Class of '63 55th Anniversary Reunion

March 19-21, 2018
College Station, TX

Printable Registration Form

HOWDY SUL ROSS AGS!

Wow! What a year this has been. We have seen the ravages of hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, political protests of all sorts, divisions across the country, and we are learning of despicable abuses against women. We have seen the stock market at record highs and we have even seen an unexpected, early snow in Texas! And, through it all, we are still standing-standing tall. Our beloved Texas A&M University is in session and continues to grow on broad fronts. Our brand is gaining national recognition. Our athletic programs are running on all burners in all sports.  The most exciting news of late, our football program has just acquired a national championship winning, top-tier coach, Jimbo Fisher, who has the program off to a fantastic start with the help of a revised staff.  As Aggies, we know that hope springs eternal, and we may be on the verge of something really big!  Also, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is still the best Band in the Land.
 
In other news, the Sul Ross Group Board of Directors has planned the Sul Ross Group Reunion for March 19-21, 2018. The program is being developed to maximize the opportunity to socialize with old friends and colleagues, make new friends, relax, and to hear an outstanding group of speakers who will update us on all activities and growth areas at Texas A&M. The induction of the Class of 1963 will be a featured event with Porter S. Garner III ’79, The Association of Former Students President & CEO, conducting the induction ceremony.
 
Our speakers for the major group events will include: John Sharp ’72 - Chancellor of Texas A&M System at March 19 cluster dinner 
Henry Hill ’56 - Past President of the Sul Ross Group at March 19 Cluster Dinner
Tyson Voelkel ’96 - President Texas A&M Foundation during March 20 business meeting
Porter S. Garner III ’79 - President & CEO of The Association of Former Students Induction of the Class of 1963
Jimmy Williams ’83 - Chair of the Board of The Association - Induction Ceremony of the Class of 1963
Scott Woodard - Texas A&M Athletic Director at March 20 Luncheon
Brig Gen’l Joe Rameriz ’79 - Commandant of the Corps of Cadets at March 20 Banquet
Ridley Briggs ’54 - Past President of the Sul Ross Group at March 20 banquet.
Bobby Brooks ’18 - Student Body President at March 21 Breakfast
Bradley Saur ’18 - Corps Commander at March 21 Breakfast

This looks to be a star-studded field for our program agenda, and one that you certainly won’t want to miss.  

The Reunion headquarters will be the Hilton Hotel in College Station. We are expecting a record crowd so sign up and make your reservations early.  The dates are March 19-21, 2018.

In more news, the Board has authorized continuing the 8-More for the Corps scholarship program. We ask that you consider making a contribution to make this program a success and support the “Keepers of the Spirit.” All of our scholarship recipients will join us as our guests at our March 20 dinner. They will be seated at our tables in the dinning room and you are encouraged to meet and get to know these wonderful scholarship students.  
 
The ladies are invited to attend all of our events. In addition, there will be a special tea on campus on March 20 at the same time as the business meeting.  We hope to have some student entertainment for the ladies during this event.
 
The Reunion looks to be a fun and informative event for all to enjoy. We are looking forward to seeing you there. Please try to attend.
 
BTHO….everybody 
Corky Frank ’58
President, Sul Ross Group

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ACCOMMODATIONS
A block of rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, for the Class of 1963 55th Anniversary Reunion. Make your reservations by calling the College Station Hilton directly at (979) 693-7500. Be sure to reference the Group Code: ROSS18. 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! 

*The Hilton allocated 78% of all their inventory to the Reunion, but the block at the Hilton is almost sold out! Space is limited so act now. Once the block is full, please check with the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau or with one of the hotels listed in close proximity to the Hilton which are Hyatt Place, Hawthorne Suites, Comfort Suites, Homewood Suites, Residence Inn, and Holiday Inn Express to make your reservation. Call today! The Bryan/College Station Convention & Visitor’s Bureau can be reached at (979) 260-9898 or https://www.experiencebcs.com/.

College Station Hilton — Reunion Headquarters hotel
801 University Drive East — (979) 693-7500 

Group Name: Sul Ross Reunion
Code: ROSS18
$152/night, plus tax
Deadline:  2/25/18
Check-in time: 4 p.m. 
Check-out time: Noon

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 Monday, March 19. Walk-up Registration will be accepted based on availability. To ensure your admission, register before the March 2 late fee deadline. All registrations received after the deadline will incur a $10 late fee. Registration will close March 7 at 5 p.m.

TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation will be provided on Tuesday March 20 for the Ladies' Coffee at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. Buses will begin shuttle service at the Hilton's west entrance starting at 9 a.m. for the Alumni Center. 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. In November we fully funded the fourth scholarship, which leaves us four to go in order to complete the second phase of eight More for the Corps. As of December 2017, $7,552.32 is in the income side of the endowment. To date, the Sul Ross Group has funded 24 total scholarships. To donate to this fundraising effort for Corps students, fill out the pledge card here. 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 2018-19 year to be voted upon during the Men’s Business Meeting on March 20, 2018.

President - Harvey Haas '59 
1st Vice President - Tom Wisdom '60 
2nd Vice President - Tom Reid '61 
Assistant Director - Fred Palmer '59
Assistant Director - Jerry Bradshaw '60 
Assistant Director - Henry Holubec '61
Immediate Past President - Corky Frank '58
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 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. 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.