"Texas Aggies, famously, are pretty fanatical about our traditions. Which is odd for a place that has changed so much," writes Sue Owen '94 in this first-of-its-kind book. The Handbook of Texas Aggie Traditions is an illustrated directory that will educate, intrigue, and delight readers. Each tradition is presented with a short, clear description backed up with a deeper historical background. Best of all, this handbook offers suggestions on how to take part in many of these traditions both on and off campus. As Texas A&M grew from a small military academy to one of the largest public universities in the United States, the changing student body maintained many of the school's military-rooted traditions while adding others that included the "non-regs." The unique result is that these traditions now connect half-a-million Texas Aggies worldwide. Much of the strength of the extraordinary "Aggie Network" lies in these shared experiences. Aggies anywhere can-and do-find common ground with each other based in no small part on these traditions, whether they are class of 1958 or class of 2028. For a century and a half, time honored traditions such as Silver Taps, Muster, the fabled Aggie Ring, Midnight Yell Practice, Fish Camp, Maroon Out, and many more unite current and former students alike in the "Spirit of Aggieland." The Handbook of Texas Aggie Traditions is a must-read for all Aggies.
