Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 1963)
FRESHMAN EDITION BATTALION COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1963 SECTION THREE iV Company [('mains Best ince 1887 Freshman Drill Team Members of this elite group of freshmen throughout the year and perform at many are chosen after tryouts early each year, campus affairs. They represent A&M at drill competition Fish Drill Team Is Almost Busy As Ross Volunteers Since 1887 the Ross Volunteers jve stood as the elite group which presents the best A&M has to of- ir, as well as the oldest organized roup on campus. Though the name and size have mnged several times since the roup was founded, the purposes id traditions of the group have imained much the same. The original company was called ie Scott Volunteers, in honor of ol. T. M. Scott, who was business anager of the college at that me. The Volunteer's described ie purpose of their organization ! to band together the most mili- iry men in the school into a ack drill company. IN 1891, when ex-Governor awrence Sullivan Ross became •esident of the college, the name 1 the company was changed to oss Volunteers in his honor. Following the death of Ross in 198, the name was changed to oster Guards, again honoring the icceeded Ross. The company arched under the name of the ouston Rifles during President ouston’s administration. The plan ! the organization was to change s name in honor of each succeed- i? president of the college. In 1902, H. H. Harrington, son- | -law of Gov. Ross, became presi- mt of the college. When the | ame of Harrington Rifles was ’oposed. Harrington requested at the company again assume the ame of Russ Volunteers. IT WAS THEN decided to make the name of Ross Volunteers per manent, which it has remained. At the time of organization the membership was restricted to forty cadets chosen from the junior and senior classes. New members were accepted into the company by an election held early each scholastic year. The basks of acceptance was military ability and popularity. After World War I some non military students were elected, but in 1923 the company decided to make non-military students and those not making a “B” in Military Science ineligible. At present, to be eligible for membership, one must be taking the advanced Military Science or Air Science course at the time of his appointment, must have a 2.0 overall grade point ratio in his Military or Air Science course and at no time have failed a Military or Air Science course. ALSO AT THIS time, member ship became limited to 183 mem bers at a ratio of two juniors to one senior. This ratio insures a constant flow of candidates for special training and development in the company and for qualified potential leaders of the highest caliber. The company suffered a period of inactivity during- World War II when the advanced Reserve Of ficers Training Corps was disrupt ed. In September, 1948, however, the Volunteers were reactivated. Another activity freshmen will be interested in if they are mem bers of the Corps of Cadets is the Fish Drill Team. Made up exclusively of members of the freshman class, kke Fish Drill Team is almost as busy dur ing the year as the Ross Volun teers. The team is picked by tryouts from among the freshmen and practices just like other drill teams to get,intricate maneuvers down to perfection. Upperclassmen who are former members of the Fish Drill Team act as supervisors for the group. Campus activities of the team in clude presentations of skill in marching after various reviews held for visiting groups or digni taries. The team attends several drill contests during the year, and past drill teams have brought home trophies from almost every meet they have entered. The team’s uniform is the regu lar Class A uniform with wide white belts and white leggings, white helmit liners and white rifle slings. Completing the outfit are white gloves and a white neck scarf. Competition is keen for places on the Fish Drill Team and mem bers consider it a distinct honor to wear the uniform of the group. ‘Living Room’ Of Campus Is Student Center With its many varied facilities, the Memorial Student Center has become the center of student life at A&M. The incoming freshman will soon find it lives up to the title, “living room of the campus.” The sprawling structure was completed in 1950 at a cost of $2 million. Since then even more money and work has contributed to the facilities. It came about through the ef forts of the Association of Former Students. The MSC is dedicated to Aggies who have given their lives in military service. The names of these men appear on a large plaque beside the main entrance. IN ADDITION the hotel portion and numerous meeting rooms, the MSC has varied recreation facili ties. For the athletically inclined there are bowling and table tennis areas in one wing of the building. Record rooms are found in the east wing, with a complete collec tion of all types of music. The browsing library, where rec ords are checked out, has maga zines and books. The materials are not for checking out and remain on shelves for the student who washes to spend a short while reading. Next to the library is the game room where facilities for playing cards, chess, dominoes and other table games are available. Another favorite place is the piano room, w-here an instrument is available for students to play or listen to. IN THE MAIN lobby are many couches and chairs. This is a favor ite place for visitors to meet stu dents. Full meals are served in the cafeteria three times a day. A fountain room is also provided where students may eat breakfast or grab a sandwich all day long. The Ballroom on the second floor is the site of many dances and banquets. Also on this floor is the Serpentine Lounge, another favor ite meeting place. On the third floor the Metzger Gun Collection is open most hours of the day for students and visitors to inspect the many old and un usual firearms. Extra -Cu rricu lar Phases Discussed Section Three of this year’s freshman edition of The Battal ion is designed to inform the in coming student of some of the extra-curricular phases of A&M University. There are stories on some of the campus recreational facili ties, traditions, provisions for entertainment, and leading A&M organizations. Also included are information about churches and religious life at A&M and a statement from student chaplains. Market" To relieve a badly overcrowded situation in our text book department - which is doing a volume more than double that done the first year (1955-5G) it was moved to its present quarters - we have moved ALL Freshman text books to the old B&U Building directly across the street from The Exchange Store. There^ courteous attendants will assist you in selecting your books from open stock or in locating your lay-a-way package. In minutes you can be on your way. The Exchange Store "In Its Fifty Sixth Year of Serving Texas Aggies" P.S. After you have shopped “The Fish Market," come across the street and browse the wide selection of school supplies, study aids, quality paper backs and sports clothing in your official store—The Exchange Store.