thebattalion ● thursday,
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Together in service Twin cadets bring culture, tradition
Jane Lee The Battalion Animal expert Jeff Corwin will be performing at Rudder Auditorium Friday. The fast-paced show “Tales from the Field” includes a variety of animal acts including alligators, snapping turtles and pythons. The show’s purpose is to raise awareness and educate people on conservation and preservation of wildlife and ecology. “The MSC OPAS is very excited for Jeff Corwin’s performance because of his great energy and enthusiasm for animals and the environment,” said Elizabeth Melton, vice president and student committee chairwoman for MSC OPAS. Corwin received his bachelor of science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College and a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Corwin is an Emmy-winning host of many highly acclaimed television shows and has dedicated his life to conservation of endangered species and ecosystems around the world since he was a college student. “His background and experience with preservation of ecosystems and wildlife is projected through his television programs to let the masses know the problems and situations that are going around the globe,” said Thomas E. Lacher, head of the wildlife and fisheries sciences department. Corwin’s mission is to spread knowledge through education and awareness so the natural resources, wildlife and ecosystems that make up the Earth will be conserved.
Katy Ralston | The Battalion Freshmen in the Corps of Cadets have to deal with many challenges, including shouting sophomores and meticulous uniform inspections. Imagine also having the challenges of living in a foreign country and learning English as a second language. Cadets Hyesu and Suji Shin experience all of the above. Born in South Korea, the Shin twins spent their childhood years in Korea until they moved to Singapore freshman year of high school. After spending a year at the Singapore International School the family moved to Austin to finish high school. They applied to Texas A&M because of the desire to stay in Texas, and after one campus visit, they knew there was no other place for them. The Corps was an added bonus. “We came here for the college visit, and my mom saw people in uniforms, and she found out about the Corps, and she recommended us to join,” Hyesu said. “She actually forced us to join, she said, ‘Y’all need to get the discipline,’” Suji said. See Shin on page 6
We are the Aggies Aggies are We will be a series of stories published every other Thursday highlighting Aggies. Rachel Nhan — THE BATTALION
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Corwin to perform at Rudder Auditorium
november 5, 2009
See Corwin on page 4
Albritton Bell Tower celebrates 25 years Katy Ralston
The McFerrin Athletic Center, by Kyle Field, was not built with adequate structural supports to withstand high winds, according to a recent report.
The Battalion
File Photo
Athletic center not built to code David Harris The Battalion The McFerrin Athletic Center was not built to adequately withstand high winds, according to a university-hired engineering firm, The bubble-like structure was designed and built by Summit Structures LLC based out of Allentown, Pennsylvania. The same company gained notoriety when the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility, a Summit design, collapsed in May. Interim President R. Bowen Loftin hired a group from Haynes Whaley Associates in Houston to analyze the safety of the building, which consists of both a track and a football field. Haynes Whaley Vice President Mark Thompson told the University in September that he and his firm thought the building could not sustain winds up to 90 mph, which is a national standard. Thompson also said the building was compromised to such an extent that it should be closed. A&M, however, decided not to do so after further discussion with Whaley and because the building withstood high winds during Hurricane Ike.
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Engineers and architects decided the center could stand in winds up to 60 mph, said Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne. Due to the collapse of the Dallas Cowboys facility and Whaley’s findings, Summit added multiple cables to the facility’s steel frames. More repairs could be made if necessary. “A&M has installed reinforced cabeling in the McFerrin Center at request by the independent firm,” said Vice President for Marketing and Communications Jason Cook. “The installation of the cables was successfully completed in September.” “The indoor football facility has been certified to withstand 90 mph burst, and the track facility has been certified at 75 mph and we’re awaiting results on if it, too, passes.” The Dallas Cowboys’ practice field collapsed on May 2. Twelve were injured, and scout Rich Behm was paralyzed from the waist down. The building was the fifth Summit structure to collapse since 2002. The National Institute of Standards and Technology produced findings that said the structure collapsed in winds of 55 to 65 mph and that flaws in the design were to blame.
Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
The Albritton Bell Tower at night. On Oct. 6, the 138foot brick and stone tower turned 25 years old.
The Albritton Bell Tower continues to chime in service to the Aggie community 25 years after its dedication date. Dedicated Oct. 6, 1984, by Martha and Ford D. Albritton Jr., the 138-foot tower has become an integral part of the Aggie tradition in its short span of 25 years. “The Albritton Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Texas A&M campus and signifies the major entry way into the academic core of campus,” said Vice President for Marketing and Communications Jason Cook. In 1969 as president of the Association of Former Students and member of the Board of Regents, Albritton initiated the process of building the bell tower on campus when it was brought to his attention that a university with so much tradition and love for the school was missing this element. “I started thinking about it, and it took us a while, but we finally built it,” Albritton said. “After doing a lot of research, we determined what we wanted.” The team visited campuses around the country that had bell towers before coming to a final design. The Albritton Bell Tower contains Westminster chimes and 49 carillon bells cast at a 200-year-old foundry in France. The bells weigh a total of 17 tons, the largest weighing more than 6,000 pounds, while the smallest weighs 28 pounds. See Bell Tower on page 4
11/4/09 9:32 PM