Buildings and organizations at Texas A&M are tributes to former students who achieved great things, both during their time as students and in their careers.
Lt. Gen. O.R. Simpson, Class of 1936, is remembered through an organization inside the Corps of Cadets focused on academic excellence for individual cadets and helping other cadets achieve the same.
More than 100 cadets were recognized Monday night in Rudder Tower for their academic achievements as they were inducted into the O.R. Simpson Corps Honor Society the Corps academic elite.
Whats our number one priority in the Corps of Cadets? Academics, said Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez, Class of 1979 and commandant of the Corps of Cadets. This [organization] ought to be the forefront of what we talk about and what we do in our Corps.
Simpson, also the namesake for the O.R. Simpson Drill Field, served in three major conflicts, including World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War, in which he earned multiple awards, said Elizabeth Stone, senior communication major.
Simpson returned to A&M to serve as assistant vice president of student services, Stone said. He touched many lives through his service in the United States Marine Corps, Corps of Cadets and Texas A&M University.
Ramirez, who had the privilege of meeting the general in the late 1970s, said Simpson would be proud of the academic excellence and service the organization strives for.
He would be a very proud man today looking out at the audience, at all these great young cadets and what you stand for, as part of an organization that bears his name, Ramirez said.
Ramirez said in todays environment, its more important than ever to focus on academics while at Texas A&M.
Academics are what set the path for you to achieve success in the future, Ramirez said. The best way to get started in whatever path you want to take for the rest of your life is to get a good quality education here at Texas A&M University, and that starts with a good grade point ratio.
The Corps growing focus on academics has been reflected by the organizations growth, which has doubled in inductees since last fall, said Zach Habersang, senior computer engineering major and president of the honor society.
Last fall we only inducted about 50 members, Habersang said. Today we inducted more than 100, so weve doubled. Were getting better at grades, were getting more members and its going great.
The blue and white cords worn on the left shoulder distinguish members of the O.R. Simpson Honor Society. In order to be accepted into the organization, cadets must meet certain GPR requirements. Seniors must attain a 3.20 for 84 hours, juniors must attain a 3.30 for 54 hours and sophomores must attain a 3.40 for 25 hours.
We recognize these cadets as incentive for them to go out and make those grades to be a part of this organization, Habersang said. They go out and try to make grades and they can be seen wearing these cords. They put on this cord and they realize they earned this cord; they earned their ribbon.
Ramirez said the organization is a reflection of the Corps mission to train men and women to be leaders, both as cadets and as future leaders.
It makes me proud to know that these are our countrys future leaders, Ramirez said. I like to think weve done a good job of training you well and educating you well before you get out there to lead our state and our nation into the future. We need leaders today like never before.