Howdy!
Class of ’64 members, this is the 50th Anniversary Reunion Mailer. It has been 50 years, and this is the time for us to attend the Muster Reunion. We hope all of you will attend and enjoy the various events planned for Sunday afternoon, April 20, through Wednesday morning, April 23. This will be our final “stand alone” Reunion as an individual Class, as at the 55th Reunion we will be inducted into the Sul Ross Group, which includes all Classes that have been graduated from Texas A&M for 55 years or more. The Sul Ross Group meets annually in March and we’ll be included in that event starting with our 55th Reunion. So, come join your Aggie buddies of the Class of ’64 for our 50th Reunion and let’s celebrate our long lives as Fightin’ Texas Aggies!
Enclosed, you will find information about the agenda for each day of our 50th Anniversary Reunion, a paper registration document which you may use if you don’t register online (online registration is the recommended method), contact information for The Association, hotel contact information, opportunities to order Class of ’64 apparel, information about checking in when you arrive, some ideas for you to consider when you have free time, some very special events we’ll experience, various photo opportunities, plenty of food and beverages, and sources of information you need while in Aggieland.
We have a large contingent of ’64 Ags living in Aggieland now, and any of them will be pleased to assist you with needs you might have, as will, of course, The Association staff and the Class Agents. The campus is amazingly large now, which is a good thing, but it does present problems at times. Do not park on the campus at any location not marked for public parking, of which there are few – the KKs will get you. Traffic is a real challenge on and around campus. Use the assigned busses when they are available and particularly at Muster. Watch out for the over 50,000 students walking and riding bicycles – they have right-of-way. There will be a very early start Monday morning and a late ending that day. We’ve considered your many recommendations in the survey and have followed your advice as possible.
We particularly recommend a casual and complete tour of the newly renovated Memorial Student Center, with particular attention to the Veteran’s Area where you will find large images of Aggie Medal of Honor recipients, the panel showing all known Aggies who have died while on active duty, of which Class of ’64 has 14, and other meaningful items. And, we hope to wrap up our committed Class of ’64 gift to the A&M Foundation for the MSC Pillar we sponsored. Of the $100,000 committed, we have about $37,000 remaining, and we hope that all of you, even if you cannot attend our 50th Reunion, will respond with a donation to the A&M Foundation for the Class of ’64 gift.
Lastly, come to this big event, bring your spouse, get your Aggie buddies to come, register immediately upon receipt of this Newsletter, and you will all marvel at the changes in Aggieland and enjoy the Reunion with your buddies.
Gig ’em!
Nick, Lee and George
Reunion Accommodations
A block of rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, for the Class of '64 50th Reunion. Make your reservations by calling the College Station Hilton directly before March 29, 2014 at 979-693-7500. Be sure to reference the Group Code: MUST14 to receive the rate of $139 per night, plus tax. If you prefer to stay at another hotel in the area, please call the Accommodations Hotline at 979-260-9999 to check on hotel availability in the area. You may also go to the Bryan-College Station Accommodations website to book a room. Hotels in close proximity to the Hilton are Hyatt Place, Hawthorne Suites, Comfort Suites and Holiday Inn Express. Call today!
*College Station Hilton — Reunion Headquarters Hotel
801 University Drive East — (979) 693-7500
$139/night, plus tax
Group Name: Cl. of 64 50th Reunion
Code: MUST14
Deadline: March 29, 2014
Check-in time: 4:00 p.m.
Check-out time: Noon
*The Hilton sold out quickly last year so make your reservation now!
Campus Muster Tickets
If you will not be riding the bus to Muster, we suggest you arrive at Reed Arena very early to find parking. We encourage you to ride the bus, which will park at the facility, so that you can enter on the ground level and walk directly to your seats. All those not riding the bus but wish to have access to the floor to sit with your Class will need to check-in with Former Student Programs prior to their arrival at Reed Arena.
Please note that space is limited on the floor of Reed Arena. Classmate / Reunion Registrants will be limited to having one guest sit with them on the floor. All other guests will be placed in a reserved section on the lower level of the Arena.
Reunion Registration & Check In
After securing your room reservation, you can register online (which is recommended), you can print out and return the Reunion Registration Form by mail to The Association of Former Students, 505 George Bush Dr., College Station, TX 77840, ATTN: Class of '64 Reunion; or by FAX 979-845-9263.
If you have any questions, please contact the Former Student Programs office at The Association of Former Students at 800-633-7514.
Your nametags, schedule of events and a list of pre-registered Classmates will be waiting for you at the Reunion Check-In Desk, at the College Station Hilton starting at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Walk-up Registration will be accepted based on availability. To assure your admission, register before the April 6 deadline. All registrations received after the deadline will incur a $20 late fee. Late registrants are not guaranteed space at events.
50th Reunion Shirts
Your Class Agent has partnered with CC Creations of College Station to produce special commemorative shirts for our 50th Anniversary Reunion. You will be able to place your shirt order by CLICKING HERE. When you are on that page, you will find several options to pick from. The deadline to order a shirt is March 23 - order now! The shirts can be mailed to you (for a small fee) or will be available while you are in town for pick-up at Maroon U, located at 112 Holleman Drive, College Station, TX 77840.
Free Time Options for On-Your-Own
• Baseball Game – Aggies vs. Kentucky on Sunday, April 20 - 12:05 p.m. at Blue Bell Park –
http://tx.ag/baseballtickets
• Showing of Forgotten Soldiers – Tuesday, April 22 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Mockingbird Room at the Hilton
• On campus options: Walking Tour of Campus, Newly Renovated Memorial Student Center (especially the
Veteran's Area where you will find large images of Aggie Medal of Honor recipients & the panel showing all known Aggies who have died while on active duty, of which Class of ’64 has 14) and the Muster Collection (which will be available through 5 p.m. on April 23), George Bush Presidential Library, Bonfire Memorial,
Military Walk, Sanders Corps Center, and Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center
• Wine tastings/tours at Messina Hof Winery in Bryan – www.messinahof.com
• Several options in Historic Downtown Bryan – www.downtownbryan.com
Welcome Back Class of 1964
On behalf of all the students of Texas A&M University, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back home to the Texas A&M campus for your 50 Year Class Reunion to be held April 20-23, 2014. I have been privileged this year to have been selected to serve as your liaison to the Muster Committee and am also fortunate enough to work with your Class Agents and Historian in order to assure that your Reunion is well organized and truly memorable.
The Muster Committee this year is composed of 30 students dedicated to planning every aspect of the on-campus Muster ceremony. Our members arrange each event for the celebration of the tradition: everything from compiling the Roll Call for the absent, planning the Muster Camaraderie BBQ in conjunction with the Class of ’64, and selecting a speaker who will deliver the address at the ceremony the night of Muster. This year we are fortunate to have Bill Youngkin '69 as our guest speaker and are eagerly awaiting his arrival back to the A&M campus on the night of Muster.
We are excitedly awaiting your return to campus and hope that you will all enjoy your stay here with us in Aggieland for this year’s Muster.
Josiah Bezet ’15
Muster Committtee
Class Reunion Liaison
Muster Committee - Call for Class Photos
Howdy, Class of 1964! The Muster Committee is putting together several ways to honor the Class of ’64's time and memories in Aggieland. If you have any photographs that were taken during your years at Texas A&M (1960-1964) that you would like to share and would like to possibly be included in the Muster Program or the 50th Anniversary Reunion Display, please send them (along with a description of what is taking place in the picture and who is in it) to muster.afs@gmail.com.
Please have your photos submitted by April 1, 2014.
If an electronic version is not available, you may send copies (what is sent cannot be returned) to:
ATTN: Aggie Muster Committee
125 John J. Koldus Building
College Station, Texas 77843-1236
Thanks and Gig ’em!
Josiah Bezet ’15, Muster Committee
Muster Reflections
In order to more fully recognize the lives of our Campus Muster Roll call honorees, personal items will be displayed as a living memorial in the Muster Reflections Display. Family members of campus honorees submit photographs, letters, stories, Aggie Rings, or other personal items that reflect on their loved one’s life. It is our hope that we can offer a look into who these Aggies were, what they did, and how they touched the lives of those around them.
These items will be displayed in the Memorial Student Center Flag Room Tuesday, April 15, to Thursday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and on Monday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family members may coordinate a time to bring items to the Reflections Display Chairs or send them by mail to the following address:
Attn: Thomas Burrets ’15 and Madeline Kinnaird ’16
Reflections Display – Aggie Muster
P.O. Box 2894
College Station, TX 77841
For more information, please contact Thomas Burrets ’15 and Madeline Kinnaird ’16 at Muster.Reflections@gmail.com.
Memorabilia Wanted
We will have tables set up in the Hospitality Room throughout the weekend for you to display memorabilia from your days in Aggieland. Please remember to bring photo albums, scrapbooks, etc., so that we may display them in the secured room for all of your Classmates to see and reminisce over!
Class Agent Elections
Class Agents serve as a liaison between their Class and The Association. This is the perfect opportunity to get involved as a former student, stay connected to the university and gain some volunteer service. Elections are held in conjunction with your Reunions, so now is your chance!
Teams consist of three to four members of your Class and serve a five-year term. As a Class Agent you will serve on The Association of Former Students’ Leadership Council, which meets twice a year. The Association of Former Students provides orientation and resources to aid you in this role. Class Agents are responsible for keeping the Class informed through newsletters, web sites and emails, planning Class events and providing annual fund information to former students. You will be electing new Class Agents at this Reunion. Lee and Nick have decided to step down and George is willing to stay on with a new team or step down if a few other Classmates are wanting to run. The new Class Agents will begin their five-year term at the conclusion of the Reunion.
For more information go to www.AggieNetwork.com/ClassAgent. Email Class@AggieNetwork.com or call 800-633-7514 prior to your Reunion to get your name on the ballot!
Century Club Supports Reunions
Your Class Reunions, Class Newsletters, Class web page and other programs for former and current students are funded by donations to The Association of Former Students’ Century Club. The Century Club also supports resources on campus that help young Aggie's be more competitive after graduation. Donors also receive special benefits. Join the Century Club to help support your Class and make an impact on another Aggies’ life. Levels of annual giving include: Active - $1-99; Bronze - $100; Silver - $250; Gold - $500; Diamond - $1000; Double Diamond - $2000; Platinum - $5000; Double Platinum - $10,000.
Cancellation Policy
The Association of Former Students has a fairly flexible cancellation policy. If you cannot attend your Reunion or an event for which you have registered, please call the Former Student Programs office (800-392-2096) by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. Your payment will be refunded with the exception of a small handling fee. Registration changes after this deadline cannot be refunded as food orders will have been guaranteed.
