The Assocation of Former Students Texas A&M University
January 2010
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News from the Association
Bowen Loftin '71 Sole Finalist For Texas A&M President
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. R. Bowen Loftin ’71 as the sole finalist for the position of president of Texas A&M University during the Jan. 21 meeting of the Board of Regents. Dr. Loftin was one of two candidates presented to the Board by the 16-member Presidential Search Committee and has
been serving as interim president since June 15. His appointment will become effective after a 21-day state-mandated waiting period. Porter S. Garner III ’79, President and CEO of The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, issued the following statement following the introduction of Loftin as the 24th president of Texas A&M University. “We are pleased that Dr. Bowen Loftin ’71 has been named the finalist for the presidency of Texas A&M University. Dr. Loftin is a loyal former student of Texas A&M who well represents our core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. During his term as interim president, he provided focused leadership for our University at a time it was sincerely needed and worked effectively with all University stakeholders including faculty and staff, students and former students. He well understands the complexities of leading an institution of Texas A&M’s scope and stature, and will continue to serve our University well. Just as we have throughout our 131-year history, The Association looks forward to working closely with Dr. Loftin and his team to provide service and support to Texas A&M University.” For more on this story, click the headline.

'Aggies: The True Story Of Texas A&M'
The Association of Former Students is proud to announce that the first history of Texas A&M University on DVD is complete. The 80-minute program tells the story of Texas A&M from its earliest beginnings to the modern day. With hundreds of historic photographs and dozens of interviews, Aggies: The True Story of Texas A&M will help you fall in love all over again with the school 'we think so grand.' Narrated by Lyle Lovett '79, the program includes exclusive interviews with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Governor Rick Perry '72, music legend Robert Earl Keen '78, former head coach R.C. Slocum and dozens more. Don't miss this special program. For more information or to order, click the headline.

Thank You For Helping Texas A&M
The state of the economy made 2009 a challenging year for fundraising organizations and those who support them, but once again Texas Aggies stepped up and gave generously to support Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students. Thanks to the support of thousands of former students and friends of the University, your Association was able to raise a 2009 Annual Fund of $6.57 million, exceeding the goal of $6.35 million. Your generous donations will enable The Association to continue to touch the lives of students, faculty, staff and former students in countless ways. Another challenging year lies ahead, and for those of you who have already made your annual gift, we want to thank you on behalf of Texas A&M University. If you have not yet contributed to The Association for 2010, you can quickly and easily do so by visiting AggieNetwork.com/giveback, or by calling (800) 633-7514. Your gift is greatly appreciated and makes a difference for the entire Aggie Network.

Aggie Ring Orders And Repairs
The Aggie Ring Program is accepting Ring orders for qualified current and former students through Feb. 10. Aggie Rings ordered by this time will be delivered at the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center on April 16. Aggie Rings may be ordered in person, by mail or fax. The Aggie Ring Program can assist you in resizing or repairing your Aggie Ring as well. Click the headline for more information.

Spring Reunions Quickly Approaching
One trait that sets Texas A&M apart from many other schools is the camaraderie we share through the Aggie Network. Every year dozens of Classes and other groups of Aggie friends gather for Reunions. Your Class may be gathering for your next Reunion sooner than you think. The Classes of 1975 and 1956 are currently accepting Reunion registration forms, with other Reunions to follow soon. Click the headline for a complete listing of Reunions planned for 2010.

Did You Get Your True Maroon? 
True Maroon magazine tells the stories of former students using their Texas A&M education and experience to make a difference in the world. The winter edition landed in e-mail inboxes before Christmas. Did you get yours? Click the headline to read and be reminded of A&M's core values, and be inspired by Aggies living out those core values in everyday life.

Travel With Aggies To Tanzania
Under the limitless blue sky of East Africa lives a wild animal population that is staggering in sheer numbers and variety. Whether you are a novice traveler or a world explorer, nothing stimulates the senses and ignites the imagination with the same intensity as a safari to Africa. Join fellow Traveling Aggies on this family exploration of the best of Tanzania. Space is limited.

Association Leadership Council
Meets Feb. 27

The Association's Leadership Council will gather for the Winter Leadership Council meeting Feb. 27 in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. Leadership Council members can register for the Council Weekend events by clicking the headline. The Leadership Council is the governing body of The Association and the representative body of our worldwide Aggie Network. The Council is comprised of The Association's Board of Directors, Association Past Chairs, Class Agents, A&M Club Presidents, Area and National Representatives, Representatives at Large, Student Loan Fund Trustees, Constituent Network Representatives, the Sul Ross Group President, the Student Body Class Presidents and Councilmen Emeriti. These 626 Aggie volunteers are The Association's ambassadors to the Aggie Network.

News from Texas A&M
Reveille Gains Star Status
A public vote by the American Kennel Club and AOL's PawNation.com ranked Reveille as a top dog in pop culture. She ranked second, bested only by "Snoopy" of "Peanuts" fame.
Reveille was listed as more popular than Scooby Doo, the Pound Puppy toys, and even Lassie. AKC experts created the initial list of pop culture dogs, but the public voted in a series of 11 polls conducted on PawNation.com. Reveille VIII is in her second year as mascot and is the seventh in a line of Collies that have served as the "First Lady of Aggieland" and as the highest-ranking member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

Rudder Statue Relocation
In December, the statue of Gen. James Earl Rudder '32, located near the building named for him, was moved a few yards from its former location and turned so it now faces down the length of Military Walk. Throughout its history, members of the Corps of Cadets have marched down Military Walk, and the relocation of the statue of the World War II hero and former president of Texas A&M is part of a project to renovate the walkway. The statue now looks down the length of the walk that connects many of the historical building in the center of campus.

The Association Welcomes
New Former Students

Approximately 3,600 degrees were awarded during Texas A&M University's December graduation ceremonies, which were kicked off with commencement
convocation on Dec. 17. During the following two days, students graduated from every college, and commissioning ceremonies were celebrated across campus for 49 Aggies who would be entering one of the four branches of the armed forces as officers. A separate ceremony for Texas A&M-Galveston students was held Dec. 20 at Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston.

Gift & Estate Planning Open House Jan. 26 The Texas A&M Foundation Office of Gift Planning will host a gift and estate planning open house Jan. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Jon L. Hagler Center. The open house is a free opportunity for the community to learn more about planning for the future. Financial planners, tax professionals, trust representatives and estate attorneys will be available to provide important information to consider when creating or updating gift and estate plans. For a list of participants, door prizes and more information, click the headline.

A&M In 'Best Values' Top 10
Texas A&M is ranked among the top 10 public "best value" colleges for 2010 by The Princeton Review, the only public institution in Texas to be included in the top-tier ratings by the education services and test-prep company best known for its annual college listings. A&M placed ninth on the public list. The Princeton Review's "100 Best Value Colleges for 2010" survey, conducted in partnership with USA Today, includes the top 50 public and top 50 private universities. Only the top 10 in each category were ranked, with all others listed alphabetically.

Aggie Competes On Bravo Reality Show
A former Texas A&M environmental design student who has designed homes for some of Hollywood's biggest stars was a contestant on a reality show that is airing on the Bravo cable TV channel. David Applebaum appeared on the new series, "Launch My Line," as one of 10 professionals highly regarded in their respective fields, teamed with 10 established fashion designers; at the series' end, a clothing line from the winning team will be launched. Since earning a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in 1984, the Hollywood-based Aggie architect has designed homes for well-known celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Diane Keaton. "Launch My Line" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Central time on Bravo.
Aggie Calendar
JAN
25
Vertical Thoughts: Music For
Violin And Piano

Hagler Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
JAN
26
SEC Engineering Career Fair
Reed Arena
JAN
26-
27
College Capable Seminar Series
Donald L. Houston Building, 6 p.m. Jan. 26 and 8 p.m. Jan. 27.
JAN
29
Transfer Information Day
JAN
29
American Politics Program
Speaker Series

Bush Academic Building West Room 2115, 12 p.m.
FEB
1
Academic Excellence Award:
Continuing Student Scholarship Application Due

FEB
1
International Transfer Student
Application Deadline

FEB
3
OPAS: A Cinderella Story
Rudder Auditorium, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
FEB
4
The Paul Dresher Ensemble
In Concert

TBA, 7:30 p.m.
FEB
8 &
10
Frontiers Of Chemical
Research Lecture

Chemistry Building Addition Room 2104, 5 p.m. Feb. 8 and 6 p.m. Feb. 10
FEB
9-
11
OPAS: Simply Sinatra: Steve
Lippa And Big Band

Miramont Country Club, 7:30 p.m.
FEB
9
University Distinguished Lecture
Series: Creativity Is A Decision

Bush Presidential Conference Center, 7:30 p.m.
FEB
10
Glasscock Center Faculty Colloquium:
Kevin Glowacki (Architecture)

Melbern G. Glasscock History Building Room 311, 4 p.m.
FEB
16
Digital Humanities Lecture: Willard
McCarty (King's College, London)

Sterling C. Evans Library Room 204E, 4 p.m.
FEB
17
Susanne M. Glasscock Humanities
Book Prize Lecture

Melbern G. Glasscock History Building Room 311, 4 p.m.
FEB
18
Catwalk For HIV/AIDS Awareness Fashion Show
Rudder Theatre, 7 p.m.
FEB
20
Aggieland Saturday
Aggie Links
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Architecture
College of Education and Human Development
College of Geosciences
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Corps of Cadets
Division of Student Affairs
Dwight Look College of Engineering
George Bush School of Government & Public Service
Mays Business School
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Texas A&M at Galveston
Texas A&M at Qatar
Texas Aggie Band Show
12th Man Kickoff Team Foundation
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