he or any other cadets were in doubt, Mathew said Jedidiah always found the right words to keep everyone going.

“Sometimes people find it funny to make fun of each other,” Mathew said. “She had her fair share of that stuff, but she never did that without love. If you were having a bad day, she would never say anything mean. She was so good at making people feel loved. That was her primary quality — just a very loving heart.”

Mathew said Talom’s selfless service and compassion for everyone she met is a quality he will carry forward in remembrance of her.

“The best way to honor her and keep her spirit alive is to be kind to everyone around you,” Mathew said. “Don’t look for the worst in anyone. Look for everyone’s best qualities and treat them like they’re very important.”

Tuesday night we honor the fallen • 10:30 p.m. • Academic Plaza

RINGDAY

8

The Battalion | 9.26.19

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

RING DAY CONTINUED Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

65 percent of the Aggie Rings ordered for the September Ring Day are for members of the Class of 2020.

1502 Harvey Road College Station, 77840 IN THE OLD SEARS AT POST OAK MALL COME SEE US!!!!!

OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 10-9 SUNDAY 11-7 979-255-2636

Any student in a degree program offered through A&M is eligible for a ring, said Kathryn Greenwade, Class of ‘88 and vice president for communications and human resources at The Association of Former Students. This includes the A&M branch campuses at Galveston and Qatar, as well as the A&M law school. A total of 150 Aggie Rings will be given out at these locations this September.

As each Ring Day grows closer, Greenwade said she encourages students to stay on top of their email inboxes to receive pertinent information about Ring Day essentials.

“Read all the emails you get from The Association,” Greenwade said. “You want to check your email frequently because we will be sending emails throughout the week.

We are trying to break those down into smaller emails rather than one big long email, so you can digest a little at a time.”

When each student chooses a time to receive their ring, they are put into a group. Each group contains about 100 individuals, who are given 20 minutes inside the building to enjoy their ceremony. After that, they are directed outside and can remain on the property, taking pictures as long as they like, Greenwade said. Students should plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their allotted pickup time.

“We started in the April ring delivery staging everything in our parking lot just to keep pedestrians from overflowing into Houston Street, although Houston Street will be closed,” Greenwade said.

The Association’s parking lot closes on Thursday to allow for Ring Day preparations, as those receiving their ring will line up in the lot. Parking for the event is available in West Campus Garage, and a shuttle will transport students and their families to the Alumni Center starting at 8:45 a.m. Additional parking is also available in Cain, University Center, Central and Southside garages, though a shuttle will not be provided at those locations.

To accommodate people with mobility issues and disabilities, there is a fully accessible entrance on the Houston Street side, a second drop-off location and ADA-compliant buses. However, Greenwade said students should consider the challenges that come with a crowded event like Ring Day. “If you have people with you that have mobility concerns, be sensitive to that,” Greenwade said. “There are times when it may be better to find a way to celebrate after the fact. If they want to be here, we welcome them here, but there will be some limitations.”

On the day of, students should bring their ring ticket and two forms of identification, such as a driver’s license, student ID or ring receipt. Greenwade said students and family members should follow The Association’s Twitter page to get live updates throughout the day. They can also visit tx.ag/ringday for updates and answers to frequently asked questions.

“It is an exciting day,” Greenwade said. “There will be a lot of people here. It is a day you are sharing with 4,300 of your closest friends, so just be patient, and we are going to get everyone through to get their ring. We just want to be as efficient and orderly about it as we can.”

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