A little "about me": I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Texas A&M University. I grew up an Aggie and was pretty sure I didn't have much of an option going to just any university (not that I'd want to). My dad was an Aggie graduate, and we learned about the traditions and culture of Texas A&M throughout my life. Some of my earliest memories with my dad include going to various Texas A&M events. As a season ticket holder, many Saturdays of my childhood were spent at Kyle Field. My dad admits that he got "a little emotional" when my niece (his oldest granddaughter) was accepted to Texas A&M, and she starts next year. She will carry on the family tradition as a third generation Aggie. Texas A&M is a very special place. Yes, I'm biased.
One very special tradition for all former Aggies is Muster. Held April 21st in over 300 locations around the world, Muster is a time for all former students of Texas A&M University to reflect on their time spent during their college years, what the Aggie community means to them, and a time to pay respects to Aggies that have past away during the previous year. The Aggie Muster
website states:
Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to
grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one
another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster
is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us of
the greatness that lies within these walls, of the loyalty we possess,
of the connection that binds us, and of the idea that every Aggie has a
place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit.
There are a few Aggies in the Sydney area with a committed group leader. She organizes events such as a viewing party for an Aggie Football game and Thanksgiving, as well as Muster. As the old saying goes, the Aggies within 100 miles of each other gather to honor this tradition. I was online checking out Sydney nasty weather reports - rain, high winds, and cool temps - and transportation issues. I considered not going. Unfortunately, some couldn't; no ferries were running from Manly. Others experienced flooding. I got my rainboots on, my Aggie hoodie, my trusty umbrella and to The Rocks I went.
Some of us were able to brave the ugly weather and met at Pancakes in the Rocks in Sydney. Old Ags and recent graduates gathered with some who've been in Sydney for 30 years and some who have been here three months. Mothers, daughters, and granddaughters; husbands and wives; fathers and kids; even an Ag who brought an Indiana Hoosier work colleague... There were about 30 of us in total.
We had some drinks, ate a meal, got to know each other, and share some stories. Yet again, I witnessed that Aggies are some of the nicest people in the world.
A small Muster ceremony was held. We sang the War Hymn and the Spirit of Aggieland and shared readings by candlelight. Another significant tradition during Muster is the calling of Roll Call.
From aggietraditions.tamu.edu, Roll Coll is described:
As the names are read, a friend or family member answers 'Here', and a
candle is lit to symbolize that while those Aggies are not present in
body, they will forever remain with us in Aggie Spirit.
Pictures were taken to commemorate our 2015 gathering of Aggie Muster in Sydney.
We really wanted the Opera House, but the rain wouldn't give us a break, so we "settled" for the Harbour Bridge as our backdrop.
If you attended Texas A&M University, think of your fellow Aggies and time in Aggieland today. If you didn't, the sentiment is still powerful. Think of a community or a time in your life that you felt truly connected to a group of people - think fondly of them today.
As shared in one of the readings last night:
A&M may change, but the Spirit never will.
Did you go to a school or university and share any traditions with others? Tell me about them.
