The search for Reveille IX has been narrowed to 10 applicants.
Alexandra Gonzalez, Traditions Council Chairman and search committee member, said it is her job to help keep the long-standing tradition of a great Texas A&M mascot strong for the years to come.
“Our viewpoint and representation is obviously just to preserve and promote the great tradition of Reveille and how she has evolved over the years and just truly has become iconic for Texas A&M,” Gonzalez said. “We take great pride in this tradition and her being the [5 diamond] member, the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. From the Traditions Council standpoint, I really like to represent the history of Reveille and how we’re looking to maintain this tradition as we move forward.”
After the university announced that Reveille VIII will retire at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year, a letter was sent out across the country to collie breeders, trainers and rescue organizations with the requirements for the next Texas A&M mascot.
According to this letter, the new mascot must be a mature female collie or dog with a collie-like appearance, medium to large size, approximately 1- 1.5 years of age or older as of March 1, 2015 and in good physical condition. Taking into account temperament, the letter also asked that candidates not be afraid of noise and portray a genuine affection for people of varying ages in one-on-one and large group settings.
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Chair of the Reveille IX Search Committee Tom Reber said the search was narrowed down from approximately 20 applicants by eliminating those that did not meet the required characteristics. The most common disqualifier was for individuals who submitted male dogs to be the next Reveille, while other applicants were 4-5 years old, making them too old for consideration.
“The search will start to intensify this semester as the committee will start to vote for their favorite dogs and we will then have to decide which dogs to visit and then bring to campus to meet the committee so we can make final recommendations,” Reber said.
The committee will be reviewing dogs from Houston, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota, Reber said. He said the committee may have finalists as early as late February to the beginning of March.
The possibility that a rescue dog will fit all the requirements and become the next Reveille is something that has stirred talk among current and former students.
“I am not opposed to [her being a rescue dog],” said Jacob Malek, junior industrial engineering major. “The starting place of Reveille isn’t as important as the Aggie raising of her. As long as she is a properly trained dog, then all Aggies should be proud.”
Reber said that he has heard from many students and former students requesting a rescue dog be considered as the next Reveille.
“From the beginning, the committee was committed to finding the best dog in regards to the characteristics that we felt were very important for Reveille IX to have a successful career,” Reber said. “If the best dog is also a rescue dog I think that would be a good thing.”
Once the selection is made, Reveille IX will be introduced to the university community at the Corps Final Review and Reveille VIII will be cared for at the Stevenson Animal Life Care Center on campus.