December 2006 E-Newsletter
News from The Association
» Holiday Bowl Activities Announced
» Mark Your Calendars for Spring Reunions
» Volunteer with The Association
» Join the Traveling Aggies on an Upcoming Trip

News from Texas A&M University
»  Davis Named Interim President of Texas A&M
»  Over 3,500 Grads Take Part in Gates' Last Commencement
»  A&M Professor Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
»  Plans Under Way for Scowcroft Institute
   Aggie Calendar
  
   Aggie Links

   Subscription Information

   To read this E-Newsletter online, go to
   www.AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/ENewsletter/December2006/

   To read previous E-Newsletters, go to
   www.AggieNetwork.com/ENewsArchive
 
News from The Association
Holiday Bowl Activities Announced
In conjunction with Texas A&M's upcoming appearance in the Holiday Bowl, several related events in San Diego have been organized for Aggies' enjoyment. A welcome reception is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at the Marriott Hotel and Marina. Midnight Yell Practice will also be held that evening inside the underground parking garage of the San Diego Convention Center. Fans will not be allowed to park vehicles in the garage during Midnight Yell Practice and should instead enter the garage by foot along Harbor Drive at entrances B and C. On Thursday, Dec. 28, the day of the Holiday Bowl, buses will transport fans from the Marriott to Qualcomm Stadium for the "Official Aggie Pregame Tailgate Party" and for the game itself. Tickets required for bus transfers to those events can be purchased at the Innova desk on Dec. 27 in the hotel lobby. For more information on Holiday Bowl activities, go to www.aggieathletics.com/holiday .

Mark Your Calendars for Spring Reunions
One thing that sets Texas A&M apart from many other schools is the camaraderie we share through the Aggie Network. An excellent way to take part in that camaraderie is by attending any of our several Class Reunions. Many fun-filled Reunions are planned for this spring, including the annual Sul Ross Reunion. If you're wondering when your Class will have its next Reunion, it may be sooner than you think. Go to www.AggieNetwork.com/Reunions to see what Reunions are being held in 2007.

Volunteer with The Association
The Association is proud to support numerous programs aimed at strengthening the worldwide Aggie Network. Now, through a new endeavor called the Aggie Network Volunteer Program, you can take an active role in many of those programs and events, including Aggie Ring orders and A&M Club functions. To learn more about the program and to view available volunteer opportunities, go to www.AggieNetwork.com/Volunteer . 

Join the Traveling Aggies on an Upcoming Trip
Join the Traveling Aggies on their many journeys around the world, including the following.

Sicily: Taormina, Mondello, Rome; May 19-30, 2007
Discover the many time-honored wonders of Sicily on this spectacular Mediterranean adventure.

Greek Isles: Crete and Santorini; May 31-June 11, 2007
Experience the unique culture of Greece and the Aegean islands with this unforgettable trip.

Cruise the Baltic Sea; June 19-27, 2007
Journey from Stockholm, Sweden, to Copenhagen, Denmark, aboard the luxurious Crystal Symphony.

For more information on these trips and others, contact the Traveling Aggies at (800) 392-2096 or (979) 845-7514. Also, visit www.AggieNetwork.com/TravelingAggies to read about upcoming trips, see pictures from previous trips and meet our dedicated staff.

News from Texas A&M University
Davis Named Interim President of Texas A&M
Dr. Ed Davis '67, president of the Texas A&M Foundation, was named interim president of Texas A&M University on Dec. 18, after Robert M. Gates was officially sworn in as the nation's secretary of defense that same day. Serving as the Texas A&M Foundation's chief executive officer over the last 13 years, Davis has helped identify and secure millions in major gifts from donors supporting several key initiatives at Texas A&M. In addition, Davis has previously served as the school's vice president for fiscal affairs and the A&M System's executive deputy chancellor. Davis holds three degrees from Texas A&M: a bachelor's degree in agricultural journalism, a master's degree in educational administration and a doctorate in higher education administration. For more on this story, go to http://newsarchives.tamu.edu/stories/06/121806news-2.html . 

Over 3,500 Grads Take Part in Gates' Last Commencement
More than 3,500 Aggies—making up the largest mid-year graduating class in Texas A&M history—received degrees at three separate commencement ceremonies on Dec. 15-16 at Reed Arena. The event also served as Dr. Robert M. Gates last official act as university president. Ready to assume his duties as the nation's next secretary of defense, Gates handed out the last of the 48,553 diplomas he's presented over past 4 1/2 years. He then offered a personal farewell to the graduates. "Like all of you, I'm starting a new phase of my life after these ceremonies," he said. "Like all of you, this very special place has changed my life, and the memories of my years at A&M will forever by etched in my mind and locked in my heart." For more on this story, go to http://newsarchives.tamu.edu/stories/06/121806news-9.html .

A&M Professor Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Dr. Norman Borlaug, a distinguished professor of international agriculture at Texas A&M, has been awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. House of Representatives in recognition of his life's work to alleviate world hunger. The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's highest civilian award, presented for singular acts of exceptional service and for lifetime achievement. Borlaug has previously been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the National Medal of Science for his pioneering efforts to reduce the world's food shortages. The 92-year-old scientist has taught at Texas A&M since 1984 and was recently announced as the namesake for the school's Norman E. Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture. For more on this story, go to http://newsarchives.tamu.edu/stories/06/120806news-4.html .

Plans Under Way for Scowcroft Institute
On Dec. 1, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents gave its approval to move forward in establishing the Brent Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs within the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. The institute will exist to promote policy-oriented research by faculty, students and visiting fellows in national security, foreign policy and other issues in world affairs. In addition, it will also operate as a means of stimulating scholarly and economic interest in those fields. Scowcroft, an expert on international affairs, served as national security advisor under former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford. For more on this story, go to http://newsarchives.tamu.edu/stories/06/120106news-1.html .

Aggie Calendar
Jan. 5: International Student Welcome Party
Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center, 6:30-9 p.m.
Call (979) 845-7514 for information.

Jan. 6: Men's Basketball vs. Kansas State
Reed Arena, 7 p.m.
http://www.aggieathletics.com/index.php?SID=MBB

Jan. 12: Austin A&M Mother's Club Presents the Singing Cadets
Great Hills Baptist Church, 7 p.m.
http://www.austinaggiemoms.org/singingcadets.html

Jan. 13: Women's Basketball vs. Baylor
Reed Arena, 3:30 p.m.
http://www.aggieathletics.com/index.php?SID=WBB

Jan. 16: First Day of Spring Semester Classes

Jan. 17: Women's Basketball vs. Colorado
Reed Arena, 7 p.m.
http://www.aggieathletics.com/index.php?SID=WBB

Jan. 20: Swimming and Diving vs. LSU
Student Rec Center Natatorium, 12 p.m.
http://www.aggieathletics.com/index.php?SID=WSW

Jan. 20: Men's Basketball vs. Oklahoma State
Reed Arena, 7 p.m.
http://www.aggieathletics.com/index.php?SID=MBB

University Links

Subscription Information
To read this E-Newsletter online, go to www.AggieNetwork.com/HTMLEmails/ENewsletter/December2006/.

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



505 George Bush Drive
College Station, Texas 77840
(979) 845-7514

To unsubscribe from Association email, click here.