February 2004 his year marks The Association of Former Students' 125th year of service and support for Texas A&M University. It was 125 years ago that former students, endowed with a strong sense of loyalty and purpose, began to realize the immeasurable value of their days at the A&M College of Texas. On June 26, 1879, at Bachelor's Hall in Houston, former cadets living in Houston hosted a reception for A&M Cadets. This organizational meeting is the first record of The Association of Former Students. During the meeting, students agreed to host a future reception for former students to coincide with the 1880 commencement. These meetings resulted in the formation of the Ex-Cadets Association, the forerunner to the modern Association of Former Students. We look forward to celebrating this milestone year with you!    News from Texas A&M University      » Corps of Cadets Announces New Hall of Honor Procedures      » Get Your Aggie Baseball Tickets and Parking Permits      » Board of Regents Announces 2003 Service Award Winners      » More...    News from The Association      » Former Students to Provide $4.7 Million to Texas A&M      » Association Exceeds 2003 Annual Fund Goal      » What is the Aggie Spirit? Share Your Story      » More...    College Links    Subscription Information    To read this e-newsletter online, go to    www.AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/FebruaryENewsletter/Newsletter04.html News from Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Announces New Hall of Honor Procedures The Corps of Cadets has established a new, streamlined application process for the Corps Hall of Honor. In an effort to ensure every deserving former cadet is considered for induction into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor, the nomination and selection process has been revised. The new application will soon be online to make it easier to nominate a former cadet for this prestigious award. For more information, please visit http://www.aggienetwork.com/media/prelease/hallofhonor.htm Get Your Aggie Baseball Tickets and Parking Permits With the season home opener of the 21st-ranked Aggie baseball team less than a month away, Texas A&M already has recorded a sellout: season parking permits have all been sold for the first and third base lots adjacent to Olsen Field (PA 63 North & South). Fans can still purchase season tickets for Aggie baseball three ways: At the athletic ticket office windows in the Zone at the north end of Kyle Field; by calling the athletic ticket office at 1- 888-99-AGGIE (888-992-4443) or 979-845-2311; or online at http://12thmanfoundation.com. Board of Regents Announces 2003 Service Award Winners In December, the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System announced the recipients of the 2003 Regents Fellows Service Award. This prestigious award honors service, extension and research professionals within the Texas A&M agricultural and engineering agencies who have provided exemplary professional service to society that has created large and lasting benefits to Texas and beyond. For the full story, please visit http://tamusystem.tamu.edu/index.cfm?PageID=296. Save the Date: Computer Science Former Students Picnic The students, faculty and staff of the Department of Computer Science extend a warm Texas A&M "Howdy" to all CS Former Students and announce Friday, October 22, 2004 as the date of the Second Annual CS Former Students Picnic. Once again, the Picnic will be held at the H.R. Bright Building on the Texas A&M College Station campus. Remember to save the date, October 22, and watch for more Picnic announcements as October 22 gets a little closer. The CS Former Students website is http://www.cs.tamu.edu/alumni. News from The Association Former Students to Provide $4.7 Million to Texas A&M In 2004, The Association of Former Students will provide more direct financial support to Texas A&M University than ever before in its 125 year history. A total of $4.7 million will support programs that enhance students' experiences at Texas A&M University, and perpetuate the spirit and traditions that distinguish Texas A&M and Texas Aggies. Association Exceeds 2003 Annual Fund Goal The Aggie Spirit shined brightly on The Association in 2003 as thousands of former students and friends of Texas A&M came together in unprecedented numbers to make a difference in the lives of other Aggies. Not only did The Association reach our $6.2 million goal, we exceeded it to the tune of $6.34 million! With your support in 2004, we hope to achieve even more as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the greatest alumni organization in the world! To learn how you can make your gift for 2004, please visit https://www.aggienetwork.com/giveback/default.aspx What is the Aggie Spirit? Share Your Story The Aggie Spirit is many things to many people, but what does "Aggie Spirit" mean to you? Do you have a special story that illustrates the power of Aggie Spirit? If your story is selected, you might be featured in Texas Aggie magazine! Please send submissions to Amy Glass '92 c/o The Association of Former Students, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840, or e-mail AGlass92@AggieNetwork.com. Don't Miss AggieHostel '04! Remember to mark your calendars for AggieHostel '04, coming up June 13-18. AggieHostel is an annual program of The Association of Former Students that invites Aggies over the age of 60 back to campus for one fun-filled week of dorm life, extracurricular activities and Aggie traditions. Each participant is assigned to a pair of students to serve as their "host" family. AggieHostel is a great experience for the student host and Hosteler alike, as both have the chance to see Texas A&M University through the eyes of a different generation. If you would like to be a part of this amazing week in Aggieland or would like more information on this year's AggieHostel, please visit www.AggieNetwork.com/aggiehostel or call 979-845-7514. Take a Vacation with the Traveling Aggies Don't miss your opportunity to embark on one of the Traveling Aggies' upcoming trips! Voyage to Antiquity What: This trip is a rare travel opportunity that combines historically significant destinations across the Aegean Sea from Istanbul to Athens with ports of call in Canakkale, Dikili, Chios, Kusadasi, Delos, and Piraeus When: Beginning June 4th and ending on the 14th, this seven-night cruise aboard the luxurious MINERVA II ends in Athens where you will enjoy a two night stay in Athens, Greece. Village Life in England's Cotswolds What: Travelers will experience village life firsthand on this wonderful excursion. You will learn about the culture and history of the Cotswolds with a program of lectures, meetings with local residents and exclusive guided tours of great historical monuments. Lord Charles-Spencer Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill's cousin, will greet the Traveling Aggies for an exclusive early opening of Britain's grandest private residence, the Blenheim Palace. When: Travelers will enjoy a seven night stay at the four-star Queen's Hotel from June 13th to 21st. For more information, please visit http://www.aggienetwork.com/travel/default.aspx College 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 Dwight Look College of Engineering George Bush School of Government and Public Service Mays Business School Texas A&M Galveston Texas A&M Qatar Subscription Information If you received this as a forward, see www.AggieNetwork.com/enews/add.aspx to update your information with The Association, and receive your own E-News in the future. To unsubscribe from this e-newsletter, click here www.AggieNetwork.com/enews/remove.aspx. To read this e-newsletter online, go to : www.AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/FebruaryENewsletter/Newsletter04.html 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 community. If you received this as a forward, see www.AggieNetwork.com/login.aspx to update your information with The Association and receive your own copy. Go here to read the newsletter online.