2022 Muster Program

Aggie Muster

Though the Aggie Spirit may ne’er be told, it is most certainly felt through the tradition of Aggie Muster on April 21st each year. From the start of this tradition over 100 years ago, Muster has transformed through the scope of time and circumstance, yet still celebrates a powerful truth within its epicenter. When the world stopped, Muster continued. This tradition and its meaning are infinite. Embedded in honor and remembrance, Muster has united generations of Aggies past, present, and future. Aggie Muster ensures that we are always and forevermore “here.”

To the honored families, on behalf of the Aggie family, please accept our sincerest and deepest condolences. Through Muster, we as Aggies choose to surround one of the darkest experiences in life with light. The love and camaraderie that surrounds each of you tonight is the spirit of your loved one, and we hope that through this you find a sense of peace in knowing that you are not alone in remembering the life and impact of your Aggie.

To the Class of 1972, it is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome you back to Aggieland. On behalf of the student body of today, we thank you for the contributions you made to the foundation of the Texas A&M we know and love. We hope that being back has assured you that though much has changed, the Spirit of Aggieland is alive and well on campus.

To all those who have or will Muster this year, I thank you for your contribution to unifying the Aggie family through this tradition. No one element or singular image defines Muster. Rather, it is defined by each of us and manifests in the form of what we need most. This year, let us embrace the connection, whether physically or spiritually, that this tradition affords more than ever before. As we say “here” for our fellow Aggies, loved ones, and friends, I hope that we are all able to embrace the magnitude of the remembrance afforded to each and every Aggie.

Muster is the lifelong tradition of every Aggie. Tonight, and each year, we share in the tangible representation of the Aggie Spirit. It is my hope that through what we will share tonight that we are filled with an appreciation of our past, gratitude for our present, and hope for our future.

“Softly Call the Muster…”

Luke Thurman ’22 Chair, Aggie Muster Committee

Prelude (quiet, please)

Presentation of Colors*

“Star-Spangled Banner”*

“Texas, Our Texas”*

Acknowledgment*

Welcome to Aggie Muster

Presidents’ Remarks

“Twelfth Man”*

Introduction of Speaker

Muster Speaker

“Aggie Muster Day"

Chair's Remarks

Ceremony

Singing Cadets, Women’s Chorus, Century Singers

Ross Volunteers

Texas Aggie Band

Texas Aggie Band

Rachel Greve ’22 – Muster Committee

Luke Thurman ’22 – Chair, Muster Committee

Dr. Katherine Banks – President, Texas A&M University

Natalie Parks ’22 – Student Body President, Texas A&M University

Singing Cadets

Nugent ’22 – Muster Committee

General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service

Singing Cadets

Dara G. Hegar ’95 Chair of the Board, The Association of Former Students

50th Reunion Class Recognition Jackson Nance ’22 – Muster Committee

“Spirit of Aggieland”*

“Roll Call for the Absent”

Ceremonial Lighting for Hometown Musters

Roll Call

Rifle Volley*

Silver Taps*

“Auld Lang Syne”

“In Memoriam”

Benediction and Closing

*The audience will please stand as able.

Texas Aggie Band

Chloe McWilliams ’23 – Muster Committee

Caroline Pierce ’22 – Muster Committee

Caroline Pierce ’22 – Muster Committee Danaleigh Stiles ’23 – Muster Committee

Ross Volunteers

Silver Taps Team

Singing Cadets

Marcus Peña ’23 – Muster Committee

Luke Thurman ’22 – Chair, Muster Committee Thomas Potthoff ’72 – Class of 1972

Muster Speaker

DEAN MARK A. WELSH III THE BUSH SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC SERVICE | TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

General Mark A. Welsh III became Dean of the Bush School in August 2016, after retiring from the United States Air Force. Welsh, who was born in San Antonio, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and a Master of Science degree in computer resource management from Webster University.

During his distinguished military career, he served as the 20th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 2012–2016. As Chief of Staff, he was the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 664,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and other service chiefs functioned as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and the President. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, Welsh previously served as Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Commander of NATO’s Air Command, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Associate Director of Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency; and Commandant of the United States Air Force Academy.

He received numerous awards and decorations during his military career, including multiple awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has also been awarded the National Public Service Award from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the Distinguished American Award from the Air Force Association.

Aggie Muster

TRADITION

The Muster tradition had its beginnings at a meeting of the Association of Ex-Cadets on June 26, 1883. A statement of objective noted: “In reunion we meet and live over again our college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon drill field and classroom. Let every alumni answer a roll call.”

During the 1890s, the Corps of Cadets made annual visits to San Jacinto Battlefield, followed by a parade down Houston’s Main Street as celebrations of San Jacinto each April 21 became the custom. In the early 1900s, it was agreed that in addition to honoring the freedom of Texas, April 21 would be a time to pay homage to all students and former students who had passed on, and some living comrade would answer “Here” when the “Roll Call for the Absent” was read. During World War I, groups of Aggies met in trenches all over Europe and at Army posts in America, but no April 21 events were held on campus.

In 1923, a nationwide rally of former students was planned to provide Aggies an opportunity to “meet old friends again and live over the old days in College Station.” Student radio station WTAW broadcast a special program consisting of a medley of A&M songs, words from football coach D.X. Bible and Aggie yells by the cadets. The April 15, 1923 Texas Aggie urged, “If there is an A&M man within one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.”

By 1929, meetings had become international, and, in 1942, A&M Muster gained international recognition when 27 men, led by General George Moore, Class of 1908, mustered during the Japanese siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. In addition, two Aggies reportedly held Muster in a submarine.

And so it has been over the years, since that small group of Aggies on a beleaguered outpost of World War II inspired what has developed into one of our greatest traditions. Muster is more than a ceremony. It represents a pledge and a responsibility that A&M men and women have handed down from year to year, from generation to generation. It gives us a chance to renew our loyalty and unity, which constitute the basic foundation of our friendship for each other and our love and devotion for our school.

Aggie Muster is a lifelong tradition. Wherever you are on Muster Day, you can find information about an Aggie Muster close to you at AggieNetwork.com/Muster.

~ Dr. John A. Adams, Jr. ’73

FOR THERoll Call Absent

In many lands and climes this April day

"Roll Call for the Absent"

is adapted from the original poem "The Heroes’ Roll Call," written in 1943 by Dr. John Ashton, Class of 1906. See Ashton’s original poem at tx.ag/RollCallForTheAbsent

Proud sons of Texas A&M unite. Our loyalty to country, school, we pay, And seal our pact with bond of common might.

We live again those happy days of yore On campus, field, in classroom, dorm, at drill. Fond memory brings a sigh – but nothing more; Now we are men and life’s a greater thrill,

On Corregidor 80 years ago today

A band of gallant Aggies, led by Moore, Held simple rites which to us doth all say: The spirit shall prevail through cannon roar.

Before we part and go upon our way, We pause to honor those we knew so well; The old familiar faces we miss so much today Left cherished recollections that time cannot dispel.

Softly call the Muster, Let comrade answer, “Here!”

Their spirits hover ’round us As if to bring us cheer!

Mark them “present” in our hearts. We’ll meet some other day There is no death, but life eterne

For old friends such as they!

~ Dr. John Ashton, Class of 1906

Mike Ressby and George Hester pose with Bevo at the t.u. game in November 1971.

The 1971 Ross Volunteer company.

Class of

(left to right/ top to bottom)

- Jim Heffner and Clay Boyd goofing around.

- Animal A 1968 craziness in the muddy banks of the Brazos.

- Jim Payton, Jim “the Brow” Norwood, and Ken “the Grunge” Stevenson goofing around.

- Spending time at the Bryan Golf Course.

- Pat Gilbert raking leaves at his parent’s

Sgt. E. Donald Watts '72, Flight A, Sq. 5 receives Baldridge Trophy for top AFROTC Flight.

(left to right/ top to bottom)

- Richard Tillman listening to tunes.

- Arturo Alonzo posing with Ken Stevenson, who’s calling for pizza from Ralph’s.

- Bill Maline took his turn on Ken’s record player.

- Rick Lowe relaxing.

- Larry Ohls and Jim Payton jamming.

Class of 1972

Company E-1 marches in the 1968 Corps Trip.

Aggie Band sweetheart, Karen Litmann dancing with LTC Adams.

Fish Lady Ruth Hunt with cadets, May 1969, class of '72.

Roy C. Toone, Jr. was known as “Tuna” or “The Gentle Giant” among his BQ friends.

Six Spider D1 fish from the Class of ’72: John Hutton, Harold Harlach, P. Carrington, Jimmy Ferguson, David Hammit, and Bob Burns (and Vernon Goodwin's nose!).

The Class of 1972 Fish Drill Team.

1969 Bonfire.

9.8.1971 SCONA XVII speaker Colonel Frank Borman with Seniors, Class '72.

1972 2022NowThen

Student Population

$48-$77

Price of an Aggie Ring

$680-$1,900

Dr . Jack K

Williams

University President

Reveille

Dr

M

Reveille X (beginning 2021)

Katherine Banks Reveille III (beginning 1966)

John Sharp ’72

Jim Ferguson ’72

. Student Body President

MSC President

Head Yell Leader

Zachary Summers ’22

Natalie Parks ’22 John C . Bacus ’72

Memo Salinas ’22

Thomas M . Stanely ’72

Corps Commander

Connor Fortier ’22 Michael A . Langston ’72 . . Aggie Band Commander

Jacob Abell ’22 48,000

Kyle Field Capacity

Football Record

Gene Stallings ’57

Freshman Year

Football Head Coach

Brought about immense growth for the university both physically and academically, as construction led to new buildings, classrooms, research facilities, and ideas. Amidst the changes, students sought to protect A&M’s image while accepting progress, which served to unite the Corps and civilian students.

Sophomore Year

In 1970, the university was shaken by the death of President James Earl Rudder ’32 who had brought ten years of reform to Texas A&M. Throughout his presidency, General Rudder turned a segregated military college into an integrated coeducational university. Students were determined to see the changes he incited through to completion. Aggie Bonfire earned the title of world’s largest bonfire, standing at about 105 feet.

8-4

.102,733 5-6

Jimbo Fisher

Junior Year

Texas A&M welcomed a new president, Dr. Jack K. Williams. Graduating A&M students were being drafted into the Vietnam War.

Senior Year

The spring of 1972 marked the last semester before women started living on campus. The Aggie Fish Drill Team won their fifth consecutive national championship. The Class of ’72 was the last class at A&M to experience the draft.

The Class of 1972 left Aggieland much different than they found it. University enrollment increased greatly and the Aggie Family became more diverse than it had ever been. Throughout all of these changes, the Spirit of Aggieland remained strong as members of the Class of ’72 dedicated themselves to upholding Texas A&M’s traditions and values.

E ndowment Donors

The Aggie Muster Committee thanks the following individuals and organizations for their generous contributions to the Muster Endowment.

Corregidor Members - $50,000 Honored Perpetually

Zachry Construction Corporation | Class of 1995

Roll Call Members - $25,000 Honored Perpetually

In memory of James T. Danklefs ’43

In honor of Joyce Blackwell & memory of W.R. “Bill” Blackwell ’51 by Dr. David Blackwell ’80

In memory of Hubert P. Davis ’51 | Mr. & Mrs. John R. Lister ’60

In memory of Michael Alan Schmidt ’02 | Class of 1986 | Class of 2008

Ernst and Young Foundation | Willard and Anne Levin Foundation

Thomas S. Conner ’08 | Donna Kent ’79

To obtain additional information or donate to the Muster Endowment, please write to Texas A&M Foundation at 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840 or visit giving.tamu.edu.

Special Thanks

Thanks to the following organization for their generous annual contribution in support of Aggie Muster.

The Association of Former Students - $15,000

To obtain additional information on how to support Aggie Muster through The Association of Former Students, please visit AggieNetwork.com/Give.

In Gratitude

Aggieland Flowers and Chocolates Aggie Wranglers CC Creations

Century Singers

Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ Copy Corner

Cushing Memorial Library and Archives

Fargo’s Pit BBQ

J. Cody’s Steak and Barbeque

KBTX

KANM

Memorial Student Center

Mr. Stephen Senkel ’00

Nan's Blossom Shop Petal Patch Post Oak Florist Reed Arena Ross Volunteer Company Rudy’s BBQ

Muster

Dylan Murray ’16

Luke Thurman ’22 Caroline Pierce ’22 Erin Nugent ’22

Jackson Nance ’22

Rachel Greve ’22

Chloe McWilliams ’23

Danaleigh Stiles ’23

Marcus Peña ’23

Michael Whittaker ’21

Noah Peters ’21

Student Activities

Student Assistance Services Student Government Association Tailgate Guys

Texas A&M Foundation

Texas A&M Marketing & Communications

Texas A&M Women’s Chorus

The Association of Former Students The Battalion

The Bethancourt Family

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band

The Office of The President

The Sanders Corps Center

The Texas A&M Singing Cadets Traditions Council

Transportation Services

University Center and Special Events University Flowers Willow Lane Florals

Abigail Kite ’22

Ann Verret ’22

Daniel Resendez ’22

Mollie Hagler ’22

Jessica Nguyen ’22

Weston Siler ’22

Addison Blakemore ’23

Carter Cryzak ’23

Charlie Ayres ’23

Jenna Bobbora ’23

Michaela Csikos ’23

C ommitteeAnnie Stockard ’24

Avery DeWolf ’24

Kenadee Stewart ’24

Lucas Trosper ’24

Macie McCollum ’24

Macy Henderson ’24

Megan Eddington ’24

Reed Russell ’24

Patrick Churchill ’25

Lt. Gen. Ormond R. Simpson ’36

“Being a Texas Aggie is not of the flesh, but of the spirit. In a very real sense, it is a state of mind. This Aggie spirit is both your heritage and your challenge.”