2017 Sul Ross Group Reunion

March 22-24, 2017
College Station, TX

HOWDY SUL ROSS AGS!

Well here we are in the downhill portion of the second decade of this century. We mulled through 2016, especially the football portion, and now we are sitting back and waiting to see if the changes can produce. The women basketballers are beginning to produce, and should give us a good representation in March madness. 

Plans for the 70th Sul Ross Group Reunion are in the bag: arrive on Wednesday and depart on Friday (if you desire different days, you will have to work that out with the assistance of The Association and your hotel). Note The Association and your hotel’s cancellation policy. We anticipate the induction of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1962 into our Group.

Check-in for the Reunion with The Association of Former Students staff begins at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 at the Hilton Ballroom 1.  The Staff will have the information on your Class Hospitality Room and the location of your dinner that evening (separate Class dinner if you have 40 or more in attendance or the Cluster Group). Our speaker at the Cluster Group is John Sharp ’72, Chancellor, The Texas A&M University System. The schedule of events is on Page 4. Remember, our ladies are welcome to attend all functions. However, on Thursday, March 23, during the business meeting, they will have the option of attending the meeting or socializing at the Ladies’ Coffee in the Board of Regents Quarters.

Thursday for lunch, we will bus to the MSC where a to-be-named keynote speaker will address the group. Thursday evening, BG Joe Ramirez ’79 , Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, will update us on the status of the Corps of Cadets.  Remember in an attempt to continue giving back to our beloved university, the Sul Ross Group Board has agreed to raise $200,000 in three years to fund additional scholarships. See the details on page 2 regarding the project.

Friday morning breakfast will feature Hannah Wimberly ’17, Student Body President, and Cecille Sorio ’17, Corps Commander. That will conclude the formal portion of our Reunion.

We solicit your attendance at this Reunion, for as you know, the years are passing faster and faster. What you glean from this meeting is up to you but not all of your Classmates in attendance will be here in one year.
Gig ’em and BTHO ….. .

Henry C. Hill ’56
President, Sul Ross Group


ACCOMMODATIONS

*****The Hilton Hotel is sold out. Please see details below for reserving a room at a different hotel*****

A block of rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, for the ​Sul Ross Group Reunion. Make your reservations by calling the College Station Hilton directly before ​February 18 at 979-693-7500. Be sure to reference the Group Code: ​Ross17 to receive the rate of $152 per night, plus tax. ​To stay at another hotel in the area, please call the Accommodations Hotline at 979-260-9898 to check on hotel availability in the area. You may also go to the Bryan-College Station Accommodations website to book a room. Call and make your reservation today as many of the hotels fill up fast! 

College Station Hilton — Reunion Headquarters hotel
801 University Drive East — (979) 693-7500 
$152/night, plus tax 
Group Name: ​Sul Ross Reunion
Code: ​Ross17
Deadline: February 18, 2017
Check-in time: 4:00 p.m. 
Check-out time: Noon

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

REUNION CHECK IN & REGISTRATION
After securing your room reservation, please complete and return the enclosed Reunion Registration Form by mail to The Association of Former Students, PO Box 10005, College Station, TX 77842, ATTN: Sul Ross Group Reunion; FAX 979-845-9263; or you can register online by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact the Former Student Programs office at The Association of Former Students at 800-633-7514. Your nametags, an updated schedule of events and a list of pre-registered participants will be waiting for you at the Reunion Check-In Desk, which will open at the College Station Hilton at 1 p.m. on Wednesday March 22. Walk-up Registration will be accepted based on availability. To ensure your admission, register before the March 3 late fee deadline. All registrations received after the deadline will incur a $10 late fee. Registration will close March 10.

TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation will be provided on Tuesday Mar. 22 for the Ladies' Coffee and the luncheon at the MSC. Buses will ​begin shuttle service at the Hilton's west entrance starting at 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m. for the MSC. After the luncheon the shuttle service will return guests to the Hilton. If you prefer to drive yourself to campus you can pay to park at the Koldus Parking Garage next to the MSC. For more information on campus parking please click here.

8 MORE FOR THE CORPS
During the 2015 Sul Ross Group Reunion we completed funding of $200,000 to fully fund eight scholarships for the Corps once all pledges have been fulfilled. These funds go directly to deserving students in the Corps in the form of eight individual $25,000 scholarships. This is very beneficial to the commandant and it was unanimously approved at the business meeting during the Reunion to continue this endeavor and fund eight more scholarships for the Corps. We have already raised enough money to fund three more scholarships this fall, which leaves us five to go in order to complete the second phase of eight More for the Corps. As of December 2016, $16,439.81 is in the income side of the endowment. To date, the Sul Ross Group has funded 23 total scholarships. To donate to this fundraising effort for Corps students, fill out the pledge card below or donate online at tx.ag/give. Be sure to reference “T.L. Smith Sul Ross Group Heritage Endowment Income” on all checks or online donations.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Nominating Committee, following the customs and practices previously established, proposes the following slate of officers, assistant directors and ex-officio officers for the 2017-18 year to be voted upon during the Men’s Business Meeting on March 2​3, 2017.

President - Louis "Corky" Frank '58
1st Vice President - Fred Palmer '59
2nd Vice President​ - Tom Wisdom '60 
Assistant Director - Jimmy Wright '60 
Assistant Director - Harvey Haas '59 
Assistant Directo​r - Jerry Bradshaw '60 
Immediate Past President - Henry Hill '56
Corps Liaison* - BG Joe Ramirez ’79
Association of Former Students Liaison* - Porter S. Garner III ’79 
Historian* - Olive DeLucia
*Ex-Officio Member of the Board

CENTURY CLUB DONATION
Your participation in the annual fund has a significant impact on the education experience of our students and provides the resources needed to support programs and activities for students and former students. We appreciate that you choose to participate and support Aggies and Texas A&M. Make a difference by donating now.

Levels of annual giving include:
Active - $1-$99
Bronze - $100-$249
Silver - $250-$499
Gold - $500-$999 
Diamond - $1000-$1999
Double Diamond - $2000-$4999
Platinum - $5000-$9999
Double Platinum - $10,000 plus



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 contact the Former Student Programs office (800-633-7514) no later than 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017. Your payment will be refunded with the exception of the registration fee. Registration changes after the March 10 deadline cannot be refunded as food orders will have been guaranteed.