CAMPUS
Texas A&M students, Aggie community honor Reveille IX in memorial ceremony at Simpson Drill Field A3
SPORTS
Aggies begin road stint with trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for a showdown with Bobby Petrino’s Hogs B2
Interim president steps into new role
Tommy Williams ‘78 looks to continue A&M’s positive momentum after career in business, politics brought him back to Aggieland
By Ian Curtis Editor-in-Chief
Texas A&M Interim President Tommy Williams ‘78 wants to make one thing very clear: He isn’t seeking the position permanently.
“It was the only condition that I would consider the position on,” Williams said. “I am not the right person to lead this university on a long-term basis. I understand that I am very good at helping solve problems and turn things around. I’ve done this before in state government, and I think I can do it here.”
When Williams first got word from Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar asking if he’d be willing to take over the role of interim president, the first thing he said was he felt surprised, as he wasn’t looking to take on the job.
But according to Willaims, he and his wife are “all-in, money, marbles and chalk.”
“The chancellor and I have been friends for over 20 years,” Williams said. “I know his wife; we admire them a great deal. They’re great family, and he surprised me, but I’m honored that he thinks I can do the job, and we’re going to do the very best that we can to make sure we don’t disappoint him in that.”
Hegar and Williams’ relationship dates back to their days in the Texas Legislature, when Hegar ran for a Texas House district that overlapped with Williams’ senate district.
“Tommy Williams has a deep understanding of the mission of Texas A&M and the values that define our university,” Hegar said in a news release from the A&M System. “His experience in public service and his commitment to the Aggie community will serve us well as we continue to move forward.”
After graduating from A&M in 1978 with a degree in business administration and embarking on a business career, Williams served as a Republican representative for parts of Southeast Texas in the Texas House from 1997 to 2003 and later in the Texas Senate from 2003 to 2013 while continuing his career in financial work.
He then served the A&M System as vice chancellor of governmental relations from 2014 to 2018 and as an advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott from 2017 until his retirement in 2019.
“[The vice chancellor role] was an easy fit for me to make,” Williams said. “I understood the political world, and that’s what I was responsible for. And so I think how that helps me today is that I learned more about higher
friends of ours,” Williams said. “Betty and my wife, Marsha, are in a Bunco group together. Not sure how much Bunco they play, but the Welshes host the spouses of that group at their home once a year, and I’ve done that a couple of times. … I have tremendous respect for his service to our country, and also for the position that he’s left A&M. He’s left us in a good place, and what we need to do is focus on what things are going right and make sure that we continue those things.”
‘I’ve done my job well if they feel like I’ve listened to them’
His political experience may be the headliner, but Williams says he brings what he learned in the business world to this new role,
and addressed their concerns.”
Throughout his first weeks on the job, Williams has been making the rounds across campus in an attempt to connect with students, faculty, former students and other stakeholders in the future of Aggieland.
“I hope people will come away believing that I listen to them,” Williams said. “ … There’s lots of constituencies, if you will, that need to be heard. I want to know what their concerns are, and as we determine what those things are, we’ll be able to formulate a plan of how we move forward through this interim period.”
Some of those early conversations have been with members of faculty — the sort of conversations he hasn’t had since his prior role with the A&M System, Williams said.
“The thing that was very reassuring to me was especially, you know, I hadn’t visited with the faculty in a long time, and so they all love the university,” Williams said. “I knew the students would love the university — I wasn’t surprised by that — but there are a lot of committed people that are helping make this a great place that it is.”
Williams says he’s honored to have the opportunity to lead and provide stability to his alma mater while the Board of Regents searches for a permanent president.
education while I worked here, and how that works. … So it was very educational, and I think it’s going to serve me well in this role.”
Williams takes on the role of interim president following the resignation of former President Mark A. Welsh III, who left the office in the wake of a leaked video which captured an in-class altercation that led to the termination of a professor and the removals of a department head and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from their administrative duties.
But Williams was complimentary of Welsh and says that his departure hasn’t created any new tension. Instead, Williams is looking forward to the university’s future.
“I consider Mark and [his wife] Betty to be
too.
“Folks think that if you’re, for instance, a salesman, a good salesman does a lot of talking,” Williams said. “Actually, a good salesman listens to his prospect a lot and finds out if there’s a way for him to help that person or not. … No one cares about how much you know until they know how much you care about them.”
It’s that same listening mindset that Williams is already bringing to the Office of the President. He says it’s the main thing he wants students to think of when they picture him in the office.
“I’m a good listener,” Williams said. “I hope that’s what they feel like. I’ve done my job well if they feel like I’ve listened to them
“And actually, there’s not much turning around that needs to be done,” Williams said. “What needs to happen is people need to start focusing on all the good things that are happening here, and we need to give the Board of Regents the time to be able to make a good selection for the next leader.”
An Aggie legacy
Williams’ ties to A&M date back to long before his own time as a student. He grew up in a family of Aggies, as his father played football at A&M and all four of his siblings attended school in Aggieland.
Texas A&M Interim President Tommy Williams interviews in The Battalion newsroom on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
LIFE & ARTS
Fall full of family, fun, pumpkins
Bryan-College Station locals, students gather at local nonprofit pumpkin patches
By Isa Chan Tack Life & Arts Writer
As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change color, autumn makes its way through the heart of Aggieland, signaling the start of fall festivities. Among the many events that fall has to offer in Bryan-College Station, there are two annual pumpkin patches.
While pumpkin patches serve as an exciting place for families and friends to visit, there is more to it than just Instagram-worthy photos. The patches, organized by both the Aggie and BCS Habitat for Humanity chapters, help serve the local community by working together to raise money and build homes for those in need.
“The purpose of the patch is to raise money for Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity, and, not to pat ourselves on the back, but I think we do a really great job of it,” Director of Construction for Aggie Habitat for Humanity and civil engineering graduate student Sidney Seagraves said. “Every pumpkin patch, we can build a quarter of a house with the funds that we donate.”
According to Seagraves, the Texas A&M chapter of Habitat for Humanity has been
serving A&M since 1992, and the pumpkin patch is an old tradition — although, Director of Special Events and public health senior Dylan Po said the exact origins of how the patch started are a mystery.
“I think the beauty behind ours is that we don’t necessarily understand where it originated from, but what matters is what its purpose is, what it means to us, and we’re still doing it now,” Po said.
One of the main reasons Habitat for Humanity continues to run its annual pumpkin patches is for its Habitat homes, which are homes built or rehabilitated for families to live in at an affordable cost.
All profits generated from the patch go directly to raising funds for housing, according to Po.
“I think what sets us apart is that this pumpkin patch was created for the purpose of funding for these homes,” Po said. “Not a profit or penny is given to any of us officers, any of our volunteers, our members. The only money that’s made out of this goes straight into the homes of these people that we’re trying to serve.”
Organizing fall-themed events like the patches takes a lot of time and physical effort, so numerous people volunteer for pumpkin unloads, Seagraves said. Habitat for Humanity even welcomes groups from other student organizations to lend a helping hand.
“It’s one of those gargantuan efforts that really requires just all hands on deck … but it’s not an exaggeration, without the help,
we cannot do it,” Seagraves said. “It’s good to see that people are still interested in helping their communities and raising money. … It shows that we as a community are strong enough to gather enough people for this.”
As a service organization, Habitat for Humanity is heavily dependent on its volunteers. Despite pumpkin unloads being time-consuming and laborious, many people return to lend their service to Habitat for Humanity each year.
Patch Manager Connie Flickinger has been serving the BCS Habitat for Humanity patch for 11 years, and she mentioned that people help not just because the patches are fun, but because they serve a selfless cause as well.
“We had one volunteer one time that came out, and I found out later, at the end of her shift, she actually grew up in a Habitat home, and she just thought this was a fun way to kind of come and give back,” Flickinger said. “She was sharing that with other people. And then we actually got in touch with her, and [the] next year, she was our speaker at our banquet.”
While pumpkin patches are an event that many associate with fall or Halloween, they represent something more to Habitat for Humanity. The money raised from the pumpkin patches helps bring miracles to many families in need.
“I was talking to these kids about how Cinderella had this pumpkin that her fairy godmother turned into a carriage,” Flick-
inger said. “But then, of course, at midnight, it turned back into a pumpkin. But our pumpkins are even more special than Cinderella’s pumpkin, because our pumpkins turn into houses. So we have t-shirts that say, ‘Some miracles last past midnight.’”
As the years go by, the patch continues to attract more and more people, with sales growing each year, according to Flickinger. However, buying a pumpkin at the patch is not required, so all are welcome to have fun free of charge.
“The young adults that come out just have so much fun out there,” Flickinger said. “It’s hilarious watching them. The guys come out, and they’re dragged by their girlfriends, and they act like they don’t really want to be there, but then they totally get into it and start taking pictures. So it’s enjoyable being out there and just seeing something families can do that doesn’t cost to come to.”
The pumpkin patch is a timeless tradition, and Flickinger has watched many memories be made by families who come back year after year to visit the patch. Seeing families grow up as they return is one of Flickinger’s favorite memories about the yearly tradition.
“One of them was engaged, and they came back and then got engaged at the pumpkin patch,” Flickinger said. “ … And then they came back next year, and they were married, and they came back next year, and they had a baby, and so it’s just fun.”
Aggie turns four chairs on The Voice
Watched by friends, family, Aggie community from home, Aiden Ross performs blind audition on NBC’s hit show
By Kaitlyn Cates Life & Arts Writer
He didn’t know why it took him a year of college, calculus and chemistry to realize, “Hey, if I love music, then maybe I should give it a shot.”
This thought led industrial engineering sophomore Aiden Ross to take a leap of faith. After applying to The Voice on a whim and being accepted, the singer was flown out to Los Angeles as a contestant on Season 28 of the hit NBC show.
The 20-year-old College Station native wowed The Voice coaches during his blind audition, earning all four chairs’ turns within seconds. His rendition of Adele’s “Love in the Dark” left Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg each pleading their case to have Aiden on their team.
Aiden grew up singing with his family on their strawberry farm and learned to harmonize when his dad would play guitar and his sister would sing with him. Aiden wrote his first song and even began singing at school talent shows at 7 years old.
“Come seventh grade, my dad was like, ‘Okay, man, I’m tired of playing guitar, it’s your turn,’” Aiden said. “He put a guitar in my hands, and I couldn’t really put it down, and that really became my thing.”
Although the Ross family owns a handful of right-handed guitars, Aiden’s father, Jim Ross, bought a left-handed guitar to better fit Aiden. Early on, Jim hoped that his kids would develop a love for music and share his joy for the lifelong hobby.
“We didn’t really believe that we wanted to force it,” Jim said. “We just had a house full of instruments and, over time, [our children] all kind of gravitated to it in their own way.”
While juggling academics and a commitment to the basketball team at A&M Consolidated, Aiden continued to pursue music by joining his high school’s a cappella group, A-Side A Cappella, and playing gigs around town at events like First Friday in Downtown Bryan.
He said the environment of street vendors, food and live music is special to him and is an underrated aspect of his hometown.
“That was the first time I really performed as an individual in front of people, and that allowed me to see how receptive people were to my sound,” Aiden said. “I think that’s what I really fell in love with, and since then, I truly fell in love with performing and creating music.”
During his senior year, Aiden decided to attend college at Texas A&M. He said that at that time, despite his love for music, seeing what everyone else was doing led him to the practical decision to pursue higher education. He said he feels gratitude for his time at college and for the lasting friendships he made, and is more ready for The Voice after his freshman year.
“I experienced so much growth in my freshman year alone at Texas A&M,” Aiden said. “The friends I’ve made in the a capella group I joined — they truly are my best friends. I think singing with my sister from a young age taught me how special it is to sing with other people.”
Jim said that after Aiden spent a year at A&M, he saw that his heart longed for mu-
sic. At the end of his freshman year, Aiden told his parents he had tried out for The Voice and had been called out to Hollywood as a contestant. Parents and close friends of the contestants were also flown out for interviews and the blind auditions. Jim said watching the judges respond to his son’s performance was reaffirming.
“It was great to see that validation and that people like what they heard, and that he gets a chance to continue to show what he can do, because he’s really quite special, the way he can rise to those big occasions like that and perform,” Jim said.
As a parent, Jim said he is most proud of the positive feedback he saw on social media as a testament to Aiden’s character. He described his son as a wonderful person and said that it is rewarding to see his son express a positive attitude through his music.
“What I’m really most proud of is really the kind of man he is becoming,” Jim said.
Photos by Belle Chapa — THE BATTALION
Service honors Reveille IX’s reign
IX’s veterinarian in 2021, spoke about the positive influence Reveille IX had on the Aggie community and the immense honor she felt giving back to her alma mater.
By Lillian Haynes Life & Arts Writer
The sun reflected off of the Albritton Bell Tower, blazing over the cadets standing in tight formations along Simpson Drill Field — each face taut in remembrance and legacy. Along the field’s outskirts, alumni, students and faculty gathered, hats off as they paid homage to one of Texas A&M’s most cherished traditions.
A&M’s Reveille IX passed away on Sept. 27 after serving as the “First Lady of Aggieland” from 2015 to 2021. The beloved rough collie was remembered at her memorial service on Oct. 10, which began on Simpson Drill Field and concluded at the Reveille Memorial — the final resting place of all former A&M mascots. Guests of honor were joined by Company E-2 — the Corps of Cadets outfit directly responsible for Reveille’s care — and A&M’s Singing Cadets, who opened the ceremony.
The Reveille tradition began in the 1930s when a group of cadets brought a small, stray dog back to campus after accidentally hitting her with their vehicle. When she woke up and began barking to the sound of the bugler playing “Reveille,” the cadets bestowed her namesake — a title that would stand the test of time. The cadets’ act of selfless compassion led Reveille I to reign over Aggieland for more than a decade — a tradition that continues as a pillar of the Aggie spirit over 90 years later.
“Reveille [IX] is the ultimate Queen of Aggieland,” Teller said. “She was happy and a little bit sassy. It took Reveille absolutely no time to worm her way into your heart, leave a piece of [herself] behind and take a piece of you with her.”
Outside of her check-ups, Reveille IX was looked after by her mascot corporal: a sophomore cadet from Company E-2 who ensured all of her needs were met, including daily walks, event appearances and housing over breaks.
Ian Moss ’18 served as Reveille IX’s first mascot corporal, welcoming her onto A&M’s campus in 2015. He recalled taking her to his family’s home, seeing things for the first time through her curious eyes.
“Rev IX was unsure about the world around her,” Moss said. “But she was determined to do things her own way. … She had big shoes to fill, but she did it with the grace, innocence and beauty that defines
Reveille IX during her retirement at the Stevenson Center — including her second handler, Gavin Suel ’19.
“It had been a couple years since I had graduated, but I walked in, and she immediately recognized me,” Suel said. “She jumped up on me. … She couldn’t wait to show us around … and introduce us to her friends. It was so sweet … and she wasn’t usually outwardly super affectionate, but when she did that to you, that affection, you knew it was so genuine.”
This affection came in all forms, as Reveille IX brought together families and created long-lasting memories across campus. For Colton Ray ’22, her handler in 2019, Reveille IX’s affection and guidance instilled quiet strength and Selfless Service into his life.
He illustrated the day he became Reveille’s mascot corporal with reverence, remembering how his now-late father formed part of the ceremony where he received her leash.
“Miss Rev wasn’t just a mascot, she was a teacher, a symbol and a friend,” Ray said.
It took Reveille absolutely no time to worm her way into your heart, leave a piece of [herself] behind and take a piece of you with her.
Lori Teller ‘88 Reveille IX’s Veterinarian
the Aggie spirit.”
However, before becoming this embodiment of Aggie tradition, Reveille IX was known as Twix — a rough collie from Ohio who had to earn her five-diamond status through an intense selection process.
“I was … on the search committee that selected her,” Dr. Stacy Eckman ‘01 said. “We … spent time engaging with the cadets, with each of the dogs to try to learn their personality … if they had experience with big crowds … with, you know, the noise … if they’d travelled. And at that time, she rose to the top.”
Eckman, who works at A&M’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital, served as Reveille IX’s first Aggie Veterinarian, ensuring that she was healthy and well cared for.
“It’s just been quite an honor for me to be engaged with her,” Eckman said. “I remember as a student … just hoping she would bark in class one day and … fast forward 15 years, and I’m a practicing veterinarian, and I have the honor of seeing her and helping with her care.”
Lori Teller ’88, who took over as Reveille
Reveille IX had the immense honor of welcoming the first female mascot corporal, Mia Miller ’21, as her handler in 2018. The two became fast friends, as Reveille IX raced around Miller’s small family ranch with her dog, Byron.
“Reveille had her Aggieland Queen side, and just her ‘being a great dog’ side,” Miller said. “She was such a genuine, good dog. … Getting to see her in her true, happy state in a big, open area was the best.”
Following her retirement in 2021, Reveille IX spent her days at A&M’s Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center, a facility dedicated to providing long-term pet care. Associate Director Ellie Greenbaum spoke of the love and care provided to Reveille IX during her time at the facility and how she spent her days chasing airplanes flying overhead and greeting guests.
“I would come in every day and be greeted by a wagging tail and a beautiful smile,” Greenbaum said. “She was just a wonderful, wonderful soul. … She was very regal; she knew how special she was. We feel very honored to have taken care of her for over four years. … She was a part of our family, and we miss her dearly.”
Even after stepping down as the First Lady of Aggieland, many guests visited
Texas A&M named best public university in Lonestar State
The Wall Street Journal ranks A&M first university in state, 12th nationwide in College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges list
By Ethan Rhame News Reporter
For the third year in a row, Texas A&M took home first place as the best public university in Texas in The Wall Street Journal’s College Pulse 2026 rankings.
The Wall Street Journal, or WSJ, evaluated public colleges based on student experience, career preparation, learning environment and return on investment.A&M was awarded first in the state and 12th in the nation.
“Placing best in Texas and among the nation’s leading public universities is a badge of honor because it means we’re being recognized not just for our academic and research strengths, but also for the opportunities we create for students to thrive during and after their time at Texas A&M,” Executive Vice President and Provost Alan Sams, Ph.D., said in a news release.
Professor of the Practice Angelique Gammon ‘81, who teaches in the Department of Communication & Journalism, launched and ran her own company, Insite Printing & Publishing, for 35 years between her time as student and professor. Gammon accredited much of her real-world success to the handson experience provided by A&M.
“It’s the interim space of being a successful magazine publisher and commercial business owner that is the ‘why’ I would answer A&M trained me well,” Gammon said.
Gammon explained that it was not just her classes that prepared her for success, but also her student experience as editor-inchief of The Battalion, which greatly helped prepare her for managing a large business.
“That was the main driving, motivating factor for me to come back and teach after I sold my company,” Gammon said. “I wanted to help give back in a way that I was made successful through not just my classes, but the experience of being [editor-in-chief] of The Battalion … so the whole experience for me is what made me successful, and I came back to teach to try to pass on whatever I might be able to with my students.”
The recognition from WSJ follows A&M’s placement in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 rankings, where it climbed to No. 21 among public colleges and No. 13 for Best Value.
A&M also ranked No. 3 among public universities in the nation and No. 1 statewide in a category evaluating students’ transitions into college life.
Gammon praised the university for introductory classes like Hullabaloo U, explaining that while the university offers many organizations and communities to new students, it still recognizes how difficult it can be for students to transition.
Associate Professor of the Practice Tom Burton credited A&M’s positive student experience largely to the lasting traditions and culture of A&M.
“If you haven’t been to other places, it’s hard to understand that not every place does it like this,” Burton said. “ … Third, fourth generation Aggies [come] here to be part of the tradition and the culture, where you say ‘Howdy’ to each other, you are kind to each other. There is a community aspect here that is unique.”
“Knowing that [my dad] was there to see it and be the one to place that responsibility on me will mean something forever.” Like all handlers, he had his share of laughs with Reveille IX, including when she would bark in class or when they would visit the Eller Oceanography & Meteorology Observatory to look out at campus. He noted that it’s the quieter moments that he will continue to carry with him.
“Reveille is the true embodiment of the student body,” Ray said. “Her reign might have ended, but her spirit will never die.”
Batie Bishop ’23, Reveille IX’s final handler, emphasized the tradition of Reveille as something beyond event appearances or game day celebrations; she made A&M a home for all Aggies.
“Since 1931, each Reveille has been more than a mascot,” Bishop said. “She walks where we walk, she shows up where we gather, she represents our Core Values. She is a reminder to everyone, that no matter how big this campus is … that there is something down here for you. Something steady, something that says you belong.”
Beyond a beloved mascot, Reveille IX is forever cemented in the Aggie history books as a furry friend, a selfless companion and a forever home.
“Like every Reveille before her, her presence doesn’t fade when her time ends,” Bishop said. “Her life lives on in the stories we tell, the traditions we continue to keep and the comfort she gives to many. Reveille, I would like to thank you for walking with us and for serving with grace. For making students feel at home, even when home was far away.”
History graduate student and former commanding officer in the Corp of Cadets Jackson Baker points to the Aggie Core Values as a key ingredient in student success, both in the classroom and beyond.
“I think when you come here as a student, you’re geared to think in terms greater than yourself,” Baker said. “ … It makes you want to give back. It makes you want to continue being a part of a place with such a rich history of tradition and care for one another. … The university does not forget you, and you don’t forget the university.” Baker also praised the university for drawing in students from all across the world and inviting them into the Aggie community.
“[A&M is] a place where people from all over the world can come, but sticking to those very basic Core Values,” Baker said.
A&M ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in Texas for Study Abroad, which A&M officially titles Education Abroad. This ranking especially showed its strength in September during the Global Welcome Party at Aggie Park, where thousands attended.
In the United States, A&M has been named the No. 2 most recognized public university, according to American Caldwell’s 2025–2026 Global University Visibility (GUV) Rankings.
Despite the high rankings and public recognition, Gammon explained that she is curious about A&M’s consistent placement in these lists while the average student experience also includes consistent infrastructure issues, such as lack of parking.
Top to bottom: Pallbearers head toward the Memorial Student Center after the Reveille IX funeral service at Simpson Drill Field on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. Corps of Cadets Company E-2 stands at attention during the Reveille IX funeral service at Simpson Drill Field on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Reveille IX memorialized by A&M family as symbol of Aggie Spirit, embodiment of tradition
Jackson Stanley — THE BATTALION
David Moran — THE BATTALION
Volleyball
Opinion: Stop hazing at Texas A&M
Hazing culture is nothing more than sad, pathetic, harmful
By Wyatt Pickering Opinion Columnist
Imagine paying thousands of dollars in dues a semester to be bullied by your upperclassmen.
Kappa Sigma — a fraternity chapter at Texas A&M — has suspended operations due to allegations of severe hazing by its members, reportedly putting multiple students in the hospital.
These pledges were forced to undergo manual labor and an intense exercise routine, which allegedly caused them to develop rhabdomyolysis — a serious condition that causes muscle fibers to break down into the bloodstream, resulting in kidney damage and blood clotting.
It is ridiculous that in this day and age, A&M students are still facing the harms of hazing and are being sent to the hospital in the spirit of having fun and being a part of a “brotherhood.”
On its website, Stop Hazing defines hazing as “any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person’s willingness to
participate.”
Hazing comes in many forms, but we often only talk about the stereotypical hazing that occurs in student organizations across the country. It is harmful no matter the form, and it can cause permanent physical and psychological harm to both the victim and perpetrator of such violence.
At A&M, it has become particularly harmful.
In 2021, Sigma Alpha Epsilon — or SAE — was suspended after giving two of its pledges chemical burns from applying an industrial paint cleaning product to their skin. They were only suspended for two years and returned to campus in 2023.
But hazing doesn’t just occur in frats.
The Corps of Cadets has had multiple horror stories of severe mistreatment coming from its ranks. One of the most recent events occurred in 2022, where a freshman cadet member was sexually assaulted by multiple cadet upperclassmen. This resulted in a $1 million hazing lawsuit. In the wake of that and other hazing cases within the Corps, former Corps of Cadets Commandant Patrick Michaelis stepped down last fall.
Hazing is sometimes described as “Good Bull” and should be expected here at A&M institutions, such as the Corps or Greek Life. As we all know, Aggies are often defined by our traditions and how persistent we are in
keeping them alive.
But does that really make it OK?
Hazing is indicative of weak leadership. If you need to rely on abuse to maintain order within your organization, then it shows that the only real power you have over others is the ability to harm them. Real leaders are able to make others better without the need for hazing.
There are other effective ways of forming bonds with each other, yet we so often choose to inflict pain on new members instead.
Why is that? It is because of the power of groupthink and our need to be accepted by a group of people — often older than us and in a position of power.
It is a common strategy to make hazing seem like it’s just a joke. Most people who have been hazed in some form are unable to recognize that they actually were hazed. If you can make hazing seem normal, you’re more likely to accept this form of abuse as just another aspect of being in an organization.
Hazing should never be considered normal. Anyone can be a victim of hazing, and we as college students are particularly vulnerable to it.
Most college students have left home for the first time, and their lives have been uprooted; we try to find an outlet to help us cope with an unfamiliar social environment.
Social interactions are something we as humans crave, and we would do anything to be a part of a group, even if that means being degraded and abused to be “one of the guys.”
It is sad and pathetic that the same people who offer new students opportunities for social interactions are the ones who harm them for bonding. There are better things that could be done with this wasted time that can actually bring friendship and a healthier environment for people within your community.
Don’t portray yourself as an organization that cares about its members if you continue to accept hazing in all of its forms. It’s wrong, and you don’t deserve to be an organization that is recognized by A&M.
This culture of tolerating hazing has become too common on A&M’s campus and will continue to be normal if nothing is done about it. If your organization continues to practice hazing, not only is it a clear violation of our Honor Code, but it’s a sign of ineffective leadership from everyone within.
Have some respect for yourself, your peers and those who are coming into your organization: stop hazing.
Wyatt Pickering is a business honors and finance junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.
Opinion: Social media, unsocial minds
Rise, scroll, repeat — enough
By Maeva Elizabé Opinion Writer
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a goose in a clever disguise.
Or perhaps just one using an Instagram filter.
Because thanks to the plethora of digital effects made popular by social media platforms, it’s become increasingly unreliable as of late to take content and people at face value.
And with such a significant chunk of users being at a young and highly impressionable age — 95% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 and 63.8% of children below the age of 12 report being regularly active on at least one social network — this unfortunate reality is definitely a cause for concern.
It seems our generation might just be overdue for a switch to filtering users instead of selfies and vacation photos.
But the issue of digital deception is merely the tip of the iceberg, for hidden beneath the surface lurk countless dangers — ones that have only recently begun to create ripples in the idealized world users have built around themselves.
Social media poses a threat to consumer privacy through extensive data collection. It fosters a mindset rooted in the fear of missing out that breeds social comparison, attacks self-esteem and encourages risky behavior. Anxiety and depression are on the rise. Inappropriate content runs rampant, disseminated to the most vulnerable victims by twisted algorithms.
Social skills have taken a significant hit as well. Spatial awareness, eye contact, body language interpretation, conversation initiation and overall interpersonal engagement seem to be concepts of the past, and I mourn their loss.
When did #livelaughlove become #diecryhate?
I was never allowed to have social media accounts when I was younger, and I always
felt out of the loop because of it. I wasn’t aware of the latest celebrity gossip that everyone in school seemed to gush about; I faked my reactions to hearing that soand-so was pregnant, or that such-and-such couple had broken up; I missed out on attending events of which the details were only circulated through Instagram posts.
At the lunch table, while my friends bent their heads over their phones to reply to a friend of a friend’s Snapchat streak or stay up to date with a cousin’s husband’s sister’s story on Instagram, I would often busy myself by aimlessly swiping back and forth across my phone’s homescreen, oscillating between looking over my Canvas assignments, skimming through my photo albums, checking that the weather predictions hadn’t changed since my last sojourn on the app mere minutes prior or just shamelessly people-watching. Frankly, I felt increasingly isolated as those around me seemed to grow increasingly interconnected.
Undoubtedly, this pity-party-of-one, woe-is-me attitude seems quite petty and childish. In retrospect, I agree.
And that’s exactly the point: Our perspective shifts as we age, as our frontal lobes develop and, lo and behold, so does our ability to regulate our emotions and exhibit wiser judgment. For the better, we lift the veil created by those oh-sowonderful rose-tinted glasses.
As adolescents, however, we constantly seek external validation and become overdependent on instant gratification, all “necessities” that social media is most assuredly not in short supply of.
And so begins the downward spiral into building relationships with electronics through digital forums as opposed to communicating sincerely with real, tangible people.
And yet, more and more children are being exposed to and immersed in this superficial world at younger and younger ages.
Now, I’d be flat-out lying if I said I never yearned for the day I’d have full autonomy over joining the social web.
But when I was old enough to make the decision for myself, I realized that I should really be grateful for my parents’ diligence, because it most definitely allowed me to develop certain skills and habits that likely would’ve been stunted by social media.
Although my lack of experience may have kept me from appreciating the benefits social media has to offer, I can definitely vouch for how great and how freeing it is not to have been subjected to its shackles. And I’m not denying that my screentime isn’t just as high as many of my peers; I’m no saint — that goes without saying — but I am a student in an academic landscape determined to go digital.
But social media is a whole other beast that feeds on insecurities and sinks its claws into our idea of what it means to be a child. I think we can all agree that the formative years of “Sephora kids” are drastically different from our own, and I don’t envy them one bit.
I’d actually venture to say I pity them.
So I challenge anyone who’s willing — or simply feeling overstimulated — to disconnect from the reel world and reconnect with the real world. Social media may have hijacked your childhood, but don’t let it commandeer your adulthood.
Lift your nose out of your phone when you cross the street, start up a conversation as you wait for the lecture to begin, walk up to someone and ask them out to dinner rather than exchanging Instagram handles or sliding into their DMs.
It may not be a scroll in the park, but it’ll be worth it. After all, when life gives you lemons, there’s no need to post a 15-second TikTok about it with the caption #blessed in hopes that a follower will send you sugar to make lemonade.
Just appreciate the free lemons.
Maeva Elizabé is a neuroscience junior and chemistry minor and opinion writer for The Battalion.
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SPORTS
Aggies post best start of Morrison era to date
No. 10 Texas A&M volleyball prepares for final stretch of conference play, sitting at 5-1
By Olivia Sims Senior Sports Writer
Midway through the season, No. 10 Texas A&M volleyball has continued to impress the country, boasting a 13-3 record, its best through 16 games since coach Jamie Morrison took over the program.
A&M has been soaring through Southeastern Conference play as it sits at a 5-1 record, with their only loss coming against then-No. 3 Kentucky. It has won statement games against then-No. 21 Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi State, where they dropped only two sets across all five games.
What Morrison has done with this volleyball program is commendable — the Maroon and White have already picked up two non-conference AP Top 25 wins this season against then-No. 11 Minnesota and then-No. 21 Utah.
With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Aggies aim to maintain their winning streak as they seek a high seed in the SEC Volleyball Tournament, with the ultimate goal of preparing for the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive season.
Throughout the season, the Aggies have been led by senior opposite hitter Logan Lednicky, who cracked her way into A&M’s top-10 career kills list as she currently sits at 1,427 kills during her four-year career in Aggieland.
“She’s going to go down as one of the best players to play in a maroon uniform,” Morrison said. “Getting into the top 10, it’s not a surprise, but it’s an honor and I know she wears that … her being a fourthgeneration Aggie, like it means a lot to her.”
A&M has been powerful all around this season, as it sits behind three dominant volleyball programs in No. 16 Tennessee, No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Kentucky as far as hitting percentage, and have posted a .282 through the season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Maroon and White have also been excellent as they sit in second place in opponents’ hitting percentage, limiting opposing teams to just .162 on the season.
The rest of the Aggies’ schedule will be tough, as they face nine solid SEC squads in a conference where it truly can be anyone’s game. With that, A&M will have a home advantage for four more matchups, hoping that the 12th Man can bring some extra energy and fight to the court.
“The SEC is really interesting this year,” Morrison said. “You see it in the standings, you see it with the … upsets that are happening night in and night out, and anybody can beat anybody.”
Another big key to A&M’s offense and defense comes from senior middle blocker Ifenna CosOkpalla, who has a .413 hitting percentage on the season, landing herself third among the top hitters in the conference.
The seven-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week has been on fire at the net this year as she has posted 91 blocks, while currently averaging 1.6 blocks per set. CosOkpalla has also been incredible at the service line, leading the team with 19 aces, something you don’t normally see from a middle blocker.
“Just her ability to hit that serve at a pretty good pace and not miss a lot but put pressure on the opponent constantly,” Morrison said. “ ... So I think it’s just the consistency piece that is most impressive.”
As the season gets into the nitty-gritty with the Aggies facing nine strong SEC programs, they have several nationally ranked teams to compete against. But that hasn’t been a problem in the past, as A&M was able to take down its in-state rival, thenNo. 7 Texas last season in Austin, as it took home the Lonestar Showdown trophy for the first time since 2010.
After multiple weeks of playing on Wednesday nights, the Aggies can get into a schedule this upcoming week, with two home matchups against Oklahoma and Arkansas taking place this weekend.
After two matchups at home, the Maroon and White head back on the road for matchups against LSU and Ole Miss, who both hold losing records in conference play. Then, the Aggies will head back home to take on the No. 2 Longhorns for a muchanticipated matchup on Halloween in front of the 12th Man.
A&M then travels again for three straight matches against Tennessee, Auburn and Florida, before heading back to College Station for one more matchup against Georgia to close out the regular season.
A&M will face Oklahoma on Friday, Oct. 17, for its seventh SEC matchup of the year and the 17th overall match of the season. With the Aggies currently sitting in third among the SEC in conference record, a dominant win against the Sooners
give them a chance to continue and advance upward.
A&M visits Arkansas for rivalry matchup
Aggies look to hogtie Arkansas Razorbacks at home to extend their 3-0 conference record
By Ava Loth Sports Writer
The season’s three-game road stint commences as No. 4 Texas A&M football heads to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to face the Razorbacks on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Aggies will return to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, back on Southeastern Conference turf after last year’s AT&T Stadium neutral-site matchup.
Following a 34-17 victory over the Florida Gators last week, the Aggies are now riding a 6-0 start for the first time since 2016. After wrapping up a stretch of games in front of the 12th Man, they will now be tested on their capacity to consistently win on the road.
“Anytime you have to go play games on the road, you’re going to be dealt with a lot
of challenges and a lot of adversity,” coach Mike Elko said in Monday’s press conference. “ … And you better be ready to overcome them.”
Its sole matchup on the road this season allowed A&M a chance to show off its offense against Notre Dame in a 41-40 victory that demonstrated its capability to secure a statement win away from home.
The Razorbacks have been off to a slow start, as they have yet to secure a conference win and are currently on a four-game losing streak.
Entering the matchup, the Hogs stand at 2-4, with both of their wins captured on home turf. While the Aggies haven’t faced a full road slate just yet, they understand the challenges a road series poses.
“There’s no easy environments,” Elko said. “There’s no easy teams.”
For the Maroon and White, graduate defensive end Dayon Hayes came up big in his last outing. Against Florida, he notched one sack, two tackles — including one tackle for loss — and forced a fumble, which earned him SEC Defensive Line Player of
the Week honors on Oct. 13. Opportunity could be on the horizon for the Aggies’ defense as Razorback redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green was sacked five times in his last game against No. 11 Tennessee, contributing to Arkansas’ 34-31 loss. However, the holes in Arkansas’ offensive line haven’t necessarily extinguished the fire Green has lit in his recent outings.
With 1,654 passing yards and 71 rushes for 504 yards coming from the Lewisville native, he could easily present a dual-threat danger against A&M.
“They’ve got a talented quarterback who can run and throw the football,” Elko said. “ … They present the challenges of a running quarterback and the challenges of a West Coast passing attack. That’s always difficult to go against.”
Redshirt sophomore QB Marcel Reed sits at No. 4 in the SEC for passing yards, and just ahead of him stands Green. Reed recently threw his second-longest completion of the season with a 67-yard launch over the Gators, which didn’t quite reach his season-long 86-yard completion on the
road against the Fighting Irish. His 62% completion rate has been a big factor in their ability to construct scoring runs. However, some uncertainty lingers for the Fightin’ Farmers’ offense after junior running back Le’Veon Moss exited last Saturday’s game with an apparent injury during the second quarter.
“It certainly will not end his season, but it’s going to be a significant amount of time,” Elko said.
With Moss currently leading the Aggies in rushing yards, his absence will certainly leave some crucial cleats to fill.
Sophomore RB Rueben Owens II is poised to refract the cacophony of color Moss once sported. The El Campo product has followed closely behind Moss all season on the ground, racking up 327 yards rushing.
The Aggies will have to hogtie the struggling Razorbacks to extend their undefeated record.
The road to 7-0 for the Aggies begins this Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m. in Fayetteville.
Opinion: Guerrieri’s seat is getting warm
After 32 years of storied program history, A&M might need coaching change soon amidst losing-season turmoil
By Braxton Dore’ Sports Editor
Sitting below .500 in winning percentage with just one conference win going into the final three games of the regular season, no one in Aggieland, or beyond, imagined Texas A&M soccer in this dire situation.
Nonetheless, it’s a reality coach G Guerrieri must face at the end of his 32nd year as the head man of the program.
With just three remaining chances, the Maroon and White will need to tread unfamiliar waters just to keep the season alive and give themselves a chance in the Southeastern Conference women’s soccer tournament.
“Out of these last three games, we have to win at least two and draw the other one at the worst,” Guerrieri said at Monday’s press conference. “So, we’ve kind of painted ourselves in a little bit of a corner because the competitive nature of the SEC.”
Even if the battered Aggies can make it there, the chances of playing for an NCAA tournament bid still look slim to none as they would likely need to win the entire SEC Tournament to claim the conference’s autobid, beating out some of the top-ranked, one-conference-loss teams in No. 6 Arkansas, No. 4 Tennessee and No. 22 Georgia.
But pressure is a challenge that Guerrieri and his squads are all too familiar with, and it’s why he has the eighth-most wins of any Division 1 college women’s soccer coach.
“Pressure means that there’s something on the line and that people are watching,” Guerrieri said.
“There’s a lot of people playing for programs around the country that no one’s watching them, but here in the SEC and especially here at Texas A&M, as the most successful program in the league and in the state, is that pressure is always on us.”
A winning hand wasn’t dealt to the storied program head this season, partially due to a massive roster overhaul and injuries galore.
Even still, Guerrieri’s time in Aggieland hasn’t seen as far of a slide as it has had in the past two seasons after missing out on an
NCAA tournament berth last year, and likely again this season. The last time that happened was when the program was first beginning in 1993-94, and that group would have made it if not for a rule barring programs in their inaugural years.
These are uncharted waters for the coach, and it comes at a time where Guerrieri doesn’t have his long-time associate head coach Phil Stephenson — a 26-year veteran of the program — to lean on after his retirement at the end of last season.
So who can the man in charge rely on in such a pivotal moment in the program’s history?
Well, there are a few names that come to mind when examining the elements of the slow-and-steady rebuild that Guerrieri has made all too clear for the 12th Man to see.
Assistant coach Aylssa Mautz Bower arrived in College Station in July of 2022, just days after retiring from a 10-year NWSL career with the Chicago Red Stars, and her impact was noticed immediately.
A former midfielder at A&M, Bower found her knack for developing stars like All-SEC honorees in former players Maile Hayes and Mia Pante, who both now play in professional leagues.
The list didn’t stop there, showing she also knows both sides of the ball well by setting up what could have been a promising backline in All-SEC sections and now-Vanderbilt junior defenders Margo Matula and Adysen Armenta, as well as Notre Dame graduate D Carolyn Calzada.
Bower’s coaching has proof in the pudding, but can she do it alone? Well, she won’t have to if the newest additions to the staff, assistant coaches Tim Strader can find a way to help pull the current squad out of its 1-5-1 conference slump.
The last time Guerrieri’s squads advanced past the NCAA Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, it was 2014 and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams was still playing on the radio. It’s almost 11 years later, and Guerrieri still hasn’t led a team back to the Women’s College Cup semifinals.
Rubbing dirt in the metaphorical wound that is the postseason performance — A&M has never advanced to the championship in the 32 years of the program’s existence. That’s something to be considered when choosing the next face of the program.
While Guerrieri’s contract runs through 2026, the ink is fading as quickly as the Aggies’ chances for making the SEC tournament.
Left to right: Redshirt senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell (7) asserts dominance during Texas A&M football’s game against Florida at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Redshirt junior tight end Theo Melin Öhrström (17)
Players to watch against Arkansas
Reeling Razorbacks battle through midseason coaching change as Aggies travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, riding their best start since 2016
By Noah Ruiz Senior Sports Writer
After commanding a successful Southeastern Conference home defense, No. 4 Texas A&M football heads on a monthlong road odyssey, with its first stop being a matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks. It’s been tough sledding in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as the Razorbacks are fresh off of firing their head coach and instating their offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino, as interim in Sam Pittman’s stead. It’s a decision packed to the brim with controversy, though both teams have one common goal in mind: winning a rivalry showdown.
This game will be the latest iteration of the Aggies and Razorbacks’ annual contest, as it began again in 2012 following a hiatus dating back to the collapse of the Southwest Conference. Both squads will be keen on having the last word, but which players will make the biggest impact in a contest of SEC rivals?
Let’s dive right in on who’s leading the way on opposite ends of the line of scrimmage.
Rueben Owens II, redshirt sophomore running back, Texas A&M
Unfortunate injuries have plagued the Aggies’ rushers in the last two seasons, and the loss of senior running back Le’Veon Moss for at least a few weeks has thrown a wrench in coach Mike Elko’s plans for a dominant rushing attack.
However, not all hope is lost — not with redshirt sophomore RB Rueben Owens II ready to step up.
A dominant win over Mississippi State saw Moss go down early with an injury, opening the door for Owens to have a career night. A personal best of 161 yards from scrimmage made Owens the focal point in the 31-9 blowout of the Bulldogs. While Moss will surely be missed, the Aggies have the next man up to fill his shoes.
Cashius Howell, redshirt senior defensive end, Texas A&M
Simply put, it’s hard not to keep eyes on the SEC’s sack leader. Few offensive lines have been able to corral redshirt senior defensive end Cashius Howell — without holding him, that is. The former Bowling Green Eagle has been keen on adding himself among the Aggies’ defensive legends, racking up eight sacks in just six games of work.
The Razorbacks benefit from having one of the best offensive line units in the conference, though it will need to bring its A-game to take on the SEC’s most prolific pass rusher. With two multi-sack games to his name, Howell will be ready to wrap some piggies in a blanket of superb defense.
Daymion Sanford, junior linebacker, Texas A&M
Second to Howell’s sack number with 2.5 is junior linebacker Daymion Sanford, a reserve player who has been thrust into a starting role due to senior LB Scooby Williams’ injury. Someone needed to step up, and Sanford has done it by a mile.
A local talent from Katy, Sanford has dominated the field since filling in for Williams, already racking up 27 total tackles — good for third on the Aggies’ leaderboard. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his sack and interception against the Bulldogs, and now he aims to give the Razorbacks a taste of what he is capable of as a sideline-to-sideline defender.
Quincy Rhodes Jr., junior defensive lineman, Arkansas
Three sacks behind Howell on the SEC leaderboard is junior defensive lineman
Quincy Rhodes Jr., a towering 6-foot-6 defender who has been a force of destruction on the Razorbacks’ defensive front. He comes into the matchup with five sacks and 24 total tackles.
There’s true reason to fear Rhodes, as he became the first Arkansas defender since 2010 to notch two sacks and at least four tackles for loss in one game — ultimately resulting in a narrow defeat at the hands of Memphis. He will be itching to replicate that effort against A&M’s “Maroon Goons.”
The Aggies will have to prepare thoroughly for the threat that Rhodes possesses, as the Razorbacks are a breakout game away from avenging what many would consider a lost season in Fayetteville.
Taylen Green, redshirt senior quarterback, Arkansas
Perhaps the most dynamic passer the Aggies will face this year, redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green is one of the country’s deadliest blends of arm and rushing talent, sitting with a monstrous 2,158 yards of total offense.
Green has been the leader of the Arkansas offense, which has put up over 30 points in all but one of its contests this season and will be eager to test the constricting ability of A&M’s third-down defense, which has only allowed a 6% conversion rate so far.
Whether it’s through the air or churn ing out yards on the ground, keep a close look at Green to be the difference maker that keeps the Razorbacks deep in the fight against the Aggies.
Stephen Dix Jr., redshirt senior line backer, Arkansas
Where the Aggies have junior LB Tau rean York to be the field general on defense, the Razorbacks have redshirt senior LB Stephen Dix Jr. calling the shots for their unit. A three-time transfer, Dix has found his home at Arkansas as its leading tackler with 44.
A 240-pound enforcer beyond the line of scrimmage, Dix is the Razorbacks’ hopeful answer to the dynamic Aggie pass-catching duo of sophomore and junior wide receiv ers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, where he will be one of the last lines of defense against some of the SEC’s finest.
Teams feed off the energy of their leaders, and Dix will have to be nothing short of a Generac to defend their home front from a Texas-sized heat wave of Aggie offense.
Top to bottom: Redshirt senior defensive end Cashius Howell (9) celebrates a sack during Texas A&M football’s game against Florida at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Junior linebacker Daymion Sanford (27) and A&M’s defense react to a tackle for loss during Texas A&M football’s game against Mississippi State at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Redshirt sophomore running back Rueben Owens II (4) runs the ball during Texas A&M football’s
