Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 1950)
Page 4 THE BATTALION Thursday, November 9, 1950 ormer Students Association Unites Aggies of Past Years By BOB BALL The Former Students’ Associa tion of A&M, organized under the name of the Alumni Association in 1889, has come down through the 75 years of A&M’s history as a growing, expanding tradition that will probably reign forever as one of the most important organiza tions in the A&M system. The oldest records of the Asso ciation still in existence are min utes of the organization beginning with those of the first meeting, in 1891. The first constitution is not available and has probably been destroyed. However, the principle purposes of the Association have always been to maintain friendship of all Aggies and to be of service to A&M. The first student association in College Station was known as the Alumni Association. Its members are all students of A&M. Meet ings were held once a year at com mencement. The first record of a meeting is June of 1891 with mem bers of the graduating class as of ficers. The Association, planned a ban quet and made arrangements for a badge for the organization. (To this day there is no badge or em blem.) The first president, Charles Pescay, presided at this meeting. On May 23, 1921, the Alumni Association became known as the Association of Former Students of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and the first meeting of the newly organized council was held in the YMCA building with J. Webb Howell, of Bryan, presiding. President Howell exerted stiff opposition to the new name be cause of its length. All his efforts were in vain, and the Association began its functions once more, with no changes other than the name. Incorporated in 1925 The Association applied for a state charter on May 14, 1925 and became incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas. A new constitution was set up with the stipulation that the As sociation was “ . . . formed for the support of benevolent, charitable, and educational undertakings by extending financial and other aid to students of the A&M College of Texas; by promoting social, litera ry, and scientific pursuits; by per petuating and strengthening the ties of affection and esteem form ed in college days; by promoting the interests and welfare of the A&M College of Texas and educa tion generally in the State of Tex as.” As the organization grew, larger, more complicated problems arose, and soon there was nothing else to do but hire a full-time secretary to take charge of these problems. W. B. Cook was the first to take up the affairs of the Association on a full-time, payment basis. Cook had obtained his B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry at A&M in 1920. He established the first of fice for the Former Students’ As sociation with one young lady com pleting his staff. ‘‘Texas Aggie” Begun The first need of this newly es tablished office was a means of communication and contact with widely scattered former students. As a solution to the problem of communication, Cook decided upon a newspaper, “The Texas Aggie,” and he became the first editor and publisher. Later Cook resigned to take a position with the Missouri-Pacific Railroad where he is still employ ed. He was followed by Colonel “Ike” Ashburn, previously connect ed with A&M in administrational capacities. Col. “Ike” served until 1926. He then left the Association for outside employment. Col. Ashburn was replaced by E. E. McQuillen, who served as ex ecutive secretary continuously un til October, 1947. McQuillen then became director of the A&M Devel opment Fund. His successor was James B. “Dick” Hervey, who is currently serving as executive sec retary. McQuillen Spurred Growth McQuillen during his 22 years as executive secretary did more to in fluence the development and growth of the organization than has any other single person. He continually steered the organiza tion along the path of providing maximum assistance to the College and at the same time managed to keep alumni interest at a high pitch. His whole life during this period was devoted to making A&M grad uates conscious of the ties that bound them to their alma mater. Under his guidance a placement office was developed which has since grown so large that the col lege has taken over its operation. He inaugurated a system of record keeping that has made the A&M the envy of other alumni associa tions throughout -the entire South. When Cook became the first full time secretary of the Association, (See FORMER, Page 8) With the wargoing on in Europe in 1917-19, the Cadets stepped up their military training program. Bayonet drill was part of the regular drill period. Sharp bayonets were used and many of the former students have scars to prove it. Uniforms and Customs Baffle A&M Marines The Marines have landed! Not content in having the army, navy, and C.P.T. flying course, A&M now has the fighting Marines on the campus. In an interview with four of the Marine boys, it is found that they already think A&M is tops in ev ery respect. The boys remarked over and over about how the peo ple they saw, spoke to them on the campus. One said, “it’s not like Chicago, where I didn’t even know the people living four doors down the street from me.” Still confused about how to dis tinguish regular officers from ca det officers, one marine was won dering how he was going to tell who was who around here Most of the boys shipped in here have had one or more years of col lege training. Such questions as, “How are the profs here”, and “Do you get good chow like this here all the time?” were asked. “I can’t understand it. You get music Fellowship, Facts, Fun Sought in Campus Clubs Club history at A&M goes back to the opening of the colleg-e. Due to limited facilities and a location in the wilderness students have always been eager for some means of fellowship and recreation. To satisfy these desires the students organized home town clubs, technical societies, and re ligious groups. Other factors, too, helped develop club organization at Aggieland. These were the lack of good roads and transportation, both of which kept the students on the campus. And at the close of both World Wars returning veterans organized themselves for the purpose of read justment. As the college has expanded, the number of organizations has also increased to meet the new demand caused by a larger curriculum and student body. Basically, these or ganizations can be divided into departmental organizations, home town clubs, and religious groups. Later, scholastic honor frater nities and mother’s clubs were Congratulations To DR. M. T. HARRINGTON may he have the best of luck in the years to follow as President * of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas atuSafci t \ FORITI OOSR9E5 EXTRA CARE MAKES IT EXTRA GOOD added. Today there are approx imately two hundred clubs on the campus. The departmental organizations bring to the campus many renown ed speakers- whose presence is aim ed at increasing college prestige and inspiring students. Religious groups are sponsors of Religious Emphasis Week during which many, prominent theologians address the student body. Home town clubs are responsible for numerous social activities, both on and off the campus, which facili tate the development of fellowship and bolster morale. with your food, and the food just slides right down with it.” Com pared with the chow they had been getting out of their mess kits (that is not what they called them) at “boot camp”, this food is tops, they agreed. The “boot camp” is the basic training station where they learn how to shoot a rifle and pistol and all the drill and field work that a marine goes through to make him the “outfightingest, outhinkingest critter on two legs.” Now what about the girls? “I haven’t seen a girl in two months,” one of the men muttered. “How can one go about getting acquaint ed with these girls around here?” Boy did they put us through the mill at “boot camp”! Why we were human pin cushions by the time the doctors got through punching us for tetanus, typhoid, smallpox, and an extra jab or two just for good measure. When the supply sar- geant issued them their rifles he said something like this, “This is your mother.” Then he gave them a bayonet to put on the rifle and said, “This is your brother. Take care of ’em.” And the marines did take care of that rifle right. “When you hit the bull’s eye at 500 yards you have to know that old rifle pretty well.” And when an air raid alarm was given each marine took his place in the trenches ready to kill an invader. National defense marches on at double times with the many branches of Uncle Sam’s fighting machine here at A&M. Each branch of course has its own char acteristics and attitudes; each branch being the only branch to get in, but every last man, even to his last breath is ready to give the Axis a walloping of such a nature that they will stay wal loped. (BATTALION, Tuesday, April 28, 1942) March 18, 1908—It is hoped that at the next general cleaning up day the occupants of the upper stoops will be more economical with the use of water. April 15, 19*08—During the prog ress of the play last Saturday night and especially during the move serious scenes, certain fellows smacked their lips, shuffled their feet and actually laughed aloud. The exhibition of such gross ignor- ance cannot be excused as it is the* height of rudeness. ENJOY the game! Stay dry in a raincoat of B. F. Goodrich flexible material Slip it on, zip up the front, and you're ready to watch the game in bone dry comfort. This coat is just 14 ounces of sturdy wear . . . 100% waterproof, including the seams, which are electronically sealed for extra strength. Topcoat tailored, it always looks new because wrinkles hang out. Won't crack, won't stick, stains and dirt wipe off v/ith a damp cloth. Comes in compact Koroseal envelope. Small, medium, large, extra large, medium long, and large long. =“7 t* Gunmetal / • / wf THE EXCHANGE STORE BEAT “Serving Texas Aggies” 8 M U ROM its inception in 1876 the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College has been a potent force in the progress of the great State it serves. The South Texas National Bank congratulates the directors, the fac ulty and the student body for their efforts in building this great insti tution Progressive Banking Service Since 1886