The TRADITION of Sully

This is a copy of an email I sent to Chancellor Sharpe this morning concerning the campus protests centered around our Sully statue.

Dear Chancellor Sharpe,

I was incredibly saddened to hear that there is serious talk of removing our Sully statue from the campus of Texas A&M University.  I say “our” because I am a graduate of Texas A&M, Class of ‘90, as is my grandfather, father, two brothers, and two sisters-in-law.  My choice to attend Texas A&M was based on three things — its TRADITION of excellence, its TRADITION of high moral standards, and its TRADITION of TRADITION.  


I received a first rate education from Texas A&M University. I earned a Bachelor of Education degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Reading and Geography and a Kindergarten endorsement.  Upon graduation, I became a teacher… in Brazil, Thailand, and America. I have taught for 30 years.  I like to think that I have made a difference in the lives of my students just as my many fine professors at Texas A&M made a difference in my life.  It has been very easy for me to find a teaching position when I present my degree from Texas A&M University. That piece of paper speaks volumes to the excellent education that I received.  The TRADITION of an excellent education that one can earn from Texas A&M is WORLD renowned!


I was raised to have high moral standards for my life.  I looked for and found that same TRADITION of high moral standard at Texas A&M University.  My professors encouraged me to DO RIGHT, DO MY BEST, and LEARN FROM HISTORY (a HISTORY that, sadly, most Americans seem too willing to forget).  I will never forget my German-born, history professor  talking about the Holocaust and the devastating effects that it had on his family.  He adamantly told us that “when a people forgets their history and heritage they are nigh well done.”  He did not try to CHANGE the history of his past because some might think that it put a blight on his character for being German.  Instead he TAUGHT us the rights and wrongs of that horrible time in our world history. 


I can remember as a young child my father sharing stories of his time at Texas A&M University.  He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, so as you can imagine he had many colorful anecdotes to tell!  Stories of march-ins, football games, Bonfire, road trips, inspections, dorm life, Senior boots, his Aggie ring, and graduation were just a few.  My grandfather had similar stories to tell as well. As a child, I loved holding my grandfather’s hand and rubbing the then very smooth band of his Aggie ring — smooth  from years of constant wear.  As I embarked upon my own adventure at Texas A & M, the first official TRADITION I took part in was Fish Camp.  There I was taught the importance of TRADITION at the fine school I would soon call home for four short years.  That TRADITION, that I had heard of for years, became my OWN!  


One of my most treasured photographs from my days in Aggieland is of my best friend and I gathered around Sully, showing off our newly received Aggie rings.  Why with THAT statue, some (non-Aggie) may ask?  Because he embodies the TRADITION and spirit of Aggieland.  During Sully’s tenure, the creation of some of our most beloved Aggie TRADITIONS was instituted... the Aggie ring, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, a football rivalry like none other with that “other college” in Austin, the Singing Cadets, the Battalion, and the Aggie Yearbook.  


I know with utmost certainty that if the statue of Lawrence Sullivan “Sully” Ross is allowed to be removed from my alma mater, Texas A&M University, that the TRADITIONS that I sought for and found in Aggieland will 
soon be gone as well.  It will spell the beginning of the end of the best university in the world!  Please, I implore you, do not allow the removal of Sully to take place!


Sincerely,


Kelley Fair Brown Matheny
Class of ‘90

kelleymatheny@gmail.com