Connecting Aggies For 140 Years

Howdy, Ags!

On this day 140 years ago, 11 Aggies gathered in Houston to form the Ex-Cadets Association, the nucleus of what today is The Association of Former Students.

It was a time before the first Aggie Ring or the first Aggie football game, yet these Aggies recognized the importance of maintaining a connection to the A&M College of Texas and certainly to one another. They sought to keep a record of all who had attended the college, with a goal to promote fellowship.

That simple charge remains at the core of The Association’s mission today as we seek to strengthen The Association of Former Students, perpetuate the ties of affection and camaraderie formed in university or college days, promote the interests and welfare of Texas A&M, and serve the student body. Our organization, which began with 11 Aggies on June 26, 1879, today serves more than 500,000 former students worldwide and provides an annual impact of $13.6 million to Texas A&M and the Aggie Network.

As we mark this special day in our history, we celebrate each and every former student who makes this support possible and also tip our hat to the vision of our founding 11 who made it all possible:

• David Ellington Alexander, Class of 1879
• William Harrison Brown, Class of 1882
• Robert Carleton Chatham, Class of 1877
• Edward Benjamin Cushing, Class of 1880
• Pinckney Lovick Downs, Class of 1879
• Edward Everett Fitzhugh, Class of 1878
• Thomas A. Fuller, Class of 1881
• George Washington Hardy, Class of 1879
• William Markham Sleeper, Class of 1879
• William T. Small, Class of 1882
• William Andreas Trenckmann, Class of 1878

As we celebrate our great organization’s proud history and legacy, we thank you for perpetuating the Aggie Spirit and embodying our university’s core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with the Aggie Network and invite you to visit AggieNetwork.com to learn more about the difference you make to Texas A&M!

With Sincere Gratitude,

Porter S. Garner III ’79
President and CEO

The Association of Former Students raises friends and funds
in support of Texas A&M University. Make a gift today.