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News From The Association

2008 Coach's Nights With Mike Sherman
The Association of Former Students will partner with the 12th Man Foundation and local A&M Clubs to take Texas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman on a tour across Texas. He is planning a great season for the Aggies and wants to tell you all about it. The 2008 tour of Coach's Nights started July 27 in San Antonio and will continue throughout the summer. All proceeds support the local A&M Club’s scholarship funds. For more information, and to see the full Coach’s Night 2008 schedule, visit AggieNetwork.com.
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All Aggie Hullabaloo
Reed Arena will become a mini-Aggieland the night before the Army football game. The Classes of ’78, ’83, ’88, and ’98, as well as the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, are combining their reunion activities and inviting all Aggies to reconnect with the A&M campus. The evening will provide lots of Aggie Game Day atmosphere, including the sights and sounds of Northgate, food and beverages from local favorites, and activities for Aggies of all ages, especially our future former students. We plan to provide access to campus resources that former students may need to, or want to, connect with while in College Station, including The Prospective Student Center, Career Center resources, Ring Office resources and a place to resupply their former student window decals. We can’t wait to see you at the All Aggie Hullabaloo.
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2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award Call For Nominations
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University. The award is jointly sponsored by The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M to recognize those former students who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers have brought honor and distinction to Texas A&M and The Association of Former Students. For award criteria and a nomination form, as well as a list of previous recipients, visit AggieNetwork.com/DistinguishedAlumni or call Brenda Lessor at The Association of Former Students at (979) 845-7514. Nominations must be postmarked by Nov. 7.
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Fill In Missing Year Bars On Your Century Club Plaque
Although you may be a loyal Century Club member, have you missed a year here or there in making a donation to The Association of Former Students? The Association is happy to offer you the opportunity to purchase your missing year bars to complete your plaque. You may obtain any or all of your missing year bars at the Century Club level of your choice. If you would like to take advantage of this special offer or have any questions, please call the Annual Giving office at (979) 845-7514 or e-mail AnnualGiving@AggieNetwork.com. Thank you for your support and loyalty to Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students!
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Join The Association's Traveling Aggies On An Upcoming Trip
Join the Traveling Aggies on their many journeys around the world, including the following:

Tanzania and Kenya; Sept. 1-17
No place on Earth rivals the wildlife and habitat diversity of Tanzania and Kenya. From the acacia-dotted savannahs of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem to the majestic peaks of Mount Kenya, if there is a more beautiful part of the world, we don’t know where it might be. Join fellow Traveling Aggies as we journey through the wilds of these two storied countries for exhilarating views of migrating herds, Mount Kilimanjaro and tribal people. During this 15-day safari, you’ll stay in the finest lodges and tented camps and be accompanied by expert guides, ensuring your time in Africa is extraordinarily enriching.

Voyage of Discovery: Wonders of the Galápagos, Jan. 16-24
Join us for the journey of a lifetime to the Galápagos Islands aboard the state-of-the-art exploration vessel, the M.V. Santa Cruz, and discover a region unmatched in its beauty and its role in the history of natural science. Formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, the Galápagos Islands overflow with life, including such species as the flightless cormorant and the marine iguana, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. With virtually no natural predators on the islands, the abundant wildlife is fearless and accepts human company up close to an extent not found elsewhere. Here you can walk among 400-pound tortoises, nearly touch spiny-backed iguanas and snorkel in crystal-clear waters alongside sea lions, dolphins and tropical penguins.

South America Cruise, Feb. 5-17
This cruise will sail the east coast of South America. The trip has it all: remarkable natural beauty, fascinating history, extended stays in both Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and the wonderful and luxurious Oceania m/s Insignia. With a fascinating itinerary, superlative service and award-winning cuisine, this trip is sure to please everyone.

So, where do you want to go? To pick your destination or for more information, call (800) 633-7514 or visit AggieNetwork.com/Travel
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Sponsored Messages


The Association Announces Alliance With Liberty Mutual Insurance
We're pleased to announce our new alliance with Liberty Mutual – one of the largest insurance providers in the nation. Through this alliance, Aggies have the chance to purchase auto, home and renters insurance at competitive rates. And since their research shows that college-educated people tend to be safer drivers, they are offering college graduates like you a special College Education Discount of up to 10% on their already-competitive rates.*

The Association of Former Students chose Liberty Mutual because of its affordability, convenience, and willingness to work with Aggies on an individual basis. And their financial strength and stability have earned Liberty Mutual an "A" (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best Company, an independent national organization that rates an insurer's performance. You’re invited to call Liberty Mutual for a free quote to compare their rates with those of your current carrier, 1-888-746-5644 or visit their website, www.libertymutual.com/lm/formerstudentstxam. Mention client number 114136 when you call.

*Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apple to specific coverages only.


News From Texas A&M University

Aggies To Compete At 2008 Olympics
While watching the Olympics in August, keep an eye out for Aggie Rings. Several students and former students are set to compete in swimming and track and field. The names, countries and sports are as follows: Erica (Boren) Bartolina ’02, United States, pole vault; Fabrice Lapierre ’07, Australia, long jump; Richard Adu-Bobie ’08, Canada, 4x100 relay pool; Allison George ’08, Grenada, 100 m, 200 m; Tyrone Edgar ’07, Great Britain, 4x100 relay pool; Simone Facey ’08, Jamaica 4x100 relay pool, Christine Marshall ’10, United States, swimming; Julia Wilkinson ’10, Canada, swimming; Alia Atkinson ’11, Jamaica, swimming, Triin Aljand ’10, Estonia, swimming; Francisco Picasso ’07, Uruguay, swimming; Balazs Makany ’10, Hungary, swimming; Vic Wunderle ’02, United States, archery; and Stacy Sykora ’98, United States, volleyball. This will be Sykora’s and Wunderle’s third Olympics. Texas A&M’s Women’s Swimming and Diving head coach Steve Bultman is an assistant coach on the Estonia Olympic squad. Texas A&M volunteer track and field assistant coaches Alleyne Francique and Muna Lee will run for Grenada and United States respectively. Texas A&M track and field sports information director Shawn Price is working his fourth Olympic Games and will be assisting NBC and other media outlets with coverage throughout Beijing. For more on the Olympics and a schedule of events visit, www.olympic.org
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Georgia Columnist Comes To Aggieland
Darrell Huckaby, the syndicated columnist out of Georgia who wrote a story about a pair of Aggies he met while visiting Jekyll Island with his family, visited College Station June 30. After his column about meeting ran in his newspaper and online, Huckaby said his computer was inundated with e-mails from the Aggie family, with many Aggies inviting him to visit. The response was so great, he wrote a second column about Aggies. Huckaby’s visit included talking with students, a visual tour of campus from the top of Rudder Tower and a speech to a crowd of about 80 in the MSC Flagroom. He also helped lead an impromptu yell practice with three yell leaders. For more information about Huckaby’s trip, visit here.
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New Leadership At TAMU
Dr. Jeffrey S. Vitter was named the new provost and executive vice president for academics at Texas A&M University. Vitter was the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science at Purdue University. University President Dr. Elsa Murano called Vitter “a dynamic leader with a proven record of success at several prestigious private and public institutions.” He will begin his new position Aug. 15. For more information on other campus administrative positions, visit here.
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ROTC Grant Helps Chinese And Arabic Program
Texas A&M University received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to strengthen future military officers in language and cultural competency. The money is planned to create on-campus and overseas programs that help students in the Corps of Cadets gain more exposure to the Chinese and Arabic-speaking worlds. The grant is part of the 2008 Reserve Officer Training Corps Language and Culture Project and is offered through the National Security Education Program on behalf of the Defense Language Office. With a renewable third year, the grant’s total amount is for $750,000. For more information, click here.
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Creator Of Ol' Sarge Dies
Howard Peter “Pete” Tumlinson ’42, creator of Texas A&M’s Ol’ Sarge, died in late May. His handiwork of a Corps drill sergeant continues to unofficially symbolize the University’s strong military history. Though Tumlinson said he wasn’t the first person to draw the character, his version of the tough-looking corpsman stuck. Ol’ Sarge first appeared in The Battalion’s Humor magazine from 1936 to 1938, sketched by different artists. Tumlinson identified the character in a comic in 1938. Tumlinson was a comic book artist and American book illustrator. For more information and to see an example of the Ol’ Sarge character, visit The Batt’s website.
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Business School Joins Program For Veterans With Disabilities
Mays Business School at Texas A&M University is joining a new program to help veterans with disabilities, called Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. The program offers training in small business start-up and management to servicemen and servicewomen injured in the line of duty since 2001. The program integrates world-class faculty, entrepreneurs, disability experts and business professionals in an educational program focused on training veterans in the competencies associated with small business ownership. Syracuse University created the EVB program and enrolled its first class of 20 participants in the summer of 2007. For the participating veterans, the program is free, including travel and accommodations. To apply, or for more information, visit contact Richard Lester at rlester@mays.tamu.edu or click here.
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Miss Texas 2008 Is A Former Student
Rebecca Robinson ’06 is the new 2008 Miss Texas and will go on to compete at the Miss America pageant. She will spend her year as Miss Texas traveling across the state for various events and speaking to 26,000 students along the way. Robinson earned her degree in Spanish, and her pageant platform is bilingual education. “I’m just proud to be an Aggie,” Robinson said. “I always brag so much on A&M and how wonderful my time was there.” For more on Robinson’s story, visit AggieNetwork.com/AggieNetworkNews/MissTexas/.
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Student Learning Center Wins Award
The Student Learning Center, which provides supplemental instruction and tutoring free of charge to all Texas A&M University students, was named the recipient of the 2008 National College Learning Center Association Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award. The award recognizes the center’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the academic experience of students at Texas A&M by providing a variety of programs and services that promote retention and success. For more information on the award and center, click here.
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Bill Cosby Enlisted To Host First Yell 2008
The ninth annual First Yell event is planned for 8 p.m. Aug. 29 in Reed Arena, with Bill Cosby as the headliner. This is Cosby’s second engagement as the First Yell entertainer, after his performance in 2000. Cosby starred in his own television series, The Bill Cosby Show, created the cartoon series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and has acted in several films. First Yell was started in 1999 by the yell leaders as a way to welcome all Aggies, current or former students, back to campus at the start of a new school year. It is planned for the weekend of the first home football game. This year, Texas A&M will line up against Arkansas State at 6 p.m. Aug. 30. For more on First Yell, visit http://yell.tamu.edu/firstyell/.
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Freshman Convocation Scheduled For The Class Of 2012
Freshman Convocation is a ceremony that welcomes freshmen to Texas A&M’s community of learners in a manner similar to the community’s recognition of students’ graduation at commencement. Texas A&M President Elsa Murano, along with a faculty member, will speak. Convocation is for freshmen and their families and is planned for 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24 in Reed Arena. Prior to Convocation, there is a Freshman Convocation Lunch; the Class of 2012 and their families are invited to a meal from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Sbisa Dining Hall. University representatives will be on hand for informal conversation with the new students and their families. Lunch tickets are available at the door or through the box office at the Zone. For more information, visit www.tamu.edu/freshmanconvocation/.
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Enhanced Career Assistance For Former Students
Great news for former students considering job changes or career moves: The Association has increased support provided to the Texas A&M Career Center, specifically to help former students in their search efforts. In addition to personalized career support and assistance for Former Students, Aggies now have access to CareerBeam. CareerBeam offers around-the-clock access to exceptional assessment resources, resume and cover letter development tools, search strategies and research databases, and integrates them into one online “portal.” This online resource is monitored by the Career Services Team to assure participants are optimizing their efforts. The second major enhancement is the addition of AggieCareers.com, providing web resources specifically developed to connect former students with employers seeking experienced candidates. To access these resources, go to www.aggiecareers.com/afs.htm or call the Texas A&M Career Center at (979) 845-5139 and ask for Former Student Career Services.
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Aggie Calendar

July 31: Ft Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club Coach’s Night
http://www.tarrantcountyaggies.org/

Aug. 1: Dallas A&M Club Coach’s Night
http://www.dallasaggies.org/

Aug. 2: Houston A&M Club Coach’s Night
http://www.houstonags.org/

Aug. 7: The Next Tradition Graduation Party
AggieNetwork.com/events/tnt.aspx

Aug. 8: Commencement And Commissioning Ceremony
http://graduation.tamu.edu

Aug. 24: Freshman Convocation
http://www.tamu.edu/freshmanconvocation/



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Subscription Information
To read this E-Newsletter online, go to AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/ENewsletter/2008/July/.

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 AggieNetwork.com/Login.aspx to update your information with The Association and to receive your own copy in the future. 
 

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