Every year, Muster reminds current and former students why we are called the Aggie family. This year was no different when thousands of Aggies traveled to Reed Arena for the 100th campus Muster on Sunday night.
Speakers at the event included Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III, the Association’s Chair of the Board Bobby Jenkins, Student Body President Andrew Applewhite, Muster Committee Chair Avery DeWolf and the official Muster Speaker retired Maj. Gen. Tim Green.
As Aggies joined in celebration of the lives of former students, the Singing Cadets, Women’s Chorus and Century Singers started off the event with singing and the Ross Volunteers initiated the opening ceremony.
President Welsh opened his speech by remarking how Muster brings Aggies together from far and wide.
“It’s a spiritual homecoming that brings Aggies together across continents, across generations, and across time,” Welsh said. “It reminds us that no Aggie is never alone, it reminds us that every Aggie will be remembered, and it reminds us that our core value of loyalty is an eternal commitment.”
Muster Speaker Tim Green, Class of 1986 and 1992, opened his speech by reminiscing on his time in Aggieland and the lessons that he learned from A&M, specifically about the Core Values of leadership and respect.
“I wanted to share with you perhaps the greatest lesson of life and leadership that I took from A&M,” Green said. “The lesson that a life of integrity demands that we respect others even when it is hard, especially when it is hard.”
Green said that he took values from past Muster Speakers and applied those during this time at A&M. Remembering when the fall 1985 integration of women into the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band began, he said that was when his Aggie values were most challenged. Green said other band members wanted to quit or write letters of disagreement with the decision, however he learned that Aggies stood on the value of respect for others.
“Always choose to treat others with dignity and respect, don’t let anyone cause you to abandon your values.” Green said. “Enforce the new standard, there are no shortcuts, and don’t simply discard others who disagree with you … no one is disposable.”
Finally, Green encouraged current and former Aggies to apply their Core Values into the world.
“Look back at our history and look forward into our future, being a Texas Aggie does not end after you cross the stage and receive your diploma … graduation is the starting point of putting what you learned here into action.” Green said.
After Green’s speech, a roll call was read aloud by the Muster Committee to honor the lives of the Aggies who died in the past year and candles were lit across the floor of Reed to remember them. Finally, the night ended with Silver Taps performed by the Aggie Band and students filed out of Reed Arena with a sense of spirit that could be felt by all.
As Aggies look forward to next Muster on April 21, 2025, the final words of Muster were said to wish them off until next year by Randy Maness, Class of 1974.
“Keep warm in your hearts your affection for each other and for your Alma Mater,” Maness said. “The Muster is dismissed until April 21, 2025 and may good fortunes fall upon us until we meet again.”
