May 2006
   News from The Association
»  Attend the All-Aggie Reunion June 15-18
»  2006 Coach's Tour Kicks Off
»  The Association Salutes New Grads With "The Next Tradition"
»  Update Your Information on AggieNetwork.com
»  Grow Your Business by Advertising in Texas Aggie Magazine
»  Aggie Ring Orders and Repairs Available
»  Join the Traveling Aggies on an Upcoming Trip

   News from Texas A&M University
»  Commencement Ceremonies Honor 5,398 Texas A&M Grads
»  Singing Cadets Perform at the White House
»  Texas A&M, Seattle Seahawks Reach Trademark Settlement
»  Last Call for "Aggie 100" Nominations
»  Fish Camp Registration Begins May 30
»  Aggie Yell Leaders Announce Plans for First Yell 2006
»  Nominations Accepted for Agriculture, Life Sciences Alumni
    Awards
   Aggie Calendar
  
   University Links

   Subscription Information

   To read this E-Newsletter online, go to
   www.AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/ENewsletter/May2006/.


 
News from The Association

Attend the All-Aggie Reunion June 15-18
Aggies everywhere are invited to join in the fun and festivities of the first All-Aggie Reunion in San Antonio. The Association encourages everyone to bring their families and reconnect with their Aggie friends while enjoying some of Texas' favorite family vacation destinations. Enjoy the Alamo City's many recreational venues with your family, then get together on Friday and Saturday evening for a family-friendly dance on the Riverwalk, including great music, entertainment for the kids and good food. This event features more than a typical Reunion-it promises to be a unique experience that brings all Aggies together in a vacation atmosphere. Register today and tell your friends to join as we paint the town maroon. For further information on this event, go to http://www.AggieNetwork.com/Class/Reunions/2006/schedule_mega.aspx or call our Former Student Programs staff at (979) 845-7514.

2006 Coach's Tour Kicks Off
Every summer The Association partners with The 12th Man Foundation and local A&M Clubs to take Texas A&M Head Football Coach Dennis Franchione on a tour across Texas, enabling him to visit with crowds of Aggies all along the way. The 2006 Coach's Tour kicks off June 8 in San Antonio and will continue throughout the summer. Coach's Nights have proven to be an Aggie experience like no other, as they provide a unique setting for camaraderie, scholarship fundraising and, of course, the chance to get the inside scoop on Fightin' Texas Aggie Football from Coach Fran himself! For more information on the 2006 Coach's Tour, go to http://www.AggieNetwork.com/events/coachstour.aspx?rt=u.
 
The Association Salutes New Grads With "The Next Tradition"
The Association of Former Students hosted more than 900 new graduates, including friends and family, at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center on May 11 for "The Next Tradition" (TNT) graduation party. These new former students were treated to hamburgers, given the chance to win various door prizes, introduced to Career Center and A&M Club representatives and were provided with their first opportunity to join the Century Club. To see pictures from TNT, click here.

Update Your Information on AggieNetwork.com
Have you moved recently? In the hustle and bustle of relocating, updating address information with your contacts can easily slip your mind. Yet it's important to stay connected to Texas A&M and your fellow Aggies, and The Association is happy to help you do that. To ensure that your information is kept up to date, please visit our Web site at www.AggieNetwork.com . You can also contact the Annual Giving staff at (979) 845-7514 for assistance regarding your update. 

Grow Your Business by Advertising in Texas Aggie Magazine
With a regular circulation of approximately 65,000, Texas Aggie magazine provides an excellent opportunity to connect with former students, Aggie parents, faculty, staff and friends of Texas A&M. According to a recent readership survey, 86 percent of respondents actively read advertisements in the magazine, and more than half of those people have done business with a Texas Aggie advertiser. In addition, the upcoming September issue has a circulation of more than 100,000, presenting a special, expanded advertising opportunity for interested vendors. For more information about advertising in Texas Aggie magazine, go to http://www.AggieNetwork.com/txaggie/advertise/advertise.aspx or call (979) 845-7514.

Aggie Ring Orders and Repairs Available
The Association of Former Students' Aggie Ring Office is currently taking Aggie Ring orders for qualified students and former students. Rings ordered by June 22 will be delivered on September 14 at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. Rings may be ordered in person, by mail or by fax. The Aggie Ring Office can assist you with your Aggie Ring if it needs to be resized as well. You can either stop by The Association or mail your Ring directly to Balfour for repairs. For more information, go to www.AggieNetwork.com/Ring.

Join the Traveling Aggies on an Upcoming Trip
Join the Traveling Aggies on their many excursions around the world, including the following.

Budapest and Prague Escapade, November 9-17
Join us as we visit these two dynamic Eastern European capital cities and take in an atmosphere that mixes an Old World culture with a 21st century flair.

Thanksgiving in New York, November 22-26
A wonderful holiday weekend in the "Big Apple," including four nights deluxe accommodations, private group transportation, private group breakfast overlooking the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thanksgiving dinner and more.

Germany's Legendary Holiday Markets, November 27-December 5
Embrace the joy of the holiday season in the place where many beloved Christmas traditions were born and experience several of the cultural areas that make Germany unique.

For more information on these trips and others, contact the Traveling Aggies at 1-800-392-2096 or (979) 845-7514. Visit www.AggieNetwork.com/TravelingAggies to read about upcoming trips, see pictures from previous trips and meet our dedicated staff.

News from Texas A&M University
Commencement Ceremonies Honor 5,398 Texas A&M Grads
Texas A&M University held four separate commencement ceremonies May 12-13 for 5,398 degree candidates, making it one of the largest graduating classes in school history. The ceremonies featured former President George Bush, Republic of Panama President Martin Torrijos Espino '87, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Susan Combs and Texas A&M Faculty Senate Speaker John Fike as speakers. "Enjoy life, enjoy the ride, but help others as well," advised Bush, who spoke to graduates of the Bush School of Government and Public Service as well as undergraduates and graduates of Mays Business School and the Colleges of Architecture and Geosciences. "Remember those who came before you, and what they did for you, and then do your part to leave this a better place for those who will follow in your footsteps." For more on this story, go to http://our-news.tamu.edu/newsmanager/templates/?a=2787&z=15 or http://our-news.tamu.edu/newsmanager/templates/?a=2792&z= 15.

Singing Cadets Perform at the White House
The Texas A&M Singing Cadets gave a performance at the White House on May 17 at the invitation of President George W. Bush. The all-male chorus, established in 1893 and known as the "Voice of Aggieland," participated in a ceremony to help greet America's 2006 Winter Olympic athletes as the nation continues the celebration of their success. While in Washington, the Singing Cadets also met with Congressman Chet Edwards '74 and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, received personal tours of the Capitol and the Pentagon and also performed at other events, including a concert on the grounds of the Capitol. As "ambassadors" of the university, the Singing Cadets have performed over the years for such notable individuals as first lady Laura Bush and Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga '81, among others. For more on this story, go to http://our-news.tamu.edu/newsmanager/templates/?a=2798&z=15.

Texas A&M, Seattle Seahawks Reach Trademark Settlement
Texas A&M University and the Seattle Seahawks announced that they have agreed on the scope of Seattle's future use of the 12th Man trademark. The agreement resolves all of the issues presented in the pending lawsuit, which has been dismissed. Neither side admitted any fault or liability. Steve Moore '79, Texas A&M's chief marketing officer and vice president of communications explained, "Texas A&M's existing registration was explicitly for collegiate use, and Seattle is obviously professional. There are also many other people attempting to use the mark. In combination, these two issues meant our chances of winning an all-out court battle were not great. Obviously this is much more than just a trademark to Texas A&M and the goal was to make sure we were not only preserving the mark, but making it as indestructible as possible for future students. The thought of having some judge arbitrarily rule against us was just not a chance worth taking with our 12th Man. On top of that, we would spend well over $1 million in the process of litigation. Therefore in order to bolster our trademark, the university chose to issue a limited license to Seattle for 5 years. This enables us to immediately extend our registration to professional, as well as collegiate use, and it firmly establishes our primacy as the trademark owner because Seattle purchased a license from us. Therefore, at the end of 5 years, we will most probably have a better known mark nationally and one which we can protect with great confidence." To read the official statement issued by Moore go to http://our-news.tamu.edu/newsmanager/templates/?a=2735&z=15.

Last Call for "Aggie 100" Nominations
Mays Business School's Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M University will accept nominations for the second annual "Aggie 100" program through Wednesday, May 31. The "Aggie 100" celebrates the 100 fastest-growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world. Applicants will be ranked by compound annual revenue growth rate for the 2003 to 2005 period. Graduates from every Texas A&M degree program are eligible. The 100 companies with the greatest percentage growth will be named members of the 2006 "Aggie 100." Last year's "Aggie 100" drew more than 600 people to the campus for a luncheon celebration to congratulate the 2005 honorees. While they were on campus, "Aggie 100" representatives spoke to 1,200 students in classes and student organizations. This year's program promises to be even larger, organizers say. For more information, go to www.aggie100.com or call (979) 845-4882.

Fish Camp Registration Begins May 30
Students at Texas A&M are preparing to welcome the Freshman Class of 2010 this August at Fish Camp. Each year, Fish Camp provides incoming freshmen with the opportunity to have fun, make friends and learn more about the Texas A&M University campus and traditions. The students facilitating the 52-year-old orientation program hope that, through Fish Camp, new students will begin finding their places in the Aggie family before classes even begin! For more information on Fish Camp or to register, call the Fish Camp office at (979) 845-1627, email them at fishcamp@stuorg.tamu.edu or go to http://fishcamp.tamu.edu.

Aggie Yell Leaders Announce Plans for First Yell 2006
The Texas Aggie Yell Leaders have announced that the eighth annual First Yell will be held September 1-2 in conjunction with the Texas A&M football game against The Citadel. The featured event of the weekend will be a performance by comedian Wayne Brady on Friday, September 1 in Reed Arena. Brady is best known for his Emmy-winning work on ABC's improvisational comedy show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" He will headline the show which in the past has featured such guests as Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall. As has been done in previous years by such acts as the Singing Cadets, Aggie Wranglers, Freudian Slip and Percussion Studio, First Yell 2006 will again open with performances by students at Texas A&M. For more information, go to http://yell.tamu.edu.

Nominations Accepted for Agriculture, Life Sciences Alumni Awards
The Texas Aggie Nominations are being accepted for the 2006 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumni Awards. The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes graduates of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for outstanding leadership and significant contributions in agriculture, natural resources, life sciences or related areas of science. Deadline for the submission of nominations is Friday, June 30, 2006. For more information, call (979) 847-9066, visit http://agprogram.tamu.edu/awards.cfm or e-mail
t-beamon@tamu.edu.

Aggie Calendar
June 8: San Antonio A&M Club Coach's Night
La Villita Assembly Hall
http://www.aggiepark.com

June 12: Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club Coach's Night
Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall; Will Rogers Memorial Complex; 5:30 p.m.
http://tarrantcountyaggies.org

June 14: "Solutions for Women"
A luncheon and presentation on gift and estate planning for women
Texas A&M Foundation (College Station, Texas), 12 p.m.
http://giving.tamu.edu/plan

June 15: "Solutions for Women"
A luncheon and presentation on gift and estate planning for women
Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center (Dallas, Texas), 12 p.m.
http://giving.tamu.edu/plan

June 16: "Solutions for Women"
A luncheon and presentation on gift and estate planning for women
Petroleum Club of Midland (Midland, Texas), 11:30 a.m.
http://giving.tamu.edu/plan

June 30: Aggie Night with the Texas Rangers
Ameriquest Field in Arlington, 7:05 p.m.
http://tarrantcountyaggies.org/activities/days_and_nights/days_and_nights.html

July 13: Brazos County A&M Club Coach's Night
The Zone Club, 5:30 p.m.
http://www.bcamc.org

July 16: Houston A&M Club Coach's Night
The Edwin Hornberger Conference Center, 7 p.m.
http://www.houstonags.org

July 17: Dallas A&M Club Coach's Night
Tower Building-Fair Park, 6 p.m.
http://www.dallasags.org

University Links

Subscription Information
To read this E-Newsletter online, go to www.AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/ENewsletter/May2006/.

This monthly electronic newsletter from The Association of Former Students keeps you informed and up-to-date on happenings at Texas A&M University and throughout the Aggie Network. If you received this as a forward, visit www.AggieNetwork.com/Login.aspx to update your information with The Association and to receive your own copy in the future. 
 



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