So close
thebattalion
The No. 5 Aggies fell to No. 9 TCU 4-2, Tuesday night in front of more than 5,000 fans on 12th Man Day at Olsen Field.
● wednesday,
state news 85-mph TX speed limits The state House last week passed a bill allowing a speed limit of 85 mph on some highways in Texas. A similar bill is being considered in the Senate. Highway safety advocates are not speeding to embrace higher limits. “It shows we continue to, as a society, want to go faster,” says Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. He cites decreases in road deaths when the national speed limit was set at 55 in 1973 and increases when it was raised to 65 on some rural interstates in the late 1980s. A&M newswire
Aggie parents of the year John A. Garcia and Kathleen I. Garcia of San Antonio are Texas A&M University’s “2011 Aggie Parents of the Year.” They were nominated by their three Aggie children: Samantha, Class of 2013, Kimberly, Class of 2010, and Cassandra, Class of 2008. The three Aggies said, “No matter how much time and energy they give to Texas A&M, they are always looking for ways to give even more.” In their nomination letter, the three daughters said their parents support the Corps of Cadets, The Association of Former Students, the Aggie Spirit Development Council and many other activities. A&M newswire
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Families, friends, students and former students honored deceased Aggies Tuesday in Rudder Exhibit Hall by celebrating the students’ memories with displays. The exhibit will continue from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.
Honoring the fallen
campus news Teaching awards The Texas A&M University System today awarded $697,500 to outstanding faculty for the fall 2010 presentation of the Student Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence The faculty winners represent the top 25 percent of those who participated and will receive checks for $2,500 each. More than 1,000 faculty members from around the A&M System participated in the program; over 250 awards were given. “Teaching is very important to us,” said Michael D. McKinney, chancellor of the A&M System. A&M newswire
april 20, 2011
Muster Reflections display memories of deceased Aggies
Muster events ◗ Barbeque 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Simpson Drill Field ◗ Reflections Exhibit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday in Rudder ◗ Flag raising ceremony 7:05 a.m. Thursday at Academic Plaza
Tim Bardin
The Battalion “Softly call the muster. Let comrade answer ‘Here.’” Few phrases in Aggieland are more profound; fewer still generate a more solemner feeling than that of Muster Roll Call. These powerful lines symbolize the unity and solidarity of the Aggie family. Aggies around the world gather annually to celebrate Muster with food, fellowship and fun to honor those who have passed. “If there is an A&M man [or woman] in 100 miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little and
live over the days you spent at A&M,” states the Muster website. Muster is a tradition that both remembers and inspires. It inspired Tyler May, a senior finance major, 2011 committee member and former Muster host, to give back to the University that had given him so much. “As a transfer student, Muster was my first experience that really made me see what it means to be an Aggie. I was blown away by the tradition, and Photos by Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION just how much of an impact the cerVisitors view photos of the Aggies to emony really left on the families who be honored Thursday. Muster Hosts had lost a loved one,” May said. observe and offer silent support to See Muster on page 4 viewers.
world
More than just a day off from Friday classes Trevor Stevens
The Battalion Christians all over the world are celebrating the arrival of Easter Sunday. Students are celebrating more than a day off from Friday classes. The customs and traditions have changed over time, but the symbol of Easter and its relation to the Passover in the Old Covenant, or Old Testament, remain. Passover is the seven-to-eight-day holiday commemorating the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and slavery. In Exodus, the second book of the Bible, God instructs Moses to tell all the congregation of Israel they must sacrifice a spotless lamb and put blood from the lamb on the doorposts of their houses; and God will pass over these houses, hence the term Passover. The canonized stories of the New Testament tell that approximately 2,000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth came as both man and God and lived a sinless life, died as an atoning and final sacrifice and rose on the third day, fulfilling Old Testament
prophecies and ultimately satisfying the wrath of a holy and just God, to provide forgiveness and eternal life for those who receive it through repentance and faith. Preaching pastor of New Life Church in College Station, Allen Duty, said that for Christians, Easter is remembered as a cultural expression; but because Jesus was the perfect Passover lamb, it is celebrated every week—not just once a year. “It is no accident that Jesus is crucified during the Passover and shares the Passover meal with the disciples, showing He is the Passover lamb. The Passover was merely a reminder of God’s grace, because sin leads to death and requires the blood of a sacrifice,” Duty said. “Then, because Jesus was the perfect Passover lamb, God can forgive because Jesus’ sacrifice was enough forever, unlike the animal sacrifices.” Lindsay Bickham, a junior recreation, parks and tourism sciences major, said her family has always celebrated Easter. See Easter on page 4
Osa Okundaye — THE BATTALION
local
Special Olympics Team works with Aggie athletes two years ago by a Special Olympics officer. Her cousin, an athlete in the World Special Olympics, told her about the Unified Team. Upon hearing about the teams and Jennifer Siegl their success, she decided to develop one on Special to The Battalion the Texas A&M campus. The Aggie Bombers, the local Special “The first year, everyone was really exOlympics Unified Team, does more than cited. It’s one of the biggest opportunities compete and raise funds. They created a to get to know someone with disabilities place where Special Olympic athletes and and get to know them personally. You students can build lasting relationships. see them on a regular basis,” said Marisa Dr. Fred Clubb is a professor at the Tex- Maldonado, the campus relations chairas Veterinary Medical Center, head of the woman for the A&M Special Olympics Cardiovascular Pathology Laboratory, fac- organization. ulty adviser for Special Olympics and father The team began with volleyball and to Unified Team athlete, Ross Clubb. swimming. Unlike the eight to 10 ratio “Everyone knows each other’s name,” of coaches to athletes seen in many other Clubb said. Special Olympic teams, the Aggie Bombers Texas A&M’s Unified Team was created
Bombers raise funds and benefit students
have one coach to every two athletes. The team gives a lot of credit to Clubb and the A&M women’s basketball team’s head coach, Gary Blair. Clubb said the structure of the Aggie Bombers is a win-win situation. The student athletes have the opportunity to compete and socialize with the Special Olympic athletes. Many students continue to compete and show their support after graduation. The Aggie Bombers has approximately 130 members. including students and athletes ranging from ages 18 to 50. They practice four hours each week and attend at least one area game per sport. In the past, they have traveled to state-
Aggie Bombers ◗ Approximately 130 members ◗ Ages 18 to 50 ◗ Compete nationally and internationally
See Olympics on page 9
4/19/11 9:54 PM